Effectors with chitinase activity (EWCAs), a family of conserved, secreted fungal chitinases that suppress chitin-triggered immunity.

In plants, chitin-triggered immunity is one of the first lines of defense against fungi, but phytopathogenic fungi have developed different strategies to prevent the recognition of chitin. Obligate biotrophs such as powdery mildew fungi suppress the activation of host responses; however, little is known about how these fungi subvert the immunity elicited by chitin. During epiphytic growth, the cucurbit powdery mildew fungus Podosphaera xanthii expresses a family of candidate effector genes comprising nine members with an unknown function. In this work, we examine the role of these candidates in the infection of melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants, using gene expression analysis, RNAi silencing assays, protein modeling and protein-ligand predictions, enzymatic assays, and protein localization studies. Our results show that these proteins are chitinases that are released at pathogen penetration sites to break down immunogenic chitin oligomers, thus preventing the activation of chitin-triggered immunity. In addition, these effectors, designated effectors with chitinase activity (EWCAs), are widely distributed in pathogenic fungi. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which fungi suppress plant immunity and reinforce the idea that preventing the perception of chitin by the host is mandatory for survival and development of fungi in plant environments.

Targeting bacterial growth in biofilm conditions: rational design of novel inhibitors to mitigate clinical and food contamination using QSAR.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global issue exacerbated by the abuse of antibiotics and the formation of bacterial biofilms, which cause up to 80% of human bacterial infections. This study presents a computational strategy to address AMR by developing three novel quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models based on molecular topology to identify potential anti-biofilm and antibacterial agents. The models aim to determine the chemo-topological pattern of Gram (+) antibacterial, Gram (-) antibacterial, and biofilm formation inhibition activity. The models were applied to the virtual screening of a commercial chemical database, resulting in the selection of 58 compounds. Subsequent in vitro assays showed that three of these compounds exhibited the most promising antibacterial activity, with potential applications in enhancing food and medical device safety.

The Effect of Ultrasound on the Extraction and Functionality of Proteins from Duckweed (Lemna minor).

The inclusion of protein in the regular human diet is important for the prevention of several chronic diseases. In the search for novel alternative protein sources, plant-based proteins are widely explored from a sustainable and ecological point of view. Duckweed (Lemna minor), also known as water lentil, is an aquatic plant with potential applications for human consumption due to its protein content and carbohydrate contents. Among all the conventional and novel protein extraction methods, the utilization of ultrasound has attracted the attention of scientists because of its effects on improving protein extraction and its functionalities. In this work, a Box-Behnken experimental design was proposed to optimize the alkaline extraction of protein from duckweed. In addition, an exploration of the effects of ultrasound on the morphological, structural, and functional properties of the extracted protein was also addressed. The optimal extraction parameters were a pH of 11.5 and an ultrasound amplitude and processing time of 60% and 20 min, respectively. These process conditions doubled the protein content extracted in comparison to the value from the initial duckweed sample. Furthermore, the application of ultrasound during the extraction of protein generated changes in the FTIR spectra, color, and structure of the duckweed protein, which resulted in improvements in its solubility, emulsifying properties, and foaming capacity.

Are U-U Bonds Inside Fullerenes Really Unwilling Bonds?

Previous characterizations of diactinide endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) Th2@C80 and U2@C80 have shown that although the two Th3+ ions form a strong covalent bond within the carbon cage, the interaction between the U3+ ions is weaker and described as an "unwilling" bond. To evaluate the feasibility of covalent U-U bonds, which are neglected in classical actinide chemistry, we have first investigated the formation of smaller diuranium EMFs by laser ablation using mass spectrometric detection of dimetallic U2@C2n species with 2n ≥ 50. DFT, CASPT2 calculations, and MD simulations for several fullerenes of different sizes and symmetries showed that thanks to the formation of strong U(5f3)-U(5f3) triple bonds, two U3+ ions can be incarcerated inside the fullerene. The formation of U-U bonds competes with U-cage interactions that tend to separate the U ions, hindering the observation of short U-U distances in the crystalline structures of diuranium endofullerenes as in U2@C80. Smaller cages like C60 exhibit the two interactions, and a strong triple U-U bond with an effective bond order higher than 2 is observed. Although 5f-5f interactions are responsible for the covalent interactions at distances close to 2.5 Å, overlap between 7s6d orbitals is still detected above 4 Å. In general, metal ions within fullerenes should be regarded as templates in cage formation, not as statistically confined units that have little chance of being observed.

