In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Structural Characteristics of Polysaccharides Extracted from Lobonema smithii Jellyfish.

Crude polysaccharides were extracted from the white jellyfish (Lobonema smithii) using water extraction and fractionated using ion-exchange chromatography to obtain three different fractions (JF1, JF2, and JF3). The chemical characteristics of four polysaccharides were investigated, along with their anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. All samples mainly consisted of neutral sugars with minor contents of proteins and sulphates in various proportions. Glucose, galactose, and mannose were the main constituents of the monosaccharides. The molecular weights of the crude polysaccharides and the JF1, JF2, and JF3 fractions were 865.0, 477.6, 524.1, and 293.0 kDa, respectively. All polysaccharides were able to decrease NO production, especially JF3, which showed inhibitory activity. JF3 effectively suppressed iNOS, COX-2, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α expression, while IL-10 expression was induced. JF3 could inhibit phosphorylated ERK, JNK, p38, and NF-κB p65. Furthermore, flow cytometry showed the impact of JF3 on inhibiting CD11b and CD40 expression. These results suggest that JF3 could inhibit NF-κB and MAPK-related inflammatory pathways. The structural characterisation revealed that (1→3)-linked glucopyranosyl, (1→3,6)-linked galactopyranosyl, and (1→3,6)-linked glucopyranosyl residues comprised the main backbone of JF3. Therefore, L. smithii polysaccharides exhibit good anti-inflammatory activity and could thus be applied as an alternative therapeutic agent against inflammation.

Sparking Nano-Metals on a Surface of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Its Application: Anti-Coronavirus and Anti-Fogging Properties.

The nano-metal-treated PET films with anti-virus and anti-fogging ability were developed using sparking nano-metal particles of Ag, Zn, and Ti wires on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. Ag nanoparticles were detected on the PET surface, while a continuous aggregate morphology was observed with Zn and Ti sparking. The color of the Ag-PET films changed to brown with increasing repeat sparking times, but not with the Zn-PET and Ti-PET films. The water contact angle of the nano-metal-treated PET films decreased with increasing repeat sparking times. The RT-PCR anti-virus test confirmed the high anti-virus efficiency of the nano-metal-treated PET films due to the fine particle distribution, high polarity, and binding of the nano-metal ions to the coronavirus, which was destroyed by heat after UV irradiation. A highly transparent, anti-fogging, and anti-virus face shield was prepared using the Zn-PET film. Sparking was an effective technique to prepare the alternative anti-virus and anti-fogging films for medical biomaterial applications because of their low cost, convenience, and fast processing.

Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics of Phytocannabinoids from Non-Cannabis Plant Origins.

Phytocannabinoids are isoprenylated resorcinyl polyketides produced mostly in glandular trichomes of Cannabis sativa L. These discoveries led to the identification of cannabinoid receptors, which modulate psychotropic and pharmacological reactions and are found primarily in the human central nervous system. As a result of the biogenetic process, aliphatic ketide phytocannabinoids are exclusively found in the cannabis species and have a limited natural distribution, whereas phenethyl-type phytocannabinoids are present in higher plants, liverworts, and fungi. The development of cannabinomics has uncovered evidence of new sources containing various phytocannabinoid derivatives. Phytocannabinoids have been isolated as artifacts from their carboxylated forms (pre-cannabinoids or acidic cannabinoids) from plant sources. In this review, the overview of the phytocannabinoid biosynthesis is presented. Different non-cannabis plant sources are described either from those belonging to the angiosperm species and bryophytes, together with their metabolomic structures. Lastly, we discuss the legal framework for the ingestion of these biological materials which currently receive the attention as a legal high.

Morphology, Mechanical, and Water Barrier Properties of Carboxymethyl Rice Starch Films: Sodium Hydroxide Effect.

Carboxymethyl rice starch films were prepared from carboxymethyl rice starch (CMSr) treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 10-50% w/v. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of NaOH concentrations on morphology, mechanical properties, and water barrier properties of the CMSr films. The degree of substitution (DS) and morphology of native rice starch and CMSr powders were examined. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the chemical structure, crystallinity, and thermal properties of the CMSr films. As the NaOH concentrations increased, the DS of CMSr powders increased, which affected the morphology of CMSr powders; a polyhedral shape of the native rice starch was deformed. In addition, the increase in NaOH concentrations of the synthesis of CMSr resulted in an increase in water solubility, elongation at break, and water vapor permeability (WVP) of CMSr films. On the other hand, the water contact angle, melting temperature, and the tensile strength of the CMSr films decreased with increasing NaOH concentrations. However, the tensile strength of the CMSr films was relatively low. Therefore, such a property needs to be improved and the application of the developed films should be investigated in the future work.

