Reducing Sugar Research Articles

High‐pressure processing for inactivation of enzymes, microbes, and its effect on nutritional composition of tender coconut water

AbstractTender coconut water (TCW) processing has been a challenge and is often accompanied by challenges such as beneficial bioactive compound deterioration and enzymatic and non‐enzymatic browning initiation. Fresh TCW was treated with a combination of pressure (350–550 MPa) and treatment time (3–7 min). This study unveiled the potency of high‐pressure processing (HPP) in reducing undesirable enzyme activity, such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity in TCW by up to 36.472% and 30.606%, respectively. The maximum loss of vitamin C was reported to be 7.84% at 550 MPa/7 min compared to the untreated one, which is very acceptable in terms of quality retention. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activities were well retained and increased in the HPP‐treated TCW samples. Similarly, the total and reducing sugar reduction was within 20%–25%. The findings of this investigation demonstrated the effectiveness of high‐pressure processing in preserving quality and reducing the activity of enzymes that cause deterioration in TCW. Moreover, the aerobic plate count (APC) and yeast and mold count (YM) were decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 450 MPa/5 min treatment.Practical applicationsOver the years, the food industry has been facing a consistent challenge in perishable product processing (juices, milk, meat, etc.) to extend its shelf‐life while keeping its nutritional and sensory properties intact. This study presented a significant insight into TCW processing regarding enzyme, microbial inactivation, and nutritional property preservation using HPP technology. Moreover, from a quality perspective, this work enables the HPP‐treated TCW to be as close to a fresh one without any preservative addition. HPP technique is believed to appeal to industries that seek a green alternative technique to thermal processing (which makes processed foods unacceptable among consumers) to produce minimally treated foods on a commercial scale.

Preserving jackfruit: unlocking year-round availability as industrial ingredient for value-added food products

The research aimed to preserve jackfruit and produce value-added food products to address the seasonal availability of jackfruit, which often results in significant waste. Due to its limited time in the market and the potential for wastage during periods of abundance, there is a need for preserving jackfruit to extend its availability throughout the year. The study focused on developing innovative food products using jackfruit concentrate as industrial ingredients for the food industry, as current commercial applications for jackfruit nutrition are limited. The process involved preparing jackfruit concentrate through the boiling and evaporation of pulp until reached at 40 %TSS (20 % added sugar). Organoleptic evaluations determined this concentrate to be the most suitable product. Subsequently, various food items, including jackfruit jam, jackfruit leather, jackfruit pitha, and jackfruit candy, were produced using this concentrate. Organoleptic assessments were conducted for these food products, followed by an examination of their physicochemical, nutritional properties and microbial load. The chemical composition of the products revealed a range of characteristics, including 30 to 80 %TSS, 4.9–17.25 mg 100 g −1 vitamin C, 17.01–79.83 % total sugars, 9.67–51.98 % reducing sugars, 6.80–30.04 % non-reducing sugar, and a pH range of 4.2–5.7. These findings underscore the potential of jackfruit concentrate as an industrially significant ingredient, offering improved sensory qualities and nutritional benefits in various food applications. The study contributes valuable insights into the processing and utilization of jackfruit concentrate, paving the way for its broader adoption in the food industry.

Paradise by the far-red light: Far-red and red:blue ratios independently affect yield, pigments, and carbohydrate production in lettuce, Lactuca sativa.

