Impacts of preparation technologies on biological activities of edible mushroom polysaccharides - novel insights for personalized nutrition achievement.

Edible mushroom polysaccharides (EMPs) as a natural macromolecular carbohydrate have a very complex structure and composition. EMPs are considered ideal candidates for developing healthy products and functional foods and have received significant research attention due to their unique physiological activities such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor/cancer, gut microbiota regulation, metabolism improvement, and nervous system protection. The structure and monosaccharide composition of edible mushroom polysaccharides have an unknown relationship with their functional activity, which has not been widely studied. Therefore, we summarized the preparation techniques of EMPs and discussed the association between functional activity, preparation methods, structure and composition of EMPs, laying a theoretical foundation for the personalized nutritional achievements of EMP. We also establish the foundation for the further investigation and application of EMPs as novel functional foods and healthy products.

Application of definitive screening design to optimization of the protein extraction and functional properties of proteins in Auricularia auricula.

BACKGROUND: Auricularia auricula (A. auricula) is one of the most abundant sources of plant protein in edible fungi. Problems of low protein yield exist in traditional methods of protein extraction such as alkali extraction and ultrasonic-assisted alkali after pretreatment with enzymes. Thus, the protein extraction process was investigated and optimized using a definitive screening design from A. auricula to improve the protein yield under practical operating conditions of temperature, the concentration of NaCl, meal/water ratio, extraction time and pH. RESULTS: The yield of protein isolates of the isoelectric-ammonium sulfate precipitation (9.34% w/w) was obtained almost three times and the protein content (55.23% w/w) was approximately 1.6 times that of the traditional extraction method of isoelectric precipitation. Next, the optimized method was successfully applied to the analysis of the functional properties of the protein. A. auricula protein isolate (AAPI) had better solubility, emulsification and foaming capacity than soy protein isolate (SPI) and pea protein isolate (PPI), and the oil holding capacity of AAPI exhibited extremely well, which was approximately five times that of SPI and six times that of PPI. The texture properties of AAPI gel were similar to those of PPI gels. CONCLUSION: AAPI extracted by the optimized method had a satisfactory yield and had the potential to substitute plant-originated proteins in food processing. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification and preparation of selenium-containing peptides from selenium-enriched Pleurotus eryngii and their protective effect on lead-induced oxidative damage in NCTC1469 hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic and persistent substance that easily accumulates in living organisms, eliciting cellular toxicity and oxidative stress. Some selenium-containing proteins and peptides prepared from plant extracts are beneficial for protecting the body's health and resisting external disturbances. In the present study, selenium-containing peptide species were prepared from selenium-enriched Pleurotus eryngii protein hydrolysates and to evaluate the benefits of selenium-containing peptides on Pb-induced oxidative stress in NCTC1469 hepatocytes. RESULTS: Trypsin was selected as primary enzyme to hydrolyze the selenium-enriched protein (SPH). The optimal hydrolysis conditions were: hydrolysis time, 1.5 h; initial pH 8.0. The SPH was digested by trypsin and then purified by ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC to obtain the selenium-containing peptides SPH-I-2. Furthermore, SPH-I-2 was analyzed and a number of total 12 selenium-containing peptides were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. The NCTC1469 cell culture study showed that selenium-containing peptides were capable of reducing reactive oxygen species levels and regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway by upregulating Nrf2, HO-1, GCLC, GCLM and NQO1 genes and downregulating Keap1 genes. Moreover, selenium-containing peptides were also able to suppress Pb-induced elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), increase antioxidant enzyme activity and alleviate cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that the selenium-containing peptides could protect cells from Pb2+ -induced oxidative stress. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Health benefits of edible mushroom polysaccharides and associated gut microbiota regulation.

Edible mushrooms have been an important part of the human diet for thousands of years, and over 100 varieties have been cultivated for their potential human health benefits. In recent years, edible mushroom polysaccharides (EMPs) have been studied for their activities against obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and cancer. Particularly, accumulating evidence on the exact causality between these health risks and specific gut microbiota species has been revealed and characterized, and most of the beneficial health effects of EMPs have been associated with its reversal impacts on gut microbiota dysbiosis. This demonstrates the key role of EMPs in decreasing health risks through gut microbiota modulation effects. This review article compiles and summarizes the latest studies that focus on the health benefits and underlying functional mechanisms of gut microbiota regulation via EMPs. We conclude that EMPs can be considered a dietary source for the improvement and prevention of several health risks, and this review provides the theoretical basis and technical guidance for the development of novel functional foods with the utilization of edible mushrooms.

