Lactic Acid Concentration Research Articles

Aerobic Stability of High-Moisture Corn Ensiled with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum During Prolonged Air Exposure

The evaluation of the aerobic stability of silages primarily involves monitoring temperature, while changes in composition are often neglected. In the present study, the effect of aeration on high-moisture corn ensiled with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was investigated and compared with that of the control without inoculant. The corn used in this study was grown in five plots in a split-plot experimental design, and each plot represented the repetition of silage preparation, both with and without inoculant. In the silages, the temperature changes and the content of acids and alcohols were monitored during the 6 days of aeration, while the content of the main nutrients was compared before and after 6 days of aeration. The temperature difference between the silages and the environment was below 3 °C during the entire aeration period, regardless of the ensiling method. The content of lactic acid was higher in L. plantarum silages, while the contents of acetic and propionic acid, methanol and ethanol were higher in the control (p < 0.001). The content of all compounds changed during the aeration period (p < 0.05), regardless of the ensiling method and the stable silage temperature. Aeration affected the content of soluble crude protein and starch (p < 0.05), suggesting starch degradation in high-moisture corn during aeration. Therefore, in addition to monitoring silage temperature, monitoring lactic and acetic acid and the main nutrients should be considered, as the nutritional value of high-moisture corn could decrease during aeration.

Ciprofol versus propofol for anesthesia induction in cardiac surgery: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.

Ciprofol, a novel intravenous general anesthetic with a chemical structure similar to propofol, exhibits significantly enhanced potency. It offers a rapid onset, reduced incidence of injection pain, and has comparable effects on heart rate and blood pressure to propofol. However, clinical data on its use for anesthesia induction in cardiac surgery remain limited. Seventy-eight patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement surgery were randomly assigned to receive either ciprofol (N = 40) or propofol (N = 38) for anesthesia induction. Variables recorded included changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate during anesthesia, alterations in the oxygenation index and lactic acid concentration before and 10min after anesthesia induction, and the incidence of adverse events such as bradycardia, hypotension, and injection pain. The incidence of anesthesia-induced injection pain was significantly lower in the ciprofol group compared to the propofol group (3% vs. 18%, P < 0.05). The incidence of other adverse events was similar between the groups. No significant differences in hemodynamics or oxygenation index were observed during anesthesia induction between ciprofol and propofol. Ciprofol demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of injection pain compared to propofol, potentially improving patient comfort during anesthesia induction. Additionally, ciprofol showed comparable circulatory stability to propofol during anesthesia induction in cardiac surgery, suggesting it may be a suitable alternative to propofol for this application. The trial was registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov on 03/10/2024 (NCT06312345).

Ren-Shen-Bu-Qi decoction alleviates exercise fatigue through activating PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway in mice.

Fatigue is a prevalent issue that can lead individuals to a sub-health condition, impacting their work efficiency and quality of life. There are limited effective treatment options available for fatigue. Ren-Shen-Bu-Qi decoction (RSBQD) is a proprietary herbal remedy that is designed to address fatigue. However, the specific pharmacological mechanisms and basis of RSBQD are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of RSBQD in a mouse model of exercise fatigue. UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was used to analyze the chemical composition of RSBQD. The pharmacological basis and molecular mechanism of RSBQD on exercise fatigue were predicted using network pharmacology analysis. Subsequently, an exercise fatigue mouse model was established and used to analysis the effects of RSBQD. The potential mechanisms were verified by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot (WB) and molecular docking. The results showed that 88 main components of RSBQD were identified, which have mainly belonged to flavonoids and carboxylic acid compounds. The network pharmacology analysis indicated that RSBQD ameliorate fatigue through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Notably, RSBQD prolonged the swimming time and diminished body weight loss of exercise fatigue mice (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, RSBQD significantly alleviated the injury of liver and kidney induced by exhaustive exercise, and decreasing the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea and BUN levels (P < 0.05). In addition, RSBQD was found could relieve exercise fatigue by decreasing the content of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lactic acid (LA), but increasing the blood glucose (GLU) and liver glycogen (HG) levels (P < 0.05). RSBQD also significantly increased the hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) but decreased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Moreover, RSBQD was able to upregulate protein level of activated Nrf2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. RSBQD mitigates exercise fatigue by reversing metabolic changes and reducing oxidative damage through the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway. This study offers pharmacological support for the utilization of RSBQD in exercise fatigue treatment.

