Siraitia Grosvenorii Research Articles

Novel Triterpenoid Alkaloids With Their Potential Cytotoxic Activity From the Roots of Siraitia grosvenorii

Four novel triterpenoid alkaloids, siragrosvenins A–D (1–4), and two new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, siragrosvenins E–F (5, 6), together with eight known analogs (7−14), were isolated from the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii. Compounds 1−4 possessed a rare cucurbitane-type triterpenoid scaffold, featuring an extra pyrazine unit via the Strecker reaction in the cucurbitane framework. Compound 5 displayed a 6/6/6/5/6/5-fused polycyclic ring system, with an uncommon fused furan and pyran ring in the side chain. All the structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, NMR, and X-ray crystallographic data. It is worth noting that the DP4+ analysis method was applied for the first time to determine the absolute configurations of the trihydroxybutyl moiety in the side chain of compounds 1–4. In vitro cytotoxicity screening found that compounds 4, 8, 9, 13, and 14 exhibited remarkable cytotoxic activities against three cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 1.44 to 9.99 μM. Siragrosvenin D shows remarkable cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 cells. As a result, it inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and reduced their viability via the induction of G2/M phase arrest and significantly induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

Effects of Siraitia grosvenorii extracts on high fat diet-induced obese mice：a comparison with artificial sweetener aspartame

Long-term artificial sweetener intake is linked to increased risk of obesity. In the present study, supplement of natural sweetener from Siraitia grosvenorii (SG) (or Momordica grosvenorii) fruit, compared with the artificial sweetener aspartame (ASM), was evaluated for anti-obesity effects on mice fed with high fat diet (HFD). We found that, in contrary to ASM, SG extracts prevented body weight gain, the insulin resistance and fat mass accumulation in HFD mice. SG extracts treatment inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and lowered the levels of the fat inflammatory cytokines (leptin, macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) in adipose tissues. In addition, SG extracts supplement counteracted the remodeling of gut microbiota resulted from HFD. However, ASM supplement aggravated the HFD-induced obese performances, fat inflammation and dysregulation of gut microbiota. Taken together, our results indicate that supplement of SG extracts may represent a promising alternation of artificial sweeteners in preventing metabolic diseases.

Study on the role of nutrients in food to improve the motion state of athletes

This study aims to analyze the role of nutrients in food in improving athletic performance and to understand the feasibility of food supplementation in sports training. Twenty athletes were randomly divided into two groups, A and B. The athletes in the two groups had the same diet and the same training content and differed only in the supplemented food. Group A was supplemented with Siraitia grosvenorii water, and Group B was supplemented with pure water. After 3 months of training, the body composition, exercise status, and blood indexes of the athletes in the two groups were compared. Compared with the athletes in group A before the experiment as well as in group B after the experiment, the athletes in group A showed a significant increase in fat-free weight, improved athletic performance, increased levels of hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC), and decreased levels of blood lactic acid (BLA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P < 0.05). Nutrients in food can effectively improve the body composition and exercise status of athletes and inhibit the decrease of Hb and RBC as well as the increase of BLA and BUN, which have good usability in sports training.

Culturing Important Plants for Sweet Secondary Products under Consideration of Environmentally Friendly Aspects

Some sweet tasting plant secondary metabolites are non-caloric or low nutritive compounds that have traditional use in food formulations. This mini-review focuses on conventional and advanced cultivation regimes of plants that accumulate sweet tasting or sweet taste modulating secondary metabolites of potential economic importance, in particular mogrosides (Siraitia grosvenorii), phyllodulcin (Hydrangea macrophylla), glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza glabra), steviol glycosides (Stevia grosvenorii), and rubusoside (Rubus suavissimus). Consequential obstacles during the cultivation of Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars outside their natural habitat in a protected cultivation environment are addressed. Culturing at non-habitat locations facilitates short transportation routes of plant material for processing, which can be a key to an economically and environmentally compatible usage. The biosynthetic pathways, as far as known, are shortly mentioned. The proved or hypothetical degradation pathways of the compounds to minimalize environmental contamination are another focal point.

