Metabolite Concentrations Research Articles

The Chemical Structure and Pharmacological Activity of Sesquiterpenoids in Dendrobium Sw.

Dendrobium is one of the most important orchids with high medicinal value. The diverse pharmacological activities of Dendrobium are attributed to its rich content of secondary metabolites. Due to the high variety and content of sesquiterpenoids in Dendrobium, more studies on their pharmacological activities have been reported. More than 100 sesquiterpenoids have been isolated from the roots and stems of Dendrobium, and these compounds have been shown to play important roles in a variety of diseases. However, there is a lack of systematic summarization of the chemical structures and pharmacological activities of sesquiterpenoids in Dendrobium Sw. Here, we reviewed the chemical structures of the sesquiterpenoids in Dendrobium plants, classified them according to the skeleton types, and summarized their pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action, with a view to laying a foundation for future studies on their pharmacological activity mechanisms and rational clinical applications.

Biological concentrations of DDT metabolites and breast cancer risk: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

The question of whether dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) exposure is related to breast cancer (BC) remains unanswered, possibly due to methodological constraints in the studies that have been performed. We aimed to update and synthesize the available epidemiological evidence on the relationship of p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'- DDE) biological concentrations with female BC, focusing in methodological characteristics not addressed in previous reviews. We conducted an overview of reviews and a systematic review and meta-analysis. We used six databases and one search engine to identify meta-analyses based on systematic reviews, pooled analyses, and individual studies published from January 2000 to December 2021. For the overview of reviews, we assessed meta-analyses' risk of bias and carried out a narrative synthesis. For the meta-analysis, we estimated summary association measures with fixed or random effects models for each compound stratifying for characteristics of interest. We estimated a positive summary association between p,p'- DDT biological concentrations and BC in prospective studies (nested case control) with >10 years of follow-up (sOR=1.41; 95 %CI: 1.06-1.88). Among retrospective studies (hospital or population-based case-control), BC was positively related with p,p'-DDE biological concentrations (sOR=1.15; 95 %CI: 1.02-1.30), and with p,p'-DDT in women with mean serum concentrations>100 ng/g (sOR=1.33; 95 %CI: 1.25-1.41). Moreover, we detected a positive association between o,p'-DDT and BC (sOR=2.24; 95 %CI: 2.15-2.34). Our results support a positive relationship between DDT exposure and BC, and are useful to reinforce its worldwide prohibition, since this pesticide is still used in some countries, has long persistence in the human body and disseminates to other geographic areas.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine regulating intestinal flora in the treatment of hypertension

Hypertension is a common disease; however, it is more prevalent in older adults, and its prevalence is increasing in younger populations. Numerous studies have revealed that hypertension and the composition and functionality of the intestinal flora are closely correlated. The balance of the intestinal flora, intestinal barrier integrity, and metabolite content of the intestinal flora play significant roles in the occurrence and progression of hypertension. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive review of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for hypertension, focusing on the role of the intestinal flora to understand the mechanism by which TCM regulates hypertension through its effects on the intestinal flora. We analyzed the findings using the terms “traditional Chinese medicine,” “hypertension,” “high blood pressure,” “blood pressure,” “intestinal flora,” “intestinal barrier function,” “intestinal flora metabolites,” and other keywords from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Science and Technology, Wanfang Data, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. We found that TCM treats hypertension by regulating the balance of the intestinal microbiota, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria, improving intestinal barrier function, increasing compact proteins, reducing intestinal permeability, and regulating the content of intestinal flora metabolites. The use of TCM to treat hypertension by regulating the intestinal flora is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, most studies are limited by small sample sizes and there is a lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials. In the future, multi-center controlled clinical trials are needed to verify the efficacy and safety of TCM, optimize therapeutic protocols, and establish a foundation for the standardized and personalized application of TCM in hypertension management.

