Fibre Polysaccharides Research Articles

Enzymatic modification of cotton fibre polysaccharides as an enabler of sustainable laundry detergents

Cotton is the most common natural fibre used in textile manufacture, used alone or with other fibres to create a wide range of fashion clothing and household textiles. Most of these textiles are cleaned using detergents and domestic or commercial washing machines using processes that require many chemicals and large quantities of water and energy. Enzymes can reduce this environmental footprint by enabling effective detergency at reduced temperatures, mostly by directly attacking substrates present in the soils. In the present study, we report the contribution of a cleaning cellulase enzyme based on the family 44 glycoside hydrolase (GH) endo-beta-1,4-glucanase from Paenibacillus polymyxa. The action of this enzyme on textile fibres improves laundry detergent performance in several vectors including soil anti-redeposition, dye transfer inhibition and stain removal. Molecular probes are used to study how this enzyme is targeting both amorphous cellulose and xyloglucan on textile fibres and the relationship between textile surface effects and observed performance benefits.

Improvement in probiotic intestinal survival by electrospun milk fat globule membrane-pullulan nanofibers: Fabrication and structural characterization

Studies have demonstrated the protective effect of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) on probiotics in harsh environments. However, currently, there are no reports on the encapsulation of probiotics using MFGM. In this study, MFGM and pullulan (PUL) polysaccharide fibers were prepared by electrostatic spinning and used to encapsulate probiotics, with whey protein isolates (WPI)/PUL as the control. The morphology, physical properties, mechanical properties, survival, and stability of the encapsulated Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) were studied. The results showed that the MFGM/PUL solution had significant effects on pH, viscosity, conductivity, and stability. Electrostatic spinning improved the mechanical properties and encapsulation ability of the polymer formed by MFGM/PUL. LGG encapsulated in MFGM/PUL nanofibers survived rate was higher than WPI/PUL nanofibers in mimic intestinal juice, which could be attributed to the phospholipid content contained in MFGM. These results demonstrate that MFGM is a promising material for probiotic encapsulation, providing an important basis for the potential use of MFGM/PUL nanofibers as a robust encapsulation matrix.

Unlocking the potential of edible Ulva sp. seaweeds: Metabolomic profiling, neuroprotective mechanisms, and implications for Parkinson's disease management.

Green seaweed (Ulva sp.) is frequently used as a food component and nutraceutical agent because of its high polysaccharide and natural fiber content in Asian countries. This study investigates both metabolomic profiling of Ulva sp. and the neuroprotective efficacy of its ethanol extract and its underlying mechanisms in a rotenone-induced rat model of neurodegeneration, mimicking Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans. Metabolomic profiling of Ulva sp. extract was done using liquid chromatography high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and led to the identification of 22 compounds belonging to different chemical classes.Catenin Beta Additionally, this study demonstrated the neuroprotective properties against rotenone-induced PD, which was achieved through the suppression of elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 together with the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, inflammatory mediators, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinases/serine/threonine protein kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway. Using a protein-protein interaction network, AKT1, GAPDH, TNF-α, IL-6, caspase 3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, Catenin Beta 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, B-cell lymphoma -2, and HSP90AA1 were identified as the top 10 most significant genes. Finally, molecular docking results showed that compounds 1, 3, and 7 might possess a promising anti-parkinsonism effect by binding to active sites of selected hub genes. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the Ulva sp. extract has the potential to be further developed as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of PD.

Wheat gliadin/xanthan gum intermolecular complexes: Interaction mechanism and structural characterization

In this study, the interactions between wheat gliadin (GL) and xanthan gum (XG) were investigated to design new systems with potential applications as a gluten-free substitute product. Combining spectral with morphological and molecular docking methods allowed the establishment of the complexation mechanism between globular hydrophobic GL and the hydrophilic XG with an extended and partially disordered backbone. GL maintains intact its hydrophobic core even at high GL/XG ratios and organizes into small aggregate–type assemblies. The stable and uniform complexes have a low GL content, based on intermolecular hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The GL/XG combining ratio influences the size, structure and interaction mechanism of the microparticles. The preferred sites of interaction and the binding affinities were determined by molecular docking on GL libraries and XG models. This research may provide significant knowledge for the development of low-GL wheat food products using a dietary fiber polysaccharide as a functional compound.

New Insights into Sources, Bioavailability, Health-Promoting Effects, and Applications of Chitin and Chitosan.