Genome-scale transcriptomic insights into the gene co-expression network of seed abortion in triploid Siraitia grosvenorii

BackgroundSiraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey, also known as Luohanguo or monk fruit, is a famous traditional Chinese medicine ingredient with important medicinal value and broad development prospects. Diploid S. grosvenorii has too many seeds, which will increase the utilization cost of active ingredients. Thus, studying the molecular mechanism of seed abortion in triploid S. grosvenorii, identifying the abortion-related genes, and regulating their expression will be a new direction to obtain seedless S. grosvenorii. Herein, we examined the submicroscopic structure of triploid S. grosvenorii seeds during abortion.ResultsUpon measuring the endogenous hormone content, we found that abscisic acid (ABA) and trans-zeatin (ZR) levels were significantly downregulated after days 15 and 20 of flowering. RNA sequencing of triploid seeds at different developmental stages was performed to identify key genes regulating abortion in triploid S. grosvenorii seeds. Multiple genes with differential expression between adjacent stages were identified; seven genes were differentially expressed across all stages. Weight gene co-expression network analysis revealed that the enhancement of monoterpene and terpene metabolic processes might lead to seed abortion by reducing the substrate flow to ABA and ZR.ConclusionsThese findings provide insights into the gene-regulatory network of seed abortion in triploid S. grosvenorii from different perspectives, thereby facilitating the innovation of the breeding technology of S. grosvenorii.

Preparation of cucurbitacin compounds in Siraitia grosvenorii roots by high speed countercurrent chromatography

葫芦素作为四环三萜类化合物广泛存在于葫芦科植物中,但其含量较低、结构相似,采用常规的柱层析分离法较难得到大量、高纯度的单体化合物,导致其活性的研究与应用受到限制。研究采用高速逆流色谱法(HSCCC),建立了一种从罗汉果根提取物中制备葫芦素类化合物的方法。罗汉果根乙醇提取物经HPD-100大孔树脂、MCI、RP-C18柱层析分离后获得葫芦素粗品。通过基于薄层色谱的溶剂选择法(GUESS)对液-液萃取与高速逆流色谱的溶剂体系进行快速筛选,确定采用正己烷-乙酸乙酯-甲醇-水(3:7:3:7, v/v/v/v)萃取葫芦素粗品,有机层萃取物再以正己烷-乙酸乙酯-甲醇-水(4:6:5:5, v/v/v/v)进行HSCCC分离,以上相作为固定相,下相作为流动相,流速2.0 mL/min,主机转速860 r/min,进样量280 mg,一次分离即可获得5种葫芦素类化合物,经高效液相色谱检测其纯度分别为97.0%、95.4%、96.3%、91.6%和95.3%,并通过核磁共振技术、高分辨质谱技术及文献资料对比对各化合物的结构进行鉴定。经鉴定,5种化合物分别为葫芦素Q1、23,24-二氢葫芦素F-25-乙酸酯、葫芦素B、23,24-二氢葫芦素B和二氢异葫芦素B-25乙酸酯。该方法操作简单、快速,分离效果好,可作为规模化制备葫芦素类化合物的一种新方法。

A Combined Transcriptomic and Proteomic Approach to Reveal the Effect of Mogroside V on OVA-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation in Mice.

