Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based films are promising biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics; however, their high rigidity and moisture sensitivity limit practical applications. In this study, PVA/carnauba wax (CW) films were prepared via solution casting and systematically modified using four plasticizers: glycerol (GLY), sorbitol (SOR), glucose (GLU), and sucrose (SUC), at concentrations of 0.1-0.5% (v/w, relative to PVA). Thermal analysis showed that GLY and SOR effectively reduced the glass transition temperature from 52.35 °C (control) to as low as 49.14 °C (0.2% GLY) and 50.70 °C (0.4% SOR), while SUC and SOR plasticized films exhibited improved thermal stability, with the highest melting temperature observed for 0.3% SUC (80.6 °C). SEM micrographs revealed that GLY at moderate concentrations (0.2-0.3%) produced the most homogeneous film morphology, whereas SUC at higher concentrations led to surface roughness and phase separation. Water contact angle measurements showed increased surface hydrophobicity at low plasticizer contents, with 0.1% GLY and 0.2% GLU exhibiting contact angles above 100° compared to the control film (<90°). Mechanical testing demonstrated that SUC at 0.2% had the highest tensile strength (3.03 MPa) compared to 0.73 MPa (control), while GLY at 0.3% yielded the highest elongation at break (9.26%), compared to 0.62% for the unplasticized film. These results demonstrate that precise control of plasticizer type and concentration enables effective tuning of PVA/CW film properties, offering a viable strategy for designing biodegradable films tailored for packaging and agricultural applications.

Saccharose (SA) was used as a passivation agent to post-treat an oxidic NiMo/Al2O3 hydrotreating catalyst to inhibit the ambient oxidation of the sulfurized catalyst. The effect of SA usage and passivation temperature on oxidation resistance and dibenzothiophene (DBT) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity was investigated. Porous carbonaceous deposits with pore sizes of 3-4 nm formed after passivation could effectively prevent ambient air from entering but allow sulfurizing agents and reactants to access metals under high pressure and temperature. SA passivation significantly improved the oxidation resistance of the sulfurized catalyst. Higher SA usage reduced the oxidation resistance, but higher passivation temperatures enhanced it. For the catalyst passivated at 450 °C with a SA/Ni molar ratio of 1.5 (LHT-1.5-450), the oxidation degrees of Mo and Ni sulfides determined by TG were decreased by 50.3% and 53.6%, respectively, after air exposure for 7 days. Additionally, carbonaceous deposits could act as support-like carbon to prevent metals from aggregation and weaken the metal-alumina interaction, resulting in similar activity between the sulfurized catalysts with and without passivation. The passivated catalysts show a considerable reduction in activity loss after exposure to air. LHT-1.5-450 exhibits the lowest activity loss with a 2.7% reduction in DBT removal over each Mo atom, much less than that of the unpassivated catalyst (12.9%). By combining the oxidation resistance of carbonaceous deposits with their promotional effects on activity, the sulfurized catalyst can preserve its activity after exposure to air.

Enteroendocrine hormonal response after the ingestion of cola beverages with sucrose and non-nutritive sweeteners in healthy adults: A randomized crossover trial.

Biodegradable polymeric films with natural active compounds offer a sustainable approach to improving food safety and self-life. This study developed bioactive films using arrowroot starch (AS) and pectin extract (PE) from yellow passion fruit peel via solution casting. Sucrose (SU) and rosemary essential oil (REO) were incorporated to enhance functional properties. Films were characterized by optical, mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial proprieties. PE acted as a plasticizer and increased antioxidant potential due to its high phenolic content, confirmed by DPPH and FRAP assays. REO exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, mainly attributed to α-pinene. Although water vapor permeability of formulation F2 (0.5% REO, 1.4% SU) doubled compared to control, transparency, color, and tensile strength remained stable. F2 also showed a 5.23% increase in DPPH inhibition. These findings highlight the potential of films developed as active, sustainable packaging materials.

