High Levels Of Amino Acids Research Articles

Amino Acid Sensing and Assimilation by the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans in the Human Host.

Nutrient uptake is essential for cellular life and the capacity to perceive extracellular nutrients is critical for coordinating their uptake and metabolism. Commensal fungal pathogens, e.g., Candida albicans, have evolved in close association with human hosts and are well-adapted to using diverse nutrients found in discrete host niches. Human cells that cannot synthesize all amino acids require the uptake of the “essential amino acids” to remain viable. Consistently, high levels of amino acids circulate in the blood. Host proteins are rich sources of amino acids but their use depends on proteases to cleave them into smaller peptides and free amino acids. C. albicans responds to extracellular amino acids by pleiotropically enhancing their uptake and derive energy from their catabolism to power opportunistic virulent growth. Studies using Saccharomyces cerevisiae have established paradigms to understand metabolic processes in C. albicans; however, fundamental differences exist. The advent of CRISPR/Cas9-based methods facilitate genetic analysis in C. albicans, and state-of-the-art molecular biological techniques are being applied to directly examine growth requirements in vivo and in situ in infected hosts. The combination of divergent approaches can illuminate the biological roles of individual cellular components. Here we discuss recent findings regarding nutrient sensing with a focus on amino acid uptake and metabolism, processes that underlie the virulence of C. albicans.

Walker-256 Tumour-Induced Cachexia Altered Liver Metabolomic Profile and Function in Weanling and Adult Rats.

Cancer cachexia occurs in up to 85% of advanced cancer patients, affecting different tissues and organs, mainly the liver, which plays a central role in body metabolism control. However, liver responses to cancer cachexia progression are still poorly understood. Considering the possible different challenges provided by the rodent’s phase of life and the cachexia progression, we evaluated the liver metabolic alterations affected by Walker-256 tumour growth in weanling and young-adult rats. For this, we applied a metabolomics approach associated with protein and gene expression analyses. Higher amino acid levels and impaired glucose metabolism were important features in tumour-bearing animals’ liver tissue. The weanling hosts had more pronounced cachexia, with higher carcass spoliation, liver lipid metabolism and impaired CII and CIV mitochondrial complexes. The liver alterations in young adult tumour-bearing rats were related to energy status and nucleotide metabolites, such as uridine, NAD+, xanthosine, hypoxanthine and inosine. In conclusion, the Walker-256 tumour-induced cachexia impaired liver metabolism, being more severe in the weanling hosts. Further studies are needed to correlate these changes in the preclinical model, which can be correlated to the clinical features of cancer cachexia, allowing for a translational potential involving the liver function and its responses to potential treatments.

Soaking time of lime solutions (Citrus aurantifolias) against the metal content reduction of cadmium in green shellfish (Perna viridis)

Indonesia has the potential for large marine and fisheries resources, reaching 23.26 million tons per year. Green shellfish (<em>Perna viridis</em>) are a source of animal protein that can be classified as Complete Protein because of its high levels of essential amino acids. These green shellfish are cheaper than other seafood products. However, heavy metals can be absorbed by shellfish, which is cadmium (Cd) which if consumed can accumulate in the body, cause health problems and lead to death. Therefore, research is needed to reduce cadmium levels in green shellfish, including using a lime solution (<em>Citrus aurantifolia).</em> This study was to determine the effectiveness of the soaking time of lime in reducing the cadmium levels in green shellfish. The research was an experimental with a pretest-posttest group design. Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney test was used to analyze data by SPSS. The results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) that means the longer the soaking time, the longer the time for the citrate ions to react with metal cadmium, more cadmium is bound to the lime solution. It showed that soaking green shellfish with lime solution for 120 minutes was the most effective to reduce 73.77% of cadmium levels in green shellfish.