Chitin and chitosan are mostly derived from the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and fungi. Chitin is the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, and it is a fibrous polysaccharide which resists enzymatic degradation in the stomach but undergoes microbial fermentation in the colon, producing beneficial metabolites. Chitosan, which is more soluble in the alkaline small intestine, is more susceptible to enzymatic action. Both biopolymers show limited absorption into the bloodstream, with smaller particles exhibiting better bioavailability. The health effects include anti-inflammatory properties, potential in immune system modulation, impacts on cholesterol levels, and antimicrobial effects, with a specific focus on implications for gut health. Chitin and chitosan exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by interacting with immune cells, influencing cytokine production, and modulating immune responses, which may benefit conditions characterized by chronic inflammation. These biopolymers can impact cholesterol levels by binding to dietary fats and reducing lipid absorption. Additionally, their antimicrobial properties contribute to gut health by controlling harmful pathogens and promoting beneficial gut microbiota. This review explores the extensive health benefits and applications of chitin and chitosan, providing a detailed examination of their chemical compositions, dietary sources, and applications, and critically assessing their health-promoting effects in the context of human well-being.

Glucomannan powder can be used as a food substitute for people with diabetes mellitus

Glucomannan contained in porang tuber (Amorphophallus oncophyllus) includes polysaccharide fiber which can be used as an alternative food replacement for diet, especially in treating diabetes. It contains calcium oxalate and long-term use can cause harmful effects. Six male mice in each dose group, aged 2-2.5 months, and bodyweight 20 -40 g were used in this study. Mice were induced by alloxan monohydrate to produce diabetic mice. The test group was mice given porang powder standardized by glucomannan with a dose of 85, 165 and 250 mg/kg BW mice for 21 days and glucose measurements were taken every three days. A toxicity study with a randomized postcontrol group design used six mice in the dose group. The number of deaths was calculated with three kinds of methods (Weil method, Line method and Probit method) to produce the LD50 of porang powder. The data were then analyzed using One Way Anova with a significant value of 5%. Porang powder based on glucomannan with a dose of 250 mg/kg BW mice reduced glucose levels significantly after 13 days of administration (p<0.05). The highest dose (5000 mg/kg BW mice) of porang powder standardized by glucomannan for 48 hrs did not show death in mice and was not toxic.

166 Beyond solubility: Navigating the complex landscape of dietary fiber in swine digestion and physiology

Abstract Dietary fiber comprises a diverse group of cell wall polysaccharides, along with lignin, that resist digestion by endogenous enzymes in non-ruminants. Over the past 50 yr, our understanding of dietary fiber has significantly advanced, resulting in diverse definitions and analytical methods that have deepened our comprehension of its role in swine nutrition. However, the analysis of dietary fiber remains one of the most intricate, expensive, and resource-intensive aspects of monogastric nutrition research. From the early days of crude fiber and detergent fiber techniques to the more recent methods such as non-starch polysaccharide and total dietary fiber methodologies, analytical techniques have evolved to encompass the complex carbohydrates found in diets. Translating these chemical and analytical understandings into physiological insights poses a formidable challenge for nutritionists. This presentation aims to discuss these analytical concepts and challenges in understanding dietary fiber, with a particular focus on its impact on swine nutrition and physiology. Going beyond the concept of ‘solubility,’ we will delve into the physicochemical and physiological properties of dietary fiber, emphasizing its intricate roles in the swine digestive milieu. This includes aspects such as digestion kinetics, fermentability, rheology, viscosity, and microbial ecosystems. Moreover, research consistently demonstrates that dietary fiber can have positive effects on gastrointestinal health under specific production and dietary conditions. Paradoxically, it can also negatively impact energy digestibility and feed efficiency. By modeling the chemical nature of fiber and its role in digestion physiology, it could be possible to bridge this gap to optimize production goals and swine health in high fiber diets. This presentation will highlight the significance of a holistic comprehension of the intricate aspects of dietary fiber within swine nutrition and future directions for incorporating it into formulation metrics. Such knowledge is pivotal for navigating the complexities of incorporating fiber into diet formulation, effective management, and the pursuit of sustainable practices.

Study on the Digestive Behavior of Chlorogenic Acid in Biomimetic Dietary Fiber and the Antioxidative Synergistic Effect of Polysaccharides and Chlorogenic Acid.

