Synergistic effects of lactobacillus strains and Acetobacter pasteurianus on jujube puree's product functionality and quality.

Commercial lactic acid bacteria strains and indigenous Chinese acetic acid bacterium were co-cultivated bi- and tri-culturally in Junzao jujube puree for the first time to investigate their effects on physicochemical properties and quality attributes. Lactic-acetic acid bacteria co-fermentation was performed at 37 °C for 48 h during the anaerobic fermentation phase and at 30 °C for 144 h during aerobic fermentation. FTIR results showed that predominant wave numbers at 1716-1724 cm-1 and 2922-3307 cm-1 exhibited discernible alterations in the lactic-acetic acid co-fermented jujube purees compared to the control sample. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the flavonoid and flavonol contents were responsible for the enhanced 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activities of the fermented jujube purees. Consequently, fermented jujube puree from tricultures of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Acetobacter pasteurianus gave the best results, with the highest phenolics, flavonoid, and flavonol contents and the most improved antioxidative properties and color. Overall, lactic-acetic acid bacteria co-culture holds significant promise in valorizing Junzao jujube purees for functional ingredient development, paving the way for further research into similar interactions with different food matrices or microbial strains.

Biosynthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Rubia cordifolia bark extract: characterization, antibacterial, antioxidant, larvicidal and photocatalytic activities.

Rubia cordifolia represents the pivotal plant resource belonging to traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurveda. The present study aims to synthesize biocompatible copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using R. cordifolia bark extracts, characterize the incumbent chemical transitions, and explore their biomedical and environmental applications. The absorbance peak between 250 and 300 nm clearly demonstrates the formation of CuONPs in the UV-visible spectrum. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed the presence of functional groups essential for copper ion reduction. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that the CuONPs are spherical-shaped with a mean particle size of 50.72 nm. Additionally, the zeta potential demonstrates its robustness at 11.2 mV. X-ray diffraction pattern showed mixed phases (Cu, Cu2O, and CuO) of cubic monoclinic crystalline nature. CuONPs exhibited noticeable antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) pathogenic bacteria. Bacterial cell damages were affirmed through FE-SEM imaging when treated with CuONPs. Further, CuONPs demonstrated considerable antioxidant activities by quenching free radicals such as DPPH (60.75%), ABTs (70.88%), nitric oxide (65.48%) and reducing power (71.44%) in a dose-dependent way. CuONPs showed significant larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (65 ± 8.66%), Anopheles stephensi (80 ± 13.69%), and Culex quinquefasciatus (72 ± 13.04%) mosquito larvae. The photocatalytic activity of the CuONPs demonstrates the methylene blue (81.84%) and crystal violet (64.0%) dye degradation potentials, indicating the environmental bioremediation efficacy. Hence the present study is the first report in accounting for the versatile applications of the phyto-CuONPs. Moreover, the green synthesis of CuONPS has future applications in designing the drug for life-threatening diseases and various environmental issues.

GC-MS and Network Pharmacology Analysis of the Ayurvedic Fermented Medicine, Chandanasava, Against Chronic Kidney and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Chandanasava is an Ayurvedic polyherbal fermented traditional medicine (FTM) used by traditional practitioners for millennia. Nevertheless, the mode of action and functional targets are still unknown. The current study includes a pharmacological network analysis to identify the Chandanasava compounds interacting with target proteins involved in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sixty-one Chandanasava phytochemicals were obtained by GC-MS and screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP). The disease target genes were obtained from DisGeNET and GeneCards databases. Forty-five phytocompounds and 135 potential targets were screened for CKD and CVD target proteins and protein interaction networks were constructed. The pharmacological network was deciphered employing target proteins involved in the mechanical action of Chandanasava. The results indicated that 10 bioactive compounds exhibited higher binding affinity patterns with the screened 42 CKD and CVD target proteins. Gene Ontology and KEGG analysis revealed target pathways involved in CKD and CVD, which were further explored by detailed analysis and network-coupled drug profile screening. The molecular docking results showed piperine and melatonin as effective inhibitors/regulators of the hub genes of CKD and CVD. The current study establishing authentic bioactive compounds in FTM is based on deeper insights into recognized Ayurvedic medicines. Representing the workflow of the network pharmacological analysis.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of bioactive chlorogenic acid from heilong48 soybean variety: Parametric optimization and evaluation of physicochemical and bioactive properties.

