Soluble Polysaccharides Research Articles

Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of a pectin polysaccharide HBHP-3 from Houttuynia cordata

In this study, a hot buffer soluble Houttuynia cordata polysaccharide (HBHP-3) with a molecular weight of 397.4 kDa was isolated from H. cordata. HBHP-3 was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, glucose, galactose and galacturonic acid with molar ratio of 16.0:12.6:4.6:18.1:15.6. Structural analysis showed that the main chain of HBHP-3 was composed of →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→, →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→ and →4)-β-D-Galp-(1→. There were branched chains of α-L-Araf-(1→, →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, β-D-Galp-(1→ connected to the O-4 positions of →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→. HBHP-3 effectively inhibited the secretion of NO and the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner in macrophages. HBHP-3 inhibited the phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα proteins as well, illustrating that HBHP-3 exerted its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB pathway.

Impact of magnesium ions on lysozyme-triggered disintegration and solubilization of waste activated sludge

Lysozyme can efficiently accelerate solubilization and hydrolysis of waste activated sludge (WAS) for anerobic digestion. However, the effect of lysozyme was easily to be inhibited by metal ions in WAS. The impact of magnesium ions (Mg2+) on lysozyme catalyze WAS disintegration was investigated in this study. The effect of lysozyme on WAS hydrolysis could be hindered by Mg2+. Relatively high concentrations (>50 mg/L) of Mg2+ in sludge significantly reduced the release of soluble polysaccharides and proteins from WAS, while sulfate ions or chloride ions caused no such effect. Proteins were difficult to be extracted from extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of WAS in the presence of Mg2+ (>10 mg/L) due to the divalent cation bridging (DCB) behavior, while the extraction of polysaccharides was not significantly affected. The polysaccharides and proteins in the inner EPS layer were transferred to the outer layer during the lysozyme treatment, and total quantities of both components maintained constantly. At least 23.1% lysozymes were trapped in the liquid phase of 100 mg Mg2+/L in the first hour. Mg2+ could significantly affect the transfer of lysozyme from liquid phase to the inner layer of sludge. Mg2+ neutralized the negative surface charge of the sludge particles, which hindered the absorption of positively charged lysozyme molecules by sludge flocs from the liquid phase. The proteins of TB-EPS had higher ratios of α-helixes and tighter structures than those in LB-EPS, which could impede the lysozyme transfer to the cell wall.

Low temperature assisting potassium ferrate treatment to enhance short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge

To recover resource from waste activated sludge (WAS) presents great roles on developing carbon-neutral operation of wastewater treatment plants. This study was conducted to evaluate SCFAs production potential from anaerobic fermentation of WAS by a novel strategy, i.e., low temperature assisting potassium ferrate (PF) treatment. Results showed that the maximal SCFAs production reached 217 mg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/g volatile suspended solids (VSS) with the shortened fermentation time of six days, and the sum of acetic and propionic acids reached 128 mg COD/g VSS. Meanwhile, the potentially recovered carbon source, in terms of SCFAs, soluble polysaccharides and proteins, reached 437 mg COD/g VSS. The mechanism study indicated that both solubilization and hydrolysis steps were accelerated, supporting by the highest accumulations of soluble organics and ammonia nitrogen, while methanogenesis step was inhibited, supporting by the lowest methane production. In addition, it is noted that low temperature treatment facilitated organics release from extracellular polymeric substance (EPSs), with the removal efficiencies of 51.1% for polysaccharides and 44.3% for proteins, while PF facilitated cell lysis. Interestingly, compared with low temperature followed by PF treatment, PF followed by low temperature treatment performed better on facilitating disintegration of both cells and EPSs, with the highest soluble polysaccharides and proteins of 439 and 1845 mg COD/L. Also, the acid-producing bacteria was greatly enriched, with total percentage of 29.5%. The findings of this study may provide some potential solutions for SCFAs production enhancement from WAS.

Enhanced Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction in Human Colon Carcinoma HT-29 Cells of Soluble Longan Polysaccharides with a Covalent Chemical Selenylation.