Chlorogenic acid (CA) is often combined with dietary fiber polysaccharides in plant foods, which may affect its digestive behavior and antioxidant activity. This study constructed a biomimetic dietary fiber (BDF) model by combining bacterial cellulose (BC) and pectin with CA and investigated the digestive behavior of CA in BDF. Additionally, the study examined the interaction and synergistic effects of polysaccharides and CA against oxidation. Results showed that BDF and natural dietary fiber had similar microstructures, group properties, and crystallization properties, and polysaccharides in BDF were bound to CA. After simulated gastrointestinal digestion, 41.03% of the CA existed in a conjugated form, and it was possibly influenced by the interaction between polysaccharides and CA. And the release of CA during simulated digestion potentially involved four mechanisms, including the disintegration of polysaccharide-CA complex, the dissolution of pectin, escape from BC-pectin (BCP) network structure, and diffusion release. And polysaccharides and CA may be combined through noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals force, or electrostatic interaction force. Meanwhile, polysaccharides-CA combination had a synergistic antioxidant effect by the results of free-radical scavenging experiments, it was probably related to the interaction between polysaccharides and CA. The completion of this work has a positive significance for the development of dietary intervention strategies for oxidative damage.

Specialized digestive mechanism for an insect-bacterium gut symbiosis.

In Burkholderia-Riptortus symbiosis, the host bean bug Riptortus pedestris harbors Burkholderia symbionts in its symbiotic organ, M4 midgut, for use as a nutrient source. After occupying M4, excess Burkholderia symbionts are moved to the M4B region, wherein they are effectively digested and absorbed. Previous studies have shown that M4B has strong symbiont-specific antibacterial activity, which is not because of the expression of antimicrobial peptides but rather because of the expression of digestive enzymes, mainly cathepsin L protease. However, in this study, inhibition of cathepsin L activity did not reduce the bactericidal activity of M4B, indicating that there is an unknown digestive mechanism that renders specifically potent bactericidal activity against Burkholderia symbionts. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the lumen of symbiotic M4B was filled with a fibrillar matter in contrast to the empty lumen of aposymbiotic M4B. Using chromatographic and electrophoretic analyses, we found that the bactericidal substances in M4B existed as high-molecular-weight (HMW) complexes that were resistant to protease degradation. The bactericidal HMW complexes were visualized on non-denaturing gels using protein- and polysaccharide-staining reagents, thereby indicating that the HMW complexes are composed of proteins and polysaccharides. Strongly stained M4B lumen with Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent in M4B paraffin sections confirmed HMW complexes with polysaccharide components. Furthermore, M4B smears stained with Periodic acid-Schiff revealed the presence of polysaccharide fibers. Therefore, we propose a key digestive mechanism of M4B: bacteriolytic fibers, polysaccharide fibers associated with digestive enzymes such as cathepsin L, specialized for Burkholderia symbionts in Riptortus gut symbiosis.

Влияние растворимых пищевых волокон из larix dahurica на качество молочного биопродукта

Wood extracts of Daurian larch (Larix gmelinii) serve as raw material for the prebiotic food additive called Lavitol Arabinogalactan. Larch arabinogalactan is a soluble dietary polysaccharide fiber with a wide range of preventive effects. Fermented dairy products fortified with larch arabinogalactan become functional products with valuable therapeutic activities. This research featured the effect of various doses of larch arabinogalactan on fermentation of normalized milk mixes and the quality profile of the finished dairy bioproduct. The authors determined the optimal dose of dietary fiber, established its prebiotic properties, and determined the physicochemical profile of the final functional product. The experiments involved lyophilized starter on pure cultures of Str. thermophilus, Lac. delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus, and B. bifidum. The optimal cultivation temperature was (38 ± 2) °C. Larch arabinogalactan was added to normalized milk mixes in an amount of 0.5–2.5 %. The authors determined the active acidity during fermentation and established a direct relationship between the increase in acidity and the increase in the mass fraction of larch arabinogalactan. The study also involved the lactic acid microbial count and the bifidobacterial count in the fermented mixes. The viable microbial count in the fortified samples demonstrated lactic acid microorganisms (107–109 CFU/cm3) and bifidobacteria (106–108 CFU/cm3). The optimal dose of larch arabinogalactan proved to be 1.5 %. In this research, 0.5 L of the new functional dairy bioproduct was able to cover 36.8 % of human physiological daily need for dietary fibers.

