High Acid Research Articles

A new integrated strategy for high purity pinolenic acid production from Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc seed oil and evaluation of its hypolipidemic activity in vivo

Pinolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid present only in Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc seed oil. In order to solve the structural instability problem of polyunsaturated fatty acids, pinolenic acid of P. koraiensis seed oil was effectively isolated and purified by the integrated strategy of ethyl esterification followed by urea inclusion for the first time. Under the optimal conditions after the Box-Benhnken Design experimental, ethyl pinolenate with high purity 94.95% could be obtained, and the average content of PNAEE can still reach 86.18%. Then ethyl pinolenate was characterized by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared, and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, results showed that ethyl pinolenate was successfully prepared. In addition, the hypolipidemic activity of ethyl pinolenate had been tested in vivo and showed that ethyl pinolenate had obvious hypolipidemic activity. The new strategy for high purity ethyl pinolenate production from P. koraiensis seed oil possesses great potential in food healthy field in the future.

Reinforced Interfacial Cd─Se Bond Coupling Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Pyruvic Acid Synthesis

AbstractMaximizing the utilization of photogenerated electrons and holes to drive the coupling reaction of hydrogen evolution with selective value‐added organic synthesis holds great potential for more efficient exploitation of solar energy. Herein, the interstitial boron‐doped CdS is synthesized by taking SiO2 as a template as well as the adsorption sites of boric acid, which contributes to the boron doping and induces the reinforced Cd─Se bonding for enhancing the interfacial interaction with co‐catalyst MoSe2. Thus, the interfacial Cd─Se bond with more electron localization provides rapid channels at the atomic level for accelerating the charge transfer with a lower energy barrier, achieving the efficient hydrogen evolution and high selectivity pyruvic acid synthesis concurrently. This work provides a new perspective in avoiding the use of sacrificial agents uneconomically and producing green hydrogen with high‐value‐added chemicals simultaneously.

An insertion in the promoter of a malate dehydrogenase gene regulates malic acid content in apple fruit.

Malic acid is an important flavor determinant in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruit. One known variation controlling malic acid is the A/G SNP in an aluminium-activated malate transporter gene (MdMa1). Nevertheless, there are still differences in malic acid content in apple varieties with the same Ma1 genotype (Ma1/Ma1 homozygous), such as 'Honeycrisp' (high malic acid content) and 'Qinguan' (low malic acid content), indicating that other loci may influence malic acid and fruit acidity. Here, the F1 hybrid generation of 'Honeycrisp' × 'Qinguan' was used to analyze quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for malic acid content. A major locus (Ma7) was identified on chromosome 13. Within this locus, a malate dehydrogenase gene, MDH1 (MdMa7), was the best candidate for further study. Subcellular localization suggested that MdMa7 encodes a cytosolic protein. Overexpression and RNAi of MdMa7 in apple fruit increased and decreased malic acid content, respectively. An insertion / deletion (indel) in the MdMa7 promoter was found to affect MdMa7 expression and malic acid content in both hybrids and other cultivated varieties. The insertion and deletion genotypes were designated as MA7 and ma7, respectively. The transcription factor MdbHLH74 was found to stimulate MdMa7 expression in the MA7 genotype but not in the ma7 genotype. Transient transformation of fruit showed that MdbHLH74 affected MdMa7 expression and malic acid content in 'Gala' (MA7/MA7) but not in 'Fuji' (ma7/ma7). Our results indicated that genetic variation in the MdMa7 (MDH1) promoter alters the binding ability of the transcription factor MdbHLH74, which alters MdMa7 (MDH1) transcription and the malic acid content in apple fruit, especially in Ma1/Ma1 homozygous accessions.

Edible cockroaches as food and feed – A systematic review on health benefits, nutritional aspects and consumer acceptance

Abstract Cockroaches have been the subject of scientific investigation due of their potential as a protein source. While cockroaches are commonly associated with a repulsive image and can pose as pests in residential environments, several kinds of cockroaches have been classified as edible. There are several commonly encountered species of cockroaches, including Periplaneta americana Linnaeus, 1758, Periplaneta australasiae Fabricius, 1775, Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838, Blatta orientalis Linnaeus, 1758, Neostylopyga rhombifolia Stoll, 1813, and Periplaneta fuliginosa Serville, 1839. While there is not universal acceptance of cockroaches as a food source, a significant number of individuals from many countries have developed a cultural practice of consuming them. The nations encompassed within this group are Vietnam, Thailand, and Mexico. The utilization of cockroach as a potential protein substitute is linked to its substantial nutritional composition, particularly its high protein and amino acid content. This paper offers a detailed overview of cockroaches, encompassing their characteristics, nutritional composition, bioactive properties, the utilization of cockroaches as a food source, processed food derived from cockroaches, their cultivation, and potential adverse effects associated with the consumption of cockroaches. This publication is anticipated to serve as a valuable reference for comprehending the utilization of cockroaches as a constituent in food.

