Acid-activated corn silk as a promising phytosorbent for uptake of Malachite green and Cd (II) ion from simulated wastewater: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies.

Malachite green (MG) dye and cadmium metal ion are toxic pollutants that should be removed from aqueous environment. The recent study aimed to examine the adsorption behavior of MG dye and Cd (II) from wastewater onto low-cost adsorbent prepared by activating corn silk with nitric acid (ACS) and characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, BET and TGA. The optimum MG and Cd (II) adsorption was observed at pH 7 and pH 9 and maximum uptake of both pollutants was at 0.5 g dosage, 60 mins contact time and 20 mg/L initial concentration. The retention of dye and metal ion by the studied adsorbent was best fit to Langmuir isotherm and Pseudo-second order kinetics. The maximum monolayer coverage capacity of ACS for MG dye and Cd (II) ion was 18.38 mg/g and 25.53 mg/g, respectively. Thermodynamic studies predicted a spontaneous reaction with exothermic process for MG dye whereas an endothermic and spontaneous process was confirmed for Cd ion based on estimated parameters. The adsorption mechanism of MG dye and Cd (II) uptake was by combination of electrostatic interaction, pore diffusion, ion exchange, pie-pie attraction, hydrogen bonding, and complexation. The adsorbed pollutants were effectively desorbed with significant regeneration efficiency after successive five cycles that proved the potential of low-cost biosorbent for selective sequestration of cationic dye and divalent metal ion from effluents.

The use of nitric acid-modified corn silk has been reported to enhance its adsorption performance over the unmodified cob for pollutants such as cadmium ions and malachite green. Although there may be no recorded data on the adsorption efficiency of acid-treated corn silk for selected pollutants, it can be considered as a prospective bio-sorbent owing to its chemical composition and functional groups for exchange of hydrogen ions for other cations.

An Umbrella Insight into the Phytochemistry Features and Biological Activities of Corn Silk: A Narrative Review.

Corn silk (Zea mays L.) is the stigma of an annual gramineous plant named corn, which is distributed in many regions worldwide and has a long history of medicinal use. In recent years, with the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine, studies of corn silk based on modern technologies, such as GC-MS, LC-MS, and other analytical means, have offered more comprehensive analyses. Phytochemistry studies have shown that the main bioactive components in corn silk include flavonoids, polyphenols, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Pharmacological studies have shown that corn silk extract has various pharmacological effects, such as reducing blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar levels, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-oxidation effects. In this paper, the related research on corn silk from the past few years is summarized to provide a theoretical reference for the further development and utilization of corn silk.

Bioactive compounds of corn silk and their role in management of glycaemic response.

Management of glycaemic response is perhaps the most critical part of antidiabetic therapy. Hypoglycaemia is an avoidable complication caused by conventional drugs used in the treatment of diabetes. It triggers commonly during the intensification of anti-hyperglycemic therapy used to render glycemic control in diabetic patients. The commercial oral hypoglycaemic drugs, insulin, herbal medicines and plant extracts are therefore used as a part of the treatment of diabetes. The demand for treating diabetes, through herbal and plant resources is due to their lesser adverse reactions and better phytochemical benefits. Corn silk has been shown to have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive effects when extracted in various solvents. Corn silk has medicinal characteristics and has long been used as a traditional medicine in many nations, although the mechanism of action is unknown. The hypoglycaemic effects of corn silk are investigated in this review. The phytochemical components present in corn silk-like flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, tannins, sterols, and alkaloids are phytochemical components that have hypoglycemic activity and a mechanism for lowering blood glucose levels. There is a lack of a homogenized database on the hypoglycemic properties of corn silk thus the present review attempts to critically analyse it and provide specific recommendations of its doses.

Spheroidization of ultrasonic degraded corn silk polysaccharide to enhance bioactivity by the anti-solvent precipitation method.

BACKGROUND: Corn silk is a very important by-product of corn production with medicinal value. Corn silk polysaccharide (CSP) is the main active ingredient. In the present study, ultrasound and spheroidization by anti-solvent were applied to improve the biological activity of CSP. RESULTS: The results showed that ultrasonic degradation improved the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of CSP by changing its physicochemical characteristics. As the anti-solvent ratio increased, the particle size of the nanoparticles (NPs) from the spheroidization of ultrasonic-degraded corn silk polysaccharide (UCSP) gradually increased, and NP-1 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect of α-glucosidase. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) results indicated that the enhanced activity might be due to more α-glucosidase binding sites with NP-1 compared with no spheroidization. Western blotting results showed that NP-1 could improve the 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake in the L6 cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal pathway and the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). NP-1 also exhibited excellent stability in different environments. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that ultrasonic treatment and spheroidization processing showed potential applications for improving the biological activity of polysaccharides. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Elucidating Drug-Like Compounds and Potential Mechanisms of Corn Silk (Stigma Maydis) against Obesity: A Network Pharmacology Study.