In controlled environment agriculture, customized light treatments using light-emitting diodes are crucial to improving crop yield and quality. Red (R; 600-700 nm) and blue light (B; 400-500 nm) are two major parts of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), often preferred in crop production. Far-red radiation (FR; 700-800 nm), although not part of PAR, can also affect photosynthesis and can have profound effects on a range of morphological and physiological processes. However, interactions between different red and blue light ratios (R:B) and FR on promoting yield and nutritionally relevant compounds in crops remain unknown. Here, lettuce was grown at 200 µmol m-2 s-1 PAR under three different R:B ratios: R:B87.5:12.5 (12.5% blue), R:B75:25 (25% blue), and R:B60:40 (40% blue) without FR. Each treatment was also performed with supplementary FR (50 µmol m-2 s-1; R:B87.5:12.5+FR, R:B75:25+FR, and R:B60:40+FR). White light with and without FR (W and W+FR) were used as control treatments comprising of 72.5% red, 19% green, and 8.5% blue light. Increasing the R:B ratio from R:B87.5:12.5 to R:B60:40, there was a decrease in fresh weight (20%) and carbohydrate concentration (48% reduction in both sugars and starch), whereas pigment concentrations (anthocyanins, chlorophyll, and carotenoids), phenolic compounds, and various minerals all increased. These results contrasted the effects of FR supplementation in the growth spectra; when supplementing FR to different R:B backgrounds, we found a significant increase in plant fresh weight, dry weight, total soluble sugars, and starch. Additionally, FR decreased concentrations of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, and various minerals. Although blue light and FR effects appear to directly contrast, blue and FR light did not have interactive effects together when considering plant growth, morphology, and nutritional content. Therefore, the individual benefits of increased blue light fraction and supplementary FR radiation can be combined and used cooperatively to produce crops of desired quality: adding FR increases growth and carbohydrate concentration while increasing the blue fraction increases nutritional value.

Effect of hydrothermal-acid pretreatment on methane yield and microbial community in anaerobic digestion of rice straw

Hydrothermal pretreatment has been proposed to enhance straw methane yield during anaerobic digestion recently. However, the combined effect of hydrothermal and organic acid pretreatment (HTOAP) needs further investigation. This study identified optimal pretreatment at 120 °C with 3 % acetic acid for 24 h by orthogonal design method. The HTOAP increased the reducing sugar content by destroying the lignocellulosic structure. A 79 % increment of methane production after HTOAP was observed compared to the untreated group. Microbial analysis showed that HTOAP enriched the relative abundance of lignocellulose-degraders, such as W5053, Thermanaerovibrio, Caldicoprobacter, as well as the syntrophic acetate oxidizing bacteria Syntrophaceticus. Moreover, Methanobacterium conducted hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis dominantly. Furthermore, the potential function analysis showed that HTOAP stimulated the expression of key enzymes in the hydrogenotrophic pathway, including carbon-monoxide dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.7.4) and coenzyme F420 hydrogenase (EC 1.12.98.1). This investigation illustrated the potential of HTOAP of rice straw to facilitate methane production.

Development of a Fast Method Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Coupled with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Exploration of the Reduction Mechanism of Cr(VI) in Foods.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is known as the most hazardous species of chromium. Speciation analysis of Cr in foods is of a great significance for assessing its influences on human health. In this study, a fast HPLC-ICP-MS method for the determination of Cr(VI) was developed for determining the content of Cr(VI) and also investigating its transformation in foods. The developed method employs an alkali extraction and weak anion-exchange column separation for distinguishing the Cr species, facilitating accurate Cr(VI) quantification within 1.5 min. This technique was applied to determine the Cr(VI) levels in a range of food products, including yoghurt, milk powder, rice flour, orange juice, green tea, white vinegar, and whole wheat bread. The results showed that no Cr(VI) was detected in these food products. Spiking experiments revealed that the recovery rate of Cr(VI) decreased with the increase in its contact time with food products. A further exploration of Cr(VI) in various food components such as vitamin C, tea polyphenols, whey proteins, gelatin, fructose, and cellulose indicated the conversion of Cr(VI) to organic Cr(III) over a period from 20 min to 60 h. It was found that high temperatures and acidic conditions accelerated the rate of Cr(VI) conversion to organic Cr(III) in the six food components mentioned above. This evidence suggests that natural reducing substances in foods probably prevent the occurrence of Cr(VI).