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

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

Non-Targeted Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Metabolite Profiles Change During Whey Fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus

Background: Whey fermentation could produce bioactive substances with immunomodulatory effects, metabolic syndrome modulation, and antioxidant properties, thereby imparting functional characteristics to products and facilitating the development of novel foods with health-promoting potential. Methods: A non-targeted metabolomics approach using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to investigate changes in the metabolite profiles of whey fermented by Kluyveromyces marxianus strain KM812 over varying fermentation durations. Results: The findings demonstrated a progressive enrichment of metabolites over time. A total of 151 differential metabolites were identified and categorized primarily into amino acids, peptides, and analogues, fatty acids and conjugates, and carbohydrates and conjugates, as well as benzoic acids and derivatives. The highest relative content of whey metabolites was observed at 48 h of fermentation, with a cumulative increase of 1.45-fold, 1.49-fold, 3.39-fold, and 1.24-fold for peptides and amino acids, peptides, and analogues, fatty acids and conjugates, and carbohydrates and conjugates, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed associations with 23 specific metabolites and delineated 9 metabolic pathways, predominantly involved in amino acid and lipid metabolism. Conclusions: Based on the above, KM812 could effectively degrade macromolecular substances in whey into small molecules such as L-isoleucine, ornithine, betaine, α-linolenic acid, and palmitoleic acid, thereby influencing the nutritional and functional properties of whey. In-depth analysis of the metabolic products in KM812-fermented whey could provide a theoretical basis for the development of functional foods derived from small molecules in the future.

Exploration of Novel Metabolic Features Reflecting Statin Sensitivity in Lung Cancer Cells.

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs often used for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Statins also exert anti-cancer effects by inhibiting hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. We previously reported that the susceptibility to statin treatment differs among cancer cells and that functional E-cadherin expression on the plasma membrane could be a biomarker of statin sensitivity in cancer cells. However, the detailed qualitative and molecular differences between statin-sensitive and statin-resistant cancer cells remain unclear. Here, we explored novel parameters related to statin sensitivity by comparing gene expression profiles and metabolite contents between statin-sensitive and statin-resistant lung cancer cell lines. We found that the expression of most cholesterol synthesis genes was lower in the statin-sensitive cancer cell line, HOP-92, than in the statin-resistant cancer cell line, NCI-H322M. Moreover, HOP-92 cells originally exhibited lower levels of CoA and HMG-CoA. Additionally, atorvastatin decreased the mRNA expression of PANK2, a rate-limiting enzyme in CoA synthesis. Atorvastatin also reduced the mRNA levels of the cholesterol esterification enzyme SOAT1, which was consistent with a decrease in the ratio of cholesterol ester to total cholesterol in HOP-92 cells. Our data suggest that the cholesterol synthetic flow and CoA content may be limited in statin-sensitive cancer cells. We also suggest that CoA synthesis and cholesterol storage may fluctuate with atorvastatin treatment in statin-sensitive cancer cells.

The Use of Mesquite Pods (Prosopis spp.) as an Alternative to Improve the Productive Performance and Methane Mitigation in Small Ruminants: A Meta-Analysis

Mesquite (Prosopis spp.), a highly nutritious legume from arid regions characterized by its secondary metabolites, offers a cost-effective resource to provide energy and protein for small ruminant farmers in harsh environments. In addition, the high concentrations of secondary metabolites found in mesquite pods could be an option to mitigate methane (CH4) emissions. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct an analytical review to assess the impact of adding mesquite pods on small ruminant productivity and enteric CH4 emissions. A comprehensive and structured search of scientific articles resulted in a database of 38 trials. The response variables were evaluated through raw mean differences (RMDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs), followed by a meta-regression, used to investigate the heterogeneity of the explanatory variables. Supplementation with mesquite pods significantly increased the dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR), with sheep showing the highest effect. The meta-regression demonstrated that the mesquite pod effect was influenced mainly by the species, level of incorporation and processing of the pods. Studies employing in silico CH4 estimation reported increased emissions when the diets included mesquite pods. In contrast, in vivo studies demonstrated promising results, showing a significant reduction in CH4 emissions when mesquite pods were included in small ruminant diets. Therefore, future research should focus on evaluating mesquite pod supplementation using precise methods to assess CH4 emissions.