Comparative analysis for nutrients, flavor compounds, and lipidome revealed the edible value of pond-cultured male Pelodiscus sinensis with different ages

Pelodiscus sinensis is an aquatic product with a long growth cycle in pond culture and high nutritional value meat. The flavor compounds, nutrients, and lipidome were investigated to explore the edible value changes of turtle meat aged 3 to 6 years (Y3 to Y6). Typically, P. sinensis meat is rich in high-quality protein (EAAI ≥81.22, AAS ≥86.47). Y6 has the highest level of Se, protein, amino acids, and high unsaturated fatty acids, including EPA + DHA. Y5 has the most delicious amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and key odorant content. The stronger flavor of Y5 may be mainly related to C18:2n6t and C18:2n6c. Further, triacylglycerols (TAG) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were significant changes in Y5. Additionally, PI (16:0/18:1) was identified as the potential biomarker. These results provided available information on P. sinensis marketing age and revealed the potential impact of nutrients on the formation of VOCs.

#2420 A comparative analysis of food intake according to the degree of dietary compliance among Korean hemodialysis patients

Abstract Background and Aims Food intake management plays a crucial role in the treatment of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Maintaining a balanced diet involves adequate protein intake, sufficient calorie consumption, and restriction of water, sodium, and potassium intake. This study aims to highlight the significance of balanced dietary management by comparing and analyzing differences in food intake patterns among Korean HD patients based on the levels of dietary adherence. Throughout our analysis, we suggest the importance of balanced food intake management for HD patients. Method The data were collected through a survey conducted among 442 HD patients across 18 university hospitals nationwide. The survey employed the dietary adherence and the food intake frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0. The analysis method was K-means cluster analysis to classify the degree of dietary adherence into high-adherence and low-adherence. In addition, cross-analysis and independent samples t-test were utilized to compare differences between the groups in demographic characteristics, general health and nutritional status, laboratory data, and food intake frequency. Results Gender distribution revealed 257 males (59.4%) and 176 females (40.6%). The age distribution was as follows: 50-64 years old, 179 individuals (40.8%); 30-49 years old, 97 individuals (22.1%); 65–74 years old, 97 individuals (22.1%); 75 years and above, 52 individuals (11.8%). BMI determination resulted in the following order: underweight - normal in 207 people (48.8%); obese - severely obese in 123 people (29.0%); and overweight in 94 people (22.2%). Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) indicated that 296 individuals (73.3%) were in good nutritional status, while 108 individuals (26.7%) were in fair nutritional status. The duration of HD was distributed as follows: 135 patients (32.1%) for 1–3 years, 103 patients (24.5%) for 5–10 years, 82 patients (19.5%) for 3–5 years, and 66 patients (15.7%) for 10 years or longer. The subjects were clustered into two groups based on their dietary compliance: high adherence and low adherence. The dietary compliance scores, on a scale of 22 points, were 13.63 ± 1.475 for the high adherence group and 9.15 ± 1.681 for the low adherence group. In the high adherence group, uric acid (p < 0.01), serum creatinine (p < 0.01), intact PTH (p < 0.01), TIBC (p < 0.05), and glucose (p < 0.05) were significantly lower than those parameters in the low adherence group. The frequency of daily food intake was also analyzed according to the dietary adherence. The high adherence group showed significantly higher frequencies in rice(p < 0.001), white fish(p < 0.05), low-potassium vegetables(p < 0.01), mushrooms(p < 0.01), low-fat milk(p < 0.01), liquid yogurt(p < 0.05) compared to the low adherence group. On the other hand, the high adherence group showed lower consumptions of foods, such as gimbap, bibimbap (p < 0.05), noodle soup(p < 0.01), bread(p < 0.05), fruit juice(p < 0.05), and tea(p < 0.01). Conclusion The high-adherence group exhibited significantly satisfactory blood parameters and food intake status, highlighting the pivotal role of dietary compliance. Consequently, adhering to dietary guidelines is essential for ensuring sufficient nutrient intake and overall health among HD patients.