Corn silk (Stigma Maydis) has been utilized as an important herb against obesity by Chinese, Korean, and Native Americans, but its phytochemicals and mechanisms(s) against obesity have not been deciphered completely. This study aimed to identify promising bioactive constituents and mechanism of action(s) of corn silk (CS) against obesity via network pharmacology. The compounds from CS were identified using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and were confirmed ultimately by Lipinski's rule via SwissADME. The relationships of the compound-targets or obesity-related targets were confirmed by public bioinformatics. The signaling pathways related to obesity, protein-protein interaction (PPI), and signaling pathways-targets-bioactives (STB) were constructed, visualized, and analyzed by RPackage. Lastly, Molecular Docking Test (MDT) was performed to validate affinity between ligand(s) and protein(s) on key signaling pathway(s). We identified a total of 36 compounds from CS via GC-MS, all accepted by Lipinski's rule. The number of 36 compounds linked to 154 targets, 85 among 154 targets related directly to obesity-targets (3028 targets). Of the final 85 targets, we showed that the PPI network (79 edges, 357 edges), 12 signaling pathways on a bubble chart, and STB network (67 edges, 239 edges) are considered as therapeutic components. The MDT confirmed that two key activators (ß-Amyrone, ß-Stigmasterol) bound most stably to PPARA, PPARD, PPARG, FABP3, FABP4, and NR1H3 on the PPAR signaling pathway, also, three key inhibitors (Neotocopherol, Xanthosine, and ß-Amyrone) bound most tightly to AKT1, IL6, FGF2, and PHLPP1 on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Overall, we provided promising key signaling pathways, targets, and bioactives of CS against obesity, suggesting crucial pharmacological evidence for further clinical testing.

Potential Effect of Polyphenolic-Rich Fractions of Corn Silk on Protecting Endothelial Cells against High Glucose Damage Using In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches.

Endothelial cell dysfunction is considered to be one of the major causes of vascular complications in diabetes. Polyphenols are known as potent antioxidants that can contribute to the prevention of diabetes. Corn silk has been reported to contain polyphenols and has been used in folk medicine in China for the treatment of diabetes. The present study aims to investigate the potential protective role of the phenolic-rich fraction of corn silk (PRF) against injuries to vascular endothelial cells under high glucose conditions in vitro and in vivo. The protective effect of PRF from high glucose toxicity was investigated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The protective effect of PRF was subsequently evaluated by using in vivo methods in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Results showed that the PRF significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of glucose by restoring cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. PRF was also able to prevent the histological changes in the aorta of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Results suggested that PRF might have a beneficial effect on diabetic patients and may help to prevent the development and progression of diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis.

Rapid analysis and characterization of multiple constituents of corn silk aqueous extract using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Corn silk is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used for its antidiabetic, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and other effects in China for thousands of years. Numerous studies have revealed that corn silk contains multiple bioactive constituents that are beneficial for human health. However, the constituents of corn silk in vivo remain ambiguous. In this study, high-throughput ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology using multivariate statistical analysis was established to systematically investigate the constituents migrating into blood from corn silk aqueous extract. As a result, 76 compounds were identified, including caffeic acid and ten of its derivatives, (E)-p-coumaric acid and two of its derivatives, ferulic acid and four of its derivatives, and five flavones. Among the identified constituents, 21 constituents, including nine prototype components and 12 metabolites derived from eight components, were characterized in sequence. Based on the significance of the results, the applied approach was powerful for the accurate determination and rapid screening of bioactive components from corn silk aqueous extract. The obtained results are valuable for the in-depth understanding and further pharmacological study of corn silk aqueous extract.

Corn silk decoction for blood lipid in patients with angina pectoris: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of corn silk decoction on lipid profile in patients with angina pectoris. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database were searched up to January 2019 for randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of corn silk decoction on total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with angina pectoris. Study evaluation and synthesis methods were in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook, and data were analyzed using Review Manager (version 5.3) software. Random effects model was applied in this systematic review and meta-analysis to compensate for potential heterogeneity among the included studies. A total of four randomized controlled trials were eligible for meta-analysis. Pooled results of these studies indicated that corn silk decoction might improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with angina pectoris. Subgroup analyses showed that corn silk decoction or modified corn silk decoction plus conventional pharmaceutical treatment could have favorable effects on blood lipids. However, the lack of blinding in most studies may have led to overestimation of these effects. Further studies with better design are needed to confirm these findings.