Protracted maternal malnutrition induces aberrant changes in maternal uterine artery hemodynamics and the metabolic profiles of the dam and neonate

Malnutritional stress during gestation is a well-established driver of metabolic disfunction in offspring. Extended exposure to malnutrition requires metabolic plasticity as the animal shifts toward a catabolic state. In this paper we demonstrate the influence of malnutrition throughout gestation on uterine artery hemodynamics and the metabolism of the dam and neonate. We hypothesized that gestational malnutrition reduces blood flow of the maternal uterine artery and regulates the metabolic profile of the dam and offspring. Further, the combination of these factors consequently influences the concentration of metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid of the neonate at birth. To test our hypotheses, pregnant cows caring a single female fetus were assigned to treatments by age and body condition score to one of three individually-fed dietary treatments: Underfed, Control, or Overfed throughout gestation. Uterine blood flow was measured via transrectal Doppler ultrasonography in late gestation. Blood samples were collected from dams throughout gestation, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid were collected from neonates at birth to analyze concentration of metabolites. In the current report, we reveal that maternal malnutrition regulates uterine artery hemodynamics and the maternal metabolic profile throughout gestation. This is the first report to demonstrate that maternal undernutrition leads to an increase in the concentration of urea nitrogen in neonates. Finally, a concentration gradient of metabolites from the dam to neonatal cerebrospinal fluid was observed, which may have potential implications for central nervous system development. These findings not only illustrate the complexity of the maternal-to-fetal interaction required to support the growth of the fetus and homeostasis of the dam but also reveals a novel avenue for investigating the influence of protracted maternal malnutrition on metabolic pathway preferences in offspring. Moreover, these findings are of paramount importance in the development of intervention strategies for morbid neonates.

CHANGES IN TRYPTOPHAN METABOLISM AND CYTOKINE CONCENTRATION IN SYNOVIAL JOINT TISSUE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The aim of the research. To identify changes in tryptophan and cytokine metabolism in synovial joint tissue in rheumatoid arthritis. Research materials and methods. The experiments were performed on 40 WISTAR rats. At the beginning of the study, each animal of the experimental groups received an intraperitoneal injection of collagen type 2 solution (Chondrex, Inc., USA) in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. The content of tryptophan, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykinurinine, L-5-hydrotryptophan by HPLC with fluorimetric and spectrophotometric detection, and the concentration of cytokines: IL1b, IL6, IL10, IL17, IL18, TNFa were determined in the tissues of the synovial membrane of the knee joint. They were determined using Rat Inflammation Panel V02 multiplex assay kits (Biolegend, USA) on a Cytomics FC500 flow cytofluorimeter (Beckman Coulter, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using the Jamovi program version 2.3.Results. The concentration of cytokines: IL1b, IL6, IL10, IL17, IL18, TNFa was found to be high during the acute development of rheumatoid arthritis. With experimental rheumatoid arthritis, the content of tryptophan metabolites along the kynurenine pathway increases and the concentration of metabolites along the serotonin pathway decreases. Direct positive correlations of IL1b, IL6, IL10, IL17, IL18, TNFa with the content of tryptophan metabolites along the kynurenine pathway have been established.Conclusions. Tryptophan metabolism and IL1b, IL6, IL10, IL17, IL18, and TNFa content are altered in rheumotoid arthritis.

Do CYP2D6 genotypes affect oxycodone dose, pharmacokinetics, pain, and adverse effects in cancer?