Influence of selected growing media on the morphology, yield and nutrient uptake of Strawberry Cv. Winter Dawn

The present investigation was carried out at Horticultural Demonstration Farm, SGT University, Gurugram, during the years 2022-23 to determine the efficacy of growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake in the Strawberry cultivar Winter Dawn. The research trial was conducted in the RBD with seven different growing media (T1: Perlite + Soil, T2: Cocopeat + Soil, T3: FYM + Soil, T4: Cocopeat + Perlite + Soil, T5: Cocopeat + FYM + Soil, T6: FYM + Perlite and T7: FYM + Cocopeat + Perlite + Soil) and a control (T0). The results showed that the maximum plant height (40.93 cm), no. of leaves (36.73%), no. of crown (13.33%), no. of berry percentage (10.40%), fruit yield/plant (206.95 gm), berry weight (26.36 gm), berry size (35.45 mm), berry volume (30.32 cc), TSS (10.05°Brix), total sugar (6.01%), titratable acidity (0.77%), reducing sugars (5.93%), nonreducing sugars (0.53%) and leaf nutrient uptake, i.e., nitrogen (27.70%), phosphorus (3.56%) and potassium (90.80%), were greatest in the T7 treatment group, followed by the T5 treatment group. T7 application leads to improvements in soil nutrient content and microbial activity, contributing to significant improvements in both the quantity and quality of produce. Therefore, growing media (especially FYM, cocopeat and perlite) should be selected as growing media to cultivate strawberries for quality production.

Optimised Degradation of Lignocelluloses by Edible Filamentous Fungi for the Efficient Biorefinery of Sugar Beet Pulp.

The degradation of the complex structure of lignocellulosic biomass is important for its further biorefinery to value-added bioproducts. The use of effective fungal species for the optimised degradation of biomass can promote the effectiveness of the biorefinery of such raw material. In this study, the optimisation of processing parameters (temperature, time, and s/w ratio) for cellulase activity and reducing sugar (RS) production through the hydrolysis of sugar beet pulp (SBP) by edible filamentous fungi of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Botrytis, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Verticillium spp. was performed. The production of RS was analysed at various solid/water (s/w) ratios (1:10-1:20), different incubation temperatures (20-35 °C), and processing times (60-168 h). The Aspergillus niger CCF 3264 and Penicillium oxalicum CCF 3438 strains showed the most effective carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) degrading activity and also sugar recovery (15.9-44.8%) from SBP biomass in the one-factor experiments. Mathematical data evaluation indicated that the highest RS concentration (39.15 g/100 g d.w.) and cellulolytic activity (6.67 U/g d.w.) could be achieved using A. niger CCF 3264 for the degradation of SBP at 26 °C temperature with 136 h of processing time and a 1:15 solid/water ratio. This study demonstrates the potential of fungal degradation to be used for SBP biorefining.

Efficient hydrolysis of cellulose into sugars in aqueous systems using fibrous core-shell structure FS@C/HPW

Phosphotungstic acid hydrate (HPW)-doped hydroxyl-rich hydrothermal carbon-coated fibrous silica catalyst (FS@C/HPW) is fabricated to induce the highly efficient hydrolysis of cellulose to sugar in an ultra-low acid aqueous system. The obtained FS90@C/HPW12 owns good thermal stability under 200 °C and the highest specific surface area at 28 m2/g. Owing to its special fibrous microstructures, FS90@C/HPW12 can cause linear damage and structural fragmentation on the surface of cellulose during hydrolysis. Accordingly, rather highly efficient hydrolysis with the cellulose conversion of 100 %, total reducing sugar and glucose yields at 92.2 % and over 85 % is achieved in the aqueous system with FS90@C/HPW12 and 5 mmol/L H2SO4. FS90@C/HPW12 also exhibits good reusability in multiple hydrolysis. This research provides a particular way for the design and synthesis of solid catalysts to induce the highly efficient hydrolysis of cellulose to sugar by chemical catalysis in a full aqueous system.