Combining high pressure and electric fields towards Nannochloropsis oculata eicosapentaenoic acid-rich extracts.

Nannochloropsis oculata is naturally rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). To turn this microalga into an economically viable source for commercial applications, extraction efficiency must be achieved. Pursuing this goal, emerging technologies such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and moderate electric fields (MEF) were tested, aiming to increase EPA accessibility and subsequent extraction yields. The innovative approach used in this study combined these technologies and associated tailored, less hazardous different solvent mixtures (SM) with distinct polarity indexes. Although the classical Folch SM with chloroform: methanol (PI 4.4) provided the highest yield concerning total lipids (166.4 mglipid/gbiomass), diethyl ether: ethanol (PI 3.6) presented statistically higher values in terms of EPA per biomass, corresponding to 1.3-fold increase. When SM were used in HHP and MEF, neither technology independently improved EPA extraction yields, although the sequential combination of technologies did result in 62% increment in EPA extraction. Overall, the SM and extraction methodologies tested (HHP-200 MPa, 21 °C, 15 min, followed by MEF processing at 40 °C, 15 min) enabled increased EPA extraction yields from wet N. oculata biomass. These findings are of high relevance for the food and pharmaceutical industries, providing viable alternatives to the "classical" extraction methodologies and solvents, with increased yields and lower environmental impact. KEY POINTS: • Et2O: EtOH is a less toxic and more efficient alternative to Folch solvent mixture • HHP or MEF per se was not able to significantly increase EPA extraction yield • Combinations of HHP and MEF technologies increased both lipids and EPA yields.

Insecticidal features displayed by the beneficial rhizobacterium Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606.

The biocontrol rhizobacterium Pseudomonas chlororaphis is one of the bacterial species of the P. fluorescens group where insecticide fit genes have been found. Fit toxin, supported with other antimicrobial compounds, gives the bacterial the ability to repel and to fight against eukaryotic organisms, such as nematodes and insect larvae, thus protecting the plant host and itself. Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606 is an antagonistic rhizobacterium isolated from avocado roots and show efficient biocontrol against fungal soil-borne disease. The main antimicrobial compound produced by P. chlororaphis PCL606 is 2-hexyl-5-propyl resorcinol (HPR), which plays a crucial role in effective biocontrol against fungal pathogens. Further analysis of the P. chlororaphis PCL1606 genome showed the presence of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), pyrrolnitrin (PRN), and homologous fit genes. To test the insecticidal activity and to determine the bases for such activity, single and double mutants on the biosynthetic genes of these four compounds were tested in a Galleria mellonella larval model using inoculation by injection. The results revealed that Fit toxin and HPR in combination are involved in the insecticide phenotype of P. chlororaphis PCL1606, and additional compounds such as HCN and PRN could be considered supporting compounds.

Unexpected Antioxidant Efficiency of Chlorogenic Acid Phenolipids in Fish Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions: An Example of How Relatively Low Interfacial Concentrations Can Make Antioxidants to Be Inefficient.

Selecting effective antioxidants is challenging since their efficiency in inhibiting lipid oxidation depends on the rate constants of the chemical reactions involved and their concentration at the reaction site, i.e., at the interfacial region. Accumulation of antioxidants at the interface of emulsions is key to modulate their efficiency in inhibiting lipid oxidation but its control was not well understood, especially in emulsions. It can be optimized by modifying the physicochemical properties of antioxidants or the environmental conditions. In this work, we analyze the effects of surfactant concentration, droplet size, and oil to water ratio on the effective interfacial concentration of a set of chlorogenic acid (CGA) esters in fish oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions and nanoemulsions and on their antioxidant efficiency. A well-established pseudophase kinetic model is used to determine in the intact emulsified systems the effective concentrations of the antioxidants (AOs). The relative oxidative stability of the emulsions is assessed by monitoring the formation of primary oxidation products with time. Results show that the concentration of all AOs at the interfacial region is much higher (20-90 fold) than the stoichiometric one but is much lower than those of other phenolipid series such as caffeic or hydroxytyrosol derivatives. The main parameter controlling the interfacial concentration of antioxidants is the surfactant volume fraction, ΦI, followed by the O/W ratio. Changes in the droplet sizes (emulsions and nanoemulsions) have no influence on the interfacial concentrations. Despite the high radical scavenging capacity of CGA derivatives and their being concentrated at the interfacial region, the investigated AOs do not show a significant effect in inhibiting lipid oxidation in contrast with what is observed using other series of homologous antioxidants with similar reactivity. Results are tentatively interpreted in terms of the relatively low interfacial concentrations of the antioxidants, which may not be high enough to make the rate of the inhibition reaction faster than the rate of radical propagation.