To examine the associations between CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 polymorphisms, plasma oxycodone and metabolite concentrations, and oxycodone response (dose, pain scores, and adverse effects) in people with pain from advanced cancer. This multi-center prospective cohort study included clinical data, questionnaires (pain and adverse effects), and blood (pharmacokinetics, DNA). Negative binomial regression and logistic regression were used. Within 33 participants, there were no differences in oxycodone response between CYP2D6 intermediate/poor metabolisers compared to normal metabolisers.Higher plasma noroxycodone and noroxycodone/oxycodone concentration ratios had higher odds of uncontrolled average pain (OR 2.44 (95%CI 1.00-5.95), p = 0.05 and OR 10.48 (95%CI 1.42-77.15), p = 0.02, respectively). There was no observed benefit in CYP2D6 genotyping in oxycodone response, however monitoring noroxycodone and oxymorphone concentrations warrant further examination.

Secondary Metabolites Produced by the Dominant Fungus Eurotium cristatum in Liupao Tea and Their Hypolipidemic Activities by Regulating Liver Lipid Metabolism and Remodeling Gut Microbiota.

Liupao tea is a postfermented dark tea with hypolipidemic activity. Research on the active substances in Liupao tea has primarily focused on those derived from the tea itself, overlooking the secondary metabolites produced by its predominant fungus, Euirotium cristatum. In this study, E. cristatum CPCC 401251, the predominant strain found in Liupao tea under investigation, was isolated and analyzed. A total of 19 representative metabolites, including prenylbenzaldehydes, diketopiperazines, and anthraquinones, were obtained from its culture. Subsequent analysis revealed the presence of multiple secondary metabolites of E. cristatum CPCC 401251 in Liupao tea. The 19 compounds significantly reduced the lipid content in free fatty acid (FFA)-stimulated hepatocyte AML-12 cells to varying degrees. Considering the content, chemical class, and biological activity of secondary metabolites from E. cristatum CPCC 401251, compounds 1, 7, and 13 were selected to detect their hypolipidemic activities and potential mechanisms in hyperlipidemia golden hamsters. Compound 1 exerted a hypolipidemic effect by activating the AMPK signaling pathway, decreasing Scd1, and improving intestinal flora. Compounds 7 and 13 played a role in the hypolipidemic activity by regulating the gene expression related to lipid synthesis and degradation, including upregulating the mRNA levels of Pparα, Hsl, and Atgl, and decreasing the mRNA level of Scd1. These findings help us understand the dominant fungus E. cristatum secondary metabolites presenting in Liupao tea and their potential hypolipidemic contributions. This work improves the understanding of the active substances in Liupao tea and highlights the health-promoting effects of microorganisms in the fermented tea.

Phenolic and volatile compounds, total protein content, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of leaves of Palicourea padifolia (Rubiaceae)

Background and Aims: Information on the chemical composition and biological activities of Palicourea padifolia is scarce. This study aimed to 1) measure the total content of nutrients, macroelements, proteins, and secondary metabolites, 2) conduct metabolomic analyses on phenolic and volatile compounds, and 3) assess the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities from the leaves of this species. Methods: The total content of nutrients and macroelements was determined by spectroscopic, spectrometric, and spectrophotometric approaches. The total content of alkaloids, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and proteins was determined by spectrophotometric approaches. Volatile and phenolic compounds were identified by gas and liquid chromatography, respectively, coupled to mass spectrometers. The antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, and the antidiabetic potential was determined by the inhibition of α-glucosidase. Key results: The leaves of P. padifolia were rich in Ca, Na, and Mg and exhibited a low protein content. The leaf methanolic extract (LME) contained high levels of alkaloids, phenols, and terpenes, while flavonoids were present at low concentrations. The major phenolic compounds identified were chlorogenic acid, scopoletin, trans-cinnamic acid, and (-)-epicatechin. In addition, a leaf petroleum ether extract (LPE) contained mainly phytol, palmitic acid, (Z)-7-tetradecenal, octadecanoic acid and linoleic acid. The leaves exhibited a high antioxidant capacity, inhibiting DPPH and ABTS radicals, and the LME showed low inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme. Conclusions: Palicourea padifolia leaves had a rich composition of cations such as Ca, Na, and Mg. In addition, the LME contained alkaloids, terpenes, lipids, and phenolics, which support the potent antioxidant capacity. In contrast, the LME exhibited a low inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme.