Effects of combined drying techniques and cellulase hydrolysis on the nutritional value and sensory properties of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes)

Dried shiitake mushrooms offer rich nutritional value and unique sensory properties, prompting further investigation. The effects of different drying techniques (hot air drying (HAD), infrared hot air drying (IRHAD), pulsed vacuum drying (PVD), vacuum freeze drying (VFD), and natural drying (ND)) combined with enzymatic hydrolysis on the release of flavor compounds and nutrients from shiitake mushrooms were explored. The combination of HAD with cellulase hydrolysis yielded notably high levels of umami amino acids (5.4723 ± 0.1501 mg/g) and 5′-nucleotides (4.0536 ± 0.0062 mg/g), and superior volatile flavors. Combined with cellulase hydrolysis, IRHAD achieved the highest level of total sugars (6.57 ± 0.34 mg/mL), VFD resulted in the greatest soluble protein content (153.21 ± 0.23 μg/mL), PVD yielded the highest total phenolics content (93.20 ± 0.41 μg GAE/mL), and ND produced the maximum reducing sugar content (5.79 ± 0.13 mg/mL). This study addresses crucial gap in the post-drying processing of shiitake mushrooms, offering valuable insights for further product development of shiitake mushrooms.

A Study on the Valorization of Rice Straw into Different Value-Added Products and Biofuels

This work depicts that rice straw (RS), which is one of the major lignocellulosic wastes all over the world and causing many environmental problems, has considerable amounts of protein, ash, macronutrients, and micronutrients of approximately 11.38%, 16.77%, 2.27 mg/kg, and 771.9 mg/kg, respectively; besides, a C/N ratio of 15.18, a total N, P2O5, and K2O content of 1.85%, and a considerably low concentration of undesirable heavy metals and silica of approximately 77.69 mg/kg and 109 mg/kg are also present, which recommends its applicability as a precursor feedstock for the production of organic fertilizer and animal fodder. The batch solid-state fermentation (SSF) of RS by Trichoderma longibrachiatum DSMZ 16517 produced considerable amount of total reducing sugars (TRS) of approximately 339.2 mg TRS/g RS under the optimum operatic conditions of 20% (w:v) substrate concentration, pH 7, 1% inoculum size, a 9-day incubation period, and 30°C incubation temperature. The readily available and cost-effective agroindustrial waste, sugarcane molasses, proved to enhance the fungal biomass growth and (hemi) cellulolytic enzymes activities. The inoculated RS-SSF batch process with T. longibrachiatum precultured on 10% molasses enhanced the (hemi) cellulolytic enzymatic activities and TRS production rate by approximately 5.82 and 3.8 folds, respectively, relative to that inoculated by T. longibrachiatum precultured in the conventional potato dextrose broth medium. The separate hydrolysis and fermentation processes by different yeast strains Candida tropicalis DSM 70156, C. shehatae ATCC 58779, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 64712 revealed an efficient bioethanol yield and productivity that ranged between 0.36 and 0.38 g/g sugars and 0.22 and 0.23 g/L/h, respectively, with concomitant competent fermentation efficiencies that ranged between 48.35% and 51.25%. The proximate analysis of rice straw before and after fungal hydrolysis proved calorific values of approximately 15.8 MJ/kg and 16.05 MJ/kg, respectively, recommending their applicability as primary and secondary solid biofuels. Thus, this study proved the waste prosperity of RS for environmental opulence and sustainability.

A sustainable synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate from stubble waste as a carbon source using Pseudomonas putida MTCC 2475.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers that can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass by microorganisms. Cheap and readily available raw material, such as corn stover waste, has the potential to lessen the cost of PHA synthesis. In this research study, corn stover is pretreated with NaOH under conditions optimized for high cellulose and low lignin with central composite design (CCD) followed by characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Design expert software performed further optimization of alkali pretreated corn stover for high total reducing sugar (TRS) enhancement using CCD using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized condition by RSM produced a TRS yield of 707.19mg/g. Fermentation using corn stover hydrolysate by Pseudomonas putida MTCC 2475 gave mcl-PHA detected through gas c hromatography - t andem m ass s pectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and characterization of the PHA film by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Thus, this research paper focuses on using agriculture (stubble) waste as an alternative feedstock for PHA production.