High throughput method development and optimised production of leaf protein concentrates with potential to support the agri-industry

Invasive plants offer an interesting and unconventional source of protein and the considerable investment made towards their eradication can potentially be salvaged through their revalorisation. To identify viable sources, effective and high-throughput screening methods are required, as well as efficient procedures to isolate these components. Rigorous assessment of low-cost, high-throughput screening assays for total sugar, phenolics and protein was performed, and ninhydrin, Lever and Fast Blue assays were found to be most suitable owing to high reliability scores and false positive errors less than 1%. These assays were used to characterise invasive Scottish plants such as Gorse (Ulex europeans), Broom (Cystisus scoparius) and Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium). Protein extraction (alkali-, heat- and enzyme assisted) were tested on these plants, and further purification (acid and ethanol precipitation, as well as ultrafiltration) procedures were tested on Gorse, based on protein recovery values. Cellulase treatment and ethanol precipitation gave the highest protein recovery (64.0 ± 0.5%) and purity (96.8 ± 0.1%) with Gorse. The amino acid profile of the purified protein revealed high levels of essential amino acids (34.8 ± 0.0%). Comparison of results with preceding literature revealed a strong association between amino acid profiles and overall protein recovery with the extraction method employed. The final purity of the protein concentrates was closely associated to the protein content of the initial plant mass. Leaf protein extraction technology can effectively raise crop harvest indices, revalorise underutilised plants and waste streams.

The Echocardiographic Parameters of Systolic Function Are Associated with Specific Metabolomic Fingerprints in Obstructive and Non-Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether metabolomics, associated with echocardiography, was able to highlight pathophysiological differences between obstructive (OHCM) or non-obstructive (NOHCM) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Thirty-one HCM patients underwent standard and advanced echocardiography; a plasma sample was collected for metabolomic analysis. Results. Patients with OHCM compared with subjects with NOHCM had higher values of 2DLVEF (66.5 ± 3.3% vs. 60.6 ± 1.8%, p < 0.01), S wave (7.6 ± 1.1 vs. 6.3 ± 0.7 cm/s, p < 0.01) and 3D global longitudinal strain (17.2 ± 4.2%, vs. 13.4 ± 1.3%, p < 0.05). A 2-group PLS-Discriminant Analysis was performed to verify whether the two HCM groups differed also based on the metabolic fingerprint. A clear clustering was shown (ANOVA p = 0.014). The most discriminating metabolites resulted as follows: in the NOHCM Group, there were higher levels of threitol, aminomalonic acid, and sucrose, while the OHCM Group presented higher levels of amino acids, in particular those branched chains, of intermediates of glycolysis (lactate) and the Krebs cycle (fumarate, succinate, citrate), of fatty acids (arachidonic acid, palmitoleic acid), of ketone bodies (2-OH-butyrate). Our data point out a different systolic function related to a specific metabolic activity in the two HCM phenotypic forms, with specific metabolites associated with better contractility in OHCM.

Serum metabolite profiles predict outcomes in critically ill patients receiving renal replacement therapy

Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) is associated with increased incidence of dialysis dependence and portends high mortality in critically ill patients. At the early stage of RRT, serum metabolic biomarkers might differntiate patients with a high risk of mortality or permanent kidney injury from those who can recover. Serum samples from participants enrolled in the Veteran’s Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute Renal Failure Trial Network study were collected on day 1 (n = 97) and day 8 (n = 105) of randomized RRT. The samples were further evaluated using LC/MS-based metabolic profiling. A model predicting mortality by day 8 was built from samples collected on day 1 and based on four metabolites with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.641. A model most predictive of mortality by day 28 was built from the levels of 11 serum metabolites from day 8 with an AUC of 0.789. Both day 1 and day 8 samples had lower serum levels of 1-arachidonoyl-lysoPC and 1-eicosatetraenoyl-lysoPC (involved in anti-inflammatory processes) in the critically ill patients who died by day 8 or day 28. Higher levels of amino acids and amino acid metabolites in the day 8 model predicting < day 28 mortality may be indicative of muscle wasting. A kidney recovery biomarker panel based on the serum levels of three metabolites from day 8 samples with an AUC of 0.70 was devised. Serum metabolic profiling of AKI critically ill patients requiring RRT revealed predictive models of mortality based on observed differences in four serum metabolites at day 1 and 11 metabolites at day 8 which were predictive of mortality. Significant changes in the levels of these metabolites suggest links to inflammatory processes and/or muscle wasting.

First Report of Aloe vera Rust Caused by Uromyces aloes in an Ornamental Nursery in the United States.

Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. is a tropical evergreen perennial in the family Liliaceae. Native to the Arabian Peninsula, it is sold in Pennsylvania as an ornamental and for its medical and topical purposes due to its high levels of amino acids, anthraquinones, saponins, and vitamins A, B, C, E (Sahu et al. 2013). In February 2020, at an ornamental plant nursery in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 5 out of 15 mature A. vera plants in 15 cm pots showed symptoms and signs of rust on the leaves, exhibiting dark-brown erumpent pycnial spots with a chlorotic band surrounding the infected tissue that turned necrotic after three days of incubation at 20°C. Only the telial stage was present. Sori (n=25) were rounded, concentrically arranged, 0.2-3.7 mm, and covered by a brown epidermis. Teliospores (n=40) were amphigenous, orange-brown, globose to ellipsoidal, measuring (29.2) 30.4-36.1 (39.5) × (27.4) 27.6-30.1 (30.5) µm, with a wall thickness of 4-5 µm, and a persistent hyaline pedicel ranging from 5 to 57.1 µm in length and 5.2 to 9.3 µm in width. These measurements were comparable to the descriptions of Uromyces aloes previously reported from India (teliospore size 25-42.5 x 20-30 µm, wall thickness 3-5 µm, and pedicel size 25-95 x 5-6.25 µm), and South Africa (teliospore size 30-44 x 24-32 µm, wall thickness 4-6 µm, and pedicel size 6-20 µm) (Maier et al. 2007; Soni et al. 2011). Based on these morphological traits and the plant host, the causal agent was identified as Uromyces aloes (Cooke) Magnus (Pucciniaceae, Uredinales). The sample was also independently identified as U. aloes by the USDA APHIS PPQ Beltsville lab (Interception # APEMD200552555001) based on morphological characteristics. Teliospores were harvested with a sterile pin, transferred to a 1.5 ml tube with DNA extraction buffer (100 mM Tris-HCL, 10 mM EDTA, 1 M KCl, pH 8) and macerated using a plastic mini-pestle. The DNA was precipitated using isopropanol, washed with 70% ethanol, and reconstituted in 50 µl of PCR-grade water. The segment of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was amplified using ITS4/ITS5 primers (White et al. 1990). The nuclear ribosomal small subunit (18S) was amplified with rust specific primers Rust18S-R (Aime 2006) and NS1 (White et al. 1990). The nuclear ribosomal large subunit (28S) was amplified with primers LR0R and LR7 (Vilgalys et al. 1990). Amplified PCR products were cleaned using ExoSap (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) or QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) and sequenced at Penn State Genomics Core Facility. The nucleotide sequences were trimmed, analyzed, and aligned using Geneious 11.1.5 software (Biomatters, Auckland, NZ). The resulting 692-bp segment of the ITS, 1,633-bp segment of the 18S, and the 1,324-bp segment of the 28S regions were deposited in the GenBank database under accession numbers MT136509, MZ146345, and MZ146342, respectively. Based on GenBank BLAST analysis, a 529-bp fragment of our 28S product was found to share 98.87% (523/529) identity with U. aloes isolate WM3290 (DQ917740) from South Africa, with three nucleotide differences and three gaps between the two strains. Comparisons among ITS and 18S sequences could not be made because no ITS or 18S sequence data from U. aloes has previously been deposited in GenBank. To our knowledge, this is the first report of U. aloes from A. vera in the United States. Infected plants were confined inside a greenhouse and have been destroyed. Since the plants were purchased from either Ontario, Canada or Florida, the extent of infection in the United States is unknown.

Quality of carcasses and meat from male and female rabbits

Meat from rabbits offers high nutritive properties as it has high levels of essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Rabbit meat is also regarded lean, since it contains less fat than many other meat types. The composition of rabbit meat lipids is also favourable due to higher contents of unsaturated fatty acids compared to other types of meat. The aim of the present study was to examine and compare meat quality from male and female rabbits. A total of 24 rabbits (12 males and 12 females) were used. The rabbits were slaughtered at an age of 17–18 weeks. The following parameters were studied: slaughter traits, colour, pH, cooking loss, tenderness, total fat content and water holding capacity (WHC). Interestingly, the ultimate pH was significantly lower in male compared to female rabbits (p = 0.008). Moreover, cooking losses were higher in the meat from male rabbits (p = 0.001). No other relevant differences were found between meat from male and female rabbits suggesting that sex might be regarded as a minor factor in the production of rabbit meat at the chosen slaughter age.