#2387 Case study of a patient with gouty nephropathy treated with immunosorbent therapy

Abstract Background and Aims Gouty nephropathy is a kidney disease caused by chronic hyperuricemia, in which uric acid crystals are deposited in the kidneys leading to tubular and glomerular damage, which in turn affects kidney function. Patient female, 68 years old, 7 years ago, no obvious cause of the first toe joint of the right foot, the right ankle joint redness, swelling and pain, the local skin temperature increases, serious limitation of activities, had checked the high uric acid (specific unknown), diagnosed as “gout”, simple treatment after the symptoms are relieved, but did not have systematic treatment, and gradually appeared in the left foot, the first toe joint, the left ankle joint, double knee joint redness, swelling and pain, oral pain medication treatment, pain disappears after still no systematic treatment. After that, redness, swelling and pain appeared gradually in the first toe joint of the left foot, left ankle joint and both knee joints, and the pain disappeared without systematic treatment after taking pain-relieving medicines. He was admitted to our hospital as an outpatient with the diagnosis of “gout”. Method Immunosorbent therapy was given once/day on days 1-3, along with Jinshuibao and urotoxin clearing granules. Immunosorbent therapy was given again three times on the 8th-10th day of admission. Results Before admission, uric acid: 899.3 µmol/L; creatinine: 586.1 µmol/L, both seriously out of the normal range. 3 days later, uric acid: 770.4 µmol/L, creatinine: 468.7 µmol/L. At the time of discharge, serum uric acid: 298.5 µmol/L and creatinine: 182.6 µmol/L were detected and restored to the normal range. Conclusion The case demonstrated the presence of gout with arthritic symptoms, vascular damage, anemia, and hepatic and renal impairment. The patient's gout progressively worsened due to prolonged absence of systemic treatment. After admission, the levels of uric acid and creatinine were effectively controlled and restored by immunosorbent therapy. This indicates that immunosorbent therapy plays a positive role in removing uric acid from the body and improving renal function. Meanwhile, the management and control of gout was further strengthened by combining the comprehensive treatment with Jinshuibao and uremic acid granules.

Green Fabrication of Superhydrophilic/Underwater Superoleophobic Composite Membrane for High-Efficiency Oil/Water Separation in Harsh Environments.

Due to the high oil spill incidence and industrial wastewater discharge including oil and emulsified oil, designing and synthesizing oil-water separation materials which can maintain stability under harsh environmental conditions with high separation efficiencies remains a great challenge. The present work developed an easy, green, cost-effective, and easily scaled-up approach for fabricating cellulose-based membranes. First, we coated polydopamine (PDA) onto fibers of filter membrane (FM). Then, the PDA-FM membrane was immersed into the mixed solution of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) (PVA/PAA) and further thermally cross-linked at 150 °C to create a superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membrane (PVA/PAA@PDA-FM) to separate oil/water mixtures. The simple thermally cross-linking process promotes multiple covalent chemical bonds generation between cellulose filter membrane, PAA, PDA, and PVA, endowing membranes with excellent stability and resistance to acidity, alkalinity, and salinity. The PVA/PAA@PDA-FM membrane not only demonstrates great separation performance (>99.8%) and great flux (>1000 L m-2 h-1) in oil-water immiscible mixtures but also maintains high separation efficiency under conditions of high acidity, alkalinity, and salinity. Additionally, the PVA/PAA@PDA-FM membrane exhibits excellent separation capacity in oil-water emulsions, which can maintain the >99.6% separation efficiency even after 40 cycles in harsh environments, showing outstanding reusability. Thus, due to the multiple cross-linked networks in the membrane, the excellent performance makes the PVA/PAA@PDA-FM membrane a good application prospect in water purification and oily wastewater treatment.