Chlorogenic acid (CA), especially that found in soybeans, is a rich bioactive compound but has received very little attention in research settings in past decades. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) could be an efficient method to increase CA release from soybeans. Hence, this study aimed to optimize UAE parameters for CA extraction from heilong48 soybean (HS) variety and evaluate the physicochemical and bioactive properties of the soybean. Optimization of ultrasound parameters with a Box-Behnken design found a frequency of 20.0 kHz, a power density of 30.0 W/L), a temperature of 37.9°C, and a time of 28.0 min to be the best conditions, which gave a CA yield of 5.007 ± 0.033 mg/g and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of 93.197 ± 0.213 µmol of AA eq/g dry sample; these were higher than those of a non-ultrasound-treated (raw) HS sample (CA yield of 1.627 ± 0.528 mg/g and DPPH radical scavenging activity of 10.760 ± 0.207 µmol of AA eq/g dry sample). A satisfactory model was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy results confirmed the structural changes of the HS variety caused by the optimized UAE parameters. High total polyphenol contents (TPCs; 4.726 ± 0.002 mg GAE/g) and total phenolic acids (1.883 ± 0.005 mg GAE/g) and low total flavonoid contents (0.040 ± 0.008 mg RE/g) were obtained. A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC was established. A protein-phenolic interaction in the HS variety was observed. The results established that polyphenols should be considered a significant component of the HS variety. Likewise, the HS variety could be used for CA extraction.

Exopolysaccharide Produced by Probiotic Bacillus albus DM-15 Isolated From Ayurvedic Fermented Dasamoolarishta: Characterization, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Activities.

An exopolysaccharide (EPS) was purified from the probiotic bacterium Bacillus albus DM-15, isolated from the Indian Ayurvedic traditional medicine Dasamoolarishta. Gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses revealed the heteropolymeric nature of the purified EPS with monosaccharide units of glucose, galactose, xylose, and rhamnose. Size-exclusion chromatography had shown the molecular weight of the purified EPS as around 240 kDa. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the non-crystalline amorphous nature of the EPS. Furthermore, the purified EPS showed the maximum flocculation activity (72.80%) with kaolin clay and emulsification activity (67.04%) with xylene. In addition, the EPS exhibits significant antioxidant activities on DPPH (58.17 ± 0.054%), ABTS (70.47 ± 0.854%) and nitric oxide (58.92 ± 0.744%) radicals in a concentration-dependent way. Moreover, the EPS showed promising cytotoxic activity (20 ± 0.97 µg mL-1) against the lung carcinoma cells (A549), and subsequent cellular staining revealed apoptotic necrotic characters in damaged A549 cells. The EPS purified from the probiotic strain B. albus DM-15 can be further studied and exploited as a potential carbohydrate polymer in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications.

Single-frequency ultrasonic extraction of bioactive chlorogenic acid from heilong48 soybean variety: Parametric optimization and comprehensive evaluation of physicochemical and bioactive properties.

Chlorogenic acid (CA), especially that found in soybean, is a rich bioactive compound but has received very little attention in research settings in past decades. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) could be an efficient method to increase CA release from soybean. Hence, this study aimed to optimize UAE parameters for CA extraction from heilong48 soybean (HS) variety with comprehensive physicochemical and bioactive properties evaluation. Optimization of ultrasound parameters with Box-Behnken design (BBD) found frequency (20.0 kHz), power density (30.0 W/L), temperature (37.9℃), and time (28.0 min) as the significant optimized parameters, which gave CA yield of 5.007 ± 0.033 mg/g and DPPH of 93.197 ± 0.213 µmol AA eq/g dry sample and were higher than that of nonultrasound-treated (raw) HS sample (CA yield, 1.627 ± 0.528 mg/g, and DPPH, 10.760 ± 0.207 µmol AA eq/g dry sample). A satisfactory model was obtained. SEM results confirmed the structural alterations of HS variety caused by the optimized UAE parameters. High TPC (4.726 ± 0.002 mg GAE/g), TPA (1.883 ± 0.005 mg GAE/g), and low TFC (0.040 ± 0.008 mg RE/g) were obtained. A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC was established. Protein-phenolic interaction in HS variety was observed. The results proposed that polyphenols should be considered as a significant component of HS variety. Likewise, HS variety could be utilized for CA extraction.

The temperature induced disruption process of amylopectin under ultrasonic treatments.

In this study, amylopectin was ultrasonicated at different temperatures to explore its disruption process. Results showed a significant decrease in amylopectin Mw after ultrasonic treatments and a retarded effect was detected with the increase of temperatures. The amylopectin disruption process fitted to the second order kinetic model (1/Mwt - 1/Mw0 = kt) and its disruption rate coefficient decreased from 2.203 × 10-8 to 0.986 × 10-8 mol/g min as the temperatures increased from 20 to 80 °C. This was ascribed to the higher vapour pressure and the lower viscosity of the solution at higher temperatures. Ultrasound induced break points preferentially occurred to B3 chains of amylopectin at higher temperatures which contributed to an increase of A chains, which because that amylopectin would be more extended at higher temperatures. The activation energy of amylopectin disruption was negative (-11.6 KJ/mol), which indicated that its scission process by ultrasound was essentially a mechanical action.