Targeting uridine-cytidine kinase 2 induced cell cycle arrest through dual mechanism and could improve the immune response of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pyrimidine metabolism is critical for tumour progression. Uridine-cytidine kinase 2 (UCK2), a key regulator of pyrimidine metabolism, is elevated during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and exhibits carcinogenic effects. However, the key mechanism of UCK2 promoting HCC and the therapeutic value of UCK2 are still undefined. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of UCK2 as a therapeutic target for HCC. METHODS: Gene expression matrices were obtained from public databases. RNA-seq, co-immunoprecipitation and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation were used to determine the mechanism of UCK2 promoting HCC. Immune cell infiltration level and immune-related functional scores were evaluated to assess the link between tumour microenvironment and UCK2. RESULTS: In HCC, the expression of UCK2 was upregulated in part by TGFß1 stimulation. UCK2 promoted cell cycle progression of HCC by preventing the degradation of mTOR protein and maintaining the stability of PDPK1 mRNA. We also identified UCK2 as a novel RNA-binding protein. Downregulation of UCK2 induced cell cycle arrest and activated the TNFα/NFκB signalling pathway-related senescence-associated secretory phenotype to modify the tumour microenvironment. Additionally, UCK2 was a biomarker of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Downregulated UCK2 induced a secretory phenotype, which could improve the microenvironment, and decreased UCK2 remodelling metabolism could lower the resistance of tumour cells to T-cell-mediated killing. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting UCK2 inhibits HCC progression and could improve the response to immunotherapy in patients with HCC. Our study suggests that UCK2 could be an ideal target for HCC.

The structure-activity mechanism of the changes in the physicochemical properties of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides during ultrasonic extraction.

BACKGROUND: The high yield of ultrasonic extraction has been widely studied. However, the effects of ultrasound on the properties of products has generally been ignored. In this study, the structural characteristics, rheological properties, and thermal stability of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides (FVPs) under different ultrasonic power (200, 600, 1000 W) and time (10, 20, 30 min) were investigated to explore the effects of ultrasonic extraction on FVPs and the structure-physicochemical properties relationship. The ultrasonic intensity at the corresponding rated power was also measured. RESULTS: The results showed that the molecular weight, particle size, and zeta potential of FVPs decreased as the ultrasonic intensity or time increased. The galactose, mannose, and fucose contents were increased, but the glucose content was decreased by ultrasonic extraction. Viscosity and weak gel strength were positively correlated with molecular weight. Thermal degradation enthalpy was positively correlated with the galactose and fucose contents. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound reduced the viscosity and gel strength of FVPs by breaking the polysaccharide chain and improving the galactose and fucose contents, which improved the thermal stability of FVPs. This work provides a theoretical basis for the development of FVP foods with a clear structure-function relationship, which makes it possible to directionally produce FVPs by adjusting ultrasonic parameters during extraction. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Production of an innovative mixed Qu (fermentation starter) for waxy maize brewing and comparison of the quality of different waxy maize wines.

BACKGROUND: Waxy maize (Zea mays L. sinensis Kulesh) is a good material for brewing. Waxy maize wine, a kind of Chinese rice wine, is strongly affected by a fermentation starter named Qu. In this study, an innovative mixed Qu, consisting of two yeasts and three molds, was produced and the raw-starch brewing method was applied in winemaking. Three other waxy maize wines fermented by three kinds of commercial Qu were also analyzed for comparison. RESULTS: Due to superb growth and fermentation characteristics, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CICC1009 and Pichia anomala CICC1851 were chosen to produce yeast Qu. The addition amount of yeast Qu was determined to be 30 g kg-1 . In terms of chemical properties, mixed Qu was more suitable for making maize wine by the raw-starch brewing method than the three kinds of commercial Qu with which it was compared. The most influential components for the overall aroma profile in maize wines fermented by mixed Qu and Mifeng Qu were ethyl butyrate and ß-damascenone, respectively, while in maize wines fermented by Angel Qu and Like Qu the most influential component was ethyl octanoate. Obvious differences were found among four maize wines regarding bitterness, umami, richness, saltiness, and sourness by the electronic tongue. The olfactory characteristics of maize wine fermented by Mifeng Qu were quite different from the other three according to the electronic nose. CONCLUSION: The innovative mixed Qu can be considered as an excellent starter for raw-starch brewing of waxy maize. The chemical indices and volatile flavor compounds of waxy maize wines were greatly affected by different kinds of Qu. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of pre-cutting treatments and combination drying with different orders on drying characteristics and physicochemical properties of Lentinula edodes.