PCL/Yam Polysaccharide nanofibrous membranes loaded with self-assembled HP-β-CD/ECG inclusion complexes for food packaging

In this study, Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Yam Polysaccharide (YP) fiber membranes loaded the ultrasound-mediated assembly of 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD)/Epicatechin gallate (ECG) inclusion complexes were prepared by electrospinning technology for food packaging. Morphology, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction results showed that the inclusion complexes were successfully assembled. With the addition of inclusion complexes, the average diameter of the fibers increased from 2480.96 to 10179.12 nm, the crystallinity decreased, the thermal stability improved, the hydrophilicity enhanced, and the water vapor permeability enhanced. Meanwhile, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the inclusion complexes formed hydrogen bonds between the fibers, which improved the thermal stability, but the mechanical behavior suffered a certain loss. In addition, the fiber membrane could continuously release ECG within 240 h, which showed excellent antibacterial effects both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that the fiber film developed based on electrospinning had a broad application prospect in food packaging.

Porous polyvinyl fluoride coated cellulose beads for efficient removal of Cd(II) from phosphoric acid

In order to enhance the removal of cadmium from phosphoric acid, it is imperative to explore novel resources that may be utilized for the development of highly effective and environmentally sustainable adsorbents. Cellulose beads are composed of naturally occurring polysaccharide fibers and find extensive utilization across several industrial sectors and applications. Within this framework, this research paper presents a green and simple method for producing porous cellulose beads using date palm fibers as the preferred raw material. The innovation lies in immersing the obtained cellulose beads in a Polyvinyl fluoride (PVDF)/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) suspension as a coating polymer with different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10 %) to maintain their stability in an acidic environment. The surface of cellulose/PVDF beads were subjected to multiple characterizations like Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), size distribution then pH stability confirming that the coating has been perfectly achieved and conserved well the shape of the beads. The coated cellulose/PVDF-2.5 % underwent evaluation by the process of batch adsorption experiments while different parameters were varied including contact time (5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90 min), temperature (25, 35, 45 and 55 °C), and adsorbent mass (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg). The obtained ICP data showed that the adsorption rate of Cd (II) from phosphoric acid medium decreased while increasing both temperature from 25 to 55 °C and contact time from 5 to 90 min while adding more adsorbent dosage from 20 to 100 mg enhanced the removal percentage. The cellulose/PVDF-2.5 % was more effective with an adsorption capacity equal to 3.4998 mg/g at optimal conditions including 25 °C as the temperature after 5 min as contact time and by adding a mass 100 mg of the biosorbent while the pH = 2 of the solution is maintained the same. The examined material's adsorption processes proved to be exothermic and non-spontaneous, and it proved that the pseudo-second-order model provided the best match for the cellulose/PVDF-2.5 % beads kinetics data. Furthermore, the cellulose beads exhibited exceptional reusability for up to four repeated cycles without undergoing desorption. The present study offers a viable approach for producing environmentally sustainable biomass-derived adsorbents. Additionally, the study validates the potential of cellulose/PVDF beads as an intriguing material for phosphoric acid decadmiation.

A type 2 immune circuit in the stomach controls mammalian adaptation to dietary chitin.

Dietary fiber improves metabolic health, but host-encoded mechanisms for digesting fibrous polysaccharides are unclear. In this work, we describe a mammalian adaptation to dietary chitin that is coordinated by gastric innate immune activation and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase). Chitin consumption causes gastric distension and cytokine production by stomach tuft cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in mice, which drives the expansion of AMCase-expressing zymogenic chief cells that facilitate chitin digestion. Although chitin influences gut microbial composition, ILC2-mediated tissue adaptation and gastrointestinal responses are preserved in germ-free mice. In the absence of AMCase, sustained chitin intake leads to heightened basal type 2 immunity, reduced adiposity, and resistance to obesity. These data define an endogenous metabolic circuit that enables nutrient extraction from an insoluble dietary constituent by enhancing digestive function.

Tremella polysaccharide-based conductive hydrogel with anti-freezing and self-healing ability for motion monitoring and intelligent interaction

The application of conductive hydrogels in flexible wearable devices has garnered significant attention. In this study, a self-healing, anti-freezing, and fire-resistant hydrogel strain sensor is successfully synthesized by incorporating sustainable natural biological materials, viz. Tremella polysaccharide and silk fiber, into a polyvinyl alcohol matrix with borax cross-linking. The resulting hydrogel exhibits excellent transparency, thermoplasticity, and remarkable mechanical properties, including a notable elongation (1107.3 %) and high self-healing rate (91.11 %) within 5 min, attributed to the dynamic cross-linking effect of hydrogen bonds and borax. A strain sensor based on the prepared hydrogel sensor can be used to accurately monitor diverse human movements, while maintaining exceptional sensing stability and durability under repeated strain cycles. Additionally, a hydrogel touch component is designed that can successfully interact with intelligent electronic devices, encompassing functions like clicking, writing, and drawing. These inherent advantages make the prepared hydrogel a promising candidate for applications in human health monitoring and intelligent electronic device interaction.