Mogroside V is a bioactive ingredient extracted from the natural food Siraitia grosvenorii which possesses functions that stimulate lung humidification and cough relief activities, but its underlying mechanisms were rarely studied. To estimate its potential protective effect on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced pulmonary inflammation and understand its system-wide mechanism, integrated omics was applied in this study. Mogroside V effectively reduced the levels of IgE, TNF-α, and IL-5 in OVA-induced mice. The results of RNA-seq and data-independent acquisition proteomics approach revealed that 944 genes and 341 proteins were differentially expressed in the normal control group (NC) and ovalbumin-induced control group (OC) and 449 genes and 259 proteins were differentially expressed between the OC and the group treated with 50 mg/kg mogroside V (MV). After a combined analysis of the transcriptome and the proteome, 93 major pathways were screened, and we discovered that mogroside V exerts an anti-inflammation effect in the lung via NF-κB and JAK-STAT, both of which are among the signaling pathways mentioned above. In addition, we found that the key regulatory molecules (Igha, Ighg1, NF-κB, Jak1, and Stat1) in the two pathways were activated in inflammation and inhibited by mogroside V. Thus, mogroside V may be the main bioactivity component in S. grosvenorii that exerts lung humidification and cough relief effects.

The liver metabolic features of Mogroside V compared to Siraitia grosvenorii fruit extract in allergic pneumonia mice

BackgroundFor a long time, Siraitia grosvenorii fruit extract (SGFE) and its dominant compounds, mogroside V(MV) were both reported to have therapeutic effects on allergic pneumonia, while previous studies only stay on phenotype and mechanism of the two active ingredients, hardly have any studies compared the two ingredients on the effect of liver metabolic, and revealed the relationship between mechanism and liver metabolism. ObjectiveHere we elucidated and compared the curative mechanisms of SGFE and MV on allergic pneumonia through liver metabolomics. MethodsWe established allergic pneumonia mice using ovalbumin, then treated the mice with SGFE, MV and positive drug of Suhuang Zhike Jiaonang. The effects of the drugs were evaluated by detecting inflammatory cytokines, pathological examination and liver oxidative stress biomarkers. We explored the metabolic features between SGFE and MV through liver metabolomics consequently. ResultsAt phenotype, we confirmed that MV and SGFE both inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukins-5 (IL-5), IL-13, IL-17 and OVA-induced immunoglobulin E, which can also relieve inflammatory cells infiltration and mesenchymal thickening in lung tissue compared with positive drug. In addition, both of them can alleviate oxidative stress damage in liver, while MV showed a superior effect than SGFE. In metabolomic analysis, the two ingredients were found to ameliorate inflammatory and oxidative reaction mainly in controlling pathways of Riboflavin metabolism and Glutathione metabolism. While SGFE were found to control other metabolic pathways such as Phenylalanine metabolism, Sphingolipid metabolism, Glycerollipid metabolism, Glycine, serine and threonine metabolism and Arginine and proline metabolism. ConclusionFrom the results we can infer that the minor ingredients except MV in SGFE contribute poor function to the treatment of allergic pneumonia and MV may be the main functional constituent that relieve allergic pneumonia in SGFE. This study will be beneficial to figuring out a systematic theory of Siraitia grosvenorii active ingredients and proposing a guidance for pharmacology development.

Effect of synbiotic yogurt fortified with monk fruit extract on hepatic lipid biomarkers and metabolism in rats with type 2 diabetes

Monk fruit extract (MFE) is widely used as a sweetener in foods. In this study, the effects of the consumption of MFE-sweetened synbiotic yogurt on the lipid biomarkers and metabolism in the livers of type 2 diabetic rats were evaluated. The results revealed that the MFE-sweetened symbiotic yogurt affected the phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidic acids, lysophosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, lysophosphatidylglycerols, lysophosphatidylinositols, lysophosphatidylserines, and fatty acid-hydroxy fatty acids biomarkers in the livers of type 2 diabetic rats. In addition, the consumption of the MFE-sweetened synbiotic yogurt significantly altered 12 hepatic metabolites, which are involved in phenylalanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, bile secretion, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism in the liver. Furthermore, a multiomics (metabolomic and transcriptomic) association study revealed that there was a significant correlation between the MFE-sweetened synbiotic yogurt and the metabolites and genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, bile secretion, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. The findings of this study will provide new insights on exploring the function of sweeteners for improving type 2 diabetes mellitus liver lipid biomarkers.