This study investigated the effects of alternative sweeteners, allulose (AL), stevia (ST), and xylose (XY), on the physicochemical, antioxidant, textural, and sensory properties of Yanggaeng fortified with Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) powder. Replacing sucrose (SU) with alternative sweeteners significantly affected the proximate composition and overall quality of Yanggaeng. Formulations containing AL, ST, or XY exhibited higher moisture retention and lower carbohydrate content than those containing SU. Colorimetric analysis revealed that Yanggaeng prepared with alternative sweeteners developed a darker coloration and greater browning intensity, likely due to enhanced Maillard reactions during heating. Among the sweeteners tested, AL showed the highest total phenolic content and relatively high antioxidant activity, suggesting potential functional advantages beyond sweetness. Textural analysis indicated that ST enhanced gel strength and elasticity even under high-moisture conditions, whereas AL produced a softer texture, which may be desirable for products requiring reduced firmness. Although consumer preference scores did not differ significantly across most sensory attributes, both ST and AL achieved acceptable overall profiles, with sweetness ratings comparable to those of SU. These findings suggest that CQ-enriched Yanggaeng sweetened with alternative sweeteners can be developed as a promising low-sugar dessert option without compromising quality or consumer acceptability.

Effect of different small molecule sugars/sugar alcohols as sucrose substitutes in osmotic dehydration on the texture and gel properties of strawberry preserves.

Simple SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of administration of propylene glycol (PG) or sucrose (SC) on health and production outcomes in dairy cows with elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels of 0.3 mEq/L or higher during the close-up period. Thirty-five cows from two farms in Hokkaido were assigned to PG, SC, or untreated control groups, with treatments administered for 5 days starting from the blood testing. In PG and SC cows, blood profiles related to energy metabolism, including NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, improved after calving compared with controls, and liver function was maintained as well. Cows in both treatment groups exhibited significant decreases in postpartum culling rates. These findings suggest that prophylactic administration of PG or SC may contribute to postpartum productivity.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preventive effects of propylene glycol (PG) or sucrose (SC) in dairy cows with high levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) during the close-up period. From July 2021 to August 2022, blood samples were collected from 193 cows between 14 and 7 days prior to the expected calving date in two farms, and 35 multiparous cows with serum NEFA ≥ 0.3 mEq/L were randomly assigned to PG (500 mL/day, n = 11), SC (1000 mL/day of 50% solution, n = 11), and untreated control (HC; n = 13) groups. Treatments were administered orally for 5 consecutive days. Compared with HC cows, the serum NEFA concentration tended to be lower in SC cows at 3 days in milk (DIM) and was significantly lower in PG cows at 14 DIM. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations tended to be lower in SC cows at 21 DIM. Blood glucose concentrations were higher in both treatment groups at 3 DIM, and the serum total bilirubin concentration remained lower until 14 DIM in PG cows and until 7 DIM in SC cows. At 7 DIM, PG cows showed significantly higher total very low-density lipoprotein levels and PG and SC cows had significantly or tendentially higher low-density lipoprotein triglyceride concentrations. Cows in both treatment groups had significantly reduced culling after calving. These results suggest that prophylactic administration of PG or SC improves energy metabolism by supporting liver function, thereby reducing postpartum culling, with the PG group showing a more consistent effect.