Fermentation Performance of Carob Flour, Proso Millet Flour and Bran for Gluten-Free Flat-Bread.

Sourdough fermentation is rarely used for gluten-free flatbread (GFFB), a product that is challenging to produce, especially when using high-fiber ingredients that bring nutritional benefits but lead to physical deterioration. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the fermentation performance of carob flour (CSPF), proso millet flour (PMF), and proso millet bran (PMB) individually and in combination with Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Kluyveromyces marxianus (LF + KM) and to compare the performance of LF + KM with a commercial starter (LIVENDO® LV1). A mixture design (n = 13) was used to evaluate the fermentation performance of LF + KM (total titratable acidity (TTA); lactobacilli and yeast growth; acetic and lactic acid, fructose, glucose, and saccharose content) at 35 °C for 16 h. The comparison of LF + KM with LV1 fermentation was based on the acidity rate, fermentation quotient, TTA, and finally by determining the physical properties (texture, shape, color) of a rice-corn GFFB in which 10% of flour was supplemented with the sourdoughs. PMB promoted the growth of lactobacilli and the production of organic acids, especially in combination of CSPF and PMF. The optimum flour ratio was 2.4:1:1.2 (PMB:PMF:CSPF). LF + KM shortened the sourdough fermentation time by 2.5 times compared to LV1. The use of LF + KM sourdough reduced the hardness (32%) and chewiness (28%) of the GFFB, while the volume (35%) was increased compared to LV1 sourdough. This study shows the potential of using local alternative flours in sourdough fermentation for the production of GFFB.

Development of plant-based yogurt from munguba (Pachira aquatica) seeds: Stability and predictive growth of lactic acid cultures

Lactic fermentation is employed to enhance the nutritional quality of plant-based milks, and exploring underutilized plant matrices like munguba (Pachira aquatica) can bring innovation to the plant-based beverage market. This study aimed to develop a yogurt from munguba seeds and investigate the fermentation kinetics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), as well as the product's stability during storage. Munguba seed milk was prepared through cleaning, peeling, blanching, blending, filtering, and storing at 5 °C. Fermentation was conducted with Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus fermentum at 36 °C, and microbial growth was monitored to construct a LAB growth curve. Ultra High Temperature (UHT) whole cow's milk was used for comparison. Munguba seed milk fermented for 9 h showed LAB growth from 3.89 to 8.22 log CFU/mL, while UHT cow's milk fermented for 6 h showed LAB growth from 4.55 to 6.33 log CFU/mL. The Baranyi model showed good fits for both data sets (R2 of 0.9528 for munguba milk and 0.9340 for UHT milk). Specific growth rates, doubling times, and multiplication rates were higher for munguba milk (μ of 1.10 h^-1, td of 0.66 h, MR of 1.59 h^-1) compared to UHT milk (μ of 0.85 h^-1, td of 0.84 h, MR of 1.22 h^-1). LAB, mold, and yeast counts, pH, and lactic acid content remained stable over 31 days of refrigerated storage of munguba seed yogurt. These results indicate that munguba seed milk is a promising substrate for fermented beverages and beneficial microorganisms.

Effects of Wilting and Exogenous Lactic Acid Bacteria on the Fermentation Quality and Microbial Community of Plantago lanceolata Silage

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of wilting and exogenous lactic acid bacteria treatments on the chemical composition, fermentation quality, and microbial community composition of Plantago lanceolata silage (PS). This experiment was carried out in the Guizhou Extension Station of Grassland Technology (25°38′48″ N, 106°13′6″ E). The PS samples were divided into four treatment groups, namely control PS (C-PS), wilting-treated PS (W-PS), Lactobacillus brucei-treated PS (LB-PS), and wilting + L. brucei-treated PS (WLB-PS) groups, and analyzed after 60 d of treatment. The W-PS and WLB-PS groups showed significantly lower ether extract, ash, and Neutral detergent fiber contents but significantly higher water-soluble carbohydrate content compared to the C-PS and LB-PS groups (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, the W-PS group had significantly lower propionic acid content but significantly higher butyric acid content compared to the other groups (p &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, the WLB-PS group had the highest lactic acid content, the lowest pH, and no butyric acid content (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, the WLB-PS group showed a high proliferation of beneficial bacterial species (Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus plantarum) and decreased proliferation of undesirable bacterial species (Clostridium lutlcellarli and Clostridium tyrobutyricum). In conclusion, the combination treatment with wilting and L. brucei increased beneficial microorganisms and inhibited undesirable microorganisms during ensiling, thereby improving the fermentation quality of PS. Therefore, the combination treatment with wilting and L. brucei may be an effective Plantago lanceolata silage modulation technique.

Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Gastric Cancer: Potential Mechanisms and Clinical Applications-A Literature Review.

Emerging evidence highlights the crucial role of gastrointestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection stands out as a primary pathogenic factor. However, interventions such as anti-H. pylori therapy, gastric surgeries, immunotherapy, and chronic inflammation significantly remodel the gastric microbiome, implicating a broader spectrum of microorganisms in cancer development. These microbial populations can modulate gastric carcinogenesis through various mechanisms, including sustained chronic inflammation, bacterial genotoxins, alterations in short-chain fatty acids, elevated gastrointestinal bile acids, impaired mucus barrier function, and increased concentrations of N-nitrosamines and lactic acid. The dynamic changes in gut microbiota also critically influence the outcomes of anti-cancer therapies by modifying drug bioavailability and metabolism, thus affecting therapeutic efficacy and side effect profiles. Additionally, the effectiveness of radiotherapy can be significantly impacted by gut microbiota alterations. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome, such as dietary interventions, probiotic and synbiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation, are showing promise in cancer treatment. Understanding the intricate relationship between the gut microbiota and gastric cancer is essential for developing new, evidence-based approaches to the prevention and treatment of this malignancy.

Dynamic Analysis of Fermentation Quality, Microbial Community, and Metabolome in the Whole Plant Soybean Silage

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important oilseed crop, known for its rich nutritional content and high-quality protein. To address the shortage of feed protein resources and better utilize soybeans as a raw material, this study investigated the feasibility of using whole-plant soybean (WPS) as silage. As the ensiling period is a critical fermentation parameter, identifying the optimal fermentation duration was a key objective. The research involves fermenting WPS for silage production, conducted over five fermentation durations: 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. The fermentation quality, microbial community, and metabolome of WPS silage were analyzed across these different time points. WPS silage fermented for 30 days exhibited optimal fermentation characteristics, with the highest lactic acid (LA) content observed at 30 days (p &lt; 0.05), while butyric acid (BA) was detected only at 60 and 90 days. At 30 days, Enterococcus genera reached its peak relative abundance and was identified as the dominant genus. Random forest analysis highlighted Pantoea genera as the most influential biomarker. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine were significantly enhanced during the later stages of fermentation compared to the earlier stages. Under natural fermentation conditions, the optimal fermentation period for WPS silage is approximately 30 days. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of WPS and the subsequent optimization of fermentation quality.

Effects of fermented Chinese herbal medicine feed additives on growth performance and intestinal microbiota of piglets.

Fermented Chinese medicine (FCM), as a functional feed additive, has been widely recognized to play a significant role in protecting the intestinal health of piglets and enhancing productive performance. However, the relationship between the active components of FCM, gut microbiota, and their beneficial effects on animal performance remains unclear. In this study, metabolomics analysis revealed a significant increase in the main contents of lactic acid and propionic acid in FCM, while most glycosides and their derivatives decreased after three days of microbial fermentation. Subsequently, piglets were fed a basic diet supplemented with 1% FCM, while the control group received only the basic diet. The results indicated a significant increase in feed intake and average daily gain within 14 days (P<0.05) due to FCM supplementation. Additionally, FCM significantly improved feed efficiency from 1.76 to 1.50 (P<0.05), and piglets in the FCM group exhibited significantly lower frequencies of diarrhea and coughing, which indicated improved health condition by FCM. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing analysis revealed higher abundances of Lactobacillus agilis, Megasphaera elsdenii, Ligilactobacillus, and Veillonellaceae in FCM group. In summary, FCM increased the content of active metabolites through microbial fermentation and regulated the intestinal microbiota to improve the health of piglets. FCM offers a promising potential for enhancing production performance and economic efficiency in the livestock industry.

