Laccase-Induced Gelation of Sugar Beet Pectin-Curcumin Nanocomplexes Enhanced by Genipin Crosslinking.

Research on the use of polysaccharides as hydrophobic bioactive carriers instead of proteins is still scarce. Sugar beet pectin (SBP) contains a small amount of protein and is a potential carrier for loading curcumin. In this work, SBP encapsulation, genipin crosslinking, and laccase-induced gelation were used to develop novel jelly food and improve the stability of curcumin without the incorporation of oil. By mixing the SBP solution (40 mg/mL) with curcumin powder (25 mg/mL SBP solution), an SBP-curcumin complex (SBP-Cur) was fabricated with a loading amount of 32 mg/g SBP, and the solubility of curcumin improved 116,000-fold. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that hydrophobic interactions drove the complexation of curcumin and SBP. Crosslinked by genipin (10 mM), SBP-Cur showed a dark blue color, and the gel strength of laccase-catalyzed gels was enhanced. Heating and UV radiation tests suggested that the genipin crosslinking and gelation strategies substantially improved the stability of curcumin. Because of the unique UV-blocking capacity of blue pigment, crosslinked samples retained 20% more curcumin than control samples. With the enhanced stability of curcumin, the crosslinked SBP-curcumin complexes could be a functional food ingredient used in functional drinks, baked food, and jelly food.

Thermomechanically micronized sugar beet pulp: Emulsification performance and the contribution of soluble elements and insoluble fibrous particles.

In this work, thermomechanically micronized sugar beet pulp (MSBP), a micron-scaled plant-based byproduct comprised of soluble elements (∼40 wt%) and insoluble fibrous particles (IFPs, ∼60 wt%), was used as a sole stabilizer for oil-in-water emulsion fabrication. The influence of emulsification parameters on the emulsifying properties of MSBP was investigated, including emulsification techniques, MSBP concentration, and oil weight fraction. High-speed shearing (M1), ultrasonication (M2), and microfludization (M3) were used to fabricate oil-in-water emulsions (20% oil) with 0.60 wt% MSBP as stabilizer, in which the d4,3 value was 68.3, 31.5, and 18.2 µm, respectively. Emulsions fabricated by M2 and M3 (higher energy input) were more stable than M1 (lower energy input) during long-term storage (30 days) as no significant increase of d4,3. As compared to M1, the adsorption ratio of IFPs and protein was increased from ∼0.46 and ∼0.34 to ∼0.88 and ∼0.55 by M3. Fabricated by M3, the creaming behavior of emulsions was completely inhibited with 1.00 wt% MSBP (20% oil) and 40% oil (0.60 wt% MSBP), showing a flocculated state and could be disturbed by sodium dodecyl sulfate. The gel-like network formed by IFPs could be strengthened after storage as both viscosity and module were significantly increased. During emulsification, the co-stabilization effect of the soluble elements and IFPs enabled a compact and hybrid coverage onto the droplet surface, which acted as a physical barrier to endow the emulsion with robust steric repulsion. Altogether, these findings suggested the feasibility of using plant-based byproducts as oil-in-water emulsion stabilizers.

The microstructure and thermal properties of pulsed electric field pretreated oxidized starch.

The structure and thermal properties of pulsed electric field (PEF) assisted sodium hypochlorite oxidized starch were investigated. The carboxyl content of the oxidized starch was increased by 25 % when compared with the traditional oxidation method. Dents and cracks were evident on the surface of the PEF-pretreated starch. Compared with native starch, the peak gelatinization temperature (Tp) of PEF-assisted oxidized starch (POS) was reduced by 10.3 °C, while that of the oxidized starch without PEF treatment (NOS) was only reduced by 7.4 °C. In addition, PEF treatment further reduces the viscosity and improve the thermal stability of the starch slurry. Therefore, PEF treatment combined with hypochlorite oxidation is an effective method to prepare oxidized starch. PEF showed great potential in expanding starch modification, to promote a wider application of oxidized starch in the paper, the textile and the food industry.

Acupoint catgut embedding improves learning and memory impairment in vascular dementia rats.