Physicochemical Properties, Proximate Composition, and Carotenoid Content of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng (Gac) Fruit

The study aims to determine the physical and chemical properties of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng (gac) fruits. Fruit size varied, weighing 359.17 to 588.33g, with lengths of 11.10 to 13.92 cm and circumferences of 27.43 to 30.67 cm. Components included pulp (34.06 to 41.58%), seeds (23.11 to 29.70%), peel (16.65 to 20.60%), and aril (15.64 to 18.64%). Skin and aril colour parameters (L*, a*, b*) indicated maturity and carotenoid content. Aril had higher acidity (pH 5.54±0.02, titratable acidity [TA] 0.03 to 0.05g/L), total soluble solids (TSS, 11.57%±0.52 °Brix), and carbohydrates (55.6 g/100 g) than pulp (pH 5.65±0.02, TA 0.01 to 0.02g/L, TSS 4.90%±0.33 °Brix, carbohydrates 30.9 g/100 g). Peel contained most protein (6.2 g/100 g) and dietary fibre (56.9 to 58.1 g/100 g). Glucose and fructose were found in both pulp and aril. Potassium levels were highest in peel (817.59 mg/100 g), followed by pulp (658.20 mg/100 g) and aril (228.79 mg/100 g). Lycopene dominated carotenoids, especially in aril (31.7 to 103.7 mg/g). β-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin were also present. β-carotene (2.9 to 9.6 mg/g) was second to lycopene, followed by astaxanthin (1.54 to 4.91 mg/g), lutein (0.16 to 1.35 mg/g), and zeaxanthin (0.35 to 1.49 mg/g), absent in pulp. These findings have implications for the food industry, offering insights into gac fruit’s nutritional potential. Malaysian gac exhibited superior nutritional content, with pulp and aril as notable sources of carbohydrates and minerals for consumption and aril as a promising source of healthy oils.

Nutrition in the intensive care unit: from the acute phase to beyond.

Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown no benefit but dose-dependent harm by early full nutritional support in critically ill patients. Lack of benefit may be explained by anabolic resistance, suppression of cellular repair processes, and aggravation of hyperglycemia and insulin needs. Also early high amino acid doses did not provide benefit, but instead associated with harm in patients with organ dysfunctions. However, most studies focused on nutritional interventions initiated during the first days after intensive care unit admission. Although the intervention window of some RCTs extended into the post-acute phase of critical illness, no large RCTs studied nutritional interventions initiated beyond the first week. Hence, clear evidence-based guidance on when and how to initiate and advance nutrition is lacking. Prolonged underfeeding will come at a price as there is no validated metabolic monitor that indicates readiness for medical nutrition therapy, and an adequate response to nutrition, which likely varies between patients. Also micronutrient status cannot be assessed reliably, as inflammation can cause redistribution, so that plasma micronutrient concentrations are not necessarily reflective of total body stores. Moreover, high doses of individual micronutrients have not proven beneficial. Accordingly, current evidence provides clear guidance on which nutritional strategies to avoid, but the ideal nutritional regimen for individual patients remains unclear. In this narrative review, we summarize the findings of recent studies, discuss possible mechanisms explaining the results, point out pitfalls in interpretation of RCTs and their effect on clinical practice, and formulate suggestions for future research.

Establishment and characterization of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome rabbit model.

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is a congenital defect disease that results in defective purine metabolism. It is caused by pathogenic variants of the HPRT gene. Its clinical symptoms mainly include high uric acid levels, gout, and kidney stones and damage. The mechanism of LNS has not been fully elucidated, and no cure exists. Animal models have always played an important role in exploring causative mechanisms and new therapies. This study combined CRISPR/Cas9 and microinjection to knock out the HPRT gene to create an LNS rabbit model. A sgRNA targeting exon 3 of HPRT gene was designed. Subsequently, Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA were injected into rabbit zygotes, and injected embryos were transferred to the uterus. The genotype and phenotype of rabbits were analyzed after birth. Four infant rabbits (named R1, R2, R3 and R4), which showed varying levels of gene modification, were born. The gene-editing efficiency was 100%. No wild-type sequences at the target HPRT gene were detected in R4 rabbit. Next, 6-thioguanine drug testing confirmed that HPRT enzymatic activity was deficient in R4 infant rabbit. HE staining revealed kidney abnormalities in all infant rabbits. Overall, an sgRNA capable of knocking out the HPRT gene in rabbits was successfully designed, and HPRT gene-modified rabbits were successfully constructed by using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and microinjection. This study provides a new nonrodent animal model for studying LNS syndrome.