One-step preparation of hydrogel based on different molecular weights of chitosan with citric acid.

BACKGROUND: Chitosan-based hydrogels have been prepared previously by a two-step protocol in which chitosan was first dissolved in dilute acetic acid and then crosslinked by glutaraldehyde or genipin. This was a time-consuming method, which had the disadvantages of high costs and biological safety problems. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results verified the successful preparation of hydrogels based on high, medium, and low molecular-weight chitosan (HCS, MCS, and LCS), respectively. The hydrogels prepared with HCS, MCS, and LCS were formed through the accumulation of different-sized crystals. The framework density of the hydrogel was enhanced by an increase in the chitosan molecular weight and exhibited a crack pore pattern composed of flake particles. Medium molecular-weight chitosan-based hydrogel exhibited the highest specific surface area and total pore volume, with values of 3.81 m2 g-1 and 0.0109 cm3 g-1 , respectively. The water absorption rate of the chitosan based hydrogels was influenced by its molecular weights at the sequence of LCS > HCS > MCS, while the maximum compression stress was affected at the sequence of HCS > MCS > LCS. The network structure was enhanced with an increase in the chitosan molecular weight and reached maximum stress levels of 4.50, 1.50 and 0.75 MPa for HCS-, MCS-, and LCS-based hydrogels, respectively. CONCLUSION: Citric acid was shown to be an effective dissolving and crosslinking agent in the preparation of MCS- and HCS-based hydrogels. The physiochemical properties of the hydrogels were enhanced as the molecular weight of the chitosan increased. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tracking the dynamic changes of a flavor, phenolic profile, and antioxidant properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum- and Saccharomyces cerevisiae-fermented mulberry wine.

The process of fermentation renders the superior quality of mulberry wine based on the microorganisms utilized. The present study aimed at investigating the changes and correlation between phenols and product quality of mulberry wine fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae combinatorially. Total anthocyanins concentration (TAC), polyphenols concentration (TPC), flavonoids concentration (TFC), and antioxidant capacity decreased significantly with high correlation in the fermentation process. TAC gradually reduced with a loss rate of 47.98% from 0 to third day of fermentation. Fermented mulberry wine obtained indicated a dynamic balance due to the presence of p-hydroxybenzoic acids as compared to the primary phenolic constituent. Chlorogenic acid usually presents in mulberry juice. The relative intensity of sourness was the most prominent and reached the maximum (10.93) on day 2 of fermentation. A total of 21 volatile esters were quantified (6621.59 µg/L), which contributed significantly to the aroma of mulberry wine. The enhanced quality of fermented mulberry wine showed contraindications with decreased constituents and escalated wine quality. Rather than usual single inoculum, fermentation combination of LAB and yeast holistically influenced the color, taste, fragrance, phenolic profiles, and antioxidant properties in mulberry wine, ensuring palatability and fit for commercialization prospects.

Structural characterization, functional and biological activities of an exopolysaccharide produced by probiotic Bacillus licheniformis AG-06 from Indian polyherbal fermented traditional medicine.

An exopolysaccharide (EPS) was purified from the probiotic bacterium Bacillus licheniformis AG-06 isolated from the polyherbal fermented traditional medicine (Ashwagandharishta) of Indian Ayurveda. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based compositional analysis exhibits the heteropolymeric nature of the EPS consisting of galactose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, and glucose, as the monomeric units. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyses confirm the presence of typical carbohydrate polymer functional groups and structural units, respectively. The purified EPS demonstrates the web-like fibrous and porous nature in scanning electron microscopic and atomic force microscopic studies. The purified EPS had shown 71.83% and 67.79% of flocculation and emulsification activities, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), nitric oxide, and superoxide free radicals and the scavenging actions were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the purified EPS exhibits a significant cytotoxic activity against the human lung carcinoma cells (A549), which strongly suggests the anticancer potential of the EPS derived from B. licheniformis AG-06.

