The use of amino acids and their derivates to mitigate against pesticide-induced toxicity.

Exposure to pesticides induces oxidative stress and deleterious effects on various tissues in non-target organisms. Numerous models investigating pesticide exposure have demonstrated metabolic disturbances such as imbalances in amino acid levels within the organism. One potentially effective strategy to mitigate pesticide toxicity involves dietary intervention by supplementing exogenous amino acids and their derivates to augment the body's antioxidant capacity and mitigate pesticide-induced oxidative harm, whose mechanism including bolstering glutathione synthesis, regulating arginine-NO metabolism, mitochondria-related oxidative stress, and the open of ion channels, as well as enhancing intestinal microecology. Enhancing glutathione synthesis through supplementation of substrates N-acetylcysteine and glycine is regarded as a potent mechanism to achieve this. Selection of appropriate amino acids or their derivates for supplementation, and determining an appropriate dosage, are of the utmost importance for effective mitigation of pesticide-induced oxidative harm. More experimentation is required that involves large population samples to validate the efficacy of dietary intervention strategies, as well as to determine the effects of amino acids and their derivates on long-term and low-dose pesticide exposure. This review provides insights to guide future research aimed at preventing and alleviating pesticide toxicity through dietary intervention of amino acids and their derivates.

Structure, physicochemical properties, and biological activities of protein hydrolysates from Zanthoxylum seed.

BACKGROUND: Zanthoxylum seed, as a low-cost and easily accessible plant protein resource, has good potential in the food industry. But protein and its hydrolysates from Zanthoxylum seed are underutilized due to the dearth of studies on them. This study aimed to investigate the structure and physicochemical and biological activities of Zanthoxylum seed protein (ZSP) hydrolysates prepared using Protamex®, Alcalase®, Neutrase®, trypsin, or pepsin. RESULTS: Hydrolysis using each of the five enzymes diminished average particle size and molecular weight of ZSP but increased random coil content. ZSP hydrolysate prepared using pepsin had the highest degree of hydrolysis (24.07%) and the smallest molecular weight (<13 kDa) and average particle size (129.80 nm) with the highest solubility (98.9%). In contrast, ZSP hydrolysate prepared using Alcalase had the highest surface hydrophobicity and foaming capacity (88.89%), as well as the lowest foam stability (45.00%). Moreover, ZSP hydrolysate prepared using Alcalase exhibited the best hydroxyl-radical scavenging (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) 1.94 mg mL-1 ) and ferrous-ion chelating (IC50 0.61 mg mL-1 ) activities. Additionally, ZSP hydrolysate prepared using pepsin displayed the highest angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition activity (IC50 0.54 mg mL-1 ). CONCLUSION: These data showed that enzyme hydrolysis improved the physicochemical properties of ZSP, and enzymatic hydrolysates of ZSP exhibited significant biological activity. These results provided validation for application of ZSP enzymatic hydrolysates as antioxidants and antihypertensive agents in the food or medicinal industries. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Structure, functional and physicochemical properties of lotus seed protein under different pH environments.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the structure, functional and physicochemical properties of lotus seed protein (LSP) under different pH environments. The structures of LSP were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, particle size distributions, free sulfhydryl and rheological properties. The functional and physicochemical properties of LSP were characterized by color, foaming property, emulsification property, solubility, oil holding capacity, water holding capacity, differential scanning calorimetry analysis and surface hydrophobicity. RESULTS: LSP was mainly composed of eight subunits (18, 25, 31, 47, 51, 56, 65 and 151 kDa), in which the richest band was 25 kDa. FTIR results showed that LSP had high total contents of α-helix and ß-sheet (44.81-46.85%) in acidic environments. Meanwhile, there was more ß-structure and random structure in neutral and alkaline environments (pH 7.0 and 9.0). At pH 5.0, LSP had large particle size (1576.98 nm), high emulsion stability index (91.43 min), foaming stability (75.69%) and water holding capacity (2.21 g g-1), but low solubility (35.98%), free sulfhydryl content (1.95 µmol g-1) and surface hydrophobicity (780). DSC analysis showed the denaturation temperatures (82.23 °C) of LSP at pH 5.0 was higher than those (80.10, 80.52 and 71.82 °C) at pH 3.0, 7.0 and 9.0. The analysis of rheological properties showed that LSP gel had high stability and great strength in an alkaline environment. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study are anticipated to serve as a valuable reference for the implementation of LSP in the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization of astaxanthin-loaded Pickering emulsions stabilized by conjugates of pea protein isolate and dextran with different molecular weights.