Influence of Ensiling Timing and Inoculation on Whole Plant Maize Silage Fermentation and Aerobic Stability (Preliminary Research)

Despite efforts to prevent atypical ensiling conditions, such as delayed ensiling or sealing, these issues frequently occur in practice. This study aimed to investigate the effects of delayed ensiling (forage held for 24 h) and sealing, along with inoculation using a blend of Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Lactococcus lactis, on the characteristics of the resulting silages. Whole-plant maize (Zea mays L.) was treated with or without a commercial inoculant and ensiled (36% dry matter) for 60 days in 3.0 L glass containers. The forage was either ensiled immediately or subjected to a 24 h delay before ensiling. During the delay, the forage was either covered or left uncovered. Each treatment was replicated five times. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS statistical software (version 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Delaying the ensiling process by 24 h worsens fermentation parameters, significantly increases dry matter (DM) losses (p &lt; 0.01), and significantly reduces aerobic stability and the hygienic quality of the silage (p &lt; 0.01), as evidenced by higher concentrations of undesirable fermentation products and elevated yeast and mold counts. The inoculation has a significant impact on both forage before ensiling and the characteristics of the resulting silage. Maize forage treated with inoculant showed a lower temperature increase by 8.2–8.1 °C (p &lt; 0.01) when delayed for 24 h before ensiling. In silages, it also resulted in a reduced pH (p &lt; 0.01); increased concentrations of lactic acid; acetic acid; and 1,2-propanediol (p &lt; 0.01); and decreased levels of negative fermentation indicators such as ammonia-N, alcohols, and butyric acid (p &lt; 0.01) During both the fermentation and aerobic exposure periods, inoculated silages exhibited up to 36% and 2.6 times lower (p &lt; 0.01) dry matter loss, while suppressing the growth of yeasts and molds by up to 2.6 and 3.1 times (p &lt; 0.01), respectively, compared to non-inoculated silages. The results of this study support the recommendation to minimize the duration of aerobic exposure of fresh forage during silo filling and to use LAB-based inoculants.

Effects of Different Additives and Ratios on Broom Sorghum Straw Silage Characteristics and Bacterial Communities

As a large agricultural country, China produces a large number of agricultural and sideline products while harvesting agricultural products every year. Crop straw is one of them. Broom sorghum is a traditional crop in China, which produces a large amount of straw resources every year. These straw resources are placed in the field and cannot be used efficiently. The purpose of this study was to solve the problem of straw utilization of Broom sorghum, one of the main food crops in arid and semi-arid areas of northern China. Broom sorghum is not only a nutritious food crop, its straw is also rich in crude fiber and mineral elements, which has high utilization value. However, due to the high content of lignocellulose in straw, the texture is hard, which limits its digestion and utilization efficiency as feed. In this study, the broom sorghum straw was used as the research object, and the straw raw materials were treated with Lactobacillus plantarum, cellulase and xylanase, respectively. After silage fermentation for 30 d and 60 d, the bags were opened to determine the nutritional quality, fermentation quality, microbial community structure and other indicators. The best fermentation time and additives for broom sorghum straw silage were comprehensively screened to improve the nutritional value of straw and animal production performance. The results showed that the nutritional quality of silage straw increased with the extension of fermentation time. Compared with silage straw after 30 days of fermentation, the nutritional quality and fermentation quality of straw were significantly improved after 60 days of fermentation. Lactobacillus plantarum, cellulase and xylanase could improve the silage performance of broom sorghum straw by improving the microbial community structure in straw, and the effect of cellulase was the best. When cellulase was used in straw at the standard of 20 U/g FM, the content of water-soluble carbohydrates could be significantly increased to 31.35 g/kg FM, and the concentration of lactic acid was also significantly increased to 23.79 g/kg FM. Therefore, in actual production, it is recommended to use cellulase at a dose of 20 U/g FM in broom sorghum silage and open the bag after 60 days of silage fermentation. The results of this study provided a scientific basis for the efficient utilization of broom sorghum straw as feed.

