Effect of low-frequency ultrasound-assisted acid extraction on gel properties and structural characterization of sheep's hoof gelatin.

In this study, we investigated the effects of various low-frequency ultrasound-assisted extraction processes, including ultrasound-assisted acid-soaked water bath extraction (UAW), ultrasound-assisted water bath extraction after acid soaking (AUW), acid-soaked water bath extraction followed by ultrasonics (AWU), and acid-soaked water bath extraction without ultrasound (CON), on the structural properties, thermal stability, gel properties, and microstructure of sheep's hoof gelatin. The results revealed that the primary components of sheep's hoof gelatin consisted of α1-chain, α2-chain (100-135 kDa), and ß-chain. In addition, it was observed that among the three sonication groups, sheep's hoof gelatin extracted in the AUW group exhibited the highest yield (27.16 ± 0.41 %), the best gel strength (378.55 ± 7.34 g), and higher viscosity at the same shear rate. The gelling temperature (25.38 ± 0.45 °C) and melting temperature (32.28 ± 0.52 °C) of sheep's hoof gelatin in the AUW group were significantly higher than those in the other groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, our experiments revealed that the sequence of low-frequency ultrasonic pretreatment processes was a crucial factor influencing the gel properties and structural characteristics of sheep's hoof gelatin. Specifically, the acid treatment followed by the ultrasound-assisted approach in the AUW group yielded high-quality and high-yield sheep's hoof gelatin.

Design and preparation of fluorescent covalent organic frameworks for biological sensing.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a new class of functional solids featuring several fantastic structural characteristics, including a great diversity of building units and cross-linking patterns, precise integration of building blocks, and adjustable topology of porous architecture. In addition to the above features, some COF samples are constructed with high-density conjugated fragments, which have unique potential advantages in fluorescence imaging, and thus may have great potential applications in bioimaging. Herein, this article summarizes the recent progress in the design and preparation of fluorescent covalent organic frameworks. We investigate the systemic correlation between the structural qualities of COF networks and biological sensors. Finally, the significant advantages, major challenges, and future opportunities of fluorescent covalent organic frameworks are discussed for the development of next-generation porous materials for sensing applications.

Ancient genomes reveal millet farming-related demic diffusion from the Yellow River into southwest China.

The study of southwest China is vital for understanding the dispersal and development of farming because of the coexistence of millet and rice in this region since the Neolithic period.1,2 However, the process of the Neolithic transition in southwest China is largely unknown, mainly due to the lack of ancient DNA from the Neolithic period. Here, we report genome-wide data from 11 human samples from the Gaoshan and Haimenkou sites with mixed farming of millet and rice dating to between 4,500 and 3,000 years before present in southwest China. The two ancient groups derived approximately 90% of their ancestry from the Neolithic Yellow River farmers, suggesting a demic diffusion of millet farming to southwest China. We inferred their remaining ancestry to be derived from a Hòabìnhian-related hunter-gatherer lineage. We did not detect rice farmer-related ancestry in the two ancient groups, which indicates that they likely adopted rice farming without genetic assimilation. We, however, observed rice farmer-related ancestry in the formation of some present-day Tibeto-Burman populations. Our results suggested the occurrence of both demic and cultural diffusion in the development of Neolithic mixed farming in some parts of southwest China.

Effects of Thyme Essential Oil Microcapsules on the Antioxidant and Quality Characteristics of Mutton Patties.

This study aimed to assess the stability of thyme essential oil microcapsules (TEOMs) and their impacts on the antioxidant properties and quality of lamb patties. The results demonstrated that gum Arabic effectively enhanced the stability of phenols within the thyme essential oil (TEO), with an optimal core/wall ratio of 1:8. Substituting TEO with TEOMs in lamb patties led to reductions in the thiobarbituric acid content, carbonyl content, sulfhydryl loss, and protein cross-linking. Additionally, the TEOMs positively influenced the mutton patties' color, texture, microbiological stability, and sensory attributes. These findings substantiate the idea that TEOMs exhibit significant potential as a natural preservative to enhance the quality of mutton patties.