Pharmaceutical-Analytical Study and Therapeutic uses of Ashtashatarishta : A Scientific View

Background: Ashtashatarishta comes under the Sandhan Kalpanas quoted by Charak Samhita, Chikitsa Sthan for therapeutic use in Shotha. Aim and Objectives: Pharmaceutico-Analytical and clinical indications of Ashtashatrishta from a scientific view. Material and Methods: Ashtashatarishta was prepared in the Department of Rasashasra and Bhaishajya Kalpana of Pt. K. L. S. Govt. Ayurveda College & Institute Bhopal. As per the classical reference of Charak Samhita. Pharmaceutical study: A detailed description of the preparation of Ashtashatarishta by using yeast as a fermentation agent is discussed in this part. The sample was prepared in a Pharmacy of Dept. of Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana. Analytical study: In this phase of the study, all organoleptic parameters (appearance, color, odor, taste, and touch), and physicochemical parameters were analysed. Result: The above analysis showed the pH of the tested formulation range 3.47, total solid content 29.93%W/v, specific gravity 1.0595, refractive index 1.391, viscosity 2.20cP, total acidity 1.26%W/v, alcohol content 4.27%v/v, presence of methanol absent, reducing sugar 17.37%W/v, non-reducing sugar 8.675W/v. Organoleptic tests confirmed a characteristic odor of self-generated alcohol with an astringent test. Discussion: All the observations and results of the pharmaceutical and analytical study have been elaborated and discussed scientifically with the support of suitable references.

Determination of Optimum Conditions of pH and Temperature on the Saccharification of Cassava Starch by Amyloglucosidase

Saccharification is the process of breaking complex carbohydrate into its monosaccharide components. The present study however was carried out to determine the optimum conditions of pH and temperature on the saccharification of cassava starch by amyloglucosidase. The optimum conditions of cassava starch hydrolysis was determined by using a pure culture of a thermostable amyloglucosidase for saccharification, and the activities of the enzyme determined at varying pH, temperature and time. Results showed that sample dry weight significantly decreased with respect to increased value of pH, temperature and time, while reducing sugar and dextrose equivalent significantly increased with respect to increased time. The optimal reducing sugar and dextrose equivalent were 74.23% and 96.41 DE, respectively at pH 4.5, 55 °C and 72 h. The glucose obtained from this process may serve as a substrate in fructose syrup production.

Essential oil of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cardamom (Amomum sublatum roxb) as a natural food preservative for plum RTS

Ready-to-serve (RTS) drinks and fruit juices are crucial due to their high calorie, fiber, and vitamin content. However, their limited shelf life and rapid nutrient loss raise food safety concerns. Applied artificial preservatives may be allergic and cause adverse health effects on humans; consequently, worldwide concern about using natural preservatives instead of artificial ones. This study's main focus is to replace artificial preservatives by applying essential oils from black pepper (Bp) and cardamom (Cd) as natural preservatives in plum RTS drinks. The essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger type apparatus and stored at 4 to 6 °C. Following, plum juice was extracted by a screw press juice extractor and afterward maintained at 0.3 % acidity and 15°-brix (°Bx) total soluble solid (TSS), finally, pasteurized at 90 °C for 10 min and stored at refrigeration temperature. After preparation of RTS, it was divided into four equal batches of 250 cm3 with no additives (A), 0.100 cm3 ethanol (B), samples C and D were prepared with 0.090 cm3 of ethanol and 0.010 cm3 of essential oils of Bp and Cd. The samples were stored at a refrigerated temperature of 4 to 6 °C and analysis of pH, % titratable acidity, mg of ascorbic acid, TSS, % total sugar, % reducing sugar, free radical scavenging activity (%RSA), total microbial count, and yeast-mold count were carried out at a fixed interval of 7 days for 28 days. Overall, significant variations were observed in the blank sample compared with the sample containing the essential oils of Bp and cardamom Cd during the storage period of 28 days. These findings highlighted valuable insights into the essential oils of Bp and Cd exhibit the preservative effect in plum RTS; ultimately, cardamom essential oil exhibits the best preservative effect on plum RTS.