Abstract Background Irrigation has been a strategy used to reduce losses due to drought, which combined with a good supply of nitrogen (N), can improve the protective system of cotton plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of irrigated and rainfed cotton cultivation using different rates and sources of N. Cotton cultivation was carried out in Selvíria-MS field in the 2017/2018 harvest. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, which were designed in a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme. The factors were composed of 0, 40, 80, and 150 kg·hm −2 level of N, using two sources of N under rainfed and irrigated systems. Results The provision of irrigation provided an increase in the levels of chlorophylls (Chl) a, Chl b, total Chl, carotenoids, pheophytin, leaf chlorophyll index (LCI), N content, nitrate (NO 3 − ), sucrose (SUC), the number of vegetative and reproductive branches, boll mass, and seed cotton productivity. There was no effect of N sources on any of the characteristics evaluated. Application of 150 kg·hm −2 level of N increased in 11%, 59%, 22%, 15%, 15% and 17% in LCI, NO 3 − , N, total amino acids (TA), SUC, and proline concentration in leaves, compared with 0 kg·hm −2 of N, respectively. Application of 150 kg·hm −2 level of N improved the leaf catalase activity (CAT) under the irrigation system; however, in a rainfed system, the highest CAT was observed at rates of 0 and 150 kg·hm −2 level of N. Irrigation increased in 55%, 117%, 68%, 46%, 8%, 36%, 24%, 118%, 48%, 10%, 11% and 72% in Chl a, Chl b, total Chl, CAR, LCI, pheophytins (Pheo), SUC, NO 3 − , the number of vegetative branches, the number of reproductive branches, mass of 20 bolls and seed cotton yield compared with rainfed system, respectively, however, the antioxidant system and the ammonium content of plants was stimulated by rainfed cultivation. Conclusions Antioxidant responses increased during droughts in cotton farming, which may be connected to oxidative stress-related losses. Better N metabolism, photosynthetic pigments, and manufacturing components were all made possible by irrigated cultivation. The delivery of 150 kg·hm −2 of N in topdressing in cotton agriculture promoted the N metabolism, sucrose, total amino acids, and the plant’s defense mechanism against oxidative stress.

Neurochemical alterations in monoaminergic systems induced by excessive sucrose consumption from the juvenile period to adolescence in mice.

Background: Artificial non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs), such as sucralose, have been associated with gut microbiota (GM) alterations. However, the impact of rebaudioside A (reb A), a natural NNS, on GM has received limited scrutiny. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the response of GM composition to sucralose and reb A in rats under two dietary conditions. Methods: Male Wistar rats (150-200 g) fed with a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) were randomly assigned to receive sucralose (SCL), reb A (REB), glucose (GLU, control), or sucrose (SUC). The NNS interventions were administered in water at doses equivalent to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). After eight weeks, the GM composition in fecal samples was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results: The NNSs did not modify the diversity, structure, phylum-level composition, or Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio of the GM in rats under ND or HFD. However, REB with HFD decreased Bacilli and increased Faecalibacterium abundance at the class level. SCL and REB in rats receiving ND reduced the genera Romboutsia and Lactobacillus. Conclusions: Our study suggests that when sucralose or reb A is consumed at recommended doses, there is no alteration in the diversity or the composition of the GM at the phylum level. The clinical relevance of these findings lies in the potential modifications of the GM at specific taxonomic levels by the consumption of these NNSs. Further research involving humans and including a broader range of microbial analyses is warranted.

BackgroundLegume-based intercropping systems function in boosting crop productivity. However, the precise physiological mechanisms by which root exudates derived from these systems on crop growth have not been characterized. Here, the rhizosphere soil from a peanut/maize intercropping system was analyzed for metabolome profiles. Sucrose (SUC) and myo-inositol (MI) were significantly declined while oxalic acid (OA) was dramatically enriched compared with peanut monoculture. After concentration screening, the optimal concentrations of OA, SUC, and MI have been determined as 1.0 g/pot, 0.1 g/pot, and 0.1 g/pot, respectively. Armed with the optimal concentrations, OA, SUC, MI, and their combinations were applied to peanut soil, respectively.ResultsAgronomical and physiological assesses indicated that single application of SUC and the combination application of “OA + SUC” showed better performance on peanut growth, pod yield, and soil nitrogen (N) turnover processes including total N and NO3−-N contents as well as activities of N turnover enzymes. Consequently, the transcriptome and metabolome profiles of SUC were further determined. A total of 1036/24 up-regulated and 797/35 down-regulated differential expressed genes (DEGs)/differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were detected in SUC-treated peanut roots, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis advocated that DEGs were mostly enriched in crucial pathways like Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis-tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) and N uptake and assimilation. Moreover, DAMs like D-Aspartic acid, L-Glutamic acid, and L-Threonine were identified in “Sucrose vs. Control”.ConclusionApplication of root exudates like sucrose and oxalic acid derived from root exudates of peanut/maize intercropping system fulfil pivotal roles in enhancing peanut growth and productivity via modulating N turnover processes.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-06994-w.