Effect of lactobacillus strains on phenolic profile, color attributes and antioxidant activities of lactic-acid-fermented mulberry juice.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains on color properties, phenolic profile and antioxidant activities of mulberry juice. Mulberry juice was separately fermented at 37 °C for 36 h using Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei. The results showed that lactic acid fermentation impacted on the color of the juice. Moreover, the study demonstrated that LABs impacted on the phenolic profile of the juice. Syringic acid, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and quercetin were the predominant phenolic acid, anthocyanin and flavonol respectively in the lactic-acid-fermented mulberry juice. The degree of radical scavenging activity was species-specific with the L. plantarum fermented juice having the highest radical scavenging activities. The correlation analysis demonstrated that flavonols and anthocyanins were mostly responsible for the increased in 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity while phenolic acids and flavonols were responsible for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity and reducing power capacity of the fermented juice.

Statistical interpretation of chromatic indicators in correlation to phytochemical profile of a sulfur dioxide-free mulberry (Morus nigra) wine submitted to non-thermal maturation processes.

The four different methods of color measurement of wine proposed by Boulton, Giusti, Glories and Commission International de l'Eclairage (CIE) were applied to assess the statistical relationship between the phytochemical profile and chromatic characteristics of sulfur dioxide-free mulberry (Morus nigra) wine submitted to non-thermal maturation processes. The alteration in chromatic properties and phenolic composition of non-thermal aged mulberry wine were examined, aided by the used of Pearson correlation, cluster and principal component analysis. The results revealed a positive effect of non-thermal processes on phytochemical families of wines. From Pearson correlation analysis relationships between chromatic indexes and flavonols as well as anthocyanins were established. Cluster analysis highlighted similarities between Boulton and Giusti parameters, as well as Glories and CIE parameters in the assessment of chromatic properties of wines. Finally, principal component analysis was able to discriminate wines subjected to different maturation techniques on the basis of their chromatic and phenolics characteristics.

Carrier Effects on the Chemical and Physical Properties of Freeze-Dried Encapsulated Mulberry Leaf Extract Powder.

In this study mulberry leaf extract biocompounds were encapsulated with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (0.55%, 0.70%, and 0.75% w/v) or maltodextrin (8%, 10%, and 12% w/v). The outcome of this work demonstrated that maltodextrin showed the highest encapsulation efficiency towards the phenolic acids and 1-deoxynojirimycinin whereas the flavonols and gamma-aminobutyric acid were best encapsulated by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Moreover, the antioxidant properties of the encapsulated powders were found to be associated with their nutraceutical constituents. In addition, the powders produced with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose were typified by suitable hygroscopicity, wettability time, glass transition temperature, and bulk properties than those obtained with maltodextrin which was characterized by desirable porosity, water solubility, moisture content, water activity, color, particle, and flowability properties.

Aroma profile and sensory characteristics of a sulfur dioxide-free mulberry (Morus nigra) wine subjected to non-thermal accelerating aging techniques.

The present study was undertaken to assess accelerating aging effects of high pressure, ultrasound and manosonication on the aromatic profile and sensorial attributes of aged mulberry wines (AMW). A total of 166 volatile compounds were found amongst the AMW. The outcomes of the investigation were presented by means of geometric mean (GM), cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares regressions (PLSR) and principal component regression (PCR). GM highlighted 24 organoleptic attributes responsible for the sensorial profile of the AMW. Moreover, CA revealed that the volatile composition of the non-thermal accelerated aged wines differs from that of the conventional aged wines. Besides, PCA discriminated the AMW on the basis of their main sensorial characteristics. Furthermore, PLSR identified 75 aroma compounds which were mainly responsible for the olfactory notes of the AMW. Finally, the overall quality of the AMW was noted to be better predicted by PLSR than PCR.

The application of response surface methodology in studying the effect of heat and high hydrostatic pressure on anthocyanins, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase of mulberry (Morus nigra) juice.

BACKGROUND: Mulberry juice is an excellent source of phytochemicals with medicinal properties. The effects of four independent variables (temperature, heating time, pressure, and pressurising time) on three response variables [% anthocyanin retained, and % residual activities of the enzymes polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POD)] of mulberry juice were studied using response surface methodology. Mathematical models and optimum levels of the response variables were generated. RESULTS: Temperature had the greatest effect on all the response variables. The synergistic effect of temperature and pressure had significant effect (P < 0.05) on anthocyanin retained and residual PPO activity. The prediction of the desirability model, based on 95% confidence in the range of the independent variables, gave optimal treatment conditions of 83.39°C, 2.38 min, 480.00 MPa, and 21.67 min, respectively for temperature, heating time, pressure, and pressurising time. At these levels, the corresponding response variables were 91.68%, 44.69% and 20.17% for the amounts of anthocyanin retained, and residual activities of PPO and POD, respectively. The desirability index obtained was 0.741. CONCLUSION: The results were desirable and the mathematical models developed could be used to predict the outcome of the response variables to a high degree of accuracy.