Dietary fiber modification: structure, physicochemical properties, bioactivities, and application-a review.

There is increasing attention on the modification of dietary fiber (DF), since its effective improvement on properties and functions of DF. Modification of DF can change their structure and functions to enhance their bioactivities, and endow them with huge application potential in the field of food and nutrition. Here, we classified and explained the different modification methods of DF, especially dietary polysaccharides. Different modification methods exert variable effects on the chemical structure of DF such as molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, functional groups, chain structure, and conformation. Moreover, we have discussed the change in physicochemical properties and biological activities of DF, resulting from alterations in the chemical structure of DF, along with a few applications of modified DF. Finally, we have summarized the modified effects of DF. This review will provide a foundation for further studies on DF modification and promote the future application of DF in food products.

Structural diversity, fermentation production, bioactivities and applications of triterpenoids from several common medicinal fungi: Recent advances and future perspectives.

Medicinal fungi are beneficial to human health and it reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Triterpenoids are polycyclic compounds derived from the straight-chain hydrocarbon squalene, which are widely distributed in medicinal fungi. Triterpenoids from medicinal fungal sources possess diverse bioactive activities such as anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity. This review article describes the structure, fermentation production, biological activities, and application of triterpenoids from the medicinal fungi including Ganoderma lucidum, Poria cocos, Antrodia camphorata, Inonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Laetiporus sulphureus. Besides, the research perspectives of triterpenoids from medicinal fungi are also proposed. This paper provides useful guidance and reference for further research on medicinal fungi triterpenoids.

Physico-chemical and functional properties of silver carp myosin glycated with konjac oligo-glucomannan: Effects of deacetylation.

The glycation of silver carp myosin (Ms) with konjac oligo-glucomannan (KOG) of different degrees of deacetylation (DD) was investigated. As DD increased, the physico-chemical and functional properties of glycoconjugates changed. The available lysine content decreased, while grafting degree and total sulfhydryl group increased, andmeanwhile, the isoelectric point (pI) reduced. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that glycation can be promoted as the increase of DD. The solubility increased significantly both in 0.1 M and 0.5 M NaCl solution, and the thermal stability increased when heated for 60 min at 80 °C. The emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsifying stability index (ESI) increased as well. These results showed that the highly deacetylated KOG (DKOG) was easier to glycate with myosin, leading to a great improvement in functional properties of myosin. It can be suggested that the reduction in steric hindrance of DKOG as a result of removal of acetyl groups facilitated the glycation.

Preparation, composition analysis and antioxidant activities of konjac oligo-glucomannan.

Konjac oligo-glucomannan (KOG) was prepared by degradation of konjac glucomannan (KG) using ß-mannanase. The hydrolysis process was monitored by the viscosity of the enzymatic hydrolysates. Factors affecting the enzymatic hydrolysis of KG were investigated, and the optimum hydrolysis conditions were as follows: time 2h; temperature 50°C; pH 6.0; and enzymatic concentration 150 U/g. Under these optimized conditions, minimum viscosity (31.9 mPa·s) of the hydrolasate was obtained. The average degree of polymerization (DP) of the resulting KOG was approximately equal to 5.2. The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of KG and KOG indicated that KG was successfully degraded. In addition, their antioxidant activities were evaluated by determination of hydroxyl radical (•OH) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhrazyl radical (•DPPH) scavenging activity, and determination of reducing power. The results showed that KOG exhibited significant antioxidant activities. Taken together, this study suggested that KOG could potentially be used as a natural antioxidant.

Design, synthesis, and potent antiepileptic activity with latent nerve rehabilitation of novel γ-aminobutyric acid derivatives.

We aimed to design and synthesize novel γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives with the combination of aspirin (ASA) of nerve rehabilitative pharmacophores so as to develop multifunctional drugs useful in the treatment of neurological disorders. Twenty-four novel esters and amides of 1a were synthesized, biologically evaluated for antiepileptic activity with the model of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and tested for their capacity of penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with HPLC. The distribution of 8a, ASA freed by 8a, 7c, and ASA freed by 7c within 24 h in brain tissue was measured. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) was established and the data of Computer Aided Drug Design (CADD) showed good results. With ED50 values of 0.3684-0.5199 mmol/kg, LD50 1.1487-1.3944 mmol/kg, and therapeutic index (TI) 2.65-3.15, compounds 8a, 3b, 4b, 6c, and 7c exhibited better antiepileptic activities in multiples of 0.3 to 2.2 against the control sodium valproate (VPA). Most importantly, 8a and 7c exhibited excellent antiepileptic activities with TI values of 3.15 and 3.12, respectively.

Analysis of conditions for microwave-assisted extraction of total water-soluble flavonoids from Perilla Frutescens leaves.

Perilla Frutescens is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the fast extraction of flavonoids from Perilla Frutescens leaves. Several influential parameters of the MAE procedure (microwave power, extraction cycles, solvent to material ratio, irradiation time and pH value) were investigated for the optimization of the extraction using single factor and Box-Behnken experimental design. Response surface methodology analysis showed good correspondence between experimental and predicted values. It was found that the most effective parameter was solvent to material ratio, which was in good agreement with the experimental value. The adjusted coefficient of determination (Radj (2)) for the model was 93.45%. Probability value (P < 0.001) demonstrated a very high significance for the regression model. The maximum yield of flavonoids with MAE was obtained by dual extraction with solvent to material ratio of 1: 16.5, irradiation time of 23 min, and pH value of 8.4 at microwave power of 600 W. The optimal yield with MAE 6.07 mg/g were slightly lower than that of Soxhlet extracted and higher than that of heat reflux extraction with water. The extracts exhibited high scavenging effects on DPPH radical. With increasing concentration between 0.10 and 0.80 mg/mL, the scavenging rate achieved 62.3%.

[Determination of 27 microelements in 11 shellfishes].

Shellfish samples were prepared by microwave, and 27 microelements including Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, S, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Co, Se, Sn, Ni, Al, Ti, V, Mo, Ba, Ge, Si, Cd, I, Pb, As and Hg were determined by ICP-AES. It was showed that ICP-AES had an obvious advantage in the determination of microelements, and shellfishes contained upwards of 20 kinds of microelements. Calcium in fresh water was higher than that in seawater, and As and Pb were the major pollutants.