The diffusion coefficient plays a crucial role in predicting the equilibration timescale of atmospheric aerosol particles, however current knowledge on the subject remains limited. In this study, the self-, Maxwell–Stefan, and Fick diffusion coefficients in sucrose (SC) and citric acid (CA) solution are investigated using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. Key aspects include comparisons with experimental and theoretical models, as well as the effects of temperature and solute concentration on diffusion coefficients. The results demonstrate that MD results align well with experimental data. Additionally, the McCarty–Mason equation and the Darken equation generally underpredict the self- and Maxwell–Stefan diffusion coefficients, respectively. The self-, Maxwell–Stefan, and Fick diffusion coefficients in SC and CA solutions exhibit a positive correlation with temperature and a negative correlation with solute mass fraction. Furthermore, the intensity of these influences varies: the impact of solute mass fraction on diffusion coefficients decreases with increasing temperature, while the effect of temperature diminishes with higher solute concentrations. Moreover, based on the MD simulation results, fitting formulas for the diffusion coefficients are also developed. This study underscores the value of the MD simulation method in accurately describing diffusion coefficients in solutions containing complex components.

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and the resulting particle morphologies in atmospheric organic-inorganic mixed aerosols are key regulators of aerosol chemistry and climate forcing. However, the influence of coexisting viscous water-soluble organic compounds (WSOCs) on the LLPS behavior in complex multicomponent aerosol systems remains poorly understood. In this study, we introduced three representative WSOCs, i.e., sucrose (SUC), glycerol (GLY), and citric acid (CA), to increase the bulk viscosity of a model LLPS system composed of 1,2,6-hexanetriol (HXT) and ammonium sulfate (AS). Using microscopic imaging techniques and viscosity model predictions, we examined the impact of mass transfer limitations on LLPS. As WSOC fractions increased, both the phase separation relative humidity (SRH) and the efflorescence relative humidity (ERH) progressively decreased. For the HXT/AS/SUC and HXT/AS/CA mixed systems with molar ratios of 1:1:0.5 and 1:1:0.75, LLPS was completely suppressed, although efflorescence still occurred. In the 1:1:1 mixtures, neither LLPS nor efflorescence was observed. In contrast, the addition of GLY caused minimal changes to phase transitions due to its minor effect on the aqueous-phase viscosity. Additionally, reducing bulk acidity, along with the transformation of CA into its salts, alleviated molecular transport limitations, leading to increased SRH and ERH values for the HXT/AS/CA mixtures. These findings are critical for advancing high-resolution phase state modeling of multicomponent aerosols and assessing the atmospheric implications of particle morphologies in the presence or absence of LLPS.

The use of elicitors during germination is a strategy to enhance the nutritional quality and biofunctional properties of various legumes, such as chickpeas, which are important sources of proteins and bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of chitosan (CH) and sucrose (SU) during sprouting on protein content, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (AOX). For this purpose, soaking time, elicitor concentration (CH or SU), and sprouting time were optimized to obtain maximum values for the response variables. The results showed that the optimal conditions for achieving increases in nutritional and biofunctional properties were 1 h of soaking, 0.35% w/v, and 5 days of sprouting for CH, and 2.55 h of soaking, 1% w/v, and 5 days of sprouting for SU. Under these conditions, protein content increased by 7-12%, IVPD by 78-86%, TPC by 379-327%, and AOX by 115% for CH and SU, respectively. Additionally, morphological changes were observed in the cellular structure of chickpea cotyledons, but no changes were detected in the crystalline structure of starch. These results contribute to the understanding of the effect of CH and SU in modifying the nutritional and biofunctional properties of chickpeas.