Seaweed polysaccharide fibers: Solution properties, processing and applications

Seaweed polysaccharides with abundantly renewable sources and charming properties have attracted arising attention. Alginate, carrageenan and agar with the largest are the most predominant species of common seaweed polysaccharides. This review will first provide a comprehensive overview of general information on seaweed polysaccharides regarding solubility, multilevel structure, viscoelasticity, and gelation. Then we summarize preparation methods of seaweed polysaccharides fibers including wet-spinning technique, electrospinning technique and microfluidic spinning. The applications of seaweed polysaccharides fibers, based on many excellent inherent properties, including biocompatibility, suitable microstructure, nontoxicity, potential bioactivity, good intrinsic flame retardancy and thermal stability, are described in detail.

Oxidative treatment and nanofibrillation softwood kraft fibres with lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases from Trichoderma reesei and Podospora anserina

Cellulose oxidation and enzymatic treatments can be employed to reduce the energy consumption in production of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) offer new biocatalytic tools for oxidative pretreatment of cellulosic fibres in this process. In this work the capability of LPMO enzymes to enhance fibrillation of bleached softwood kraft fibres was studied using two LPMO enzymes, i.e. C1/C4-oxidising AA9A from Trichoderma reesei (Tr AA9A) and C1-oxidising AA9E from Podospora anserina (Pa AA9E). The enzymatic treatments were carried out after mechanical pre-refining (grinding) of the pulp, which resulted in clear reduction of the intrinsic viscosity of the refined fibres compared to the previously published work, presumably due to better access of the enzymes on the fibre polysaccharides. The Tr AA9A treatments were carried out using different enzyme dosages (0.25–10 mg/g dry fibre) and fixed reaction time (24 h), resulting in fibres characterized by increased aldehyde content, which is in line with the C1/C4 oxidising activity of this enzyme. Comparison of the Tr AA9A to Pa AA9E with fixed enzyme dosage (2 mg/g dry fibre) and reaction time (24 h), showed that no remarkable increase in total charge of the cellulosic fibres could be obtained with either of the LPMO enzymes in these conditions. All the LPMO pretreatments improved fibrillation of mechanically refined fibres in microfluidization, seen as clearly lower residual fibre content and higher proportion nanosized material. In comparison of the Pa AA9E to Tr AA9A, clearly faster fibrillation was achieved with the Pa AA9E pretreatment. The mechanical and oxygen barrier properties of CNF films prepared from LPMO pretreated fibres were very similar to the reference CNF films while water vapour transmission rate was somewhat higher.

Novel Pickering emulsion stabilized by natural fiber polysaccharide-protein extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis residues

As an excellent source of natural astaxanthin, Haematococcus pluvialis ( H. pluvialis ) is rich in nutritional elements in the residues after extraction of astaxanthin. At present, the residues of H. pluvialis are only used as feed in the breeding industry, but its application in food industry is still a challenge. In this study, fiber polysaccharide-protein complex also known as aqueous protein extraction from H. pluvialis residues (APHRs) was successfully extracted from the aqueous extract of H. pluvialis residues (AHRs). The protein and carbohydrate contents of APHRs were 23.6% and 64.9%, respectively. The protein of APHRs was composed of β-sheet (57.6%) and turns, and the molecular weight of protein was about 10 kDa. What's more, APHRs had good emulsifying stability and oil holding capacity. Microscopic images showed that fibrous polysaccharides were connected around protein particles, which can form a stable structural cross-linking. The low energy emulsion formed by APHRs showed the smallest particle size and the best storage stability compared with crude polysaccharides of H. pluvialis residues (CPHRs) and AHRs. The emulsion creaming index of APHRs, CPHRs, and AHRs in high energy emulsion was 1%, 52%, and 61% respectively. Owing to the existence of fibrous polysaccharides, the stability of APHRs emulsion was superior to that of CPHRs and AHRs. In summary, APHRs have excellent safety and stability, and it is likely food-grade raw material for stabilizing Pickering emulsion. • New materials for forming Pickering emulsions from H. pluvialis residues. • Fiber polysaccharide-protein made the emulsion have excellent stability. • This study expands the application forms of microalgae in food. • Increasing the added value of H. pluvialis , and realizing sustainable development.