The selenylated polysaccharides chemically belong to the organic Se-conjugated macromolecules and have recently been attracting more and more attention due to their potential to promote body health or prevent cancers. Longan (Dimocarpus longan L.), as a subtropical fruit, contains soluble and non-digestible polysaccharides that are regarded with health care functions in the body. In this study, the longan polysaccharides (LP) were obtained via enzyme-assisted water extraction, and then chemically selenylated using a reaction system composed of HNO3–Na2SeO3 to yield two selenylated products, namely, SeLP1 and SeLP2, with Se contents of 1.46 and 4.79 g/kg, respectively. The anti-cancer effects of the three polysaccharide samples (LP, SeLP1, and SeLP2) were thus investigated using the human colon cancer HT-29 cells as the cell model. The results showed that SeLP1 and SeLP2 were more able than LP to inhibit cell growth, alter cell morphology, cause mitochondrial membrane potential loss, increase intracellular reactive oxygen and [Ca2+]i levels, and induce apoptosis via regulating the eight apoptosis-related genes and proteins including Bax, caspases-3/-8/-9, CHOP, cytochrome c, DR5, and Bcl-2. It was thereby proven that the selenylated polysaccharides could induce cell apoptosis via activating the death receptor, mitochondrial-dependent, and ER stress pathways. Collectively, both SeLP1 and SeLP2 showed higher activities than LP in HT-29 cells, while SeLP2 was consistently more active than SeLP1 in exerting these assessed anti-cancer effects on the cells. In conclusion, this chemical selenylation covalently introduced Se into the polysaccharide molecules and caused an enhancement in their anti-cancer functions in the cells, while higher selenylation extent was beneficial to the activity enhancement of the selenylated products.

Fungi hijack a ubiquitous plant apoplastic endoglucanase to release a ROS scavenging β-glucan decasaccharide to subvert immune responses.

Plant pathogenic and beneficial fungi have evolved several strategies to evade immunity and cope with host-derived hydrolytic enzymes and oxidative stress in the apoplast, the extracellular space of plant tissues. Fungal hyphae are surrounded by an inner insoluble cell wall layer and an outer soluble extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix. Here, we show by proteomics and glycomics that these two layers have distinct protein and carbohydrate signatures, and hence likely have different biological functions. The barley (Hordeum vulgare) β-1,3-endoglucanase HvBGLUII, which belongs to the widely distributed apoplastic glycoside hydrolase 17 family (GH17), releases a conserved β-1,3;1,6-glucan decasaccharide (β-GD) from the EPS matrices of fungi with different lifestyles and taxonomic positions. This low molecular weight β-GD does not activate plant immunity, is resilient to further enzymatic hydrolysis by β-1,3-endoglucanases due to the presence of three β-1,6-linked glucose branches and can scavenge reactive oxygen species. Exogenous application of β-GD leads to enhanced fungal colonization in barley, confirming its role in the fungal counter-defensive strategy to subvert host immunity. Our data highlight the hitherto undescribed capacity of this often-overlooked EPS matrix from plant-associated fungi to act as an outer protective barrier important for fungal accommodation within the hostile environment at the apoplastic plant–microbe interface.

Relationship between size and cellulose content of cellulose microgels (CMGs) and their water-in-oil emulsifying capacity

Soluble polysaccharides have been used extensively as gelling/thickening agents in emulsions, but they generally display weak surface activity. Insoluble polysaccharides such as cellulose can be converted to thickening agents and even emulsifiers, but generally only after considerable chemical modification. Here we use the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium acetate (BmimAc) to dissolve and reprecipitate cellulose in the presence of oil, i.e., a physical process, to tune the cellulose properties. ILs have previously been used in this way to form hydrophobic (‘oily’) cellulose microgels (CMGs), potentially capable of stabilizing water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. However, these previous CMGs were made via a ‘top-down’ method and were relatively large and polydisperse, giving limited stability to the W/O emulsions formed. Here we demonstrate how the CMG size can be drastically reduced via a ‘bottom-up’ approach and employing high-pressure homogenization (HPH), thus achieving sub-micron CMG particle sizes. This has previously been impossible with other reported IL-cellulose coagulation methods and the corresponding W/O emulsions were more stable. In addition, confocal and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the surface coverage of these CMGs on droplets increased over time, which led to the formation of even thicker interfacial layers and further enhanced emulsion stability (at least 2 months). We also demonstrate unequivocally that the stability of the W/O emulsions is indeed due to the CMGs adsorbing via the Pickering mechanism, rather than forming a stabilizing cellulosic network in the continuous phase, thus providing a novel route to ‘green’ Pickering emulsions.