Effects of Different Additives on the Chemical Composition, Fermentation Quality, Bacterial Community and Gene Function Prediction of Caragana korshinskii Kom. Silage

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lentilactobacillus plantarum (LP), cellulase (CE), and xylanase (XE) supplementation on the fermentation quality, chemical composition, and bacterial community of Caragana korshinskii Kom. silage. Four groups were designed for the study. No additives were used in the control group (CK), and LP (1 × 106 cfu/g), CE (1 × 104 IU/g) and XE (2 × 105 IU/g) were added to the experimental groups on a fresh matter basis, with three replicates per group. To promote fermentation, 5% molasses was added to all of the groups. On days 15 and 60, fermentation quality, chemical composition and the bacterial community were analysed. The pH of groups CE and XE was lower than that of the CK group at 60 days. During ensiling, the lactic acid (LA) content in the experimental groups and the acetic acid (AA) content in the CK and LP groups increased. At 60 days, the dominant genera in the CK and LP groups was Weissella and the dominant genera in the CE and XE groups was Lentilactobacillus. At different times during silage, nucleotide metabolism was enhanced, whereas the metabolism of carbohydrate, amino acids, energy, cofactors and vitamins was inhibited in the LP group. However, the metabolism of amino acids, energy, cofactors and vitamins in the CE and XE groups was increased, whereas the metabolism of nucleotides was inhibited. In conclusion, LP, CE and XE could exert a positive effect on the fermentation quality of C. korshinskii Kom. silage by shifting the bacterial community composition.

Novel mechanistic understanding that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is more capable of improving the ensiling performance of wheat straw silage than xylanase by driving certain key metabolites

Microbial and enzyme additives can improve silage performance, but there is limited comparative research on the effects of microbial and enzyme additives on improving silage fermentation quality, and the underlying microbial and metabolic pathways remain unclear. This study investigated the effects without inoculants (CK treatment) or with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP treatment), xylanase (XY treatment) and their combination (LPXY treatment) on the fermentation quality, as well as on the microbial communities and metabolite profiles of the wheat straw silage. The results demonstrated that the LP treatment has a better effect on improving the fermentation quality of wheat straw silage compared to other treatments, as evidenced by markedly (p < 0.05) decreased the pH (4.06), acid and neutral fiber (ANF, NDF, 23.43 and 31.69%DM), and increased the lactic acid (LA, 965.89 mg/L) and acetic acid (AA, 656.10 mg/L) concentrations. After the fermentation process, the LP treatment significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the abundance of Lactobacillus, reduced bacterial Shannon (p < 0.05) and increased some key metabolites content. The structural equation models (SEMs) and Pearson’s correlation results proved that the LP treatment improved the wheat straw silage fermentation quality via increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus, decreasing the diversity of bacterial community and enriching the content of certain key metabolites. The present study provides mechanistic evidence that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum additive is superior to xylanase additive and their combination on improving fermentation quality of wheat straw silage, that is, by enriching certain key metabolites to increase AA and LA concentrations, providing a reference for the cross study of silage feed fermentation microbiome and metabolome.Graphical

Assessing the feasibility of adjusting the dry matter content utilizing corn grits and cottonseed meal and inoculating with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in the production of fermented feed from kitchen waste

The feasibility of converting kitchen waste into fermented feed was investigated by adjusting the dry matter (DM) content through addition of corn grits or cottonseed meal, in conjunction with inoculation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The LAB-inoculated (LP) group exhibited acidic aroma and excellent sensory quality, producing significantly lower ammoniacal nitrogen throughout the fermentation process (p < 0.05). On day 3, pH value of the LP group dropped below 4.2 and the lactic acid concentration reached 50 g/kg DM. On day 9, Lactobacillus was the dominant genus in the fermented feed of the LP group, reducing the risk of undesirable fermentation. On day 60, the absolute abundance of bacteria in the LP group was low, and the feed hygiene indices met the national standard. LAB inoculation to produce fermented feed achieved stability on day 3, and remained stable for at least 60 days without spoilage.