Performance of Actinobacteria isolated from rhizosphere soils on plant growth promotion under cadmium toxicity.

This work aimed to evaluate the potential use of plant growth-promoting actinobacteria (PGPA) for enhanced cadmium (Cd) phytoremediation and plant growth. Forty-two actinobacteria were isolated from rhizosphere soils in Thailand. Among isolates tested, only Streptomyces phaeogriseichromatogenes isolate COS4, showed the high ability to produce siderophores as a plant growth stimulant and had a strong Cd tolerance potential. The significance of siderophores production and Cd tolerance ability under different Cd concentrations suggests the potential of isolate COS4 to work effectively. Plant culture revealed that the significant increase in root length, root to tip length, and total dried weight of sunflower were obtained after 2 h incubation of sunflower seeds with isolate COS4. The efficiency of Cd uptake was found to range between 42.3 and 61.3%. Translocation factor results confirmed that plant growth promoting S. phaeogriseichromatogenes isolate COS4-assisted phytoremediation can be considered as Cd absorbents for the restoration of polluted sites due to high translocation values.

High Substitution Synthesis of Carboxymethyl Chitosan for Properties Improvement of Carboxymethyl Chitosan Films Depending on Particle Sizes.

This study investigated the effect of chitosan particle sizes on the properties of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) powders and films. Chitosan powders with different particle sizes (75, 125, 250, 450 and 850 µm) were used to synthesize the CMCh powders. The yield, degree of substitution (DS), and water solubility of the CMCh powders were then determined. The CMCh films prepared with CMCh based on chitosan with different particle sizes were fabricated by a solution casting technique. The water solubility, mechanical properties, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the CMCh films were measured. As the chitosan particle size decreased, the yield, DS, and water solubility of the synthesized CMCh powders increased. The increase in water solubility was due to an increase in the polarity of the CMCh powder, from a higher conversion of chitosan into CMCh. In addition, the higher conversion of chitosan was also related to a higher surface area in the substitution reaction provided by chitosan powder with a smaller particle size. As the particle size of chitosan decreased, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and WVTR of the CMCh films increased. This study demonstrated that a greater improvement in water solubility of the CMCh powders and films can be achieved by using chitosan powder with a smaller size.

Optimization of fermented Perilla frutescens seeds for enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid and bioactive compounds by Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1500.

Select LAB, including Lactobacillus fermentum TISTR 950, Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 2265 and Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1500 were investigated for their ability to enhance GABA, TPC and the antioxidant activity of perilla seed juice. L. casei TISTR 1500 produced higher GABA and TPC contents and presented higher antioxidant activity than other strains. Furthermore, the optimal fermentation condition to perilla seeds inoculated with L. casei TISTR 1500 to improve the GABA, TPC and antioxidant activity was performed using 33 full factorial design. The final optimal values for perilla fermentation was found at fermentation time of 4.82 days (4 days 19 h 40 min), initial substrate of 5% (w/v) and fermentation temperature of 30.07 °C. Under the optimal fermentation condition, an observed values of GABA, TPC, ABTS, DPPH and FRAP were 71.46 µg/g, 3175.00 µg GAE/g, 1991.40 µg TEAC/g, 9178.29 µg TEAC/g and 7753.34 µg TEAC/g, respectively, which was 3.3, 0.9, 2.9, 10.8 and 10.2 times higher than that of unfermented perilla seeds, and 2.1, 0.8, 0.9, 10 and 9.2 times of fermented perilla seeds before the optimization. These results may provide the foundation to further target in industrial application for the production of plant-based and develop functional perilla seed products containing GABA. Highlights Improved GABA, TPC and antioxidant contents were found using Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1500 Full factorial design applied to optimize fermented perilla seeds by lactic acid fermentation The optimized conditions dramatically increased GABA and TPC contents.

Effects of ultra-high pressure on effective synthesis of fructooligosaccharides and fructotransferase activity using Pectinex Ultra SP-L and inulinase from Aspergillus niger.