Unique properties of a Dictyostelium discoideum carbohydrate-binding module expand our understanding of CBM–ligand interactions

Deciphering how enzymes interact, modify, and recognize carbohydrates has long been a topic of interest in academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial research. Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are noncatalytic globular protein domains attached to carbohydrate-active enzymes that strengthen enzyme affinity to substrates and increase enzymatic efficiency via targeting and proximity effects. CBMs are considered auspicious for various biotechnological purposes in textile, food, and feed industries, representing valuable tools in basic science research and biomedicine. Here, we present the first crystallographic structure of a CBM8 family member (CBM8), DdCBM8, from the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, which was identified attached to an endo-β-1,4-glucanase (glycoside hydrolase family 9). We show that the planar carbohydrate-binding site of DdCBM8, composed of aromatic residues, is similar to type A CBMs that are specific for crystalline (multichain) polysaccharides. Accordingly, pull-down assays indicated that DdCBM8 was able to bind insoluble forms of cellulose. However, affinity gel electrophoresis demonstrated that DdCBM8 also bound to soluble (single chain) polysaccharides, especially glucomannan, similar to type B CBMs, although it had no apparent affinity for oligosaccharides. Therefore, the structural characteristics and broad specificity of DdCBM8 represent exceptions to the canonical CBM classification. In addition, mutational analysis identified specific amino acid residues involved in ligand recognition, which are conserved throughout the CBM8 family. This advancement in the structural and functional characterization of CBMs contributes to our understanding of carbohydrate-active enzymes and protein–carbohydrate interactions, pushing forward protein engineering strategies and enhancing the potential biotechnological applications of glycoside hydrolase accessory modules.

Neem Gum (Azadirachta Indica) Solution Potential for Improving Viability of Bifidobacterium Longum and Lactobacillus acidohilus Bacteria

Neem gum is a liquid that comes out of the stems of neem plants (Azadirachta indica) that have hardened and become crystals. Soluble polysaccharides compounds contained in this gum are composed of several types of monosaccharides such as arabinose, fucose, galactose, glucuronic acid, glucose, mannose, and xylose. The content of neem gum has prebiotic potential so it can be used as a source of nutrients for lactic acid bacteria. Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus are lactic acid bacteria classified as beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The content of soluble polysaccharides in neem gum can be selectively digested by these bacteria. This study aims to determine the potential of neem gum solution (Azadirachta indica) to the viability value of B. longum and L. acidophilus bacteria. The viability of B. longum and L. acidophilus bacteria was calculated using the MTT assay method. The results showed the viability value of both bacteria exposed to neem gum solution at concentrations of 5% (b/v), 10% (b/v), and 20% (b/v) increased compared to negative controls that were not given exposure to neem gum solution. Based on the results of the study, it concluded that neem gum is effective in increasing the growth of bacteria B. longum and L. acidophilus

Delivery of hyperoside by using a soybean protein isolated-soy soluble polysaccharide nanocomplex: Fabrication, characterization, and in vitro release properties

Nanoparticles made from natural proteins and polysaccharides are green, biodegradable, and sustainable. In this study, soybean protein isolate (SPI) and soybean soluble polysaccharide (SSPS) were employed as delivery vehicles for hyperoside (HYP) to explore the mechanism of the formation of complexes and evaluate the performance of this mechanism at different pH values. The structures of SPI-SSPS-HYP complexes were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the stability was evaluated based on free radical scavenging ability, loading rate, and simulated release. The results showed that nanoparticles were subjected to non-covalent electrostatic complexation, which was affected mainly by electrostatic, hydrogen bond, and hydrophobic interactions, and the optimal encapsulation efficiency was 85.56% at pH 3.5. Encapsulated HYP retained its high antioxidant capacity. This study provides a new strategy for developing a biodegradable nanocarrier with superior encapsulation properties, enhancing the application range of HYP.