Valorization of Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) Grain Extracts for the Development of Alginate-Based Active Films.

This research work investigates the development of alginate-based films incorporating phenolic compounds extracted from Amaranthus cruentus grain using different solvents. Alginate, glycerol, and amaranth grain phenolic compounds at various concentrations were used to produce the films. An experimental Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was used to evaluate the effect of these variables on different film's properties, i.e., water vapor permeability, hydrophobicity, moisture content, solubility, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. This study demonstrated that high phenolic compound content and antioxidant capacity were obtained from amaranth grain using ethanol as the extraction solvent. Alginate films incorporating amaranth phenolic compounds were successfully manufactured, and this study can be used to tailor the formulation of alginate films containing amaranth phenolic compounds, depending on their final food application. For example, less flexible but more resistant and water-soluble films can be produced by increasing the alginate concentration, which was confirmed by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis. This study showed that active alginate films with amaranth phenolic compounds can be tailored to be used as food packaging material with potential antioxidant activity.

Do preterm-born children and adolescents have greater need for dental care as compared to full term-born controls?

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth has been shown to cause various long-term health issues. Children who were born preterm have also been observed to have more dental behaviour management problems (DBMP) during dental examinations and treatment than children born full term. It is known that dental radiographic examinations can be uncomfortable and cause anxiety in paediatric patients. Thus, our aims were to retrospectively compare dental care related examinations and treatments carried out in three different age intervals (3-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13-19 years) among preterm- and full-term born children and adolescents. METHODS: The present study included 311 patient files: 122 very preterm-born and 33 extremely preterm-born children and adolescents (< 32 gestational weeks). A matched control group of 156 full term-born children and adolescents (≥ 37 gestational weeks) was analysed for comparison. Various factors, including DBMP, missed appointments, dental caries, and radiographic examinations, were retrieved from the dental records for three age intervals: 3-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13-19 years. RESULTS: Extremely preterm-born children missed significantly more dental appointments and presented with more DBMP during dental examinations and treatment than full term-born children in the 3-6-year age group; the same was observed for the very preterm-born in the 7-12-year age group. No significant differences in DBMP during bitewing and periapical examinations or in number of bitewing, periapical and panoramic radiographs occurred between the groups in any age interval. CONCLUSION: Preterm-born children and adolescents may need more flexibility in booking and receive reminders for scheduled visits with the general dental team. Due to the non-significant differences in dental care related oral examinations and treatments, the same dental care service may be applied to the preterm- and full-term born children and adolescents.

A Hybrid Genome Assembly Resource for Podosphaera xanthii, the Main Causal Agent of Powdery Mildew Disease in Cucurbits.

Podosphaera xanthii is the main causal agent of powdery mildew in cucurbits and, arguably, the most important fungal pathogen of cucurbit crops. Here, we present the first reference genome assembly for P. xanthii. We performed a hybrid genome assembly, using reads from Illumina NextSeq550 and PacBio Sequel S3. The short and long reads were assembled into 1,727 scaffolds with an N50 size of 163,173 bp, resulting in a 142-Mb genome size. The combination of homology-based and ab initio predictions allowed the prediction of 14,911 complete genes. Repetitive sequences comprised 76.2% of the genome. Our P. xanthii genome assembly improves considerably the molecular resources for research on P. xanthii-cucurbit interactions and provides new opportunities for further genomics, transcriptomics, and evolutionary studies in powdery mildew fungi.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

A New Class of Molecular Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution: Catalytic Activity of M3N@C2n (2n = 68, 78, and 80) Fullerenes.