BACKGROUND: Pea protein isolate (PPI) is gaining increasing popularity in the food industry. It provides a diverse range of health benefits, such as hypoallergenic and gluten-free characteristics. However, the functional performance of PPI is hindered by its low solubility and poor stability. Therefore, in this article, PPI and dextran (DX) of different molecular weights were grafted to investigate the effects of grafting DX with different molecular weights on the interface properties and antioxidant properties of PPI. Additionally, the stability and digestive properties of the glycated PPI nanoemulsion system were explored. RESULTS: The result showed that the grafting degree of PPI-DX conjugates (PPI-DC) decreased with an increase in the molecular weight of DX. Surface hydrophobicity, antioxidant activity and solubility of PPI-DC were significantly improved after grafting compared with PPI and PPI-DX mixtures (PPI-DM). Astaxanthin-loaded emulsions stabilized by grafted conjugates had smaller droplets and higher astaxanthin encapsulation rate compared to PPI emulsions. In vitro digestion demonstrated that the bioavailability of PPI-DC emulsions was higher than of PPI emulsion. Furthermore, after 24 days of storage, retention rate of astaxanthin-loaded emulsions prepared by conjugates remained above 70%, surpassing that of PPI emulsion. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that DX grafting can improve the emulsion properties of PPI. In addition, the DX with a molecular weight of 5 kDa showed the most significant improvement. This study contributes to the advancement of natural emulsifiers by modifying PPI through glycation, and furnishes a valuable reference for its utilization in functional foods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of mung bean protein hydrolysate of protamex induced by ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The limited physicochemical properties (such as low foaming and emulsifying capacity) of mung bean protein hydrolysate restrict its application in the food industry. Ultrasound treatment could change the structures of protein hydrolysate to accordingly affect its physicochemical properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ultrasound treatment on the structural and physicochemical properties of mung bean protein hydrolysate of protamex (MBHP). The structural characteristics of MBHP were evaluated using tricine sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, laser scattering, fluorescence spectrometry, etc. Solubility, fat absorption capacity and foaming, emulsifying and thermal properties were determined to characterize the physicochemical properties of MBHP. RESULTS: MBHP and ultrasonicated-MBHPs (UT-MBHPs) all contained five main bands of 25.8, 12.1, 5.6, 4.8 and 3.9 kDa, illustrating that ultrasound did not change the subunits of MBHP. Ultrasound treatment increased the contents of α-helix, ß-sheet and random coil and enhanced the intrinsic fluorescence intensity of MBHP, but decreased the content of ß-turn, which demonstrated that ultrasound modified the secondary and tertiary structures of MBHP. UT-MBHPs exhibited higher solubility, foaming capacity and emulsifying properties than MBHP, among which MBHP-330 W had the highest solubility (97.32%), foaming capacity (200%), emulsification activity index (306.96 m2 g-1 ) and emulsion stability index (94.80%) at pH 9.0. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound treatment enhanced the physicochemical properties of MBHP, which could broaden its application as a vital ingredient in the food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Changes in quality components and antioxidant activity of peony seed soy sauce during low-salt solid-state fermentation.