Caproiciproducens converts lactic acid into caproic acid during Chinese strong-flavor Baijiu brewing

Strong-flavor Baijiu, a type of Chinese liquor, is produced through anaerobic solid-state fermentation in a sealed mud pit. Ethyl caproate, the characteristic flavor compound of strong-flavor Baijiu, is influenced by caproic acid-producing bacteria in the pit mud. To better understand the formation of caproic acid, this study investigated the microbial composition and physicochemical parameters of pit mud from different layers (top, middle, and bottom) in Hubei and Sichuan provinces, China. The results revealed that Caproiciproducens plays a key role in caproic acid production by using lactic acid as a substrate, with its abundance increasing with the depth of the pit mud. A strain Caproiciproducens sp. R1, isolated from the pit mud, was shown to produce caproic acid from lactic acid within an initial pH range of 5.5–9.0 and lactic acid concentrations of 1 %–5 % (m/v). In addition, inoculation of strain R1 into Huangshui (a lactic acid-rich liquid from Baijiu production) resulted in 40.72 mM caproic acid production. This study demonstrates that Caproiciproducens plays a crucial role in caproic acid production from lactic acid during the fermentation process of strong-flavor Baijiu.

Game changer for anaerobic fermentation of paper mulberry: Sucrose-loaded biochar enhancing microbial communities and lactic acid fermentation

This study investigated biochar effects, either alone or combined with sucrose, on fermentation quality, microbial communities, and in vitro rumen digestion of anaerobic fermented paper mulberry. The biochar alkaline functional groups bind to lactic acid, reducing acid inhibition and promoting Lactiplantibacillus proliferation. Owing to the low sugar content of paper mulberry, lactic acid bacteria in the biochar group primarily underwent heterofermentation, resulting in the lowest lactic and highest acetic acid contents. Treated with sucrose-loaded biochar, the increased substrate supported homofermentation, leading to the highest lactic and lowest acetic acid contents, with a 15.0 % increase in lactic acid and a 22.2 % decrease in ammoniacal nitrogen compared with the control after 75 days. In vitro rumen tests showed that the biochar-sucrose group had the highest dry matter degradation rate (45.9 %) and a 24.2 % reduction in methane emissions. Concludingly, sucrose-loaded biochar is recommended as effective for lactic acid production under anaerobic conditions.

Enhancing the anti-fatigue effect of ginsenoside extract by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CCFM1274 fermentation through biotransformation of Rb1, Rb2 and Rc to Rd

The conversion of major ginsenosides into minor ginsenosides has been demonstrated to promote their absorption in vivo and enhance their bioavailability and bioactivity. In this study, we aimed to screen the strain that transforms the less efficient glycosylated ginsenosides (Rb1, Rc, and Rb2) into the highly efficient de-glycosylated form (Rd). The anti-fatigue ability and corresponding mechanism of fermented ginsenoside extracts (F-GE) from Rd-producing bacteria were evaluated using an exercise-induced model. Our results showed that Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CCFM1274 was capable of converting Rb1, Rc, and Rb2 into Rd in vitro. The anti-fatigue activity of ginsenoside extracts (GE) was significantly increased by CCFM1274 fermentation, characterized by an improvement in exhaustive swimming time (7.2 ± 0.8 to 10.7 ± 1.8 min) and histopathological changes. Moreover, F-GE treatment showed superior effects than GE in reducing the content of blood lactic acid (16.3 ± 3.6 to 13.7 ± 1.0 mmol/L), blood urea nitrogen (9.4 ± 0.6 to 5.2 ± 1.1 mmol/L), and malondialdehyde (9.3 ± 1.3 to 7.7 ± 2.1 nmol/mg), increasing the level of glycogen (1.1 ± 0.3 to 1.4 ± 0.3 mg/g), and superoxide dismutase activity (429.8 ± 107.8 to 671.3 ± 95.1 U/mg), which were associated with the upregulation of MCT1, LDHB, PDK4, GLUT4, Nrf2, and HO-1. Therefore, CCFM1274, which improved the bioactivity of ginsenoside, exhibited unique applicative potential for ginseng-based products to alleviate exercise fatigue.