The electrocatalytic properties of some endohedral fullerenes for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) were recently predicted by DFT calculations. Nonetheless, the experimental catalytic performance under realistic electrochemical environments of these 0D-nanomaterials have not been explored. Here, for the first time, we disclose the HER electrocatalytic behavior of seven M3N@2n (2n = 68, 78, and 80) fullerenes (Gd3N@Ih(7)-C80, Y3N@Ih(7)-C80, Lu3N@Ih(7)-C80, Sc3N@Ih(7)-C80, Sc3N@D5h(6)-C80, Sc3N@D3h(5)-C78, and Sc3N@D3(6140)-C68) using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques. The non-IPR Sc3N@D3(6140)-C68 compound exhibited the best catalytic performance toward the generation of molecular hydrogen, exhibiting an onset potential of -38 mV vs RHE, a very high mass activity of 1.75 A·mg-1 at -0.4 V vs RHE, and an excellent electrochemical stability, retaining 96% of the initial current after 24 h. The superior performance was explained on the basis of the fused pentagon rings, which represent a new and promising HER catalytic motif.

Role of extracellular matrix components in the formation of biofilms and their contribution to the biocontrol activity of Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606.

Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606 (PcPCL1606) displays plant-colonizing features and exhibits antagonistic traits against soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi. Biofilm formation could be relevant for the PcPCL1606 lifestyle, and in this study the role of some putative extracellular matrix components (EMC; Fap-like fibre, alginate and Psl-like polysaccharides) in the biofilm architecture and biocontrol activity of this bacterium were determined. EMC such as the Fap-like fibre and alginate polysaccharide play secondary roles in biofilm formation in PcPCL1606, because they are not fundamental to its biofilm architecture in flow cell chamber, but synergistically they have shown to favour bacterial competition during biofilm formation. Conversely, studies on Psl-like polysaccharide have revealed that it may contain mannose, and that it is strongly involved in the PcPCL1606 biofilm architecture and niche competition. Furthermore, the Fap-like fibre and Psl-like exopolysaccharide play roles in early surface attachment and contribute to biocontrol activity against the white root rot disease caused by Rosellinia necatrix in avocado plants. These results constitute the first report regarding the study of the extracellular matrix of the PcPCL1606 strain and highlight the importance of a putative Fap-like fibre and Psl-like exopolysaccharide produced by PcPCL1606 in the biofilm formation process and interactions with the host plant root.

A Large Tn7-like Transposon Confers Hyper-Resistance to Copper in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

Copper resistance mechanisms provide an important adaptive advantage to plant pathogenic bacteria under exposure to copper treatments. Copper resistance determinants have been described in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) strains isolated from mango intimately associated with 62 kb plasmids belonging to the pPT23A family (PFP). It has been previously described that the indiscriminate use of copper-based compounds promotes the selection of copper resistant bacterial strains and constitutes a selective pressure in the evolution of copper resistance determinants. Hence, we have explored in this study the copper resistance evolution and the distribution of specific genetic determinants in two different Pss mango populations isolated from the same geographical regions, mainly from southern Spain with an average of 20 years of difference. The total content of plasmids, in particular the 62 kb plasmids, and the number of copper resistant Pss strains were maintained at similar levels over the time. Interestingly, the phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of a phylogenetic subgroup (PSG) in the Pss mango phylotype, mostly composed of the recent Pss population analyzed in this study that was strongly associated with a hyper-resistant phenotype to copper. Genome sequencing of two selected Pss strains from this PSG revealed the presence of a large Tn7-like transposon of chromosomal location, which harbored putative copper and arsenic resistance genes (COARS Tn7-like). Transformation of the copper sensitive Pss UMAF0158 strain with some putative copper resistance genes and RT-qPCR experiments brought into light the role of COARS Tn7-like transposon in the hyper-resistant phenotype to copper in Pss.IMPORTANCECopper compounds have traditionally been used as standard bactericides in agriculture in the past few decades. However, the extensive use of copper has fostered the evolution of bacterial copper resistance mechanisms. Pseudomonas syringae is a plant pathogenic bacterium used worldwide as a model to study plant-pathogen interactions. The adaption of P. syringae to plant surface environment is the most important step prior to an infection. In this scenario, copper resistance mechanisms could play a key role in improving its epiphytic survival. In this work, a novel Tn7-like transposon of chromosomal location was detected in P. syringae pv. syringae strains isolated from mango. This transposon conferred the highest resistance to copper sulfate described to date for this bacterial phytopathogen. Understanding in depth the copper resistance mechanisms and their evolution are important steps to the agricultural industry to get a better improvement of disease management strategies.