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the fermentation conditions of peony seed soy sauce (PSSS) koji were optimized by response surface method, and the quality components and antioxidant activity of PSSS were investigated at different low-salt solid-state fermentation stages. RESULTS: Results of response surface method showed that the optimal fermentation conditions were 460.6 g kg-1 water content, 48.6 h culture time, 31.5 °C culture temperature and ratio 2.1:1 (w/w) of peony seed meal:wheat bran, with the highest neutral protease activity (2193.78 U g-1 ) of PSSS koji. PSSS had the highest amino acid nitrogen (7.69 g L-1 ), salt-free soluble solids (185.26 g L-1 ), total free amino acids (49.03 g L-1 ), essential free amino acids (19.58 g L-1 ) and umami free amino acids (16.64 g L-1 ) at 20 days of fermentation. The highest total phenolics were 5.414 g gallic acid equivalent L-1 and total flavonoids 0.617 g rutin equivalent L-1 , as well as the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (86.19%) and reducing power (0.8802, A700 ) of PSSS fermented at 30 days. Sensory evaluation showed that fermentation of 20 days and 25 days could produce a better taste and aroma of PSSS than 15 days and 30 days. CONCLUSION: PSSS had the highest quality components in the middle of fermentation (20 days) and the highest antioxidant activity in the late fermentation period (30 days). These results demonstrated that peony seed meal could be used to produce high-quality soy sauce with high antioxidant activity. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection on the MRPS22 protein expression in rat spermatogenic cells and intervening effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection (UUI) on the expression of the mitochondrial ribosomal protein S22 (MRPS22) in rat spermatogenic cells and the intervening effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZBDH). METHODS: Forty-five SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number: normal control, UUI model control, ZBDH and azithromycin, and the UUI model was made by bladder injection of the standard UU strain in the latter three groups. After modeling, the rats in the ZBDH and azithromycin groups were treated intragastrically with ZBDH at 1 g/kg/d and azithromycin at 0.105 g/kg/d respectively, while those in the normal and UUI model control groups with normal saline at 1 ml/kg/d. At 21 days after intervention, all the animals were sacrificed and their testes harvested for observation of the apoptosis and mitochondrial ultrastructure of the spermatogenic cells, measurement of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by flow cytometry, and determination of the mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The apoptotic index of the rat sperma-togenic cells was significantly higher in the UUI model control than in the ZBDH and azithromycin groups (ï¼»11.23 ± 1.65ï¼½ % vs ï¼»6.62 ± 0.49ï¼½ % and ï¼»7.82 ± 0.81ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), but lower in the ZBDH than in the azithromycin group (P < 0.05). The mitochondrial ultrastructure of the spermatogenic cells was markedly improved in the ZBDH and azithromycin groups as compared with that in the model control. The MMP level was remarkably lower in the model control than in the normal control (ï¼»8.77 ± 1.73ï¼½ % vs ï¼»22.33 ± 1.66ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), but higher in the ZBDH (ï¼»18.26 ± 1.32ï¼½ %) than in the model control (P < 0.01) and the azithromycin group (ï¼»15.91 ± 1.69ï¼½ %) (P < 0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 were significantly lower in the model control (8.02 ± 3.21 and 22.65 ± 5.31) than in the normal control (15.43 ± 2.54 and 33.31 ± 7.09), ZBDH (11.26 ± 3.82 and 33.35 ± 3.96), and azithromycin group (8.79 ± 2.03 and 28.11 ± 4.13) (all P < 0.01), but both higher in the ZBDH than in the azithromycin group (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the MRPS22 protein expression and MMP (r = 0.639, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: UU infection induces the apoptosis of rat spermatogenic cells by inhibiting the mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 and reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential, while ZBDH can decrease the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by improving the mRNA and protein expressions of MRPS22 and enhancing the mitochondrial membrane potential.