In this study, various levels of ultra-high pressure (UHP) were combined with the enzymatic synthesis of the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) using Pectinex Ultra SP-L and inulinase. The combination enhanced the FOS yields up to 2.5- and 1.5-fold, respectively, compared to atmospheric condition (0.1 MPa). However, the enzymatic reaction was dependent on the levels of pressure, the reaction times, and the initial sucrose concentrations. The combined UHP and inulinase showed that the maximum FOS yield (71.81%) was obtained under UHP at 200 MPa for 20 min with 300 g/L of initial sucrose as a substrate, while the FOS yield (57.13%) using Pectinex Ultra SP-L was obtained under UHP at 300 MPa for 15 min with 600 g/L of initial sucrose as a substrate. The FOS composition produced by Pectinex Ultra SP-L under the UHP was 1-kestose (GF2), nystose (GF3), and 1F-fructofuranosylnystose (GF4), whereas the FOS produced by inulinase composed of only GF2 and GF3. The combined UHP is a useful tool in the industrial application for FOS production. Highlights UHP activated the activity of Pectinex Ultra SP-L yet inactivated inulinase Pressure level, time, and sucrose concentration significantly affect FOS yields under UHP UHP enhanced FOS production with time-saving benefits within 15-20 min.

Characterization and mutation analysis of a halotolerant serine protease from a new isolate of Bacillus subtilis.

OBJECTIVES: A bacterial halotolerant enzyme was characterized to understand the molecular mechanism of salt adaptation and to explore its protein engineering potential. RESULTS: Halotolerant serine protease (Apr_No16) from a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain no. 16 was characterized. Multiple alignments with previously reported non-halotolerant proteases, including subtilisin Carlsberg, indicated that Apr_No16 has eight acidic or polar amino acid residues that are replaced by nonpolar amino acids in non-halotolerant proteases. Those residues were hypothesized to be one of the primary contributors to salt adaptation. An eightfold mutant substituted with Ala residues exhibited 1.2- and 1.8-fold greater halotolerance at 12.5% (w/v) NaCl than Apr_No16 and Carlsberg, respectively. Amino acid substitution notably shifted the theoretical pI of the eightfold mutant, from 6.33 to 9.23, compared with Apr_No16. The resulting protein better tolerated high salt conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Changing the pI of a bacterial serine protease may be an effective strategy to improve the enzyme's halotolerance.

Decolorization of Reactive Red 159 by a consortium of photosynthetic bacteria using an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (AnSBR).

This experiment aimed to decolorize Reactive Red 159 using a high potential of a consortium of purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) with an application of response surface methodology through a central composite design in open system. The three factors of hydraulic retention time (HRT), sludge retention time (SRT) and dye concentration were applied to the design. The decolorization was operated in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor until the system reached to a pseudosteady state for 30 cycles in each experiment. The optimal condition was 6,500 mg/L of Reactive Red 159 concentration with 20 days of SRT and 8 days of HRT, achieving dye effluent of 142.62 ± 5.35 mg/L, decolorization rate of 264.54 ± 7.13 mg/L/h and decolorization efficiency of 97.68 ± 0.74%. The results revealed that PNSB efficiently decolorized the high concentration of Reactive Red 159 and they were a high potential of microorganisms for dyes contaminated wastewater treatment.

Optimization of simultaneously enzymatic fructo- and inulo-oligosaccharide production using co-substrates of sucrose and inulin from Jerusalem artichoke.

Prebiotic substances are extracted from various plant materials or enzymatic hydrolysis of different substrates. The production of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) and inulo-oligosaccharide (IOS) was performed by applying two substrates, sucrose and inulin; oligosaccharide yields were maximized using central composite design to evaluate the parameters influencing oligosaccharide production. Inulin from Jerusalem artichoke (5-15% w/v), sucrose (50-70% w/v), and inulinase from Aspergillus niger (2-7 U/g) were used as variable parameters for optimization. Based on our results, the application of sucrose and inulin as co-substrates for oligosaccharide production through inulinase hydrolysis and synthesis is viable in comparative to a method using a single substrate. Maximum yields (674.82 mg/g substrate) were obtained with 5.95% of inulin, 59.87% of sucrose, and 5.68 U/g of inulinase, with an incubation period of 9 hr. The use of sucrose and inulin as co-substrates in the reaction simultaneously produced FOS and IOS from sucrose and inulin. Total conversion yield was approximately 67%. Our results support the high value-added production of oligosaccharides using Jerusalem artichoke, which is generally used as a substrate in prebiotics and/or bioethanol production.

Multiparameter optimization method and enhanced production of secreted recombinant single-chain variable fragment against the HIV-1 P17 protein from Escherichia coli by fed-batch fermentation.