Impact of Short-Term Diesel Exhaust Exposure on Prothrombotic Markers in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study.

Rationale: Growing evidence suggests that air pollution exposure is a major risk factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is associated with an increased prothrombotic state and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, much of this work is based on observational data or human exposure studies involving younger participants. The biological causality and mechanism of air pollution-induced prothrombotic response in patients with COPD remain to be explored. Objectives: The main aim of this work was to investigate the impact of short-term diesel exhaust (DE) exposure on circulating prothrombotic markers-fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)-and urinary eicosanoids in patients with COPD. Methods: Twenty-nine research participants were recruited in this randomized, double-blind, crossover, controlled human exposure study to DE. Participants included former smokers with and without mild or moderate COPD (ex-smokers [ES] and COPD group) and healthy never-smokers without COPD (nonsmoker [NS] group). Each participant was exposed to DE (300 μg/m3 of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) and filtered air for 2 hours on different occasions, in randomized order, separated by a 4-week washout. Blood and urine samples were collected before and 24 hours after each exposure. Plasma fibrinogen and serum PAI-1 concentrations were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Urinary eicosanoid concentrations were quantified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Linear mixed-effects models were used for statistical comparisons. Results: Participants with COPD showed an increase in plasma fibrinogen (effect estimate, 1.27 [1.06-1.53]; P = 0.01) after DE relative to filtered air, but no significant DE-associated change in serum PAI-1 (0.95 [0.87-1.04]; P = 0.26). In never-smokers and ex-smokers without COPD, fibrinogen (NS group, 1.10 [0.99-1.23]; P = 0.08; ES group, 0.86 [0.68-1.09]; P = 0.08] and PAI-1 (NS group, 1.12 [0.96-1.32]; P = 0.15; ES group, 0.90 [0.79-1.03]; P = 0.13) were not changed after DE exposure. Participants with COPD showed a DE-attributable increase in urinary thromboxane B2 (TXB2) metabolite concentrations as follows: 11-dehydro-TXB2 (1.45 [1.02-2.08]; P = 0.04) and 2,3-dinor-TXB2 (1.45 [1.05-2.00]; P = 0.03). Conclusions: Participants with COPD had increased plasma fibrinogen and urinary TXB2 metabolites after short-term DE exposure, suggesting they may be more susceptible to a pollution-attributable prothrombotic response than healthy control subjects or ex-smokers without COPD. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02236039).

Enhanced brain delivery and antiproliferative activity of resveratrol using milk-derived exosomes

The polyphenol resveratrol (RSV) undergoes extensive phase II metabolism, which limits its bioavailability and bioactivity, including anticancer effects. Growing preclinical evidence reinforces milk-derived exosomes (EXOs) as promising nanocarrier drugs and bioactives delivery systems. Herein, to overcome the mentioned RSV’s drawbacks, EXOs were loaded with RSV (EXO-RSV) to evaluate its brain delivery in Sprague-Dawley rats and its in vitro antiproliferative effects against human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and glioblastoma U-87MG cancer cells compared with non-encapsulated RSV. Pharmacokinetic analyses in perfused brains showed RSV detection only after EXO-RSV administration, not after non-encapsulated RSV administration. Encapsulation also resulted in lower concentrations of phase II-derived RSV metabolites in circulation. Additionally, blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport assays using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) corroborated that encapsulation enhanced RSV transport efficiency and protected it from cellular metabolism. In vitro and in silico analyses of phase-II conjugates, primarily RSV 3-glucuronide, showed lower capacity than RSV to cross the BBB. Finally, EXO-RSV (47−750 nM) showed an increased dose-dependent antiproliferative efficacy on both cancer cell lines compared with the non-encapsulated RSV (10 μM), which was ineffective after 72 h of treatment. Our findings suggest that EXOs protect RSV from phase II metabolism and enhance its brain delivery and antiproliferative activity.