Encapsulation of curcumin in soluble soybean polysaccharide-coated gliadin nanoparticles: interaction, stability, antioxidant capacity, and bioaccessibility.

Gliadin nanoparticles are used as a delivery system for active substances because of their amphiphilicity and bioavailability. However, they are susceptible to destabilization by external agents. In this study, gliadin nanoparticles stabilized by soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) were prepared by antisolvent precipitation. Formed stable complex nanoparticles were applied to protect and deliver curcumin (Cur). Gliadin/SSPS nanoparticles with the smallest particle size (196.66 nm, polydispersity index < 0.2) were fabricated when the mass ratio of gliadin to SSPS was 1:1 at pH5.0. SSPS-stabilized gliadin nanoparticles had excellent stability at pH3.0-8.0, 0.02-0.1mol L-1 NaCl and at 90 °C heat. Gliadin/SSPS nanoparticles were used to encapsulate the Cur. The encapsulation efficiency of the Cur-loaded gliadin/SSPS nanoparticles was 84.59%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry showed that the main forces were hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions between gliadin and SSPS. The X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited that the crystalline form of Cur converted to an amorphous substance. The retention rates of Cur-loaded gliadin/SSPS nanoparticles reached 79.03%, 73.43% and 87.92% after ultraviolet irradiation for 4h, heating at 90 °C and storage at 25 °C for 15 days, respectively. Additionally, simulated digestion demonstrated that the bioavailability of gliadin/SSPS-Cur nanoparticles was four times higher than that of free Cur. This study showed that SSPS improved the stability of gliadin nanoparticles. Gliadin/SSPS nanoparticles have the function of loading and delivering Cur. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of dietary fibre and soybean oil on the digestion of extruded and roller‐dried maize starch

SummaryThe effects of soybean dietary fibre (SDF), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), konjac glucomannan (KGM), soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) and soybean oil (SO) on in vitro digestion of extruded maize starch (EMS) and roller‐dried maize starch (RDMS) samples were investigated. Adding MCC, particularly in high doses, induced slow digestion in EMS and RDMS samples, but not after adding SDF. KGM and SSPS addition reduced starch hydrolysis of RDMS but did not have a significant effect on EMS, whereas SO addition reduced starch hydrolysis of EMS but had no effect on RDMS. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the addition of MCC, SO, KGM (0.51%), and SSPS (0.51%) to EMS and KGM (0.51%) to RDMS were the best choices to slow the hydrolysis of starch, compared with that of other additives. These findings provide useful information on the selection of exogenous additives in the development of low glycaemic index products for maize starch.

Oligosaccharide-phenolic compound conjugates in soluble polysaccharides from rice straw alleviate ethanol fermentation stresses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this study, it was found that soluble polysaccharides (SPs) from rice straw were conjugated with high levels of phenolic compounds. A gradient ethanol precipitation method was used to separate conjugates with different phenolic compound components. These conjugates were mainly composed of disaccharides or trisaccharides and phenolic acids that were mainly p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, and vanillin. SPs with more conjugates exhibited better effects on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ethanol fermentation. The change in the proportion of conjugates in SPs significantly affected the accumulation of intracellular trehalose and glycerol content, indicating the effect of the conjugates on intracellular osmotic stress. Moreover, SPs with more conjugates generated lower intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Thus, oligosaccharide and phenolic compound conjugates in SPs promoted yeast growth and ethanol fermentation. For instance, OD value reached 9.4, which was 1.3 times higher than the control group, and ethanol content at 36 h was 36.5 g/L, which was 1.3 times higher than the control. Osmotic pressure alleviation and lowered intracellular H2O2 levels by conjugates are key mechanisms of the SPs during yeast growth and ethanol fermentation.