Evaluating the associations between compliance with CKD guideline component metrics and renal outcomes

Understanding the association between compliance to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) guidelines in real-world clinical settings and renal outcomes remains a critical gap in knowledge. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using data from a national, multicenter CKD registry. This study included 4,455 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurement on the index date and eight additional metrics recorded within six months. These metrics comprised serum electrolyte levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin, and the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The primary outcome was a composite of renal events, defined by a decline in eGFR to < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a reduction of ≥ 30% in eGFR, confirmed by follow-up tests. Over a median follow-up of 513 days, 838 renal events were observed. High serum potassium levels (> 5.4 mmol/L) were associated with increased event rates compared to lower levels. Similarly, low serum sodium-chloride levels (< 33) correlated with higher event rates. Usage of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, low serum calcium (< 8.4 mg/dL), and high uric acid levels (> 7.0 mg/dL) were also linked to increased events. Conversely, higher hemoglobin levels (≥ 13 g/dL) were associated with lower event rates. Compliance to guidelines, categorized into quartiles based on the number of met metrics, revealed a significantly reduced risk of events in the highest compliance group (meeting 8 metrics) compared to the lowest (0–5 metrics). Compliance to CKD guidelines in clinical practice is significantly associated with improved renal outcomes, emphasizing the need for guideline-concordant care in the management of CKD.

Arabidopsis diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 mutants require fatty acid desaturation for normal seed development.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (DGAT1) is the major enzyme that synthesizes triacylglycerols (TAG) during Arabidopsis seed development. Mutant dgat1 seeds possess low oil content in addition to a high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition. Two genes encoding endoplasmic reticulum localized desaturase enzymes, fatty acid desaturase2 (FAD2) and fatty acid desaturase3 (FAD3), were upregulated in both dgat1-1 and dgat1-2 developing seeds. Crosses between both dgat1 mutant alleles and fad2-1 failed to generate plants homozygous for both dgat1 and fad2. Reciprocal crosses with wild-type plants demonstrated that both male and female dgat1 fad2 gametophytes were viable. Siliques from DGAT1/dgat1-1 fad2-1/fad2-1 and dgat1-1/dgat1-1 FAD2/fad2-1 possessed abnormal looking seeds that were arrested in the torpedo growth stage. Approximately 25% of the seeds exhibited this arrested phenotype, genetically consistent with them possessing the double homozygous dgat1 fad2 genotype. In contrast, double homozygous dgat1-1 fad3-2 mutant plants were viable. Seeds from these plants possessed higher levels of 18:2 while their fatty acid content was lower than dgat1 mutant controls. The results are consistent with a model where in the absence of DGAT1 activity, desaturation of fatty acids by FAD2 becomes essential to provide PUFA substrates for phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) to synthesize TAG. In a dgat1 fad2 mutant, seed development is aborted because TAG is unable to be synthesized by either DGAT1 or PDAT.

Identification of the Wound Healing Activity Peptidome of Edible Bird's Nest Protein Hydrolysate and the In Silico Evaluation of Its Transport and Absorption Potential in Skin.

In this study, edible bird's nest (EBN) was proven to be a suitable source of bioactive peptides via enzymatic hydrolysis. The ultrafiltration component of the EBN peptides (EBNPs, Mw < 3 000 Da) could be responsible for moderate moisture retention and filaggrin synthesis. It was found that EBNP had a great capacity to protect HaCaT keratinocytes from DNA damage caused by UVB-irradiation and enhance wound healing by increasing the migratory and proliferative potential of cells. Furthermore, the external application of EBNP could effectively repair high glycolic acid concentration-induced skin burns in mice. A total of 1 188 peptides, predominantly the hydrophobic amino acids (e.g., Leu, Val, Tyr, Phe), were identified in the EBNP by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Molecular docking showed that hydrophobic tripeptides from EBNP had a good binding affinity to proton-dependent oligopeptide transporter PepT1. Our data indicated that the hydrophobic amino acid-rich EBNP plays an important role in skin wound healing.