BACKGROUND: Combination drying is recognized as an energy-efficient method utilized for dry product processing, and proper order of combination is a critical factor determining the effectiveness of the technique. In this study, hot air drying (HD), vacuum freeze-drying (VFD), and combination drying with different orders (HD-VFD and VFD-HD) are performed on whole Lentinula edodes and pre-cut (half-cut and quarter-cut) L. edodes. The effects of various cutting and drying approaches on drying characteristics, physicochemical properties, and microstructures of dried L. edodes were investigated. RESULTS: The longest processing time required to dry the whole L. edodes by VFD was 25 h. In contrast, the pre-cutting treatment and combination drying certainly shortened the drying time. Compared with HD, use of VFD-HD and VFD significantly decreased the shrinkage ratio, hardness, and discoloration of dried products but increased the rehydration capacity, nutrient retention, and porous microstructure. Interestingly, switching the order of combination drying provoked entirely different drying effects. Specifically, HD-VFD triggered negative effects on the shrinkage and color of dried mushrooms, and its appearance color was similar to HD-treated samples. Moreover, pre-cutting dramatically enhanced the protein content of HD-treated mushrooms, and the quarter-cut samples obtained the highest level (21.69 g kg-1 dry basis) among the three types of cutting. CONCLUSIONS: The dried L. edodes processed through pre-cutting and combination drying (VFD-HD) have optimal industrial quality, accompanied by shorter processing time. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Detection and identification of fungal growth on freeze-dried Agaricus bisporus using spectra and olfactory sensors.

BACKGROUND: Fungal contamination in food products leads to mustiness, biochemical changes, and undesirable odors, which result in lower food quality and lower market value. To develop a rapid method for detecting fungi, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) was applied to identify five fungi inoculated on plates (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus ochraceus). Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, and an electronic nose (E-nose) were applied to detect and identify freeze-dried Agaricus bisporus infected with the five fungi. RESULTS: Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were used to distinguish the HSI spectra of the five fungi on the plates. The A. ochraceus group had the highest calibration performance: coefficient of calibration (Rc 2 ) = 0.786, root mean-square error of calibration (RMSEC) = 0.125 log CFU g-1 . The A. flavus group had the highest prediction performance: coefficient of prediction (Rp 2 ) = 0.821, root mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 0.083 log CFU g-1 . The ratio of performance deviation (RPD) values of all of the models was higher than 2.0 for the NIR, MIR, and E-nose results for freeze-dried A. bisporus infected with different fungi. The fungal species and degree of infection can be distinguished by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) using NIR, MIR, and E-nose, as the discrimination accuracy was more than 90%. The NIR methods had a higher recognition rate than the MIR and E-nose methods. CONCLUSION: Principal component analysis (PCA) and PLSR models based on full spectra of HSI can achieve good discrimination results for these five fungi on plates. Moreover, NIR, MIR, and the E-nose were proven to be effective in monitoring fungal contamination on freeze-dried A. bisporus. However, NIR could be a more accurate method. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of bound water on the quality of dried Lentinus edodes during storage.

BACKGROUND: Water absorption is the dominant factor affecting the quality deterioration of dried Lentinus edodes. We therefore analyzed the effect of moisture content and dynamic water status on physical properties of the mushroom stored at water activity (aw ), 0.33, 0.43, 0.67, 0.76, and 0.84 for 50 days. Moisture mobility and water status were analyzed using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance, while hardness and microstructure were determined as texture characteristics. Meanwhile, an electronic nose and headspace solid-phase micro-extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) were used to analyze the flavor properties of dried L. edodes. RESULTS: The results showed that bound water was the dominant water status in dried L. edodes. The content and molecular mobility of bound water increased at aw = 0.67, 0.76, and 0.84. This contributed to discoloration, hardness loss, and microstructure sparsity of dried L. edodes. The increasing content and molecular mobility of bound water aggravated the deterioration of characteristic flavor by reducing acid, aldehyde, and ketone content. CONCLUSION: Unlike immobilized or free water, bound water had a critical influence on the quality deterioration of dried L. edodes during storage. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of enzyme types on the stability of oil-in-water emulsions formed with rice protein hydrolysates.