This study investigated the effects of three oligosaccharides, stachyose (STA), raffinose (RAF), and sucrose (SUC), all at 16% w/w, on the physicochemical properties of wheat starch subjected to multiple freeze-thaw (FT) cycles. The findings revealed that all three oligosaccharides reduced starch particle size and mitigated the degradation of endogenous nutrients, such as proteins and lipids, typically induced by repeated FT treatments. Additionally, the oligosaccharides decreased the content of amylose, crystallinity and short-range molecular order of starch, as well as the gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) and rapidly digestible starch. They also suppressed granule swelling, leading to reductions in peak, breakdown, and setback viscosities, thereby enhancing the shear resistance of the starch paste. Among the tested oligosaccharides, SUC was the most effective in preserving starch integrity and nutrient content, whereas STA had a greater capacity to reduce crystallinity and stabilize viscosity parameters. These results provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing the use of oligosaccharides in frozen wheat starch-based food products.

Feeding bees carbohydrates, as a substitute for nectar, has become essential in modern beekeeping. We compared the effects of 65% sucrose (SS) and 65% invert sugar (IS) syrups on the survival and enzyme activity of caged honey bees. Specifically, we analyzed glycosidase activity in the head and midgut of the bees and compared the composition of sucrose-based (SH) and invert sugar-based (IH) "honey" stored by the bees and collected from the comb. Glycosidase activity was similar in head in contrast to midgut where it was higher in IS fed bees, which appeared to be residual yeast β-fructofuranosidase activity. Fructose to glucose ratio in SH were 60.84/39.16 and a presence of some other sugars were detected, while ratio in IH were 48.49/51.51, almost exactly the same as in start fed (IS) (48.57/51.43). It has been demonstrated that glycosidase activity in IH was residual yeast β-fructofuranosidase activity. Zymogram detected α-amylase band in SH, in contrast to IH, which suggest that honey bees do not add amylase into IS. In contrast to SH, no crystallization occurred in IH. SS and IS densities were 1.23 and 1.24 g/mL, respectively, increasing to 1.35 g/mL in SH and 1.28 g/mL in IH after processing. This suggests that higher humidity and restricted cleansing flight make it harder for bees to remove excess water from IH, leading to increased midgut and hindgut weight, which correlates with higher mortality in the third week for the IS-fed group and fourth week for the SS-fed group.

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of Sharka disease on fruit weight, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of apricot fruit cv. ‘Precoce de Thyrinte’. During two consecutive years, the presence of PPV-M strain was determined on leaves and fruits. This strain decreased the content of soluble solids content (SSC), invert (IS), reducing (RS), sucrose (SU) and total sugars (TS), pigments (chlorophylls and total carotenoids), total phenolics (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), ripening (RI) and sweetness indexes (SI) in infected trees. The effect of PPV-M strain on pH juice and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was not significant but increased ash content and both malic and citric acids. In general, a significantly greater deterioration in fruit quality was observed in the rainy 2023 year. However, the significant effect interaction viral status × year indicated the complex nature of the deterioration in fruit quality depending on PPV-M infection and weather conditions during fruit development and its maturity.

Elevated blood nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration in prepartum increases the risk of postpartum diseases. This study evaluated whether intraruminal propylene glycol (PG) or sucrose (SC) administration could mitigate elevated blood NEFA induced by intravenous lipid infusion. Four nonlactating, nonpregnant Holstein cows fitted with rumen cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design: intravenous saline infusion and ruminal administration of water (S + WT), lipid infusion and administration of water (L + WT), lipid infusion and PG administration (L + PG), and lipid infusion and SC administration (L + SC). The intravenous infusion lasted for 11 h, followed by ruminal administration 4 h after the start of the infusion. Blood NEFA concentration was increased by lipid infusion but was lower in L + PG compared to L + WT. In association with this, higher ruminal propionate and butyrate, blood glucose and insulin, and lower β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations were observed in L + PG. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 mRNA expression was higher in L + PG and L + SC compared to L + WT. SC administration increased insulin concentrations associated with increased ruminal butyrate concentration but had a smaller NEFA-reducing effect than PG. To alleviate NEFA elevation, PG was more effective than SC, which may have involved sustained stimulation of insulin secretion of PG.