[Effects of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase in the spermatogenic cells of rats with ureaplasma urealyticum infection].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZDD) on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COX) in the spermatogenic cells of rats with ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection. METHODS: From forty 4－5 months old SD rats, 30 were randomly selected for the establishment of the model of testicular UU infection by inoculating the bladder with UU suspension and the other 10 injected with normal saline as controls (group A). At 7 days after inoculation, the rat models of testicular UU infection were treated orally with normal saline (group B), ZDD at 1 g per kg of the body weight per day (group C), and azithromycin at 0.105 g per kg of the body weight per day (group D), respectively, once daily for 21 days. Then all the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal and testicular tissues collected for examination of sperm motility with the color sperm dynamic detection system, measurement of the COX activity with the immunohistochemical DAB method, and determination of the mRNA expressions of COXⅠ and COXⅡ by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with group A, group B showed significant decreases in such sperm parameters as grade a sperm (ï¼»1.03 ± 0.09ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.07 ± 0.03ï¼½ %, P<0.01), grade b sperm (ï¼»2.07 ± 0.52ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.35 ± 0.13ï¼½ %, P<0.01), straight line velocity (VSL) (ï¼»10.95 ± 0.98ï¼½ vs ï¼»6.78 ± 1.05ï¼½ µm/s, P<0.01), curvilinear velocity (VCL) (ï¼»42.03 ± 1.35ï¼½ vs ï¼»38.10 ± 7.65ï¼½ µm/s, P>0.05), average path velocity (VAP) (ï¼»16.22 ± 1.52ï¼½ vs ï¼»10.05 ± 1.80ï¼½ µm/s, P<0.01), and the mRNA expressions of COX Ⅰ (ï¼»2.25 ± 0.24ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.93 ± 0.10ï¼½ %, P<0.01) and Ⅱ (ï¼»6.72 ± 0.37ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.95 ± 0.78ï¼½ %, P<0.01). After treatment, all the parameters were remarkably increased in groups C and D (grade a sperm: ï¼»1.11 ± 0.30ï¼½ and ï¼»0.60 ± 0.19ï¼½%; grade b sperm: ï¼»2.40 ± 0.59ï¼½ and ï¼»1.32 ± 0.27ï¼½ %; VSL: ï¼»12.11 ± 1.62ï¼½ and ï¼»11.47 ± 1.21ï¼½ µm/s; VCL: ï¼»54.30 ± 2.35ï¼½ and ï¼»45.75 ± 1.64ï¼½ µm/s; VAP ï¼»18.40 ± 1.27ï¼½ and ï¼»16.69 ± 1.02ï¼½ µm/s; expression of COXⅠ mRNA: ï¼»1.86 ± 0.30ï¼½ and ï¼»1.74 ± 0.17ï¼½ %) as compared with those in group B (P<0.05or P<0.01) except the COX activity and the expression of COX Ⅱ mRNA (P>0.05), and all the parameters were significantly higher in group C than in D (P<0.05or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: UU infection can reduce grades a and b sperm, linear, curvilinear and mean sperm velocities, and the mRNA expressions of COX Ⅰ and Ⅱ while ZDD can improve these parameters. The improvement of sperm motility may not be associated with the activity of COX, and the COX activity may be related to the mRNA expression of COX II but not that of COXⅠ.