Milk Production and Quality of Lactating Yak Fed Oat Silage Prepared with a Low-Temperature-Tolerant Lactic Acid Bacteria Inoculant.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of oat silage treated with a low-temperature-tolerant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant on milk yield and the quality of lactating yaks. Oat silages were prepared in big round bales, treated without (control) or with a low-temperature-tolerant LAB inoculant (a mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum BP18, Pediococcus pentosaceus HS1 and Lactobacillus buchneri LP22; the application rate of 105 cfu/g on a fresh matter basis). Eighteen lactating yaks were divided into nine pairs with a similar milk yield. Each pair of yaks was randomly allocated to the control or LAB-inoculated silage treatment. The inoculated silage increased the dry matter intake and the total volatile fatty acid (mainly acetate, propionate and butyrate) in rumen fluid compared with the control. The inoculated silage also enhanced the yield of yak milk with high contents of total N, fat and lactose. In addition, high levels of essential amino acids (Thr, Leu and Phe), polyunsaturated fatty acids and low saturated fatty acids were observed in milk when lactating yaks were fed with the inoculated silage. Therefore, inoculation with a low-temperature-tolerant LAB during ensiling could promote the milk yield of lactating yaks by enhancing dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation.

Metabolomic Variability of Different Soybean Genotypes: β-Carotene-Enhanced (Glycine max), Wild (Glycine soja), and Hybrid (Glycine max × Glycine soja) Soybeans.

We obtained a new hybrid soybean (Hybrid) by hybridizing β-carotene-enhanced soybean (BCE; Glycine max L.) containing the phytoene synthase-2A-carotene desaturase gene and wild-type soybean (Wild; Glycine soja). To investigate metabolic changes between variants, we performed metabolic profiling of leaves (three growth stages) and seeds. Multivariate analyses revealed significant metabolic differences between genotypes in seeds and leaves, with seeds showing accumulation of phytosterols, tocopherols, and carotenoids (BCE only), indicating co-induction of the methylerythritol 4-phosphate and mevalonic acid pathways. Additionally, Hybrid produced intermediate levels of carotenoids and high levels of amino acids. Principal component analysis revealed metabolic discrimination between growth stages of soybean leaves and identified differences in leaf groups according to different genotypes at 8, 12, and 16 weeks, with Wild showing higher levels of environmental stress-related compounds relative to BCE and Hybrid leaves. The metabolic profiling approach could be a useful tool to identify metabolic links in various soybean cultivars.

Physicochemical composition, nitrogen fraction and volatile profiles of goat cheese made with artisanal liquid coagulant.

In this study, physicochemical composition, nitrogen fractions and volatile compounds of goat cheeses manufactured using artisanal liquid coagulant by four different manufacturers in a mountainous area were investigated. Fresh goat cheeses were characterized by their high fat and high levels of total free amino acids. Volatile profiles were isolated by a solid-phase microextraction technique (SPME/GC-MS) and analyzed by gas chromography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the cheeses, 50 aroma components were identified as ten acids, nine terpens, nine alcohols, eight esters, six aldehydes, five ketones, two volatile phenols and one norisoprenoid with 13 carbon atoms. The major aroma compounds found were nonanoic acid, 2-hexanol and acetoin.

Metabolomic Profiling of Fresh Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) Berries from Two Cultivars Grown in Central Italy: A Multi-Methodological Approach.

The metabolite profile of fresh Goji berries from two cultivars, namely Big Lifeberry (BL) and Sweet Lifeberry (SL), grown in the Lazio region (Central Italy) and harvested at two different periods, August and October, corresponding at the beginning and the end of the maturation, was characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI FT-ICR MS) methodologies. Several classes of compounds such as sugars, amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, polyphenols, and terpenes were identified and quantified in hydroalcoholic and organic Bligh-Dyer extracts. Sweet Lifeberry extracts were characterized by a higher content of sucrose with respect to the Big Lifeberry ones and high levels of amino acids (glycine, betaine, proline) were observed in SL berries harvested in October. Spectrophotometric analysis of chlorophylls and total carotenoids was also carried out, showing a decrease of carotenoids during the time. These results can be useful not only to valorize local products but also to suggest the best harvesting period to obtain a product with a chemical composition suitable for specific industrial use. Finally, preliminary studies regarding both the chemical characterization of Goji leaves generally considered a waste product, and the biological activity of Big Lifeberry berries extracts was also investigated. Goji leaves showed a chemical profile rich in healthy compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, etc.) confirming their promising use in the supplements/nutraceutical/cosmetic field. MG63 cells treated with Big Lifeberry berries extracts showed a decrease of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-8 expression indicating their significant biological activity.

