Encapsulation of debittered pomelo juice using novel Moringa oleifera exudate for enrichment of yoghurt: A techno-functional approach.

Debittering of pomelo juice was conducted using 3.7 g of activated resin, resulting in a 36.8% reduction in bitterness without affecting the bioactive properties of juice. The debittered juice was then encapsulated with Moringa oleifera exudate at various ratios (1-5%), yielding a powder with a slightly rough surface. Total phenol content (TPC) increased by 46-56% compared to the debittered juice. Functional yoghurt containing encapsulates at concentrations of 1% and 2% demonstrated that the 2% concentration led to longer storage duration, resulting in increased acidity and syneresis compared to the control. TPC of the yoghurt (161.89-198.22 µg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g) remained significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control (47.15 µg GAE/g) and acacia gum-based yoghurt (141.89-171.37 µg GAE/g), decreasing with storage duration. Addition of encapsulates significantly altered the yoghurt's texture, resulting in lower firmness (0.57 to 0.64 N) compared to the control, while adhesiveness values remained comparable (6.33 to 6.25 g.s). The highest values of G' and G" were observed in samples containing 2% encapsulates with moringa compared to those with acacia gum. This study suggests potential avenues for further exploration in functional foods with enhanced health benefits.

Insight into the effect of N-acyl-homoserine lactones-mediated quorum sensing on the microbial social behaviors in a UASB with the regulation of alkalinity.

N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs)-mediated quorum sensing (QS) has been reported as the inducers of microbial social behaviors in anaerobic digestion (AD) processes. However, it is not well understood that how to intentionally change the secretion of AHLs by conventional engineering control such as the regulation of alkalinity. The present research investigated the effect of endogenous AHLs-mediated QS on the microbial social behaviors in an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor with the influent alkalinity decreased from 2800 mg/L to 700 mg/L by stages. The results showed that the alkalinity of 1800-2200 mg/L was more favorable for the AD in the UASB, with an excellent specific methanogenic activity (SMA) and better microbial aggregation statuses. The alkalinity out of the favorable alkalinity range would decrease the SMA with the accumulation of VFAs in the reactor. It was found that signal molecule C4-HSL was always the dominant AHL in the UASB along with the decrease of influent alkalinity, while 3-oxo-C6-HSL, 3-oxo-C12-HSL and C14-HSL were remarkably improved only within the favorable range of alkalinity. Pearson correlation concluded that the dominant signal molecule C4-HSL was the specific AHL in enhancing the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharide and the metabolism of acidogens. The co-occurrence network revealed that Mesotoga, Sulfurospirillum and Methanoregula were the key hubs in the microbial interaction network, and the AHLs-mediated QS indirectly facilitated the methanogenic metabolism. The present work provided a revealing insight into the effect of AHLs-mediated QS on the microbial social behaviors in AD process with the regulation of alkalinity.

Performance of anaerobic sludge and the microbial social behaviors induced by quorum sensing in a UASB after a shock loading.

To understand the microbial social behaviors regulated by acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) in the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) during the restored process after a shock loading, the correlation analyses of AHLs and components of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), AHLs genes and microbes, and AHLs and microbes were investigated. The results showed that the performance could be restored by regulating influent organic loading rate stage-by-stage. A variation in microbial community and endogenous AHLs was also found during the restoration process. It was found that C14-HSL had improved the synthesis of protein in EPS and resulted in better aggregation of microbes. C4-HSL, as well as C8-HSL and 3-oxoC14-HSL, could prompt the metabolism of acidogenic fermentation bacteria. While 3-oxoC6-HSL was identified as the key signal molecule in enhancing methanogenesis. The present work advanced the understanding of microbial social behaviors and provided an attractive strategy for the restoration of anaerobic digestion after shock loadings.

Evolution of COVID-19 management in critical care: review and perspective from a hospital in the United Kingdom.

The unexpected emergence and spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been pandemic, with long-lasting effects, and unfortunately, it does not seem to have ended. Integrating advanced planning, strong teamwork, and clinical management have been both essential and rewarding during this time. Understanding the new concepts of this novel disease and accommodating them into clinical practice is an ongoing process, ultimately leading to advanced and highly specific treatment modalities. We conducted a literature review through PubMed, Europe PMC, Scopus, and Google Scholar to incorporate the most updated therapeutic principles. This article provides a concise and panoramic view of the cohort of critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit. We conclude that COVID-19 management includes low tidal volume ventilation, early proning, steroids, and a high suspicion for secondary bacterial/fungal infections. Lung ultrasound is emerging as a promising tool in assessing the clinical response. Managing non-clinical factors such as staff burnout, communication/consent issues, and socio-emotional well-being is equally important.

Specific quorum sensing signal molecules inducing the social behaviors of microbial populations in anaerobic digestion.

A series of dominant functional floras involved in anaerobic digestion was obtained by subculturing anaerobic sludge with specific substrates, respectively, and their specific quorum sensing signals (AHLs) were identified. It was found that most of the AHLs were secreted in starvation of the functional floras. One or two AHLs were found to have a significant positive correlation with the behavior of hydrolytic-fermentative bacteria, homoacetogens, syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria, syntrophic butyrate-oxidizing bacteria and aceticlastic methanogens, respectively. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens had a various self-organization means and broader relations with the other populations, which was induced by six AHLs at least. Performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket in the startup process revealed that the dominant populations involved in anaerobic digestion would secret specific AHLs to induce K-strategy in resource-limited situation for reproduction and regulating their cooperation. This work presents a novel perspective on the social behaviors of microbial populations in anaerobic digestion.