The single-chain fragment variable (scFv) was used to produce a completely functional antigen-binding fragment in bacterial systems. The advancements in antibody engineering have simplified the method of producing Fv fragments and made it more efficient and generally relevant. In a previous study, the scFv anti HIV-1 P17 protein was produced by a batch production system, optimized by the sequential simplex optimization method. This study continued that work in order to enhance secreted scFv production by fed-batch cultivation, which supported high volumetric productivity and provided a large amount of scFvs for diagnostic and therapeutic research. The developments in cell culture media and process parameter settings were required to realize the maximum production of cells. This study investigated the combined optimization methods, Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and sequential simplex optimization, with the aim of optimize feed medium. Fed-batch cultivation with an optimal feeding rate was determined. The result demonstrated that a 20-mL/hr feeding rate of the optimized medium can increase cell growth, total protein production, and scFv anti-p17 activity by 4.43, 1.48, and 6.5 times more than batch cultivation, respectively. The combined optimization method demonstrated novel power tools for the optimization strategy of multiparameter experiments.

Treatability of cheese whey for single-cell protein production in nonsterile systems: Part I. Optimal condition for lactic acid fermentation using a microaerobic sequencing batch reactor (microaerobic SBR) with immobilized Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 2265 and microbial communities.

Cheese whey contains a high organic content and causes serious problems if it is released into the environment when untreated. This study aimed to investigate the optimum condition of lactic acid production using the microaerobic sequencing batch reactor (microaerobic SBR) in a nonsterile system. The high production of lactic acid was achieved by immobilized Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 2265 to generate an acidic pH condition below 4.5 and then to support single-cell protein (SCP) production in the second aerobic sequencing batch reactor (aerobic SBR). A hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 days and a whey concentration of 80% feeding gave a high lactic acid yield of 12.58 g/L, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 62.38%, and lactose utilization of 61.54%. The microbial communities in the nonsterile system were dominated by members of lactic acid bacteria, and it was shown that the inoculum remained in the system up to 330 days.

Treatability of cheese whey for single-cell protein production in nonsterile systems: Part II. The application of aerobic sequencing batch reactor (aerobic SBR) to produce high biomass of Dioszegia sp. TISTR 5792.

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of an aerobic sequencing batch reactor (aerobic SBR) in a nonsterile system using the application of an experimental design via central composite design (CCD). The acidic whey obtained from lactic acid fermentation by immobilized Lactobacillus plantarum sp. TISTR 2265 was fed into the bioreactor of the aerobic SBR in an appropriate ratio between acidic whey and cheese whey to produce an acidic environment below 4.5 and then was used to support the growth of Dioszegia sp. TISTR 5792 by inhibiting bacterial contamination. At the optimal condition for a high yield of biomass production, the system was run with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 days, a solid retention time (SRT) of 8.22 days, and an acidic whey concentration of 80% feeding. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased from 25,230 mg/L to 6,928 mg/L, which represented a COD removal of 72.15%. The yield of biomass production and lactose utilization by Dioszegia sp. TISTR 5792 were 13.14 g/L and 33.36%, respectively, with a long run of up to 180 cycles and the pH values of effluent were rose up to 8.32 without any pH adjustment.

Characterization of the native form and the carboxy-terminally truncated halotolerant form of α-amylases from Bacillus subtilis strain FP-133.

Two amylases, amylase I and amylase II from Bacillus subtilis strain FP-133, were purified to homogeneity and characterized. Their stabilities toward temperature, pH, and organic solvents, and their substrate specificities toward polysaccharides and oligosaccharides were similar. Under moderately high salt conditions, both amylases were more stable than commercial B. licheniformis amylase, and amylase I retained higher amylase activity than amylase II. The N-terminal amino acid sequence, genomic southern blot analysis, and MALDI-TOFF-MS analysis indicated that the halotolerant amylase I was produced by limited carboxy-terminal truncation of the amylase II peptide. The deduced amino acid sequence of amylase II was >95% identical to that of previously reported B. subtilis α-amylases, but their carboxy-terminal truncation points differed. Three recombinant amylases--full-length amylase corresponding to amylase II, an artificially truncated amylase corresponding to amylase I, and an amylase with a larger artificial C-terminal truncation--were expressed in B. subtilis. The artificially truncated recombinant amylases had the same high amylase activity as amylase I under moderately high salt conditions. Sequence comparisons indicated that an increased ratio of Asp/Glu residues in the enzyme may be one factor responsible for increasing halotolerance.