Antihypertensive Effects of Corn Silk Extract and Its Novel Bioactive Constituent in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: The Involvement of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition.

Corn silk tea has been used in folk medicine for anti-hypertensive healthcare. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role on the homeostasis of blood pressure. However, effects of corn silk tea on ACE activity and the presence of ACE inhibitory constituents in corn silk are still unknown. Here we applied proteomics and bioinformatics approaches to identify corn silk bioactive peptides (CSBps) that target ACE from the boiling water extract of corn silk (CSE). CSE significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats and inhibited the ACE activity. By proteomics coupled with bioinformatics analyses, we identified a novel ACE inhibitory peptide CSBp5 in CSE. CSBp5 significantly inhibited the ACE activity and decreased SBP levels in a dose-dependent manner. Docking analysis showed that CSBp5 occupied the substrate-binding channel of ACE and interacted with ACE via hydrogen bonds. In conclusion, we identified that CSE exhibited anti-hypertensive effects in SHRs via the inhibition of ACE, the target of most anti-hypertensive drugs. In addition, an ACE inhibitory phytopeptide CSBp5 that decreased SBP levels in rats was newly identified. Our findings supported the ethnomedical use of corn silk tea on hypertension. Moreover, the identification of ACE inhibitory phytopeptide in corn silk further strengthened our findings.

Potential Photoprotective Effect of Dietary Corn Silk Extract on Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Damage.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation causes adverse effects on the skin. Corn silk contains flavonoids and other bioactive compounds and antioxidants, which may prevent skin photoaging through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We aimed to investigate the potential photoprotective effects of dietary corn silk on UVB-induced skin damage in mice and the mechanisms behind these effects on human skin cells. Oral administration of corn silk water extract (CS) (2 or 4 g/kg/day) for 19 weeks decreased epidermal thickness, wrinkle formation, and positive staining for PCNA, Ki67, and 8-OHdG, and increased collagen staining in UVB-irradiated SKH-1 hairless mice compared with controls. The pro-inflammatory NF-κB target genes (IL-1ß, iNOS, and COX-2) and MMP-9 expressions were lower in the CS groups, and TGF-ß/Smad signaling increased. Low skin lipid peroxidation and blood DNA oxidation levels and high blood glutathione were detected. Antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2-related catalase and SOD1 proteins and glutaredoxin mRNA levels increased. The results of CS extract treatment and UVB irradiation in HaCaT cells showed the same results in Nrf2 and NF-κB target genes. An LC-MS/MS analysis showed that the CS extract contained potential antioxidants, which might have contributed to its anti-photoaging effects in tissues and cells. CS extract may reduce UVB-induced skin damage through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Rapid discovery and global characterization of multiple components in corn silk using a multivariate data processing approach based on UHPLC coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Corn silk is an important traditional Chinese medicine which has been widely used as diuretic, antilithiasic, uricosuric, antiseptic, etc. for thousands of years. However, it is a pity that the chemical ingredients in corn silk, especially the constituents absorbed into blood, are unclear up to now. The aim of our study was to investigate the multiple components of corn silk in vitro and in vivo. In this present study, a sensitive and rapid method using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and a multivariate data processing approach was established to detect the constituents of corn silk in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, total 41 ingredients in vitro and 19 of them absorbed into blood including luteolin, various C-glycosyl flavones, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, gibberellin A, etc. were tentatively characterized in sequence. Furthermore, of particular importance, a kind of stable compound named C-glycosyl flavones is a great discovery in vivo, which can point the further pharmacological study target in future. In a word, this is the first serum pharmacochemistry study of corn silk, which played a critical role in exploring the pharmacological and effective data for further research.

The ethyl acetate fraction of corn silk exhibits dual antioxidant and anti-glycation activities and protects insulin-secreting cells from glucotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to develop a Stigmata Maydis (corn silk) fraction with dual bio-activities against oxidative stress and protein glycation to protect ß-cells from diabetes-induced failure. METHODS: Corn silk fractions were prepared by partition and chemically characterised by thin-layer chromatography. Free radical scavenging assay, glycation assay, and cell-based viability test (neutral red) were employed to decide the best fraction. Cell death analysis was executed by annexin V/ Propidium iodide staining. Cell proliferation was measured by WST-1. Finally, ß-cell function was evaluated by ß-cell marker gene expression (RT-PCR) and acute insulin secretion test. RESULTS: Four corn silk fractions were prepared from an ethanolic crude extract of corn silk. In vitro assays indicate ethyl acetate fraction (YMS-EA) was the most potent fraction. YMS-EA also attenuated the hydrogen peroxide- or methylglyoxal-induced induction of reactive oxygen species, reduction of cell viability, and inhibition of cell proliferation. However, YMS-EA was unable to prevent hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis or advanced glycation end-products-induced toxicity. Under hyperglycemic conditions, YMS-EA effectively reduced ROS levels, improved mRNA expression of insulin, glucokinase, and PDX-1, and enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The similarity of bioactivities among apigenin, luteolin, and YMS-EA indicated that dual activities of YMS-EA might be derived from those compounds. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that YMS-EA fraction could be developed as a preventive food agent against the glucotoxicity to ß-cells in Type 2 diabetes.

Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activities of Flavonoids from Corn Silk on STZ-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Corn silk is a well-known ingredient frequently used in traditional Chinese herbal medicines. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activities of crude flavonoids extracted from corn silk (CSFs) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The results revealed that treatment with 300 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg of CSFs significantly reduced the body weight loss, water consumption, and especially the blood glucose (BG) concentration of diabetic mice, which indicated their potential anti-diabetic activities. Serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays were also performed to evaluate the anti-oxidant effects. Besides, several serum lipid values including total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were reduced and the high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL-C) was increased. The anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the CSFs suggest a potential therapeutic treatment for diabetic conditions.

Activities of polysaccharide fractions from corn silk: Hemostatic, immune, and anti-lung cancer potentials.

Corn silk is the stigma and style of corn and is rich in polysaccharides. Despite the extensive research on its polysaccharides, the hemostatic characteristics of effective parts and the related activities remain insufficiently explored. Corn silk polysaccharide (CSP) was extracted with hot water and purified using a diethylaminoethyl cellulose membrane. Then, it was separated with sephadex G-150 to obtain five fractions. These fractions were investigated for their potential in hemostasis, antioxidant, immune response, and anti-lung cancer activities. CSP-2, CSP-3, and CSP-4 significantly affected the coagulation indicators activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) at 125-500 µg/mL. Corn silk flavonoids and saponins at 32.25 µg/mL significantly prolonged APTT, TT, and prothrombin time (PT). CSP-2, with potent antioxidant ability, approaches Vitamin C. At 25 µg/mL, CSPs nearly reached the phagocytosis of neutral red of lipopolysaccharides. The five fractions promoted the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells at 25-800 µg/mL and stimulated NO secretion at 25-100 µg/mL. CSP-2 also showed an 86 % inhibition rate effect on A549 at 200 µg/mL. These results indicate that CSP not only has hemostatic effects but also has immune and anti-lung cancer activities. Thus, it is a potential candidate compound with immune activity for managing bleeding in cancer.

Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of corn silk extract in nicotine-administered male mice.

Aim: This study is done to investigate the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of corn silk extract in nicotine-administered male mice. Background: Nicotine can induce pathophysiological effects in the liver tissue through oxidative stress and damage cells. Corn silk can improve liver function with its antioxidant effects. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male NMRI mice (25-30 gr) were divided into 5 groups: controls, sham, nicotine 2.5 mg/kg, nicotine+aqueous extract of corn silk 400 mg/kg, and nicotine+methanolic extract of corn silk 400 mg/kg for 1 month. One day after the last nicotine and extracts consumption, the serum samples were performed for biochemical measurement, and the supernatant of the homogenized liver was administered for antioxidant variables assessment. Results: There was no significant difference in the body weight of different groups. Liver weight and GSH decreased in the nicotine group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, liver enzymes, and MDA increased in the nicotine group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the expansion of sinusoids, the presence of inflammatory cells, and necrosis of liver cells were observed in the nicotine group compared to the control group. Using aqueous and methanolic extracts of corn silk in mice receiving nicotine led to the improvement of the mentioned variables (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the use of nicotine can lead to the induction of hepatotoxicity. The use of aqueous and methanolic extracts of corn silk improved them through its antioxidant activity.

Effect of corn silk powder on the baking and quality dynamics of muffins.

Corn silk, often considered as a waste material in sweet corn processing, is typically discarded by most food manufacturing industries. This study aims to maximize the utilization of corn silk by evaluating its phytochemical, physicochemical and sensory characteristics. The development of food products with enhanced nutritional value is a pressing concern for both scientists and food producers in the industry. Therefore, this research focuses on the creation of highly nutritious muffins incorporating underutilized corn silk powder (CSP). In the muffin preparation, CSP was used to partially replace refined wheat flour at levels of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. As the proportion of CSP increased, the protein and crude fiber content of the muffins gradually increased. Additionally, the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the muffins significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) with the inclusion of CSP, reaching their maximum values when CSP was used to replace 40% of the refined wheat flour. The incorporation of CSP led to a decrease in the L* (lightness) value, resulting in lower a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values in the muffins. Texture analysis revealed that the cohesiveness, chewiness and gumminess of the muffins increased as the amount of CSP in the recipe was raised. A sensory evaluation was conducted to assess the acceptability of the corn silk muffins. The addition of CSP in muffins improved the sensory characteristics including colour, aroma, mouthfeel, texture and overall acceptability. These findings indicate that CSP has the potential to be used in the development of bakery food products, instant mixes, infant food formulas and value-added items.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, and pharmacological activities of the polysaccharides from corn silk: A review.