BACKGROUND: Common oil-in-water plant-based emulsions are allergenic and unstable to environmental stress, leading to increased consumer concerns about the food industry. To solve the problem of safety and instability, we investigated the influence of environmental stress on the stability of emulsions containing various rice protein hydrolysates, and compared the performance to whey protein, a common food emulsifier. RESULTS: Rice protein hydrolysates were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis with different proteases (neutrase, trypsin and alcalase). We evaluated the stability of emulsions produced with different hydrolysates according to storage, pH, ionic strength and thermal processing. Trypsin hydrolysates formed emulsion as stable as emulsion containing whey protein against a range of environmental stress containing pH (pH 6 to 7), salt (< 150 mmol L-1 NaCl) and temperature (30-90 °C). Moreover, a higher partition coefficient of protein in emulsion showed that the trypsin hydrolysates were easy to adsorb at the oil-water droplet interface, indicating its higher stability. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in the present study suggest that trypsin hydrolysates could be utilized as natural emulsifiers to stabilize emulsion instead of traditional animal-based emulsifiers, opening many opportunities with respect to hypoallergenic emulsion systems in the food industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mass transfer characteristics during ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus).

Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) slices were dehydrated using ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration (UOD), and three osmotic agents including sucrose, glucose and sodium chloride were investigated for their effects on the mass transfer characteristics, average density and microstructure. Different mathematical models were selected to describe the osmotic behaviours, and the effective moisture (D m) as well as solid diffusivities (D s) during UOD were also calculated. The results showed that, during UOD, button mushrooms had the highest D m values in the sodium chloride solutions, and they had the highest D s values in the glucose solutions, which indicated that faster moisture and solid transfers could occur in these two osmotic solutions, respectively. Moreover, the Weibull model provided the best fit for the UOD curves of button mushrooms under the study's operating conditions, which showed good predictability for the moisture and solid contents of the button mushrooms during UOD. In addition, sucrose agents were suggested for use in the UOD of button mushrooms due to the better microstructure of the products as well as the appropriate rates of effective moisture and solid diffusivities during UOD. This study provides a theoretical basis for the deep processing of mushrooms and other food products.

Impacts of Dietary Pleurotus eryngii Polysaccharide on Nutrient Digestion, Metabolism, and Immune Response of the Small Intestine and Colon-An iTRAQ-Based Proteomic Analysis.

Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharides have been shown to exert significant biological activities to the host. However, few studies have been conducted on its effects on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health alteration. In the present study, small intestinal and colonic proteome alterations generated by dietary supplementation with a novel homogeneous P. eryngii polysaccharide (PEP) in C57BL/6 mice, based on the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) proteomics, are investigated. Compared to the control group, PEP supplementation result in a total of 113 and 194 significant differential proteins (DPs) in the small intestine and colon, respectively. Interestingly, DPs in small intestine are mainly related to the transport and biosynthetic process, along with the digestion and absorption pathway of nutrients, whereas the colonic DPs are significantly found participating in numerous metabolic processes. Moreover, the alterations of some DPs in small intestine and colon are speculated to correlate with the colonic microbiota structure and are involved in the regulation of host immune response. Subsequently, some critical DPs of small intestine and colon are selected and validated by Western blotting. The current research facilitated the generation of potential insights into the health benefit activities and functional mechanisms of polysaccharides from P. eryngii.