Effect of extraction and concentration processes on properties of longan syrup.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) syrup is a novel liquid sweetener produced from longan, one of the traditional and economic fruits in the Northern of Thailand. In this research, the effect of extraction and concentration processes on properties of longan syrup was investigated. There were two extraction methods (juice extractor and hydraulic press) and three concentration methods (direct heating, steam heating and vacuum evaporation). Results overall showed that the extraction method had no significant (p ≥ 0.05) effect on longan syrup properties, while concentration resulted in the quality changes of longan syrup. Concentration using direct heating of longan juice caused reduction of sucrose content, and longan syrup dark in color. The headspace volatile compounds of longan syrup were sampled using direct headspace technique and further characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The identified volatile compounds could be divided into two groups of aroma characteristics which were (1) floral aroma: 3-methybutyl acetate, (ß)-ocimene and 2-phenylethyl alcohol and (2) caramel aroma: butyraldehyde, furfural and benzaldehyde. 2-Phenylethyl alcohol, contributing to floral odor, was retained using vacuum evaporation as a concentration method. Result revealed that the optimal concentration process for longan syrup production was vacuum evaporation, providing the highest floral volatile and lowest caramel volatile. Sensory tests confirmed that longan flavor of the syrup produced from the vacuum evaporation process had significantly higher hedonic scores than other processes.

Strategies to decolorize high concentrations of methyl orange using growing cells of Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1500.

Batch, fed-batch, and continuous fermentation was used in the processing of methyl orange decolorization using growing cells of Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1500. This report presents the optimal conditions for methyl orange decolorization by the strain TISTR 1500 in modified MRS via a central composite design (CCD) experiment. In particular, the highest decolorization efficiencies were obtained with 13.41 g/L of meat extract, and with 10.89 g/L of yeast extract at pH 6.88 at 35 °C. Under the optimal conditions, the rate of decolorization increased to 322% of that obtained for un-optimized MRS medium. The high concentration of methyl orange (5 g/L) was completely degraded within 9 h in batch fermentation. The total methyl orange load with 8.075 g/L was also decolorized in fed-batch fermentation within 13 h, and the biomass of the strain dramatically decreased after an incubation time of 8 h due to a shortage of sucrose. In the continuous system with a dye-loading rate of 600 mg/L/h and a total of loaded azo dye of 7.2 g/L, high efficiency of methyl orange removal was significantly high, at 98%.

The nutritional value, bioactive availability and functional properties of garlic and its related products during processing.

Garlic, a common culinary spice, is cultivated and used around the globe. Consumption of garlic and its supplements reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease and boosts the immune system with antibacterial, antifungal, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties. Diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, triallyl trisulfide, phenolics, flavonoids, and others are the most commercially recognized active ingredients in garlic and its products. In recent years, global demand for medicinal or functional garlic has surged, introducing several products such as garlic oil, aged garlic, black garlic, and inulin into the market. Garlic processing has been demonstrated to directly impact the availability of bioactive ingredients and the functionality of products. Depending on the anticipated functional qualities, it is also recommended that one or a combination of processing techniques be deemed desirable over the others. This work describes the steps involved in processing fresh garlic into products and their physicochemical alterations during processing. Their nutritional, phytochemical, and functional properties are also reviewed. Considering the high demand for functional food, this review has been compiled to provide guidance for food producers on the industrial utilization and suitability of garlic for new product development.

Optimization of exopolysaccharide overproduction by Lactobacillus confusus in solid state fermentation under high salinity stress.

It is believed that high concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) suppress the biosynthesis of exopolysaccharide (EPS) in lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Nevertheless, overproduction of EPSs due to high salinity stress in solid state fermentation performed on an agar surface was demonstrated in this study using a response surface methodology via a central composite design (CCD). Under optimized conditions with NaCl 4.97% and sucrose 136.5 g/L at 40.79 h of incubation, the EPS yield was 259% (86.36 g/L of EPS), higher than the maximum yield produced with the modified MRS medium containing only 120 g/L of sucrose without NaCl (33.4 g/L of EPS). Biosynthesis of EPS by Lactobacillus confusus TISTR 1498 was independent of biomass production. Our results indicated that high salinity stress can enhance EPS production in solid state fermentation.

Cricket protein conjugated with different degrees of polymerization saccharides by Maillard reaction as a novel functional ingredient.

This study investigated the effects of different saccharides (inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS)), pH (8-10) and thermal treatment time (6-24 h) at 70 °C on the structural, functional properties and antioxidant activities of conjugated cricket protein (CCPs) by wet heating Maillard reaction (MR). Results suggested that the browning intensity, color development and degree of glycation were significantly increased (p < 0.05) under increasing thermal treatment with FOS. SDS-PAGE and FTIR confirmed the formation of a higher molecular weight of CCPs. Water solubility, oil holding capacity, emulsifying properties, and antioxidant properties of CCPs were all superior to the unconjugated products. However, the over-conditioning (treatment time > 6 h, pH > 9) in MR could contribute to a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of CCPs functional properties. The results suggested that the conjugation of cricket protein isolate (CPI) with MR is the most promising way to improve cricket protein properties for food industry applications.