Effects of glycinin basic peptide on physicochemical characteristics and microbial inactivation of pasteurized milk.

The effects of glycinin basic peptide (GBP) on physicochemical characteristics and microbial inactivation of pasteurized milk were investigated over 21d of storage at 4°C. Sensory properties, total bacterial count, pH, alcohol levels, lactose content, and protein changes of pasteurized milk differentially treated with GBP were analyzed periodically during refrigerated storage. Compared with the control, reductions for total bacterial count and specific bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) in pasteurized milk treated with GBP during storage were found. However, sensory scores, pH, lactose, and protein contents of pasteurized milk treated with GBP were much higher than those of the control. A concentration of 0.015% (wt/vol) GBP could effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria in pasteurized milk, enhance its sensory and physicochemical properties, and extend its shelf life to 15d. Thus, GBP has good potential to be a natural milk preservative.

[Traditional Chinese Medicine promotes the development of andrology].

Andrology is an ancient branch of science which has gained a new development in the recent years and therefore has both traditional and modern characteristics. On the one hand, andrology keeps benefiting from the achievements of modern medicine and, on the other hand, it relies on the support of the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). An integration of Chinese and Western medical principles may further facilitate the development of andrology. TCM may contribute to the development of andrology by giving full play to its advantage as a psychosomatic medicine, enriching treatment strategies for male diseases with comprehensive TCM therapies, integrating the advantages of Western medicine to improve clinical efficacy, and normalizing the use of patent TCM drugs.

[Zhibai Dihuang Decoction improves the activity of sperm mitochondrial respiratory chain complex in rats with Ureaplasma urealyticum infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZDD) on the sperm mitochondrial respiratory chain complex (MRCC) in rats with Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection. METHODS: Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, sham operation, UU infection model control, ZDD (crude drug at 8.56 g per kg of the body weight per day), doxycycline (DC, at 20 mg per kg of the body weight per day), and ZDD+DC. The model of UU infection was established by injecting UU into the bladder of all the rats except those of the sham operation group. After modeling, the rats were treated intragastrically with respective drugs for 21 days and then executed and their epididymides harvested for examination of sperm quality and determination of the activities of sperm MRCCs I, II, III and IV by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: At 10 days after modeling, the UU-positive rates in the model control, sham operation, ZDD, DC and ZDD+DC groups were 92.9%, 0%, 33.3%, 26.7% and 20.0%, respectively, significantly higher in the model control than in the other groups (P<0.05). The epididymal sperm concentrations in the five groups were (0.97±0.23), (3.02±0.52), (1.21±0.35), (1.02±0.31) and (1.52±0.28) ×106 ml, the sperm motilities were (58.62±15.36), (80.45±7.21), (75.52±8.78), (68.43±10.25) and (78.25±7.67)%, and rates of grade a+b sperm were (6.15±1.02), (10.32±1.14), (10.12±1.08), (9.01+1.27) and (10.74±1.03)%, respectively, all remarkably lower in the model control than in the sham operation group (P<0.01), but markedly higher in the ZDD and ZDD+DC groups than in the model controls (P<0.05). The activities of MRCC I in the model control, sham operation, ZDD, DC and ZDD+DC groups were (31.54±16.25), (136.86±6.34), (100.68±14.41), (81.68±6.78) and (124.06±5.54) µmol/(min·mg), those of MRCC II were (9.50±3.86), (20.34±0.37), (10.88±1.04), (12.93±1.07) and (16.23±0.60) µmol/(min·mg), those of MRCC III were (5.58±1.79), (19.60±0.61), (11.34±1.35), (13.87±1.23) and (15.96±0.69) µmol/(min·mg), and those of MRCC IV were (9.54±1.34), (28.98±3.33), (17.02±2.04), (18.41±2.67) and (21.66±2.93) µmol/(min·mg), respectively, all significantly lower in the model control than in the sham operation group (P<0.01), with the activities of MRCCs I, III and IV remarkably higher in the ZDD, DC and ZDD+DC groups (P<0.01) and that of MRCC II higher in the DC and ZDD+DC groups than in the model control (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ZDD can improve the epididymal sperm quality and the activity of the sperm MRCC in UU-infected rats, which may be one of the mechanisms of ZDD acting on male infertility caused by UU infection.

[Effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction on Expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in Spermatogenic Cells of UU-infected Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZDD) on mRNA and protein expressions of transient receptor potential family vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) and transient receptor potential family vanilloid subtype 5 (TRPV5) in Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU)-infected rat semens and spermatogenic cells, and to explore the pathomechanism of UU-infected infertility and the intervention of ZDD. METHODS: Totally 45 were randomly selected from 60 4-5 months old SD rats. UU testicular infected animal models were set up after bladder inoculation of UU suspension. The remaining 15 rats were simultaneously injected with normal saline as a normal control group. After a successful modeling, UU infected model rats were randomly divided into the model group, the azithromycin group, and the ZDD group, 15 in each group. Rats in the ZDD group were administered with ZDD at the daily dose of 1 g/kg by gastrogavage. Rats in the azithromycin group were administered with azithromycin suspension at the daily dose of 0. 105 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily for 21 successive days. Testes and epididymis were extracted after rats were killed and UU positive rates were compared among all groups. Sperm cells were separated using a mechanical separation technique. Sperm motility parameters were detected using color sperm motion detection system. mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermatogenic cells were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The UU positive rate was obviously higher in the model group than in the normal control group [(86.7% (13/15 cases) vs. 0] P < 0.05). It was lower in the ZDD group [33.3% (5/15 cases)] and the azithromycin group [26.7% (4/15 cases)] than in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, class A and B sperms were reduced, the linear velocity and the average velocity were significantly lowered, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermated genic cells significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, class A and B sperms were increased, linear and curve velocities and the average velocity were significantly elevated, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 significantly increased in the ZDD group and the azithromycin group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with azithromycin group, class A and B sperms were increased, the linear velocity and the average velocity were significantly elevated, mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 significantly increased in the ZDD group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ZDD could fight against UU infection and elevate semen quality, which might be associated with up-regulating mRNA and protein expressions of TRPV1 and TRPV5 in spermatogenic cells.

Research on the Synergistic Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) by the Gastrointestinal Digestion Products of the ACE Inhibitory Peptide FPPDVA.

To gain a deeper understanding of the ACE inhibition effect, the inhibitory effect of ACE-inhibiting peptide (ACEIP) FPPDVA's digestive products on ACE was further investigated. Two novel peptides, PD (IC50 = 161.1 ± 1.10 µM) and DV (IC50 = 66.51 ± 0.99 µM) were identified in the digestive products of FPPDVA using LC-MS/MS. The Peptide Mix (FPPDVA, PD, and DV) exhibited a remarkable synergistic effect on ACE inhibition by significantly enhancing it by up to 508% compared to the individual peptides alone. Furthermore, theoretical simulations suggest that the Peptide Mix synergistically inhibits ACE activity by forming more stable complexes with the active site of ACE, facilitated by an increased number of hydrogen bonds. Additionally, Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis and spectroscopic studies further verified the presence of these stable complexes. ITC results show that the combination of Peptides Mix and ACE is a spontaneous exothermic process driven by entropy. The study showed that FPPDVA has a stronger inhibitory effect on ACE after digestion, making it suitable as an antihypertensive peptide in functional foods.

The potential of glycinin basic peptide derived from soybean as a promising candidate for the natural food additive and preservative: A review.

Glycinin basic peptide (GBP) is the basic polypeptide of soybean glycinin that is isolated using cheap and readily available raw materials (soybean meals). GBP can bear high-temperature processing and has good functional properties, such as emulsification and adhesion properties et al. GBP exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. Beyond that, GBP shows enormous application potential to improve the quality and extend the shelf life of food products. This review will systematically provide information on the purification, physicochemical and functional properties of GBP. Moreover, the antimicrobial activities and multi-target antimicrobial mechanism of GBP as well as the applications of GBP in different food products are also reviewed and discussed in detail. This review aims to offer valuable insights for the applications of GBP in the food industry as a promising natural food additive and preservative.