Physicochemical properties and microbial safety of reduced‐sugar chocolate‐flavored milk

This study investigated the impact of sugar reduction on the physicochemical properties (pH, water activity (aw), total soluble solids (TSS), viscosity, and color) and microbial safety (total mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, yeast and mold, total coliform, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes) of chocolate-flavored milk stored under refrigeration (4 ± 1°C) for 28 days. When compared with the full-sugar chocolate milk (control), the 50% reduced-sugar (w/v) formulation containing concentration of stevia (56.27 mg/L) and monk fruit extract (81.90 mg/L), optimized based on the sensory responses by 107 consumers, showed no significant changes in pH, aw, and microbial growth. However, TSS and viscosity were significantly lower with higher lightness and yellowness but lower redness values in the reduced-sugar sample compared to the control, but no significant changes were observed over the storage period. Consequently, 50% of added sugar (w/v) could be reduced to formulate chocolate milk with acceptable physicochemical properties and microbial safety. Practical applications Flavored milk is a source of recommended dietary allowances for vitamin D and calcium but can contain up to 10% of added sugar (w/v). However, the intake of high levels of added sugar has been associated with several chronic diseases. Hence, there is a need to reduce added sugar. But the impact of sugar reduction has mainly been investigated from a health perspective. There is limited data available on how this impacts physicochemical and microbial properties. These aspects are crucial to be assessed before the new product could be launched in the market. Hence, the findings from this study will provide insights to the dairy industry on the stability of a new product in terms of physicochemical and microbiological safety when considering sugar reformulation programs.

Fruit derived callus and cell suspension culture as promising alternative sources for mogrosides production in Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey: a zero-caloric natural sweetener

The fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii (Luo Han Guo) is commercially consumed for its zero-calorie natural sweetener compounds known as mogrosides. The present work aimed to establish a cell culture platform from the fruit mesocarp and provide an alternative source for mogrosides production in S. grosvenorii. Bavistin at 1.0% with mercuric chloride at 0.1% were effective concentrations for explants sterilization. The maximum frequency of callus induction was observed in mesocarp (95.78%) and stem (97%) explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (0.5 mg/L) and picloram (2.5 mg/L). The maximum proliferation response of suspended cells in suspension culture was observed in MS medium fortified with thidiazuron (0.3 mg/L) and indole-3-butyric acid (0.3 mg/L). Mogroside V (2.96 mg/g DW), 11-oxo-mogroside V (0.66 mg/g DW), siamenoside I (0.26 mg/g DW), and mogroside IIIE (0.08 mg/g DW) were quantified in mesocarp callus using UPLC–PDA–ESI-Q-TOF-MS technique. A comparable content of mogroside V (1.76 mg/g DW) and 11-oxo-mogroside V (0.68 mg/g DW) was also quantified in cell suspension derived from mesocarp callus with enhanced cell biomass (FW; 184.58 g/L). Therefore, the in vitro culture derived from fruit mesocarp was shown to be a potential source for mogrosides production.

Engineering of a UDP-Glycosyltransferase for the Efficient Whole-Cell Biosynthesis of Siamenoside I in Escherichia coli.

The combination of the insufficient availability and the complex structure of siamenoside I (SI), the sweetest glucoside isolated from Siraitia grosvenorii to date, limited its use as a natural sweetener. To solve this problem, an improved biocatalyst, UGT-M2, was semi-rationally created by engineering the uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase UGT94-289-2 from S. grosvenorii for the monoglucosylation of mogroside IIIE (MG IIIE) to SI. Subsequently, an engineered Escherichia coli cell was constructed, which combined UGT-M2 with a UDP-glucose regeneration system to circumvent the need for expensive UDP-glucose to produce SI. After optimization, high-purity SI (>96.4%) was efficiently prepared from MG IIIE at a 1 L scale with a productivity of 29.78 g/(L day) and a molar yield of 76.5% and without using exogenous UDP-glucose. This study not only developed a whole-cell approach for the preparation of SI but also provided an alternative glycosyltransferase variant for SI biosynthesis with synthetic biology in the future.