Increased Dietary Inclusion Levels of Lysine Are More Effective than Arginine in Supporting the Functional Status of the Gut in Growing Turkeys.

Simple SummaryThe concentrations of essential amino acids (EAA) in turkey diets are established in line with the recommendations of either the British United Turkeys (BUT) or the National Research Council (NRC), which, however, differ with regard to the dietary levels and ratios of important EAA, including lysine (Lys), arginine (Arg) and methionine (Met). For instance, the dietary Arg:Lys ratio in turkey diets recommended by the BUT is approximately 2–5% higher than that recommended by the NRC. Similarly, the lowest and the highest values of the Met:Lys ratio recommended by the BUT exceed those recommended by the NRC by around six and three percentage points, respectively. The above differences may appear to be relatively small, but they raise concerns in the turkey production sector due to their potential impact on both feed cost and bird physiology. Since the turkey sector has grown rapidly in the past decade, a further understanding of the EAA needs of birds is essential to achieving high growth rates and maintaining a profitable and sustainable production.Arginine (Arg) and lysine (Lys) may be important for the overall health of turkeys. The aim of this study was to determine whether low (consistent with the guidelines) and high (10% higher than recommended) levels of dietary Arg and Lys can modulate performance and the functional status of the gut. Female turkeys were allocated to four dietary treatments (two levels of Lys (low or high) and two levels of Arg (low or high)) for a 16 wk feeding period. The treatments did not affect turkey performance determined separately for four feeding phases and for the entire 16 wk experiment (p > 0.05). They had no significant influence on carcass yield, meat characteristics or the associated traits either (p > 0.05). High-Lys diets contributed to a decrease in cecal pH, a significant increase in the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and a decrease in the concentrations of putrefactive SCFA and ammonia in the cecum. High dietary levels of both amino acids significantly enhanced the activity of cecal microbiota evaluated based on extracellular enzyme activity. These findings indicate that the higher dietary level of Lys was more effective in modulating the physiological status of the gut in turkeys than Arg.

Impact of parboiling and cultivars on the free and total amino acid composition of rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

Parboiling imparts significant changes to nutritional composition of rice. The study presents the variations in amino acid (AA) composition of rice observed during parboiling process, observed in selected Sri Lankan rice cultivars. Upon parboiling, the change in levels of free and protein bound amino acids inconsistently varied across the rice cultivars and upon the parboiling technique. In comparison to non-parboiled rice, parboiling resulted in pronounced increase in nutritional gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) levels ranging from 2 times up to 11 times rendering parboiled rice a functional food. Rice parboiled after soaking for 48 hr using steam reported the highest free AA and GABA contents, while parboiling with steeping in boiling water after 24 hr soaking accounted for higher total amino acid contents in rice. Hence, for production of parboiled rice with increased nutritive value in respect of AA levels, the significance of optimization of post-processing conditions in parboiling is highlighted. Novelty impact statement Parboiling is a post harvesting technique which improves the cooking, storage, and nutritional quality of rice. In the approach to investigate the variations in amino acid composition of rice upon parboiling, the present study discusses the significant impact caused by the cultivar and the technique being used on the amino acid composition. Hence, an insight is provided into the utilization of optimum conditions during the parboiling process to produce parboiled rice enriched with high amino acid levels including gamma amino butyric acid.