Safety and Efficacy of Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatic Hemangiomas: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective and minimally invasive technique for the management of hepatic hemangiomas (HHs). This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic RFA for HHs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with 50 hepatic hemangiomas (5-10 cm in diameter) undergoing laparoscopic RFA from January 2012 to May 2015 at three tertiary hospitals in China were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with subcapsular hemangiomas were treated with a laparoscopic approach, and 11 patients with lesions in the liver parenchyma were treated with a combined laparoscopy and an ultrasound-guided percutaneous approach. No conversion to open surgery or two-step surgery occurred during the study period. Patients with small hemangiomas (< 7 cm) required a significantly shorter operating time (71.1 ± 20.18 min vs. 106 ± 23.55 min, p = 0.000) and fewer punctures compared with patients with large hemangiomas (> 7 cm) (4.61 ± 1.09 vs. 6.73 ±1.01, P < 0.05). According to the Dindo-Clavien classification, 15 patients experienced 34 Grade 1 complications, and two had complications of Grade 3a. All complications were resolved by conservative treatment. Forty-three (86.0%) HHs in 38 patients were completely ablated after RFA, and 7 (14.0%) HHs in 6 patients were incompletely ablated. All patients were followed up for 6-24 months (mean 15 ± 6 months). CONCLUSION: The data showed that laparoscopic RFA is an effective treatment for small (< 10 cm) HHs. While the incidence of postoperative complications remains high, the majority of complications are minor. Patients undergoing laparoscopic RFA for HHs, even for the small ones, should be carefully selected.

Appropriate Patient Selection Is Essential for the Success of Primary Closure After Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is being increasingly used for management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Primary CBD closure has been reported to have better short-term outcomes compared to T-tube placement. However, primary CBD closure cannot be performed in all patients. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of LCBDE with primary CBD closure in appropriately selected patients and compare them with T-tube drainage. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LCBDE in our department from June 2011 to October 2014 was performed. Primary closure was performed in 52 patients (group A), and a T-tube was placed in 33 patients (group B). Patient demographics, intraoperative findings, postoperative stay, complications, and long-term follow-up data were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The mean operating time was much longer in group A compared to group B (113.92 vs. 95.92 min, p = 0.032). The overall complication rate (9.6 vs. 6.3%, p = 0.701) and hospital stay (4 vs. 5.11 days, p = 0.088) were similar in both groups. No patient required conversion to the open procedure. Bile leakage was more frequent in group A (5.78 vs. 0%, p = 0.279), but this was not statistically significant. All three patients with bile leakage were treated successfully by conservative measures and gradual drain withdrawal. On long-term follow-up, recurrent stones were detected in two patients in group A. No patient was found to develop CBD stricture. CONCLUSION: LCBDE and primary CBD closure has excellent short- and long-term outcomes when performed in appropriately selected patients.

Antiproliferative and immunostimulatory activity of a protein from Pleurotus eryngii.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the use of mushrooms as functional foods, nutraceuticals or phytopharmaceuticals source has risen. In contrast, the possible cellular cytotoxicity and immunostimulatory activity of Pleurotus eryngii (DC. ex Fr.) Quel protein (PEQP) is unknown. Here we report extraction, anti-tumorigenic and immunostimulatory activity of PEQP in vitro. RESULTS: PEQP was extracted from the dried fruiting bodies of P. eryngii, purified and characterised. Its in vitro antiproliferative activity was then evaluated in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 (NSCLC), stomach adenocarcinoma BGC-823, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and gastric carcinoma HGC-27 cell lines using conventional cancer drugs (paclitaxel, doxorubicin and mitomycin C) as positive controls. The protein fractions (PEQP 1, 2, 3 and 4) obtained inhibited tumour cell proliferation dose-dependently with fraction PEQP 2 having significant (P < 0.05) toxicity in all tumour cells. PEQP had no significant toxicity on normal liver Chang cells but their proliferation was significantly inhibited by mitomycin C. Moreover, PEQP stimulated the proliferation, lysosomal enzyme activity, pinocytosis, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production of RAW 264.7 cell lines dose-dependently. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, P. eryngii protein has a potential application in functional foods as a natural anti-tumour agent with immunostimulatory activity.

Effects of selenium biofortification on Pleurotus eryngii protein structure and digestive properties and its mitigation of lead toxicity: An in vitro and in vivo study.