Blood parameters predicted from milk spectra are candidate indicator traits of hyperketonemia - a retrospective study in the Italian Holstein population.

At the onset of lactation, high-producing dairy cows commonly face a negative energy balance and consequent metabolic disorders, such as hyperketonemia. Blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), BHB, cholesterol, glucose and urea provide valuable information about the metabolic, health, and nutritional status of lactating animals. Milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy has been successfully used for the prediction of several health traits, including concentration of blood metabolites even though the models' accuracy is moderate. In fact, MIR-predicted blood parameters are useful for population screening and may be used for selective breeding if they are heritable and genetically variable within a population. In the present study we estimated h2 and genetic correlation of MIR-predicted BHB, NEFA, glucose, cholesterol and urea and assessed their genetic correlation with milk yield and composition traits in the Italian Holstein population using phenotypes of 9,943 cows in 460 herds. Two sets were considered: early (8,277 records - 1 per cow - between 5 and 35 d in milk) and whole lactation (105,293 records - at least 5 per cow - between 5 and 305 d in milk). The h2 and genetic variability of blood traits were greater in early than whole lactation, confirming that there is room to manipulate metabolic disease incidence in the transition period through selection. Blood BHB was the most heritable trait, no matter the lactation stage (0.13 and 0.08 in early and whole lactation), while NEFA was the least heritable trait, with h2 not significantly different from zero. Blood BHB was positively genetically correlated with NEFA, whereas glucose was negatively correlated with BHB, NEFA and urea. Blood BHB, NEFA and cholesterol were generally positively correlated with milk fat-to-protein ratio; BHB was negatively correlated with lactose content and positively with SCS. Estimated breeding values of sires with at least 20 daughters with phenotypes available were extrapolated for a-posteriori evaluation of the observed performance. The progeny of the top 5 sires exhibited a lower incidence of hyperketonemia compared with the other cows, with only 2.16% of cows having BHB concentration above the conventional threshold (1.2 mmol/L). Conversely, the prevalence of hyperketonemia was 5 times higher in the offspring of the bottom 5 bulls (10.55% cows with BHB >1.2 mmol/L). These findings suggest that, despite of the low h2 estimates, there is room to identify animals with low or high genetic merit for traits linked to the cow's metabolism. Therefore, the selection toward healthier and metabolically resistant cows is pursuable, with the infrared-predicted blood traits being potential auxiliary traits.

Antioxidant content following fermentation of lemongrass for herbal beverage development.

Consumers have increasingly favoured fermented drinks due to their high content of probiotic secondary metabolites. These beverages are believed to possess the capacity to safeguard against non-communicable ailments such as coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, antimicrobial infections, and other dietary-related disorders. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a commonly used botanical ingredient in therapeutic tea production. It is renowned for its highly valuable essential oil, which has significant commercial demand. This study examines the functional content and antioxidant effects of fermented beverages derived from lemongrass. We employed the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to carry out the fermentation process on the lemongrass compositions, extending the duration from t = 24 to t = 96h. We used non-fermented samples as control. This investigation identified numerous active biomolecules and polyphenols in the fermented samples, including flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, and reducing sugars. After t = 24h fermentation, the radical-scavenging activity reached its maximum level of 89.1%, and the antioxidant content reached 13.06µg/ml, which is equivalent to the amount of ascorbic acid. After t = 36h fermentation, the total phenolic content reached a concentration of 237.19µg/ml, while the flavonoid content reached its peak at 55.21µg/ml after t = 72h fermentation. Lemongrass fermentation exhibits a wide range of phytochemicals and bioactive components that effectively eliminate free radicals, despite the antioxidant content fluctuation throughout the fermentation period of t = 24 to t = 96h.