Optimization of conditions for production of pectinase in solid-state fermentation with Aspergillus flavus using dried Assam lemon peel powder as substrate

The culture conditions for pectinase production with Aspergillus flavus by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using dried Assam lemon peel were optimized and the pectinase was used for clarification of grape juice. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used for optimization experiments with moisture content (50–90 %), incubation temperature (20–60 ℃), incubation time (96 h–192 h), and urea concentration (0–1 %) as independent variables, and pectinase activity as dependent variable. The optimum conditions for pectinase production obtained were moisture content of 60 %, incubation temperature of 50 ℃, incubation time of 96 h, and urea concentration of 0.30 % with a pectinase activity of 3.68 ± 0.20 U/mL where one unit of pectinase activity corresponds to number of µmole of galacturonic acid released in one minute in 1 % pectin solution at 37 °C and 4.8 pH. The crude pectinase was found to have maximum activity at a temperature of 40 ℃ and pH 4 and had an apparent Vmax and Km of 6.10 U/mL and 6.62 mg/mL respectively. The grape juice clarified using the crude pectinase showed decreased optical density (1.45 ± 0.06 to 1.17 ± 0.07) and viscosity (1.76 ± 0.10 to 1.46 ± 0.07 mPa.s) and increased reducing sugar content (13.90 ± 0.10 to 16.96 ± 0.06 g/100 mL juice), and total soluble solids (17.77 ± 0.16 to 18.50 ± 0.30 °Brix).

Bioestimulante para maturação de cana-de-açúcar em lavouras fertirrigadas por gotejamento

ABSTRACT In irrigated fields, sugarcane’s vegetative growth and carbohydrate consumption during ripening require ripener management options to improve crop yield. The hypothesis is that ripeners, together with nutrients, biostimulants, and amino acids, improve physiological responses that favor the quality of the raw material and increase the sucrose content. Consequently, the study aimed to evaluate the agro-industrial response of a fertigated sugarcane crop to ripening agents. The treatments consisted of applying chemical ripener (CR), nutritional ripener (NR), and a joint application of NR+CR, besides control with four replicates. Agro-industrial attributes (total soluble solids, apparent sucrose (AS), reducing sugars (RS), total recoverable sugar (TRS), purity, fiber, sucrose in the stalk (SS) were evaluated at 0 (before application), 12, 19, 36, and 60 days after application (DAA). The time modified the technological attributes of sugarcane under ripener application. The highest apparent sucrose and total soluble solids values were obtained with NR+CR compared to the control. The NR and NR+CR treatments presented the highest TRS contents (150 kg Mg-1) at 36 DAA. Furthermore, the NR+CR treatment increased fiber content but did not compromise the quality of the raw material, and it showed high contents of SS and purity percentage, as well as low contents of RS. The chemical and nutritional ripeners efficiently promoted sugarcane ripening in areas without drying off before harvest. NR application at the end of the cycle can potentially increase sugar yield.

A Study to Evaluate the Effect of Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors on Oxidative Stress Parameters in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health issue with 50 million diabetics currently residing in India. Hyperglycemia causes tissue damage due to mitochondrial overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (SGLT2i) have shown a decrease in oxidative stress by either amelioration of free-radical generation or potentiation of cellular antioxidative capacity in preclinical studies. However, there is a paucity of published clinical studies. Hence, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of co-administration of SGLT2i with other drugs on oxidative stress in type 2 DM (T2DM) patients. Methods A prospective, parallel, open-label study in T2DM patients attending endocrinology OPDwas conducted for a period of 12 months. At the clinician's discretion, patients were grouped as SGLT2i as an add-on to standard drugs vs standard drugs alone. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks to estimate malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) levels. Secondary parameters - glycemic indices and lipid profile - were estimated every four weeks. Results A total of 32 patients were enrolled in the study (16 per group). There was a significant decrease in MDA (p < 0.05) and NO (p < 0.01) and a highly significant increase in GSH (p < 0.001) at 12 weeks from baseline in the SGLT2i group. A reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBS) and post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS) and a 0.56% difference in HbA1c were also noted in the SGLT2i group.Significant lowering of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, p < 0.05) and elevation in HDL levels (p < 0.05) from baseline was seen in the SGLT2i group. Conclusion Co-administration of SGLT2i with antidiabetic drugs demonstrated a significant effect in improving oxidative stress biomarkers and glycemic and lipid profiles among T2DM patients.