Some Amino Acids Affect the Response of Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Single Nodules In Vitro Multiplication

Organic nitrogen, which comes from amino acids, is absorbed and transported more rapidly than inorganic nitrogen by plant cells and tissues. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of some amino acids on the response of single nodes of grape Vitis vinifera L. Superior and Red globe cultivars were classified for in vitro multiplication to develop an efficient protocol for propagation of these two valuable species. The study included two experiments: first, the effect of adding three concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1) mg L-1 of Benzyl Adenine (BA) to the MS medium in the initiation stage. The second investigation utilized three amino acid types (glutamine, asparagine, and methionine) at five concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80) mg L-1 added to MS medium containing 2 mg L-1 of BA. Results indicated that the most significant newly initiated shoots (2.40 and 2.88) and the largest leaves number (7.90 and 5.88) for both cultivars, Superior and Red globe, respectively were obtained in a medium with 1 mg L-1 of BA. The multiplication results in eight weeks after cultivation showed that adding amino acid glutamine at 10 mg L-1 significantly increased the number of shoots/explant (6.60 and 6.00) and (29.50 and 38.30) leaves/explant for Red globe and Superior, respectively. The high amino acid concentrations (40 and 80) mg L-1 significantly reduced the studied growth parameters, especially the number of newly formed shoots. The results obtained from the present study exhibited the possibility of applying this modified protocol to the propagation of selected grape cultivars to encourage the expansion of the grape-growing industry in Iraq.

Novel catalyst-solvent system for high molecular weight polylactic acid synthesis via azeotropic solution polycondensation method

ABSTRACT Polycondensation for PLA synthesis is widely used due to its cost-effectiveness, but it often leads to low molecular weight PLA. To address this limitation, researchers have explored different catalysts, with the stannous chloride and p-toluene sulfonic acid combination being a popular choice. However, this method typically yields PLA with a MW of no more than 35000 g/mol, which is unsuitable for commercial applications. In contrast, ring-opening polymerization is considered the most effective method for synthesizing high MW PLA, despite its complexity and cost. Industrial-scale production predominantly employs ROP due to its capability to produce high MW PLA. The use of stannous octoate as a catalyst for ROP has shown promise in synthesizing higher MW PLA. However, its sensitivity to water limits its use in polycondensation, where stannous chloride is commonly employed but is not capable of synthesizing high MW PLA. This study explores the use of stannous octoate for the synthesis of high MW PLA with higher yield.

Sustainable Enzymatic Production of Omega-3 Oil from Squid Viscera

Fish oils are widely consumed around the world to increase omega-3 fatty acid intake. Due to negative impacts on marine resources and ecosystems from an increasing demand for fish, alternative sustainable sources are under investigation. Squid viscera contains up to 10% oil by mass and is available as a byproduct from squid processing. Squid viscera oil is a source of EPA and DHA and contains the xanthophyll carotenoid astaxanthin, known for its significant anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cardiovascular properties. In the raw form, squid viscera oil has a high free fatty acid (FFA) content, so conventional alkaline refining results in low yield and loss of astaxanthin. As a higher-yielding alternative, the current study optimized lipase-catalyzed glycerolysis of squid viscera oil to convert FFA into acylglycerol using a custom-built one-liter immobilized enzyme reactor. To monitor the reaction progress and assess its impact on the oil, we analyzed lipid classes, fatty acid composition and astaxanthin levels. Under optimized conditions, FFA was reduced from 40% to 2.7% in 10 h and 1.7% in 24 h, with no significant effect on EPA and DHA levels, and astaxanthin being retained. Squid viscera presents a safe and sustainable additional source of marine-derived EPA and DHA oil.

Environmental adaptation, growth performance and nutrient content of the clam Cyclina sinensis from different geographic locations

The clam Cyclina sinensis is an economically important marine species in China. However, overfishing, habitat destruction, and inbreeding have led to the destruction of genetic resources. In this study, five natural populations [Dandong (DD), Dongying (DY), Tianjin (TJ), Wenzhou (WZ), and Yancheng (YC)] from different geographical locations were relocated and cultured homogeneously to study their potential for translocation and environmental adaptation by observing growth performance and nutrient content. There were significant differences in the growth rates of shell length (SL), shell height (SH), and shell width (SW) among the five populations (P&amp;lt;0.05). The DD, TJ, and YC populations exhibited the highest SL and SH growth rates, whereas these were lowest in the WZ population. The survival rate was highest in the YC population and lowest in the WZ population, which was significantly lower than the other four populations (P&amp;lt;0.05). The DD population exhibited superior plumpness and glycogen content, and the overall glycogen content in male C. sinensis was higher compared with that in females (P&amp;lt;0.05). All populations displayed a high total amino acid content and the essential amino acid/Total Amino Acid (EAA/TAA) and Non-essential amino acid/Total Amino Acid (NEAA/TAA) ratios in the soft tissue of all five populations aligned with the FAO/WHO ideal protein evaluation standards. Despite the same aquaculture environment, however, the nutrient composition of C. sinensis sampled from different populations varied significantly (P&amp;lt;0.05).Therefore, ex situ conservation did not eliminate nutritional differences between the different populations of C. sinensis. These findings highlight the importance of considering environmental and ecological factors in the nutritional assessment and cultivation of shellfish. In addition, C. sinensis from sampling sites closer to the transplantation sites had higher survival rates and growth rates, and the gonadal development of all populations showed adaption to the local environment, resulting in synchronization of the reproductive period.