Characterization of high protein soybean using mass spectrometry based proteomic and metabolomic analyses.

We have created several high protein (HPBL) and low protein breeding lines (LPBL) by crossing between NC-Raleigh and PI407228. The NC-Raleigh is a low protein cultivar widely grown in North Carolina with excellent yield potential and a high protein wild soybean (Glycine soja) with low yield. We analyzed the F6 generation of this cross for protein and oil compositions using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Two soybean lines HPBL and LPBL were selected for biochemical analysis using mass spectrometry-based proteomic and metabolomic techniques. We identified 4,538 proteins and 267 metabolites in these lines. The HPBL showed the enrichment of proteins associated with protein synthesis, processing, and storage in addition to higher content of primary and secondary metabolites. The mapping of metabolites on the global metabolic pathways revealed the increased protein content in the HPBL that may have resulted from increased arginine content routed from citrulline-argininosuccinic acid. This information will be useful for breeders and biotechnologists to produce a value-added soybean trait.

EFFECT OF GREEN AND UVA SPECTRA, AND PRE-HARVEST TREATMENTS ON BIOMASS AND METABOLITE YIELDS OF INDOOR CULTIVATED STEVIA REBAUDIANA

Stevia rebaudiana is a high-value crop due to the strong commercial demand for its metabolites (steviol glycosides, SG) as an organic low-caloric sweetener with up to 300 times the sweetness of conventional sugar. Two experiments were conducted in this study. In the first experiment, treatments with varying green (GR1 & GR2), UVA (UV1 & UV2) and treatments that had both (UVGR1, UVGR2) were used. In the second experiment, separate set of plants were grown under base red-blue (RB) and natural sunlight before being transferred to GR2, UV2, UVGR2, and monochromatic light treatments of blue, green and UVA, for 3 and 10 days before harvest. RB and sunlight were used as the control for artificial and natural light respectively. Plants grown under the UVGR1 had the highest dry leaf biomass accumulation of 4.75 g plant-1 (P<.05), 458% and 660% higher than the RB (0.98 g plant-1) and natural sunlight (0.72 g plant-1) controls. UVA had the highest metabolite (Stevioside + Rebaudioside A) concentration of 27% (P<.05) compared to the RB and sunlight controls at 17.24% and 15% respectively. The 10 day pre-harvest treatment with blue supplemented light yielded a dry biomass of 1.87 g plant-1, a 190% increase compared to the RB control. However, the 3 day pre-harvest treatment had higher metabolite yields improvements compared to 10 day treatments with the highest yield obtained of 21.10% in 3-day pre-harvest irradiation that had supplemental UVA and blue light. UVGR1 was the most productive lighting strategy, resulting in the highest overall metabolite yield per plant.

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

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

Antibacterial Activity of Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Leaves Extract Against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Sapuran, Wonosobo is a popular area with several local tea plantations, which are infested by mistletoe, such as Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. Mistletoe has been widely reported to have antibacterial activity due to its secondary metabolite content. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and explore the antibacterial activity of D. pentandra leaves extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The test samples were extracted using the maceration method, followed by phytochemical screening and total assay of flavonoids, phenols, and tannins. Antibacterial activity tests were carried out using disk diffusion, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The yield from the maceration method using 96% ethanol solvent was 8.78%, containing secondary metabolite compounds, including alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. The total flavonoid, phenol, and tanin content obtained were 4.09 ± 0.70 mg QE/g, 1.76 ± 0.16 g GAE/g, and 1.37 ± 0.14 mg TAE/g, respectively. In addition, the extract showed medium inhibition of S. aureus at a concentration of 400 and 525 mg/m, with no inhibitory effect against E. coli. The MIC and MBC from the microdilution method for S. aureus were at 4400 and 8800 mg/mL extract, while values of 28000 and 56000 mg/mL were obtained for E. coli. Based on these results, the inhibition activity of ethanol extract of D. pentandra against S. aureus was greater compared to E. coli.