Application of a β-mannanase enzyme in diets with a reduced net energy content in post-weaning piglets resulted in equal performance and an additional economic benefit

β-Mannans are strongly anti-nutritive polysaccharide fibers found in most vegetable feed ingredients. The estimated content of soluble β-mannans in common swine diets range from 0.15 to 0.40%. In vitro studies have demonstrated that as little as 0.05% soluble β-mannan content in feed can elicit a strong innate immune response. Hemicell HT (Elanco Animal Health) is a β-mannanase enzyme for animal feed that breaks down β-mannans, thereby preventing economic losses from the wasteful immune response to β-mannans. The present study aimed to compare pig performance on a control diet and a reformulated diet with a lower energy content – 45 kcal/kg NE reduction – and the inclusion of a β-mannanase enzyme. A six-week feeding trial was conducted on a commercial post-weaning facility with DanBred x Belgian Piétrain pigs starting at 21 days of age. Standard three-phase control diets were compared to reformulated diets with an energy reduction of 45 kcal NE/kg and inclusion of a β-mannanase enzyme (Hemicell HT; Elanco) at 300 g/tonne. Standard production data were collected. The data were analyzed using JMP 15.0 statistical program. Overall, performance data did not differ significantly between trial groups in both Phase 1 and Phase 2, and overall, during the entire post-weaning period. Mortality was only numerically, but not significantly higher in the Control as compared to the Hemicell HT group. Hemicell HT had an overall benefit of € 1.69 per piglet and € 15.18 per tonne of feed due to the 45 kcal/kg NE reduction. The current trial demonstrated that the inclusion of Hemicell HT in reformulated diets with a lower energy content (45 kcal NE/kg) was able to retain production performance in post-weaned piglets with an economic benefit.

Anisotropic Aerogels with Excellent Mechanical Resilience and Thermal Insulation from Pleurotus eryngii Fungus

AbstractBiomass aerogels with superior sustainability, high compressibility, and resilience are highly attractive for diverse technological applications. Anisotropic fungus aerogels derived from natural Pleurotus eryngii with excellent compressibility and resilience are obtained through a facile and environmentally friendly top‐down approach. The preserved alignment of polysaccharide fibers inside fungus aerogels leads to remarkable anisotropic mechanical and thermal insulation properties. The cross‐links generated via facile chemical modification endow fungus aerogels with excellent compressibility and resilience (deformation recovery rate of ≥96% even when the compression strain is ≥90%). Moreover, via a facile hydrophobic silanization treatment, the elastic aerogels can be endowed with excellent superhydrophobicity and water resistance. It is anticipated that this facile and sustainable strategy will provide technical support for scalable production of fungus‐based aerogels with excellent compressibility and resilience, unique thermal anisotropy, and superior renewability. Meanwhile, the newly developed fungus aerogels will have broad applications in durable thermal insulation and acoustic absorption materials.

Alcohol use disorder, neuroinflammation, and intake of dietary fibers: a new approach for treatment

ABSTRACT A close communication exists between the microorganisms that live in the intestine and the brain, the so-called microbiota-gut-brain axis. This interaction occurs at different levels, such as the induction by bacteria of an inflammatory state in the intestine that produces (i) stimulation of the vagus nerve that conducts information to the brain, and (ii) the release of proinflammatory cytokines – such as TNF-α- to circulation, which can then be transported to the brain and trigger neuroinflammation. Ethanol-induced neuroinflammation is produced, in part, by the impairment of the epithelial barrier function of the intestine, since acetaldehyde generated in the gut from ethanol oxidation produces a disassembly of the tight junctions (TJ), which allows diffusion of bacterial components into the blood; these events trigger a systemic inflammatory response that crosses the blood-brain barrier and induce neuroinflammation. Some short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate, are produced from indigestible polysaccharides (fibers) by certain bacteria in the microbiota. These SCFAs have shown a protective function of the TJ against intestinal injuries, preserving the intestinal barrier function. In this perspective article, we discuss the therapeutic possibility to increase the production of SCFAs in the intestine of patients with AUD, to protect the integrity of TJ and thus modulate the neuroinflammatory process that helps to the establishment of chronic alcohol intake. In this way, a new therapeutic alternative is proposed here through a simple dietary intervention in the patient, increasing their fiber consumption.