[Changes in serum high mobility group box-1 protein and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with acute cerebral infarction and their clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the potential role of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in acute cerebral infarction (ACI). METHODS: Forty patients with ACI were enrolled within 72 hours after onset of symptom in this study. Venous blood samples were collected within 24 hours of admission, 7th day and 12th day after admission. Serum HMGB1 and hs-CRP levels were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: Serum HMGB1 levels (µg/L) at all time points (24 hours: 7.598±0.280, 7th day: 10.491±0.512, 12th day: 5.315±0.224) were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (n=20, 2.994±0.243) and risk factor group in which patients suffered from one risk factor in hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipemia at least (n=20, 3.272±0.285), with significant difference (all P<0.01). Serum hs-CRP levels (mg/L, 24 hours: 5.815±0.408, 7th day: 5.063±0.510, 12th day: 2.863±0.297) of the patients were also significantly higher than those of healthy controls (0.642±0.047), with significant difference (all P<0.01), and serum hs-CRP levels on 12th day were similar to that in risk factor group (2.514±0.312), with no significant difference (P>0.05). Serum HMGB1 levels in risk factor group were higher than those in healthy control group but with no significant difference (P>0.05), and serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher than those in healthy control group (P<0.01). The levels of HMGB1 and hs-CRP in serum were similar between patients with cerebral infarction in vertebral basilar system (n=17) and internal carotid artery system (n=23), and the result showed that the serum HMGB1 or hs-CRP levels had no correlation with infarct site, but had significantly positive correlations with the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score [r1=0.377, P1=0.034; r2=0.353, P2=0.025]. In addition, there was a positive correlation between levels of serum HMGB1 and hs-CRP (r=0.428, P=0.047). CONCLUSIONS; Inflammatory mediators including HMGB1 and hs-CRP might play important roles in the pathogenesis of ACI. They were positively correlated with the severity of ACI, while not correlated with infarct sites. Serum hs-CRP levels in ACI could be of value in early diagnosing of cerebral infarction. Serial determination of serum HMGB1 and hs-CRP levels might be helpful to evaluate the severity and prognosis of ACI.

Physicochemical, functional and antioxidant properties of mung bean protein enzymatic hydrolysates.

This study aimed to investigate physicochemical, functional and antioxidant properties of mung bean protein (MBP) enzymatic hydrolysates (MBPEHs) by alcalase, neutrase, protamex, flavourzyme and papain. Physicochemical properties were evaluated by SDS-PAGE, particle size distribution, FTIR, ultraviolet visible and fluorescence spectrophotometries. ABTS, hydroxyl scavenging, Fe2+ chelating activity were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Enzymolysis with five proteases decreased average particle size, α-helix, ß-sheet, surface hydrophobicity of hydrolysates. Alcalase hydrolysate had the highest degree of hydrolysis (23.55%), absolute zeta potential (33.73 mV) and the lowest molecular weight (<10 kDa). Protamex and papain hydrolysates had higher foaming capacities, emulsification activity indexes, emulsion stability indexes (235.00%, 123.07 m2/g, 132.54 min; 200.10%, 105.39 m2/g, 190.67 min) than MBP (135.03%, 20.03 m2/g, 30.88 min). Alcalase hydrolysate demonstrated the lowest IC50 (mg/mL) in ABTS (0.12), hydroxyl (2.98), Fe2+ chelating (0.22). These results provide support for application of MBPEHs as foaming agent, emulsifier and antioxidant in food industry.

Influence of ultrasound treatment on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of mung bean protein hydrolysate.

This study aimed to investigate influence of ultrasonic treatment on physicochemical and antioxidant properties of mung bean protein hydrolysate (MPH). Physicochemical properties of MPH were evaluated by Tricine-SDS-PAGE, particle size distribution, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and fluorescence spectroscopy, among others. Radicals scavenging activities of ABTS, hydroxyl, superoxide anion, Fe2+ chelating ability and reducing power characterized antioxidant activities of MPH. MPH contained four bands of 25.6, 12.8, 10.6 and 4.9 kDa, in which 4.9 kDa was the most abundant. Ultrasonic treatment increased the contents of aromatic and hydrophobic amino acids in MPH. Ultrasonic treatment decreased the content of α-helix of MPH and increased ß-sheet and ß-turn compared to MPH. MPH-546 W (ultrasonic treatment 546 W, 20 min) had the lowest average particle size (290.13 nm), zeta potential (-36.37 mV) and surface hydrophobicity (367.95 A.U.). Antioxidant activities of ultrasonicated-MPH increased with the ultrasonic power, achieving the lowest IC50 (mg/mL) of 0.1087 (ABTS), 1.796 (hydroxyl), 1.003 (superoxide anion) and 0.185 (Fe2+ chelating ability) in 546 W power. These results indicated ultrasonic treatment would be a promising method to improve the antioxidant properties of MPH, which would broaden the application scope of MPH as bioactive components in the food industry.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) seed protein hydrolysates obtained with different proteases.