The Protective Effects of Ginseng Polysaccharides and Their Effective Subfraction against Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis.

Polysaccharides from Panax ginseng are natural carbohydrates with multiple activities. However, little was known about its functions on colitis. In this study, we aim to investigate the protective effects of ginseng polysaccharides and its effective subfraction on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Water soluble ginseng polysaccharides (WGP) were obtained from dry ginseng root, then purified to neutral fraction (WGPN) and acidic fraction (WGPA) by ion exchange chromatography. An animal model was constructed with male Wistar rats, which were treated with a normal diet (con group), DSS (DSS group), WGP (WGP group), WGPN (WGPN group), and WGPA (WGPA group), respectively. Both WGP and WGPA alleviated the colitis symptoms and colon structure changes of colitis rats. They decreased the disease activity index (DAI) scores and improved colon health; reduced colon damage and recovered the intestinal barrier via regulating the tight-junction-related proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin); downregulated inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-17) and inhibited the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB-signaling pathway in the colon; regulated the diversity and composition of gut microbiota, especially the relative abundance of Ruminococcus; enhanced the production of SCFAs. In conclusion, WGP exerted a protective effect against colitis with its acidic fraction (WGPA) as an effective fraction. The results support the utilization and investigation of ginseng polysaccharides as a potential intervention strategy for the prevention of colitis.

Non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes may improve performance when included in wheat- but not maize-based diets fed to broiler chickens under subclinical necrotic enteritis challenge.

The present study investigated whether supplementing fibre-degrading enzymes can ameliorate the severity of subclinical necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens offered wheat- or maize-based diets. A total of 1,544 mixed-sex broiler chickens were assigned to 16 experimental treatments as a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors were the following: NE challenge, yes or no; diet type, wheat- or maize-based; and enzyme supplementation, control (no enzyme), family 10 xylanase (XYN10), family 11 xylanase (XYN11) or β-mannanase (MAN). Each treatment was replicated 6 times, with 16 birds per replicate pen. A three-way challenge × diet type × enzyme interaction occurred for body weight at 21 d of age (P = 0.025) and overall feed conversion ratio (P = 0.001). In the non-challenged birds fed the wheat-based diet, supplementing MAN increased d 21 body weight compared to the control. In challenged birds fed the maize-based diet, supplemental XYN11 impeded body weight and overall FCR compared to the control. Birds offered the maize-based diet presented heavier relative gizzard weights at both 16 and 21 d of age (P < 0.001) and reduced liveability (P = 0.046) compared to those fed the wheat-based diet. Enzyme supplementation reduced ileal and jejunal digesta viscosity at 16 d of age only in birds fed the wheat-based diet (P < 0.001). XYN11 increased ileal digesta viscosity in birds fed the maize-based diet, and MAN reduced it in birds fed the wheat-based diet at 21 d of age (P = 0.030). Supplementing XYN11 improved ileal soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) digestibility in birds fed the wheat-based diet compared to non-supplemented birds (P < 0.001). Birds fed the wheat-based diet displayed a higher abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterobacteriaceae and butyric acid in the caeca at 16 d of age compared to birds fed the maize-based diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplemental XYN11 exacerbated the negative impact of NE on growth performance in birds fed the maize-based diet. Supplementing wheat-based diets with fibre-degrading enzymes ameliorates production losses induced by NE.