Mogroside-rich extract from Siraitia grosvenorii fruits protects against the depletion of ovarian reserves in aging mice by ameliorating inflammatory stress.

Mogroside-rich extract (MGE), the main bioactive component of dried Siraitia grosvenorii fruit, has long been used as a natural sweetener and traditional Chinese medicine. This extract possesses various types of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, hypoglycemic and hypolipemic activities. Moreover, we recently revealed that MGE has beneficial effects on female reproduction. Increasing maternal age leads to a rapid reduction in female fertility; in particular, it dramatically decreases ovarian function. Nevertheless, whether MGE can alleviate ovarian aging and the underlying mechanisms have not yet been explored. In this study, mice were treated with MGE by supplementation in drinking water from 10 to 44 weeks of age. Then, ovarian function and molecular changes were determined. Our findings showed that MGE treatment protected aged mice from estrous cycle disorder. Moreover, MGE treatment significantly increased the ovarian reserves of aged mice. RNA-seq data showed that MGE upregulated the expression of genes related to gonad development, follicular development, and hormone secretion in ovarian tissue. Additionally, inflammatory stress was induced, as indicated by upregulation of inflammation-related gene expression and elevated TNF-α levels in the ovarian tissues of aged mice; however, MGE treatment attenuated inflammatory stress. In summary, our findings demonstrate that MGE can ameliorate age-related estrous cycle disorder and ovarian reserve decline in mice, possibly by alleviating ovarian inflammatory stress.

Network Pharmacology and Inflammatory Microenvironment Strategy Approach to Finding the Potential Target of Siraitia grosvenorii (Luo Han Guo) for Glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary intracranial tumor of the central nervous system, and the prognosis of GBM remains a challenge using the standard methods of treatment—TMZ, radiation, and surgical resection. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a helpful complementary and alternative medicine. However, there are relatively few studies on TCM for GBM. Purpose: We aimed to find the connection between TCM and anti-GBM. Study design: Network pharmacology and inflammatory microenvironment strategy were used to predict Siraitia grosvenorii (Luo Han Guo) target for treating glioblastoma. Methods: We mainly used network pharmacology and bioinformatics. Results: CCL5 was significantly highly expressed in GBM with poor prognostics. Uni-cox and randomForest were used to determine that CCL5 was especially a biomarker in GBM. CCL5 was also the target for SG and TMZ. The active ingredient of Luo Han Guo — squalene and CCL5 —showed high binding efficiency. CCL5, a chemotactic ligand, was enriched and positively correlated in eosinophils. CCL5 was also the target of Luo Han Guo, and its effective active integrate compound –— squalene — might act on CCL5. Conclusion: SG might be a new complementary therapy of the same medicine and food, working on the target CCL5 and playing an anti-GBM effect. CCL5 might affect the immune microenvironment of GBM.

Embryogenic callus induction, cell suspension culture, and spectrum-effect relationship between antioxidant activity and polyphenols composition of Siraitia grosvenorii cultured cells