Enhancing probiotic impact: engineering Saccharomyces boulardii for optimal acetic acid production and gastric passage tolerance.

Saccharomyces boulardii has been a subject of growing interest due to its potential as a probiotic microorganism with applications in gastrointestinal health, but the molecular cause for its probiotic potency has remained elusive. The recent discovery that S. boulardii contains unique mutations causing high acetic acid accumulation and inhibition of bacterial growth provides a possible clue. The natural S. boulardii isolates Sb.P and Sb.A are homozygous for the recessive mutation whi2S270* and accumulate unusually high amounts of acetic acid, which strongly inhibit bacterial growth. However, the homozygous whi2S270* mutation also leads to acetic acid sensitivity and acid sensitivity in general. In the present study, we have constructed a new S. boulardii strain, derived from the widely therapeutically used CMCN I-745 strain (isolated from the pharmaceutical product Enterol), producing even higher levels of acetic acid while keeping the same tolerance toward low pH as the parent Enterol (ENT) strain. This newly engineered strain, named ENT3, has a homozygous deletion of ACH1 and strong overexpression of ALD4. It is also able to accumulate much higher acetic acid concentrations when growing on low glucose levels, in contrast to the ENT wild-type and Sb.P strains. Moreover, we show the antimicrobial capacity of ENT3 against gut pathogens in vitro and observed that higher acetic acid production might correlate with better persistence in the gut in healthy mice. These findings underscore the possible role of the unique acetic acid production and its potential for improvement of the probiotic action of S. boulardii.IMPORTANCESuperior variants of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii produce high levels of acetic acid, which inhibit the growth of bacterial pathogens. However, these strains also show increased acid sensitivity, which can compromise the viability of the cells during their passage through the stomach. In this work, we have developed by genetic engineering a variant of Saccharomyces boulardii that produces even higher levels of acetic acid and does not show enhanced acid sensitivity. We also show that the S. boulardii yeasts with higher acetic acid production persist longer in the gut, in agreement with a previous work indicating competition between probiotic yeast and bacteria for residence in the gut.

Development and optimization of a polysilicon-aluminum alkali mineral-enhanced biochar composite for effective heavy metal removal in acidic environments

While traditional biochar demonstrates promising performance in diverse settings, its efficacy may be constrained under specific conditions of high acidity and heavy metal concentrations. In this study, researchers developed a new polysilicon-aluminum alkali mineral-enhanced biochar composite material, GBMSs (green biochar-metakaolin-sodium silicate), by pyrolyzing fibers from dragon fruit peels and blending them with metakaolin and sodium silicate. Using a response surface methodology, this environmentally friendly composite material was optimized for removing copper and zinc contaminants across a range of initial pH levels from 2 to 6. Experimental findings indicated that the adsorption capacity of GBMSs for copper and zinc was significantly enhanced, ranging from 1.5 to 4 times greater compared to pure biochar or biochar mixed solely with a silicon-aluminum mineral. Various analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were utilized to examine the influence of poly-silica-aluminum alkali minerals (GBMSs) on biochar composites. The findings revealed an upsurge in surface binding locations and oxygen-related functional groups because of integrating GBMSs. This augmentation of electronegative features on the biochar surface was credited to the development of stabilizing silica-aluminum connections, ultimately boosting its adsorption effectiveness in acidic surroundings. By applying Langmuir and Freundlich models, it was deduced that the adsorption of GBMSs adheres to a multilayer uniform adsorption mechanism, with surface ion interchange and complexation restricting the adsorption capability. This research highlights the potential of clay mineral-altered biochar in efficiently dealing with intricate environmental contamination.