Feasibility study on the use of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as a tool for the estimation of wine polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are the main macromolecules of colloidal nature in wines. These compounds play a critical role in stabilizing other molecules in solution and thus modifying the wine processing and organoleptic properties. Different analytical techniques have been proposed for their determination. However, most of them are complicated and time-consuming. To overcome these drawbacks, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been evaluated in this study for the estimation of wine polysaccharides in a fast and non-destructive way.Spectral data have been correlated with wine polysaccharide contents by modified partial least squares regression (MPLS) using different spectral pretreatments. MPLS models developed have revealed the potential of FTIR analysis for the routine screening of polysaccharides rich in arabinose and galactose (PRAG), rhamnogalacturonans types II (RG-II), mannoproteins (MP) and total soluble polysaccharides (TSP) in wine samples, obtaining standard errors of prediction from 6.07 to 8.44%. Monitoring the wine polysaccharides can assist in the elaboration of the wines according to their requirements and improving quality to satisfy consumer preferences.

Baking characteristic improvement and starch retrogradation inhibition of Chinese pancakes by hydrocolloids

The baking characteristic improvement and starch retrogradation inhibition of Chinese pancakes were investigated by three hydrocolloids (sodium alginate, soluble soybean polysaccharide, and xanthan gum). For Chinese pancake dough, the three hydrocolloids raised both G′ and G″. The three hydrocolloids enhanced the specific volume of fresh Chinese pancakes to varying degrees and reduced baking loss, peak viscosity, and setback. Sodium alginate and soluble soybean polysaccharide were more effective in keeping the moisture content of storage Chinese pancakes (4°C, 4 days) while also lowering the staling rate (from 2384.3 g/d to 1192.8 g/d for 0.8% SA pancake and 1215.0 g/d for 0.8% SP) and hardness. According to these findings, sodium alginate (0.8% addition) and soluble soybean polysaccharides (0.8% addition) improved the baking characteristic and inhibited starch retrogradation of Chinese pancakes efficiently. From traditional breakfast food, Chinese pancakes are increasingly becoming commercialized. As a result of this study, sodium alginate (0.8% addition) and soluble soybean polysaccharide (0.8% addition) are recommended for the baking characteristic improvement and starch retrogradation inhibition. Practical applications From traditional breakfast food, Chinese pancakes are increasingly becoming commercialized. As a result of this study, sodium alginate (0.8% addition) and soluble soybean polysaccharide (0.8% addition) are recommended for the baking characteristic improvement and starch retrogradation inhibition.

Facile Preparation of Mechanically Robust and Functional Silica/Cellulose Nanofiber Gels Reinforced with Soluble Polysaccharides.

Nanoporous silica gels feature extremely large specific surface areas and high porosities and are ideal candidates for adsorption-related processes, although they are commonly rather fragile. To overcome this obstacle, we developed a novel, completely solvent-free process to prepare mechanically robust CNF-reinforced silica nanocomposites via the incorporation of methylcellulose and starch. Significantly, the addition of starch was very promising and substantially increased the compressive strength while preserving the specific surface area of the gels. Moreover, different silanes were added to the sol/gel process to introduce in situ functionality to the CNF/silica hydrogels. Thereby, CNF/silica hydrogels bearing carboxyl groups and thiol groups were produced and tested as adsorber materials for heavy metals and dyes. The developed solvent-free sol/gel process yielded shapable 3D CNF/silica hydrogels with high mechanical strength; moreover, the introduction of chemical functionalities further widens the application scope of such materials.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids Production from Anaerobic Fermentation of Sewage Sludge: The Effect of Higher Levels Polyaluminium Chloride.

With the annual increase in the sludge production in China’s sewage treatment plants, the problem of sewage sludge treatment and disposal is becoming more and more serious. Anaerobic fermentation can convert complex organic matter in sewage sludge into short-chain fatty acid, hydrogen, methane and other resources and is an effective method for sewage sludge treatment and disposal. At the same time, sewage sludge often contains flocculants, which will inevitably affect the effect of anaerobic fermentation. As a high-performance flocculant, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is widely used in wastewater treatment and sewage sludge dewatering processes. Previous studies indicated that lower levels of PAC inhibit the effect of the anaerobic fermentation process of sewage sludge; on the other hand, it is necessary to understand the effects of higher levels of PAC in anaerobically fermented sewage sludge. The results showed that higher levels (0.2–1 g Al/g total solids (TS)) of PAC could promote acid production from anaerobically fermented sewage sludge. Moreover, mechanism studies suggest that higher levels (0.2–1 g Al/g total solids (TS)) of PAC caused excessive adsorption of the charge on the surface of the sewage sludge colloid and reversed the charge. The sewage sludge colloid was stabilized again, which increases the concentration of soluble proteins, polysaccharides, and soluble extracellular polymers (S-EPS) in the fermentation broth, thereby improving the anaerobically fermented sewage sludge efficiency. The results provided from this study may act as technical reference and guidance for the engineering application of sewage sludge anaerobic fermentation.