Enhancing the quality of haylage from tropical grasses with xylanase enzyme

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the effect of adding xylanase on the aerobic stability, chemical composition, fermentative, and microbiological parameters of tropical grasses preserved as haylage. A completely randomised experimental design with a 4 × 2 factorial scheme was used, involving four cultivars of haylage grasses (Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina, Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa, Panicum maximum cv. Massai, and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) with and without xylanase enzyme. There was no interaction between xylanase and cultivar in pH values at haylage opening. Aerobic stability remained intact during 120 h of air exposure. Cultivar significantly affected lactic and propionic acid content, with greater fermentation in Mombasa grass and higher butyric acid in Massai grass. Differences (P < 0.001) in DM content were noted, with Andropogon, Massai and Marandu grasses showing greatest values. Andropogon grass, with and without xylanase, had the highest (P < 0.05) crude protein content. Marandu grass haylage had the lowest neutral detergent fibre (P < 0.05) and acid detergent fibre (P < 0.001) content. Andropogon grass haylage with xylanase had lower (P < 0.001) yeast amounts. Therefore, the xylanase enzyme dose (1.8 g kg−1 DM) did not significantly alter the chemical composition, fermentative parameters, or aerobic stability of the haylage samples across different tropical grass cultivars.

TLR2 reprograms glucose metabolism in CD4+ T cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients to mediate cell hyperactivation and TNF-α secretion.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease in which activated CD4+ T cells participate in the disease process by inducing inflammation. We aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on CD4+ T cells in RA patients, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which TLR2 contributes to the pathogenesis of RA. Serum samples were collected from RA patients and healthy controls. Soluble TLR2 levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was employed to assess the TLR2 expression level, activation status, cytokine production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and glucose uptake capacity of CD4+ T cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure the expression of enzymes associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. The concentration of lactic acid in the culture supernatant was determined using a dedicated detection kit. RA patients had higher levels of TLR2 in their serum, which positively correlated with C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor. The expression level of TLR2 in CD4+ T cells of RA patients was increased, and TLR2+ cells showed higher activation levels than TLR2- cells. Activation of TLR2 in CD4+ T cells of RA patients promoted their activation, TNF-α secretion, and increased production of ROS. Furthermore, TLR2 activation led to changes in enzymes related to glucose metabolism, causing a shift in glucose metabolism towards the pentose phosphate pathway. Blocking oxidative phosphorylation and the pentose phosphate pathway had varying effects on CD4+ T cell function. TLR2 reprograms the glucose metabolism of CD4+ T cells in RA patients, contributing to the development of RA through ROS-mediated cell hyperactivation and TNF-α secretion. Key Points • TLR2 is upregulated in CD4+ T cells of RA patients and correlates with disease severity markers such as CRP and RF. • Activation of TLR2 in CD4+ T cells promotes cell activation, TNF-α secretion, and increased ROS production, contributing to the pathogenesis of RA. • TLR2 activates glucose metabolism in CD4+ T cells, shifting towards the pentose phosphate pathway, which may be a novel therapeutic target for RA treatment. • Blocking glucose metabolism and ROS production can reduce CD4 + T cell hyperactivation and TNF-α secretion, indicating potential therapeutic strategies for RA management.

Polyhydroxybutyrate production from non-recyclable fiber rejects and acid whey as mixed substrate by recombinant Escherichia coli

Producing polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from agro-food processing waste has the potential to mitigate the global synthetic plastic pollution crisis and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it offers a promising solution to the challenges associated with high feedstock and production costs. This study aims to explore the use of two such wastes, non-recyclable fiber rejects (FR) (solid waste) and acid whey (AW) (liquid waste), as cost-effective and sustainable carbon sources for PHB production. Fiber rejects contains up to 50% carbohydrates that can be hydrolyzed to fermentable sugars. The AW is composed of lactose, lactic acid, fats, proteins, and mineral salts which could be used as carbon sources for PHB. The focus of this work was a comprehensive evaluation of substrate utilization, cell growth, and PHB inclusion in recombinant E. coli during the fermentation of various blends of acid whey and hydrolysate obtained from fiber rejects. Two approaches were investigated: i) produce FR hydrolysate and mix it with AW in various ratios (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1), and ii) use acid whey to replace water during the hydrolysis of FR. Combining acid whey with the hydrolysate achieved the highest PHB yield in a shorter duration compared to using only the hydrolysate. Replacing acid whey with water during the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated fiber rejects and utilizing it further for fermentation resulted in the highest PHB yield of 5.2 g/L, with a 45.4% PHB inclusion rate. Additionally, the inherent lactic acid content in acid whey eliminates the need for adding acetic acid to adjust pH levels during hydrolysis, thereby saving freshwater and acid.Graphical