The physicochemical and antioxidant properties of tree peony seed protein (TPSP) hydrolysates by Alcalase, Neutrase, Papain, Protamex, and Flavourzyme were investigated in this study. The physicochemical properties were characterized by SDS-PAGE, particle size distribution, fourier transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy etc. The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH radical, ABTS radical, Fe2+ chelating, and reducing power. The results showed five proteases produced hydrolysates with a significantly reduced average particle size, α-helices, and surface hydrophobicity compared to TPSP. Alcalase and Neutrase hydrolysis enhanced the nutritional value of the hydrolysates. Alcalase hydrolysates possessed the highest degree of hydrolysis (27.97%) and lowest molecular weight (<13 kDa) with average particle size (231.33 nm). Alcalase hydrolysate displayed the highest radical scavenging (DPPH IC50 = 0.18 mg/mL, ABTS IC50 = 1.57 mg/mL), Fe2+ chelating activity (IC50 = 0.99 mg/mL), and reducing power (0.594). These results provide the fundamentals for TPSP hydrolysates as antioxidants to be employed in food industry or pharmaceutical industry.

Exploring the Mechanism of Zhibai Dihuang Decoction in the Treatment of Ureaplasma Urealyticum-Induced Orchitis Based on Integrated Pharmacology.

Background: Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection is the most common cause of male infertility. Zhibai Dihuang Decoction (ZBDHD) can improve the rate of forwarding motility sperm, sperm deformity rate, seminal plasma zinc and refined berry sugar levels. Methods: The potential targets of ZBDHD are obtained from The Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM). Orchitis-related targets were collected from the Genecards and OMIM databases. The Cytoscape and the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) were utilized to construct and analyzed the networks. Finally, a rat model of orchitis caused by UU infection was used to detect related indicators of mitochondrial energy metabolism using TUNEL apoptosis detection technology, loss cytometry, Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western Blot. Results: A total of 795 ZBDHD targets and 242 orchitis-related targets were obtained. The "ZBDHD- orchitis PPI network" was constructed and analyzed. ZBDHD can regulate signaling pathways and biological processes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism. The results of experimental studies have shown that ZBDHD maintains the integrity of sperm mitochondrial respiratory chain function by enhancing mitochondrial Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities, promotes the synthesis of mitochondrial ATP, and improves sperm energy supply, thereby improving the motility, vitality and survival rate of sperm, and effectively improving the quality of semen in UU-infected rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion:This study discovered the multi-pathway mechanism of ZBDHD intervention in UU-induced orchitis through integrated pharmacological strategies, which provides a reference for further research on the mechanism of ZBDHD intervention in orchitis in the direction of mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Inactivation of soybean lipoxygenase in soymilk by pulsed electric fields.

The inactivation of soybean lipoxygenase by pulsed electric fields (PEF) was studied. Effects of PEF parameters (treatment time, pulse strength, pulse frequency and pulse width) were evaluated. Soymilk was exposed to pulsed strengths from 20 to 42kV/cm for up to 1036µs treatment time in square wave pulse of bipolar mode. Moreover, pulse frequency (100-600Hz) and pulse width (1-5µs) was also tested at constant pulsed treatment time of 345µs and strength of 30kV/cm. Residual activity of soybean lipoxygenase decreased with the increase of treatment time, pulse strength, pulse frequency and pulse width. The maximum inactivation of soybean lipoxygenase by PEF achieved 88% at 42kV/cm for 1036µs with 400Hz of pulse frequency and 2µs of pulse width at 25°C. Inactivation of soybean lipoxygenase by pulsed electric fields was modeled using several kinetic models. Weibull distribution function was most suitable model describing the inactivation of soybean LOX as a function of pulsed electric fields process parameters. Moreover, reduction of soybean LOX activity related to the electric field strength could be well described by the Fermi model.