Foxtail millet prolamin as an effective encapsulant deliver curcumin by fabricating caseinate stabilized composite nanoparticles

The development of food proteins as effective delivery systems is of great significance for the encapsulation of active compounds. Foxtail millet prolamin (FP) has a high level of hydrophobic amino acids and proline, meets the basic characteristics of delivery system, and was described here for the first time as an effective delivery system for the encapsulation of curcumin. The interaction between FP and curcumin was confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy, showing the joint driving of hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bonds. Curcumin-loaded caseinate-stabilized FP nanodispersions were prepared by anti-solvent/evaporation method. The mean particle size was about 220–235 nm, sharing features of a spherical shape, uniform particle size, and smooth surfaces. High level of curcumin was encapsulated in the FP-based nanoparticles, exhibiting high particle yield (>88.4%) and encouraging encapsulation efficiency (>71.3%). X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the encapsulated curcumin was amorphous state and interacted with proteins via non-covalent bonds. The nano-sized particles can effectively prevent the degradation of curcumin during heat treatment, and significantly enhance the antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. This study provides a new encapsulant for effective protection and targeted delivery of hydrophobic active biomolecules.

Alanine alters the carbohydrate metabolism of rainbow trout: glucose flux and cell signaling.

In rainbow trout, dietary carbohydrates are poorly metabolized compared with other macronutrients. One prevalent hypothesis suggests that high dietary amino acid levels could contribute to the poor utilization of carbohydrates in trout. In mammals, alanine is considered an important gluconeogenic precursor, but has recently been found to stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to reduce glucose levels. In trout, the effect of alanine on glucose flux is unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of 4 h exogenous alanine infusion on glucose metabolism in rainbow trout. Glucose flux, and the rate of glucose appearance (Ra) and disposal (Rd) were measured in vivo. Key glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzyme expression and activity, and cell signaling molecules relevant to glucose metabolism were assessed in the liver and muscle. The results show that alanine inhibits glucose Ra (from 13.2±2.5 to 7.3±1.6 μmolkg-1 min-1) and Rd (from 13.2±2.5 to 7.4±1.5 μmolkg-1 min-1) and the slight mismatch between Ra and Rd caused a reduction in glycemia, similar to the effects of insulin in trout. The reduction in glucose Rd can be partially explained by a reduction in glut4b expression in red muscle. In contrast to mammals, trout alanine-dependent glucose-lowering effects did not involve hepatic AMPK activation, suggesting a different mechanistic basis. Interestingly, protein kinase B (AKT) activation increased only in muscle, similar to effects observed in insulin-infused trout. We speculate that alanine-dependent effects were probably mediated through stimulation of insulin secretion, which could indirectly promote alanine oxidation to provide the needed energy.

Nutraceutical Study on Maianthemum atropurpureum, a Wild Medicinal Food Plant in Northwest Yunnan, China.

Maianthemum atropurpureum (Franch) LaFrankie (Asparagaceae), called nibai in Tibetan or dongka in Drung or zhu-ye-cai in local Chinese, is a wild vegetable consumed by the Tibetan people and other ethnic groups in Northwest Yunnan, China. It is also a traditional medicinal plant used by different linguistic groups for antimicrobial purposes. However the nutritional and phytochemical compositions of this important medicinal food plant have not been well studied previously. In this study, the nutrient content for nibai was determined by the China National Standards (GB) methods, and the phytochemical analysis involved multiple chromatographic and spectral methods including LC-TOF-MS analysis. Dried nibai is a rich source of protein (ca. 24.6%), with 18 of the 21 common amino acids. The amino acid content of nibai can reach up to 17.9/100 g, with the essential amino acids as major contributors, corresponding to 42.3% of the total amino acids. Nibai contains rich mineral elements, dietary fiber, vitamins, β-carotene, carbohydrates, and lipids. The phytochemical content of nibai was examined by conventional isolation strategies, as well as HR-ESI-TOF-MS to detect and identify 16 compounds including nine steroid saponins and seven flavonoids. Among these compounds, uridine, adenosine, guanosine, and β-methyl-6-methyl-d-glucopyranoside were found from the genus Maianthemum for the first time. These results help to demonstrate that the local people’s practice of consuming Maianthemum atropurpureum is reasonable due to its high levels of vitamins, minerals, essential amino-acids, and phytochemicals. Nibai may be further developed in Tibet and surrounding regions, and beyond as a health food, nutraceutical, and/or dietary supplement product.