Background: Vascular dementia (VD) is a disease that affects brain function through cerebrovascular disease. Due to its complex pathogenesis, there is no effective drug treatment for VD. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of rats with VD and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods: A modified 4 vessel occlusion (4-VO) method was used to establish a VD model rat, and spatial learning and memory ability was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The protein expression levels were detected by Western blot. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used for histological analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for analysis of serum inflammatory factors. Results: We successfully constructed VD model rats with spatial learning and memory impairment, hippocampus injury, and high inflammatory response. Treatment of VD rats with acupoint catgut embedding significantly reduced escape latency and increased the time in the target quadrant and platform crossing times. VD-mediated hippocampal tissue damage and inflammatory reaction [down-regulating interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were significantly alleviated by acupoint catgut embedding treatment. In addition, further mechanism exploration found that acupoint catgut embedding treatment could improve the activity of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In summary, acupoint catgut embedding treatment improved spatial learning and memory loss, alleviated pathological damage of the hippocampus, and inhibited inflammation response in VD rats, which was probably related to the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: Acupoint catgut embedding may warrant further study as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of VD.

The foaming properties of sweet potato protein hydrolysates produced by Alcalase and Ficin.

BACKGROUND: The processing of sweet potatoes generates a waste by-product rich in sweet potato protein (SPP). OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effects of the concentrations of Alcalase and Ficin, hydrolysis time and pH value on the foaming properties of SPP hydrolysates (SPPHs) determined via gas sparging method were investigated. RESULTS: The results showed that SPPH prepared by Alcalase exhibited a significantly higher foaming expansion (the highest of 576%) than that of the SPP (462%) but displayed a weaker liquid volume stability compared with SPPH hydrolyzed by Ficin. The molecular weight of SPPH prepared by Alcalase was distributed in 10-30 kDa. A good microbiological quality of the SPPH prepared by Alcalase in pH 13 has been confirmed, and it is suitable for food application with respect to its microbiological safety profile. CONCLUSIONS: SPPH (pH 13) could be further safely applied in food, especially as a food additive at low concentrations to create a better organic plant-based foaming agent for the food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Valorizing protein-polysaccharide conjugates from sugar beet pulp as an emulsifier.

Inspired by the emulsion stability of sugar beet pulp pectin, the hydrophobic protein fraction in sugar beet pulp (SBP) is expected to feature high interfacial activity. This work retrieved alkaline extracted protein-polysaccharide conjugates (AEC) from partially depectinized SBP by hot alkaline extraction. AEC was protein-rich (57.20 %), and the polysaccharide mainly comprised neutral sugar, which adopted a rhamnogalacturonan-I pectin-like structure. The hydrophobic polypeptide chains tangled as a dense 'core' with polysaccharide chains attached as a hydrated 'shell' (hydrodynamic radius of ~110 nm). AEC could significantly decrease the oil-water interfacial tension (11.58 mN/m), featuring superior emulsification performance than three control emulsifiers, especially the excellent emulsifying stability (10 % oil) as the emulsion droplet size of 0.438 and 0.479 µm for fresh and stored (60 °C, 5 d) emulsions, respectively. The relationship of molecular structure to emulsification was investigated by specific enzymic modification, suggesting the intact macromolecular structure was closely related to emulsifying activity and that the NS fraction contributed greatly to emulsifying stability. Moreover, AEC was highly efficient to stabilize gel-like high internal phase emulsions (oil fraction 0.80) with low concentration (0.2 %) and even high ionic strength (0-1000 mM). Altogether, valorizing AEC as an emulsifier is feasible for high-value utilization of SBP.

Thermomechanically micronized sugar beet pulp: Dissociation mechanism, physicochemical characteristics, and emulsifying properties.

Sugar beet pulp (SBP), the main by-product of the beet sugar industry, has gained increasing attention due to its potential functional properties as a clean-label food ingredient. The aim of the present work was to optimize a food-grade approach for SBP micronization via harsh thermal pretreatment and ultrasonication, after which the micronized SBP was used as an emulsifier. Harsh thermal pretreatment substantially softened the compact particle structure of SBP, thereby improving breakage efficiency by reducing the ultrasonication time to 10 min (suspension stability of ∼100%). During ultrasonication, the particle size of SBP declined from ∼34 to ∼25 µm, which showed long and tangled morphology as fibers (diameter of 50-300 nm). The increased solubility enlarged the specific surface area of SBP from ∼0.6 to ∼3.5 g/m2, endowing it with a porous structure for improved ultrasonic energy adsorption, thereby preventing the degradation of the dissolved pectic polymers. The dissociation of SBP particles contributed to the enhancement of emulsification and was correlated with an increase in suspension stability. These findings provide a feasible strategy for the high added-value utilization of SBP.

A base-mediated aerobic oxidative synthesis of cyclopent-2-enol derivatives from doubly activated cyclopropanes and substituted acetonitriles.