The development of safe and efficient dietary selenium sources to promote lead excretion is of great importance for public health. In this research, proteins from original Pleurotus eryngii (PEP) and Se-enriched P. eryngii (SePEP, Se content: 360.64 ± 3.11 mg/kg) were extracted and purified respectively for the further comparison of structural and digestive characteristics. Caco-2 monolayer membrane, in vitro simulated fermentation and acute lead exposure mice model were constructed to evaluate the effects of PEP and SePEP on lead excretion. The results indicated that Se biofortification significantly altered the amino acid composition and reduced the total sulfhydryl content of proteins (p < 0.05). SePEP could better alleviate lead-induced intestinal barrier damage and inhibit the absorption and accumulation of lead in both cell and mice models. Furthermore, SePEP promoted fecal adsorption and excretion of lead via regulating gut microbiota composition. SePEP can be considered a potentially functional Se source to promote lead excretion.

In vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fecal fermentation of Pleurotus eryngii proteins extracted using different methods: insights for the utilization of edible mushroom-based proteins as novel nutritional and functional components.

Pleurotus eryngii (P. eryngii) protein is considered a high-quality protein because it is rich in essential amino acids and displays multiple significant functional characterizations that vary with its fabrication processes. We aimed to investigate the differences in P. eryngii protein extracted via alkaline extraction and acid precipitation (AA), cellulase complex alkaline extraction and acid precipitation (CAA), ultrasound-assisted alkaline extraction and acid precipitation (UAA), and salt dissolution (S) in terms of gastrointestinal digestion and fecal fermentation consequences. Protein hydrolysis and structural analysis were performed after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, and it was found that AA showed the highest hydrolysis degree, whereas CAA showed the lowest. The results of fluorescence chromatography and infrared chromatography indicated that the reasons for the digestion difference might be the unfolding degrees of the protein tertiary structure and polysaccharide content, which is the major component of crude proteins and can prevent protein hydrolysis. Metagenomic analysis suggested that compared with other groups, AA had excellent biological functions, including regulating obesity and insulin-related microbiota. This study could provide a new theoretical basis for the P. eryngii protein as a novel type of nutritional and functional component and contributes to the development of a diversified emerging food protein supply system.

Dietary intake of whole king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) attenuated obesity via ameliorating lipid metabolism and alleviating gut microbiota dysbiosis.

There is a growing interest in employing whole food-based strategies to prevent chronic diseases, owing to the potential synergistic interactions among various bioactive components found within whole foods. The current research aimed to determine inhibitory effects of the whole edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii (WPE) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. Our results showed that dietary intake of WPE significantly inhibited the abnormal gain of body weight and adipose tissue weight, improved glucose tolerance, and ameliorated the serum biochemical parameters in HFD-fed mice. The histological analysis illustrated that the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver induced by HFD was significantly reduced by WPE. Oral intake of WPE profoundly modulated the mRNA levels of hepatic genes involved in lipid metabolism and also increased the level of short-chain fatty acids in the mouse cecum. Moreover, WPE alleviated the HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Sutteralla), and decreasing the harmful ones (rc4-4, Dorea, Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Ruminococcus). These findings presented new evidence supporting that WPE could be used as a whole food-based strategy to protect against obesity and obesity-driven health problems.

Study on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharide under controllable ultrasonic degradation based on artificial neural network.

The polysaccharide fraction (FVP2) with molecular weight of 1525.09 kDa and intrinsic viscosity of 3.43 dL/g was isolated and purified from Flammulina velutipes (F. velutipes), and the ultrasonic degradation model of FVP2 was established to predict the molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity at the same time based on artificial neural network. FVP2U1 (1149.11 kDa, 1.78 dL/g), FVP2U2 (618.91 kDa, 1.19 dL/g) and FVP2U3 (597.35 kDa, 0.48 dL/g) with different molecular weights or viscosity were produced by this model to explore the effect of ultrasound on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of FVP2. The results showed that ultrasonic treatment did not change the types of characteristic functional groups, monosaccharide composition and glycosidic bond of FVP2, but changed the chemical composition ratio and the degree of polymerization. Under ultrasonic treatment, the intrinsic viscosity of FVP2 still decreased significantly when the molecular weight did not decrease. Compared to other components subjected to ultrasonic degradation, FVP2U1 demonstrated higher molecular weight and viscoelasticity, while exhibiting lower antioxidant activity. In the case of no significant difference in molecular weight and monosaccharide composition, FVP2U3 with lower intrinsic viscosity has stronger hydration ability, higher crystallization index, lower viscoelasticity and stronger antioxidant capacity than FVP2U2.