Metabolic changes in leaves of N. tabacum and N. benthamiana during plant development

Dwindling fossil fuel reserves and poor environmental credentials of chemical synthesis means, new renewable sources for the production and manufacture of valuable chemicals and pharmaceuticals are required. Presently, tobacco is an underutilised non-food crop with the potential to act as a biofactory. In this study, metabolite profiling across vegetative development has been carried out to provide a quantitative baseline of metabolites, their formation and interaction. Two tobacco platforms have been used, Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum. Our data generated has provided the quantitative and qualitative baseline levels for exploitable pathways and metabolites, across two complementary Nicotiana species. N. benthamiana is the chassis of choice for transient expression. The metabolite data obtained for N. benthamiana highlighted that before flower emergence, the increased central carbon metabolism and high amino acid levels are available for the biosynthesis of endogenous or heterologous metabolites. In the future, engineering pathways or biocatalysts into N. benthamiana could add value to the process presently used to produce low volume, high cost pharmaceuticals. Similar outputs were obtained for N. tabacum, which has the advantage of providing a large biomass and hence, high product yield. These data provide an insight into the metabolite pools available in tobacco for future exploitation by emerging New Plant Breeding Techniques.

Non-targeted Metabolomics Reveals Metabolic Characteristics of Porcine Atretic Follicles.

Follicular atresia is one of the main factors limiting the reproductive power of domestic animals. At present, the molecular mechanisms involved in porcine follicular atresia at the metabolic level remain unclear. In this study, we divided the follicles of Bama Xiang pigs into healthy follicles (HFs) and atretic follicles (AFs) based on the follicle morphology. The expression of genes related to atresia in granulosa cells (GCs) and the concentration of hormones in the follicular fluid (FF) from HFs and AFs were detected. We then used liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based non-targeted metabolomic approach to analyze the metabolites in the FF from HFs and AFs. The results showed that the content of estradiol was significantly lower in AFs than in HFs, whereas that of progesterone was significantly higher in AFs than that in HFs. The expression of BCL2, VEGFA, and CYP19A1 was significantly higher in HFs than in AFs. In contrast, the expression of BAX and CASPASE3 was significantly lower in HFs. A total of 18 differential metabolites (DMs) were identified, including phospholipids, bioactive substances, and amino acids. The DMs were involved in 12 metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis and primary bile acid biosynthesis. The levels of eight DMs were higher in the HF group than those in the AF group (p < 0.01), and those of 10 DMs were higher in the AF group than those in the HF group (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that the metabolic characteristics of porcine AFs are lower levels of lipids such as phospholipids and higher levels of amino acids and bile acids than those in HFs. Disorders of amino acid metabolism and cholic acid metabolism may contribute to porcine follicular atresia.

Postharvest Drying Techniques Regulate Secondary Metabolites and Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activities of Ganoderma lucidum.

Ganoderma lucidum extract is a potent traditional remedy for curing various ailments. Drying is the most important postharvest step during the processing of Ganoderma lucidum. The drying process mainly involves heat (36 h at 60 °C) and freeze-drying (36 h at −80 °C). We investigated the effects of different postharvest drying protocols on the metabolites profiling of Ganoderma lucidum using GC-MS, followed by an investigation of the anti-neuroinflammatory potential in LPS-treated BV2 microglial cells. A total of 109 primary metabolites were detected from heat and freeze-dried samples. Primary metabolite profiling showed higher levels of amino acids (17.4%) and monosaccharides (8.8%) in the heat-dried extracts, whereas high levels of organic acids (64.1%) were present in the freeze-dried samples. The enzymatic activity, such as ATP-citrate synthase, pyruvate kinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatase dehydrogenase, glutamine synthase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, and D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, related to the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle were significantly high in the heat-dried samples. We also observed a decreased phosphorylation level of the MAP kinase (Erk1/2, p38, and JNK) and NF-κB subunit p65 in the heat-dried samples of the BV2 microglia cells. The current study suggests that heat drying improves the production of ganoderic acids by the upregulation of TCA-related pathways, which, in turn, gives a significant reduction in the inflammatory response of LPS-induced BV2 cells. This may be attributed to the inhibition of NF-κB and MAP kinase signaling pathways in cells treated with heat-dried extracts.