Changes in the structure and hydration properties of high-temperature peanut protein induced by cold plasma oxidation.

To improve the hydration properties of high-temperature pressed peanut protein isolate (HPPI), we investigated the effect of cold plasma (CP) oxidation on functional and structural properties. Compared to HPPI, the hydrated molecules number and the surface contact angle were significantly decreased at 70 W, from 77.2 × 109 to 17.7 × 109 and from 85.74° to 57.81°, respectively. The reduction of the sulfhydryl content and the increase of the disulfide bond and di-tyrosine content indicated that the structural transformation was affected by the oxidation effect. In terms of structural changes, a stretched tertiary structure, ordered secondary structure, and rough apparent structure were observed after CP treatment. Additionally, the enhancement of surface free energy and group content such as -COOH, -CO and -OH on the surface of HPPI contributed to the formation of hydrated crystal structures. In general, the oxidation effect of CP effectively improved the hydration properties of HPPI and broaden its application field.

Characterization and correlation of dominant bacteria and volatile compounds in post-fermentation process of Ba-bao Douchi.

Ba-bao Douchi, traditionally produced and spontaneously fermented for 1-2 years, has a unique flavor. However, little information is known about microorganisms and volatile flavors, particularly their relationship. In this study, the aroma profiles including the key aroma compounds, and bacterial communities were characterized and the correlations between dominant bacterial genera with key aroma compounds were studied during the post-fermentation of Ba-bao Douchi. The research showed that 12 bacterial genera were identified as the dominant genus by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 84 volatile compounds were detected by HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS. Odor activity value (OAV) and gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) were combined to determine the key volatile compounds, and the main volatile compounds including ethyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, isovaleraldehyde, (+)-α-pinene, beta-phellandrene, were found to be responsible for the strong fruitiness, chocolate fragrance, fresh scent flavor, and ginger flavor of Ba-bao Douchi. Pearson correlation analysis showed that 5 dominant bacterial genera were positively associated with > 6 key volatile compounds (p < 0.01, |r| > 0.7). Thus, these bacterial genera might have an effect on the biosynthesis of volatile components. This study provides a theoretical reference for revealing the functional microorganisms and improving the flavor quality of Ba-bao Douchi.

Black mulberry ethanol extract attenuates atherosclerosis-related inflammatory factors and downregulates PPARγ and CD36 genes in experimental atherosclerotic rats.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the pathological basis of various vascular diseases and currently is seriously affecting human health. Numerous studies have paid more attention to natural medicines with anti-AS properties. As a traditional Uygur folk medicine, black mulberry fruits are conventionally used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in southern Xinjiang of China, and their underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Our previous study revealed that the ethanol extract of black mulberry (EEBM) inhibited AS development by improving lipid metabolism abnormalities, enhancing anti-oxidative activities, and reducing atherosclerotic lesions of atherosclerotic rats. Based on this, our objective was to further investigate the effects of EEBM on the expression of AS-related inflammatory factors and the key genes PPARγ and CD36 of the ox-LDL-PPARγ-CD36 feed-forward cycle in experimental atherosclerotic rats. Black mulberry fruits were extracted with acid ethanol and chromatographed on an AB-8 macroporous resin to obtain EEBM. All experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, model plus simvastatin (5 mg/kg d·body weight), and model plus low-dose and high-dose EEBM groups (105 and 210 mg/kg d·body weight, respectively). Serum levels of the inflammatory factors were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ and CD36 in atherosclerotic rats' liver tissue and thoracic aorta were determined by Q-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. EEBM at high dose effectively attenuated the abnormally expressed AS-related inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-9, and CRP in atherosclerotic rats by 41.5%, 66.1%, 77.5%, and 79.5%, respectively. After treatment with high dose EEBM, the elevated-expressions of PPARγ and CD36 at the mRNA and protein levels in atherosclerotic rats were found to be obviously downregulated at both levels. These results demonstrate that EEBM might lessen the AS-related inflammatory reaction, and then inhibit the formation of ox-LDL, consequently downregulating the expression of PPARγ and CD36 at the mRNA and protein levels, thus reducing macrophage-foam-cell formation and prohibiting the development of atherosclerotic plaque through the ox-LDL-PPARγ-CD36 feed-forward cycle, which can effectively prevent the occurrence and development of AS in atherosclerotic rats.

The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of Yimeng scorpion (Mesobuthus martensii).

Yimeng scorpion is a specific geographical indication breed of Yimeng Mountain area in China. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Yimeng scorpion was determined for the first time (Accession number MN597087). It is mitochondrial genome (14,840 bp) contains 13 protein-coding genes, 21tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and one large non-coding region (a possible control region). Moreover, tRNA-ASP-loss was observed from the Yimeng scorpion mitochondrial genome. The mitochondrial genome sequence of the Yimeng scorpion enriches data resource for further research on genetic mechanism and classification.