We report here that polysubstituted cyclopent-2-enols can be constructed by the one-pot reaction of doubly activated cyclopropanes and α-EWG substituted acetonitriles under mild basic conditions via a domino-ring-opening-cyclization/deacylation/oxidation sequence. Moreover, the synthetic applications of these cyclopent-2-enols have been demonstrated in the late-stage derivatization into functionalized cyclopentapyrimidin-4-ones and 2-hydroxy cyclopentanones with good yields.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Immune-Inflammatory Response in Hippocampus of Rats with Vascular Dementia by Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88 Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates cognitive impairment by suppressing the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway, which triggers immune-inflammatory responses in the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia (VaD). METHODS: The experiments were conducted in 3 parts and in total the Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 8 groups by a random number table, including sham, four-vessel occlusion (4-VO), 4-VO+EA, 4-VO+non-EA, sham+EA, 4-VO+lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 4-VO+LPS+EA, and 4-VO+TAK-242 groups. The VaD model was established by the 4-VO method. Seven days later, rats were treated with EA at 5 acupoints of Baihui (DV 20), Danzhong (RN 17), Geshu (BL 17), Qihai (RN 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), once per day for 3 consecutive weeks. Lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte transformation rates, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) were measured to assess immune function and inflammation in VaD rats. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of nerve cells in the hippocampus. The levels of TLR4, MyD88, IL-6, and TNF-α were detected after EA treatment. TLR4/MyD88 signaling and cognitive function were also assessed after intracerebroventricular injection of TLR4 antagonist TAK-242 or TLR4 agonist LPS with or without EA. RESULTS: Compared with the 4-VO group, EA notably improved immune function of rats in the 4-VO+EA group, inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 in the hippocampus of rats, reduced the expressions of serum IL-6 and TNF-α (all P<0.05 or P<0.01), and led to neuronal repair in the hippocampus. There were no significant differences between the 4-VO+LPS+EA and 4-VO+EA groups, nor between the 4-VO+TAK-242 and 4-VO+EA groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA attenuated cognitive impairment associated with immune inflammation by inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway. Thus, EA may be a promising alternative therapy for the treatment of VaD.

Novel synthesis of fused spiro piperidone-cyclopropanes from cyclopropyl amides and electron-deficient alkenes.

We report here that a series of bridged O,O-ketal fused spiro piperidone-cyclopropane derivatives 3 can be constructed with excellent yields and good diastereoselectivity by the one-pot reaction of 1-acylcyclopropanecarboxamides 1 with electron-deficient alkene 2a (EWG = CHO) via the domino process involving [4 + 2] annulation/intermolecular electrophilic addition/intramolecular cyclization. Furthermore, reactions of 1 with 2b/2c (EWG = CN, COOMe), leading to spiro piperidone-cyclopropane derivatives 4 or 5 by base catalyst selection, were also presented.

[Anatomic structure of "Shaoze" (SI 1), "Qiangu" (SI 2), "Houxi" (SI 3), "Yanggu" (SI 5) and Xiaohai" (SI 8) regions of Hand-Taiyang Meridian in the rabbit's forelimb].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the anatomic structure of the Five Shu-acupoints: "Shaoze" (SI 1) ,"Qiangu" (SI 2), "Houxi" (SI 3),"Yanggu" (SI 5) and "Xiaohai" (SI 8) regions of the Taiyang Meridian in the rabbit's forelimb. METHODS: Thirty rabbits (half male and half female) were used in the present study. The Five Shu-acupoints regions were located first based on the atlas of rabbits, stimulated by needling and confirmed later by using an electronic acupoint detector. Under anesthesia, the rabbit was perfused with warm normal saline via the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein, followed by arterial perfusion of dental base acrylic resin powder(30 g), dibutylphthalate(6 mL), red couring agent liquid for denture acrylic and acetoacetate (2 mL), respectively; and venous perfusion of 30% gelatin (filtered) and black ink (filtered) and formaldehyde (8%). After fixing in 8% formaldehyde for 10 days, the rabbit's forelimb containing the aforementioned Five Shu-acupoints were carefully dissected layer by layer, followed by observing the local anatomic structure under microscope. RESULTS: The superficial layers of these acupoint regions mainly contained the basilic vein and its branches, and the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve. The deep layers chiefly comprised of the ulnar artery, the ulnar vein and their branches, and the ulnar nerve. CONCLUSION: In "Shaoze"(SI 1 ), "Qiangu" (SI 2), "Houxi" (SI 3), "Yanggu" (SI 5) and "Xiaohai" (SI 8) acupoint regions, the ulnar artery, basilic vein, ulnar vein and their branches, the ulnar nerve and its superficial branches are found, which constitute the morphological basis of the five acupoints of the Hand-Taiyang Meridian for treating some related clinical disorders.