Intestinal health disorders significantly contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sugar substitutes such as mogroside V (MOG), stevioside (ST), sucralose (TGS), and erythritol (ERT), are increasingly used in T2DM management as alternatives to sucrose (SUC). However, their effects on intestinal health in T2DM have not been fully compared. In the present study, we established a T2DM mouse model using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection. These mice were treated with equal doses of SUC, MOG, ST, TGS, or ERT for 4 weeks to evaluate the effects of these sugar substitutes on intestinal health in T2DM. T2DM mice exhibited increased intestinal permeability, reduced goblet cell numbers, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and alterations in both gut microbiota and metabolite composition. After 4 weeks of treatment, MOG showed the most significant benefits. MOG activates the PI3K/AKT pathway, enhancing the expression of tight junction proteins, which improves intestinal barrier function and reduces permeability. This is accompanied by NF-κB inhibition, leading to reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and increased mucus secretion. These changes help maintain healthy gut microbiota and metabolites, preventing pathogenic bacteria from entering the bloodstream. ST downregulates NF-κB to alleviate intestinal inflammation and improves gut microbiota and metabolic homeostasis in T2DM. ERT has less beneficial effects. TGS and SUC reduce intestinal inflammation and have a better effect on the duodenum. However, TGS has a negative effect on the colon microbiota and metabolites, whereas SUC has a negative effect on the colon microbiota alone. MOG improved intestinal health in T2DM by modulating the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways, whereas ST primarily modulated NF-κB to alleviate intestinal inflammation. Both treatments were effective, with MOG showing the best performance. Therefore, MOG can be considered a viable alternative to SUC for T2DM management.

Sucrose (SUC) is a signaling molecule with multiple physiological functions. G protein is a kind of receptor that converts extracellular first messenger into intracellular second messenger. However, it is little known that SUC interplays with G protein signaling in maize thermotolerance. In this work, using maize seedlings as materials, the interplay between SUC and G protein signaling in maize thermotolerance was investigated. The results indicate that heat stress-decreased survival percentage and tissue viability of the seedlings was mitigated by SUC. Similarly, heat stress-increased malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage also was reduced by SUC. These findings show that SUC can potentially enhance thermotolerance in maize seedlings. Also, SUC-enhanced thermotolerance was abolished by suramin (G protein inhibitor) and N-ethylmaleimide (SUC transport inhibitor), but enhanced by 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (G protein activator), indicating the interplay of SUC and G protein signaling in maize thermotolerance. To investigate the possible mechanism behind SUC-G protein interaction in enhancing maize thermotolerance, osmoregulation in mesocotyls of seedlings were evaluated before and after heat stress. The results suggest that osmolytes (SUC, glucose, fructose, total soluble sugar, proline, and glycine betaine) contents in mesocotyls under non-heat and heat stress were increased by SUC in varying degrees. Likewise, the osmolyte-metabolizing enzymes (sucrose-phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase, pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase, ornithine aminotransferase, betaine-aldehyde dehydrogenase, and trehalase) activities were enhanced by SUC. Analogously, ZmSPS1, ZmSUS6, ZmP5CS, ZmOAT, ZmBADH, and ZmTRE1 expression in mesocotyls was up-regulated by SUC to different extent. These findings illustrate that the functional crosstalk of sucrose and G protein signaling in maize thermotolerance by modulating osmoregulation system.