Influence of the addition of different ingredients on the bioaccessibility of glucose released from rice during dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Rice represents a primary source of carbohydrates in human nutrition. Upon its consumption, the released sugars are mostly absorbed, categorising rice as a high glycemic index food. Addition of ingredients is common practice when cooking rice, which may affect rice digestibility and influence nutrients absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, enabling a controlled glucose release. In this sense, rice formulations were submitted to a dynamic in vitro GI model, constituted by reactors that simulates peristalsis coupled to filtration membranes, to evaluate carbohydrates hydrolysis and bioaccessibility. Addition of quinoa and wholegrains reduced carbohydrates hydrolysis (i.e. 38.5 ± 5.08% and 57.98 ± 1.91%, respectively) and glucose bioaccessibility (i.e. 25.92 ± 5.70% and 42.56 ± 1.39%, respectively) when compared with brown rice (i.e. 63.86 ± 2.96% hydrolysed and 44.33 ± 1.88% absorbed). Addition of vegetables significantly decreased sample chewiness and resulted in superior hydrolysis (71.75 ± 7.44%) and glucose absorption (51.61 ± 6.25%).

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) By-Products Valorization: Novel Bio Ingredients for Functional Foods.

Pineapple is consumed on a large scale around the world due to its appreciated sensorial characteristics. The industry of minimally processed pineapple produces enormous quantities of by-products (30-50%) which are generally undervalued. The end-of-life of pineapple by-products (PBP) can be replaced by reuse and renewal flows in an integrated process to promote economic growth by reducing consumption of natural resources and diminishing food waste. In our study, pineapple shell (PS) and pineapple core (PC), vacuum-packed separately, were subjected to moderate hydrostatic pressure (225 MPa, 8.5 min) (MHP) as abiotic stress to increase bromelain activity and antioxidant capacity. Pressurized and raw PBP were lyophilized to produce a stable powder. The dehydrated samples were characterized by the following methodologies: chemical and physical characterization, total phenolic compounds (TPC), antioxidant capacity, bromelain activity, microbiology, and mycotoxins. Results demonstrated that PBP are naturally rich in carbohydrates (66-88%), insoluble (16-28%) and soluble (2-4%) fiber, and minerals (4-5%). MHP was demonstrated to be beneficial in improving TPC (2-4%), antioxidant activity (2-6%), and bromelain activity (6-32%) without affecting the nutritional value. Furthermore, microbial and mycotoxical analysis demonstrated that powdered PC is a safe by-product. PS application is possible but requires previous decontamination to reduce the microbiological load.

Are olive pomace powders a safe source of bioactives and nutrients?

BACKGROUND: The olive oil industry generates significant amounts of semi-solid wastes, namely olive pomace. Olive pomace is a by-product rich in high-value compounds (e.g. dietary fibre, unsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols) widely explored to obtain new food ingredients. However, conventional extraction methods frequently use organic solvents, while novel eco-friendly techniques have high operational costs. The development of powdered products without any extraction step has been proposed as a more feasible and sustainable approach. RESULTS: The present study fractionated and valorized the liquid and pulp fraction of olive pomace obtaining two stable and safe powdered ingredients, namely a liquid-enriched powder (LOPP) and a pulp-enriched powder (POPP). These powders were characterized chemically, and their bioactivity was assessed. LOPP exhibited a significant amount of mannitol (141 g kg-1 ), potassium (54 g kg-1 ) and hydroxytyrosol derivatives (5 mg g-1 ). POPP exhibited a high amount of dietary fibre (620 g kg-1 ) associated with a significant amount of bound phenolics (7.41 mg GAE g-1 fibre DW) with substantial antioxidant activity. POPP also contained an unsaturated fatty acid composition similar to that of olive oil (76% of total fatty acids) and showed potential as a reasonable source of protein (12%). Their functional properties (solubility, water-holding and oil-holding capacity), antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity were also assessed, and their biological safety was verified. CONCLUSIONS: The development of olive pomace powders for application in the food industry could be a suitable strategy to add value to olive pomace and obtain safe multifunctional ingredients with higher health-promoting effects than dietary fibre and polyphenols. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unexpected Formation of Metallofulleroids from Multicomponent Reactions, with Crystallographic and Computational Studies of the Cluster Motion.