Siraitia grosvenorii (S. grosvenorii), a perennial vine of Cucurbitaceae family, has been widely used in medicine and food products. However, its application is hindered due to the limited output of natural and cultivated plants. Thus, to expand plant resource and application of S. grosvenorii, the current research study comprises embryogenic callus induction, development of suspension culture, and analysis on the spectrum-effect relationship between antioxidant activity and polyphenols composition of S. grosvenorii cultured cells. Adding 0.5 g·L−1 ascorbic acid and 1.0 g·L−1 choline could increase the induction rate from 0.75% to 68% and enhances the antioxidant enzyme activities of loose embryogenic calluses. A total of 15 polyphenols (14 flavonols and 1 phenolic acid) in the callus extracts were identified via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Through Plackett-Burman's design and response surface methodology, optimal proportionings of plant growth regulator (PGRs) for cell suspension culture were obtained. With the optimized PGRs, the obtained cell biomass and polyphenols content were 32.18% and 13.86%, respectively, more than PGRs proportioning before optimization. Furthermore, a homogeneous and rapidly grown suspension cell culture was developed with a maximum biomass and polyphenols content of 25.5 g·L−1 DW and 30.75 mg·g−1 DW, respectively. The results of spectrum-effect relationships analysis indicated a strong linear correlation between 15 above-identified polyphenols and the antioxidation activity of the extracts. In addition, the partial least square method result revealed that all 15 polyphenols positively contributed to antioxidant capacity, including 3,4-di-p-coumaroyl, 5-tri-hydroxycoumaroyl quinic acid and kaempferol-3-O-Glc-7-O-Rha with vital roles. Our results indicated that the extracts from S. grosvenorii cell have excellent antioxidant activity, and therefore have potential applications in healthy food and daily cosmetics.

THE USE OF STEVIA AND MONK FRUIT SWEETENERS FOR SUGAR REPLACEMENT IN GREEN TEA AGAR JELLIES

This study aimed to develop healthy agar jellies with low-sugar content, linking to a decreased risk for heart attack, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Two natural non-nutritive sweeteners, stevia and monk fruit were studied at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% sugar replacement based on the equivalent sucrose sweetness. The physical properties assessed on the total soluble solids, firmness, color, and syneresis. Still, the sensory attributes on color, taste, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability was evaluated by a 9-point hedonic scale. The more sugar replacement lowered the total soluble solids but increased the gel firmness (p<0.05) and the lightness ( L* ). The syneresis declined in reduced-sugar jellies with stevia and monk fruit against the whole sugar jellies. The stevia and monk fruit replacement affected agar jellies' taste and flavor attributes (p<0.05). Jellies with 50% and 75% sugar replacement, either stevia or monk fruit, were preferred over 25% and 100% replacement. The jelly with 50% stevia was the optimal formulation.

Protective Effects of Mogroside V on Oxidative Stress Induced by H2O2 in Skin Fibroblasts.

PurposeDamage caused by oxidative stress leads to the premature aging of cells. Mogrosides, the main active components of Siraitia grosvenorii, have strong antioxidant activity; however, it is unclear whether mogroside V (MV) exerts these effects in skin cells. This was investigated in the present study by evaluating the protective effects of MV against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in skin fibroblasts.MethodsMouse skin fibroblasts (MSFs) were treated with H2O2 and cell viability, total antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidant enzyme activity were assessed.ResultsTreatment with MV reduced the ROS level and MDA content in MSFs treated with H2O2. This was accompanied by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities.ConclusionMV reduces H2O2-induced oxidative stress and enhances endogenous antioxidant activity in skin fibroblasts. Thus, MV can potentially be used as an ingredient in anti-aging cosmetic products.

Exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy causes lung inflammation in the offspring: Mechanism of action of mogrosides

Epidemiological and toxicological studies have demonstrated that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy is harmful to the tissues of the offspring. However, the mechanism by which PM2.5 exposure causes lung damage in the offspring or potential dietary therapy for this condition remains unclear. Mogrosides (MGs) are derived from the traditional plant Siraitia grosvenorii and are used medicinally, where they can moisten the lungs and relieve coughing. In this study, pregnant rats were exposed to PM2.5 by intratracheal instillation and treated with MGs by gavage to model the effect of PM2.5 in the offspring and the interventional effect of MGs on lung tissue. We then used transcriptomics, metabolomics, and RT-qPCR as tools to look for metabolite and genetic changes in the offspring. We found that when compared to the control group, the mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediator Pla2g2d and the metabolites lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs) and arachidonic acid (AA) were up-regulated in the lung tissues of PM2.5 group. In contrast, these inflammatory changes were restored after treatment with MGs during pregnancy. In addition, the levels of AA, LPC 15:0 and LPC 18:0 were elevated in the PM2.5 group compared with control group. This increase was inhibited by co-administration of MGs. The change of PGA1 was adverse. In conclusion, even a relatively low exposure to PM2.5 in rats during pregnancy produces inflammation in the lungs of the male offspring, and an intervention with MGs could significantly alleviate this effect. Furthermore, Pla2g2d may represent a potential target for MGs resulting in the improvement of PM2.5-induced lung injury.