Chemical Characterization and In Vitro Anti-Cancer Activities of a Hot Water Soluble Polysaccharide from Hulless Barley Grass.

Hulless barley grass may confer many health benefits attributed to its bioactive functional components, such as polysaccharides. Here, a hot water soluble polysaccharide was extracted from hulless barley grass, and its chemical characterization and in vitro anti-cancer activities were investigated. The yield of hulless barley grass polysaccharide (HBGP) was 2.3%, and the purity reached 99.1% with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.11 after purification by a diethylaminoethyl cellulose (DE-32) column and an S-400 high resolution (HR) column. The molecular weight and number-average molecular weight of HBGP were 3.3 × 104 and 2.9 × 104 Da, respectively. The monosaccharide composition of HBGP included 35.1% galactose, 25.6% arabinose, 5.5% glucose, and 5.3% xylose. Based on infrared spectrum analysis, HBGP possessed pyranose and galactose residues. In addition, this water-soluble polysaccharide showed significant cell proliferation inhibitory effects against cancer cell lines HT29, Caco-2, 4T1, and CT26.WT in a dose-dependent manner, especially for HT29 (the half-inhibitory concentration IC50 value = 2.72 mg/mL). The results provide a basis for the development and utilization of hulless barley grass in functional foods to aid in preventing cancer.

Dietary Soluble Non-Starch Polysaccharide Level Influences Performance, Nutrient Utilisation and Disappearance of Non-Starch Polysaccharides in Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryNon-starch polysaccharides (NSP) constitute a major part of the dietary fibre component in plant-based feed ingredients, accounting for approximately 10% of the nutrients in a poultry diet. However, NSP are generally not considered during formulation of commercial broiler diets. The functions of dietary NSP in poultry diets, including both the soluble and insoluble fraction, has been extensively researched and discussed. The soluble fraction is of particular interest to poultry nutritionists and producers, as it increases digesta viscosity, affecting nutrient digestion and absorption and thus litter quality. Soluble NSP (sNSP) also provides fuel for beneficial microbiota species. The extent of impact of dietary sNSP level on broiler performance and nutrient utilisation is poorly understood. Consequently, in this study, broilers were fed commercial-type diets with varying sNSP levels, and the effects of the sNSP level on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility and productive performance were evaluated. The results revealed that even a small variation in dietary sNSP content induces an impact in broilers, particularly in young birds. Thus, sNSP level and composition should be considered during formulation of commercial poultry diets.This study evaluated the effect of dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharides (sNSP) on performance and nutrient utilisation in broilers from d 0 to 35. Cobb 500 broilers (n = 480, 80 birds per treatment) were fed either wheat- or corn-soybean meal-based diets formulated to contain either a high, medium, or low sNSP content, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, fed as Starter (d 0–14) and Grower (d 14–35). Birds fed the low sNSP level presented greater BWG at d 0–14 and lower feed intake at d 14–35 compared to birds fed the medium sNSP level (p < 0.005). At d 14, birds fed the high sNSP level presented greater ileal and total tract starch digestibility and total tract sNSP degradability and insoluble NSP degradability, compared to feeding the low sNSP level. At d 35, total tract DM and metabolisability of gross energy was greater in birds fed the medium sNSP level compared to those fed the high or low sNSP level (p < 0.005). Generally, bird performance and nutrient utilisation was greater in birds fed the corn-based diets compared to the wheat-based diets. These results illustrate that dietary sNSP level and composition influences bird performance and nutrient digestibility.