New multicomponent reactions involving an isocyanide, terminal or internal alkynes, and endohedral metallofullerene (EMF) Lu3 N@C80 yield metallofulleroids which are characterized by mass-spectrometry, HPLC, and multiple 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Single crystal studies revealed one ketenimine metallofulleroid has ordered Lu3 N cluster which is unusual for EMF monoadducts. Computational analysis, based on crystallographic data, confirm that the endohedral cluster motion is controlled by the position of the exohedral organic appendants. Our findings provide a new functionalization reaction for EMFs, and a potential facile approach to freeze the endohedral cluster motion at relatively high temperatures.

More than words: the chemistry behind the interactions in the plant holobiont.

Plants and microbes have evolved sophisticated ways to communicate and coexist. The simplest interactions that occur in plant-associated habitats, i.e., those involved in disease detection, depend on the production of microbial pathogenic and virulence factors and the host's evolved immunological response. In contrast, microbes can also be beneficial for their host plants in a number of ways, including fighting pathogens and promoting plant growth. In order to clarify the mechanisms directly involved in these various plant-microbe interactions, we must still deepen our understanding of how these interkingdom communication systems, which are constantly modulated by resident microbial activity, are established and, most importantly, how their effects can span physically separated plant compartments. Efforts in this direction have revealed a complex and interconnected network of molecules and associated metabolic pathways that modulate plant-microbe and microbe-microbe communication pathways to regulate diverse ecological responses. Once sufficiently understood, these pathways will be biotechnologically exploitable, for example, in the use of beneficial microbes in sustainable agriculture. The aim of this review is to present the latest findings on the dazzlingly diverse arsenal of molecules that efficiently mediate specific microbe-microbe and microbe-plant communication pathways during plant development and on different plant organs.

Molecular architecture of bacterial amyloids in Bacillus biofilms.

The formation of biofilms provides structural and adaptive bacterial response to the environment. In Bacillus species, the biofilm extracellular matrix is composed of exopolysaccharides, hydrophobins, and several functional amyloid proteins. We report, using multiscale approaches such as solid-state NMR (SSNMR), electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and immune-gold labeling, the molecular architecture of B. subtilis and pathogenic B. cereus functional amyloids. SSNMR data reveal that the major amyloid component TasA in its fibrillar amyloid form contain ß-sheet and α-helical secondary structure, suggesting a nontypical amyloid architecture in B. subtilis. Proteinase K digestion experiments indicate the amyloid moiety is ∼100 aa long, and subsequent SSNMR and FTIR signatures for B. subtilis and B. cereus TasA filaments highlight a conserved amyloid fold, albeit with substantial differences in structural polymorphism and secondary structure composition. Structural analysis and coassembly data on the accessory protein TapA in B. subtilis and its counterpart camelysin in B. cereus reveal a catalyzing effect between the functional amyloid proteins and a common structural architecture, suggesting a coassembly in the context of biofilm formation. Our findings highlight nontypical amyloid behavior of these bacterial functional amyloids, underlining structural variations between biofilms even in closely related bacterial species.-El Mammeri, N., Hierrezuelo, J., Tolchard, J., Cámara-Almirón, J., Caro-Astorga, J., Álvarez-Mena, A., Dutour, A., Berbon, M., Shenoy, J., Morvan, E., Grélard, A., Kauffmann, B., Lecomte, S., de Vicente, A., Habenstein, B., Romero, D., Loquet, A. Molecular architecture of bacterial amyloids in Bacillus biofilms.

Evaluation of linseed oil oleogels to partially replace pork backfat in fermented sausages.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, fat replacement in meat products is a matter of concern in the meat industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the replacement of pork backfat with two oleogels of linseed in dry-cured sausages. RESULTS: Five batches of dry-cured sausages were prepared with two oleogels, a mixture of γ-oryzanol and ß-sitosterol (SO) and beeswax (B), at two levels of replacement (20% and 40%) (SO-20, SO-40, B-20, and B-40, respectively) and a control batch. The fatty acid profile improved in terms of nutrition: the polyunsaturated fatty acid / saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA) and n-6/n-3 ratio was about 1.41 and 0.93 for the higher levels of replacement, SO-40 and B-40, respectively. Quality parameters such as pH and color also changed with the inclusion of oleogels, resulting in changes in the sensory quality. CONCLUSION: Oleogels based on linseed enabled the replacement of pork backfat in fermented sausages. Depending on the level of fat substitution, such oleogels could replace fat in dry-cured sausages at the industrial level. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.