Corn silk is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine possessing multiple beneficial effects, whose active ingredient is corn silk polysaccharide (CSP). CSP is abundant in corn silk, and has a variety of bioactivities, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatorenal-protective, antitumor, anti-fatigue, immunomodulating, and anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury effects. Moreover, CSP ameliorates diabetes, diabetes nephropathy, and hyperlipidemia. This review aimed to comprehensively and systematically summarize recent information on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activity, potential mechanism, and toxicity of CSP. Thus, it could provide a reference for the further use of CSP and discuss the future prospects of CSP research and development.

Enhancement of Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Corn Silk Polysaccharides After Selenium Modification.

Objective: This study aimed to study the effect of selenium modification on the bioactivity of corn silk polysaccharides, particularly its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. Methods: HNO3-NaSeO3 was used to selenize degraded corn silk polysaccharides (DCSP). The structure and physicochemical properties of DCSP and selenized corn silk polysaccharides (Se-DCSP) were characterized by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, nanometer, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The protective effects of DCSP and Se-DCSP on HK-2 cells damaged by nano-calcium oxalate and the changes of inflammatory factors were detected by laser confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy. Results: The selenium content of DCSP and Se-DCSP were 19.5 and 1226.7 µg/g, respectively. Compared with DCSP, Se-DCSP showed significantly improved biological activity, including the scavenging ability of various free radicals (increased by about 2-3 times), the intracellular reactive oxygen content (decreased by about 1.5 times), and the mitochondrial membrane potential (decreased by about 2.5 times). Moreover, cell viability and morphological recovery ability were improved. Compared with DCSP, Se-DCSP significantly down-regulated HK-2 cell inflammatory factors MCP-1 (about 1.7 times), NLRP3, and NO (about 1.5 times). Conclusion: The antioxidant activity and the ability to down-regulate the expression of inflammatory factors of Se-DCSP were significantly enhanced compared with DCSP, and Se-DCSP can better protect HK-2 cells from oxidative damage, indicating that Se-DCSP has a stronger potential ability to inhibit kidney stone formation.

An in-depth investigation of molecular interaction in zeaxanthin/corn silk glycan complexes and its positive role in hypoglycemic activity.

Glycans in corn silk could interact with co-existing small molecules during its absorption, digestion, and biological process. In order to understand the exact mechanism of action of zeaxanthin, it is critical to investigate the biomolecular interactions, which were necessary to form a glycan-small molecule complex and yet produce the bioactive effect. So far, the in-depth study of these natural interactions has not been fully elucidated. Here, we probed that the molecular interaction between zeaxanthin (ZEA) and glycans from corn silk (CSGs) was driven by enthalpy. More importantly, it was the first time found that CSGs can bind to lipid-soluble ZEA could be binded with CSGs. It was the first report on the thermostability of insulin structure and natural glycans. This study should facilitate our understanding of the interaction between lipid soluble molecules and glycans, and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the nutrient base in food.

Zearalenone removal using inactivated yeast embedded in porous modified yam starch aerogels and its application in corn silk tea.

Zearalenone contaminates food and poses a threat to human health. It is vital to develop cost-effective and environmentally-friendly adsorbents for its removal. By screening Sporobolomyces pararoseus (SZ4) and modified yam starch (adsorption capacity (qe) of 1.33 and 0.94 mg/g, respectively), this study prepared a novel composite aerogel adsorbent (P-YSA@SZ410). The compressive strength of P-YSA@SZ410 was 1.35-fold higher than unloaded yeast. It contained several functional groups and three-dimensional interconnected channels, achieving a 0° contact angle within 0.18 s, thereby demonstrating excellent water-absorbent properties. With a qe of 2.96 mg/g at 308 K, the adsorption process of P-YSA@SZ410 was spontaneous, endothermic, and matched pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. The composite adsorbed zearalenone via electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding, maintaining a qe of 2.24 mg/g after five cycles. P-YSA@SZ410 was found to remove zearalenone effectively under various conditions and could be applied to corn silk tea, indicating its great potential as an adsorbent material.