The potential molecular mechanism underlying gypenoside amelioration of atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice: A multi-omics investigation

Gypenosides (Gyp) are bioactive components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum that have a variety of pharmacological properties. Extracts of G. pentaphyllum have been found to be effective in the reduction of blood sugar and lipids and prevention of atherosclerosis. Here, the functions of Gyp and the mechanisms underlying their effects on atherosclerosis were investigated. Mice were allocated to three groups, namely, the control (C57BL/6), atherosclerosis model (ApoE−/− mice with high-fat diet), and Gyp-treated groups. Differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, circRNA, and differential metabolites among the groups were analyzed. The results showed that “Fatty acid metabolism”, “Fatty acid elongation”, “Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction”, and “PI3K-Akt signaling pathway”, amongst others, were involved in treatment process. Differentially expressed genes, including Fabp1, Apoe, FADS1, ADH1, SYNPO2, and Lmod1were also identified. Mmu-miR-30a and mmu-miR-30e showed reduced expression in atherosclerosis models but were increased following Gyp treatment, suggesting involvement in the effects of Gyp. In addition, chr5:150604177-150608440 were found to interact with mmu-miR-30a and mmu-miR-30e to regulate their abundance. In terms of metabolomics, Gyp may regulate biological processes involving PGD2 and PGJ2, potentially alleviating atherosclerosis. In conclusion, Gyp appeared to have complex effects on atherosclerosis, most of which were positive. These results support the use of Gyp in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Honey Brands Distributed in Tehran City, Iran

Background: Honey, a naturally sweet food product, exhibits several health beneficial effects. The quality of honey differs by its microbiological, physicochemical, and antioxidant properties, which can significantly vary from brand to brand and country to country. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of honey brands distributed in Tehran City, Iran, and compare these parameters with national and international standards. Methods: Five brands (Shakelli, Khansar, Golagin, Shafi, and Kral) of honey in Tehran were selected, and 5 samples of each brand were collected from supermarkets and analyzed by standard methods for physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Results: The results depicted significant differences among studied honey brands in all physicochemical properties (except for ash, total reducing sugars, and sucrose content) and antioxidant activity (P&lt;0.05). The moisture, ash, pH, free acidity, total reducing sugars, sucrose, diastase, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) contents of honey brands ranged within 16.30%-15.34%, 0.24%-0.40%, 4.27-4.39 units, 9.15-10.68 meq/kg, 77.84%-79.74%, 3.66%-4.57%, 2.28-3.28 DN (diastase number), and 6.67-11.84 mg/kg, respectively. Thus, the physicochemical properties of studied honey brands, except for diastase activity, were within national and international legal ranges. Moreover, total phenolic contents (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) of honey brands ranged within 28.72-39.36 mg GAE/100 g and 63.83%-73.91%, respectively. In addition, a highly significant positive correlation was observed between TPC and RSA of DPPH of honey samples (r=0.798, P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: The studied honey brands were of good quality and met national and international standards.

The optimization of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pre-treatment for reducing sugar production from rice husk using response surface methodology (RSM)

Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant renewable resource which amounts to 1.3 billion tonnes per year and can be used in a variety of sustainable applications. It is primarily made up of tightly bound cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. However, hemicellulose dissolution and delignification pose significant challenges to the utilisation of reducing sugar. To solve this issue, alkaline pretreatment was utilised. The aim of lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment is to break down the complex structure of the biomass and provide better access to the components that can be converted into useful reducing sugar. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to identify the optimal values for the factors influencing the pretreatment. The optimisation parameters were sodium hydroxide concentration (1 – 4 % w/v), pretreatment time (15 – 60 minutes), and solid loading (6 – 16% w/v). Rice husk, which was used as biomass, was hydrolysed enzymatically to produce reduced sugar. The optimum conditions for producing the highest reducing sugar of 15.18 mg/mL from rice husk were 1.67% w/v sodium hydroxide pretreatment, 59.44 minutes of pretreatment time, and 7.67% w/v solid loading. As a result, less alkaline reagents can be used with a longer pretreatment time, thus lowering the cost of pretreatment. Therefore, this shows that RSM was one of the best methods to replace the conventional technique for optimising the parameters of rice husk alkaline pretreatment for reducing sugar production.