Consumer perception of ice cream and frozen desserts in the “better-for-you” category

The consumption of ice cream and frozen desserts in the "better-for-you" (BFY) category has grown rapidly over the past few years, even as traditional ice cream sales remain stagnant. To better understand consumer preferences within the BFY category, an online survey (n = 1,051) was conducted with ice cream and frozen dessert consumers, followed by consumer acceptance testing of commercial BFY frozen dairy desserts. Consumers of BFY frozen desserts (n = 578) completed an adaptive choice-based conjoint survey and MaxDiff exercise to identify the attributes that drive purchase of BFY frozen desserts. MaxDiff exercises were also used to determine which attributes all frozen dessert consumers (n = 1,051) perceived to make a frozen dessert BFY and which stabilizers or emulsifiers were most attractive on an ice cream or frozen dessert label. Subsequently, a consumer acceptance test (n = 186) was conducted using 4 commercial vanilla-flavored frozen dairy desserts made with different sweetening systems (sugar, sucralose + acesulfame K, monk fruit + allulose, and stevia + erythritol). Half of consumers were primed or informed with the sweeteners and basic nutritional information for the frozen desserts before tasting, and the other half of consumers evaluated samples blinded, where they were only informed that they were tasting a vanilla-flavored frozen dessert. Sweetener type and base (dairy vs. plant) were the most important attributes to BFY consumers when selecting a BFY frozen dessert (n = 578). For all ice cream and BFY dessert consumers (n = 1,051), sweetener-related claims (naturally sweetened, reduced sugar, no added sugar), along with "all natural" and a short ingredient list, were the top attributes that contributed to perception of a "healthier" frozen dessert. When BFY frozen desserts were tasted by consumers, purchase intent decreased after tasting, suggesting that frozen desserts made with natural non-nutritive sweeteners did not meet consumer expectations. Flavor of BFY frozen desserts remains more important than perceived healthiness. Consumers perceive frozen desserts, even those in the BFY category, as an indulgence. Frozen dessert manufacturers should focus on naturally sweetened, dairy-based desserts with minimal sweetener-related flavor defects when designing products for the BFY category.

Traceability of the geographical origin of Siraitia grosvenorii based on multielement contents coupled with chemometric techniques

Siraitia grosvenorii (LHG) is widely used as a medicinal and edible material around the world. The objective of this study was to develop an effective method for the authentication of the geographical origin of LHG in its main producing area Guangxi, China, which is identified as Chinese Protected Designation of Origin product, against other producing regions in China. The content of 14 elements (K, Na, Ca, P, Mg, Al, B, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Sr) of 114 LHG samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Multivariate analysis was then performed to classify the geographical origin of LHG samples. The contents of multielement display an obvious trend of clustering according to the geographical origin of LHG samples based on radar plot and principal component analysis. Finally, three supervised statistical techniques, including linear discriminant analysis (LDA), k-nearest neighbours (k-NN), and support vector machine (SVM), were applied to develop classification models. Finally, 40 unknown LHG samples were used to evaluate the predictive ability of model and discrimination rate of 100%, 97.5% and 100% were obtained for LDA, k-NN, and SVM, respectively. This study indicated that it is feasible to attribute unknown LHG samples to its geographical origin based on its multielement content coupled with chemometric techniques.