Antimicrobial activity effects of electrolytically generated hypochlorous acid-treated pathogenic microorganisms by isothermal kinetic simulation.

This study involves isothermal kinetic simulation to evaluate the parameters of inhibition conditions for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) of high-risk pathogens. This is because the new type of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is continuously spreading and the importance of public health issues. Environmental disinfection and personal wearing of masks have become important epidemic prevention measures. Selection of concentration kinetics could be estimated best for E. coli and S. aureus of pathogens, 2.74 × 104 and 105 and 2.44 × 104 and 105 colony-forming units (CFU mL-1), by isothermal micro-calorimeter (TAM Air) tests, respectively. Comparisons were made of different doses of 0-70 ppm (in 20 mL test ampoule) hypochlorous acid treatment for conducting nth-order and autocatalytic reaction simulation to evaluate the inhibition reaction parameters, which determined the autocatalytic kinetic model that was beneficially applied on the E. coli and S. aureus. We developed the inhibition reaction parameters of the pathogens, which included the activation energy (E a), the natural logarithm of pre-exponential factor (lnk 0), the enthalpy of inhibition microbial growth reaction (∆H), inhibition microbial growth, and the inhibition growth analysis. Overall, we conducted isothermal kinetic simulation to understand the antimicrobial activity effects of electrolytically generated hypochlorous acid-treated pathogenic microorganisms, which will provide reference for public health and medical-related fields for SDG3, and can contribute to ensuring human health and hygiene.

Neovasculogenic effect of 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid involves the Akt/eNOS signaling pathways in human endothelial progenitor cells.

The 11,12-epoxy-eicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) is formed from arachidonic acid (AA) by cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP 2J2) epoxygenase and function as an effector in blood vessels. Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs), a preceding cell source for endothelial cells (ECs), involve in the vascular tissue repairing by postnatal neovasculogenesis. However, the effect of 11, 12-EET on hEPCs and neovasculogenesis is not well known. In the current study, we examined the function of 11, 12-EET in hEPCs-mediated neovasculogenesis by using tubular formation analysis, Western Blotting assay, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry analysis and zymogram analysis. The results suggest that 11, 12-EET significantly induces neovasculogenesis through the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt, endothelial-nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) signaling pathways. 11, 12-EET up-regulates the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) proteins. Moreover, 11, 12-EET augments the expression of VE-cadherin and CD31 proteins in hEPCs. 11, 12-EET also augmented Rac1/Rho A signaling cascades, cell migration and an up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and -9 proteins. These results demonstrate that 11, 12-EET exerts a significant function in the neovasculogenesis of hEPCs.

Treatment of 13-cis retinoic acid and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits TNF-alpha-mediated expression of MMP-9 protein and cell invasion through the suppression of JNK pathway and microRNA 221 in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer cells.

Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly cancer type with a very high mortality rate. Inflammatory cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) plays a pivotal role in the progression of PDAC. Recently, suppression of cell invasion by preventive agents has received considerable attention in the prevention of metastatic tumors. Several clinical studies suggested that natural forms or analogues of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin D can work as anti-cancer agents to inhibit the development of cancer. In this study, our results demonstrated that co-treatment of 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cis RA) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-VD3) significantly inhibited TNF-α mediated cell invasion in PDAC in vitro. Cotreatment of 13-cis RA and 1,25-VD3 also inhibited TNF-α mediated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein through blocking c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Our results demonstrated that treatment of TNF-α lead to a decreased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase- 3 (TIMP-3) protein and an induction of MMP-9 protein and cell invasion through an upregulation of microRNA-221 (miR-221) in human PDAC cells. Moreover, treatment of SP600125 (a specific inhibitor of JNK pathway) or cotreatment of 13-cis RA and 1,25-VD3 significantly induced a decreased expression of miR-221 and an increased expression of TIMP-3 protein. These results suggest that 13-cis RA and 1,25-VD3 significantly suppress TNF-α mediated cell invasion and therefore potentially act as preventive agents against PDAC.

Docosahexaenoic acid inhibits the proliferation of Kras/TP53 double mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells through modulation of glutathione level and suppression of nucleotide synthesis.

The treatment of cancer cells obtained by blocking cellular metabolism has received a lot of attention recently. Previous studies have demonstrated that Kras mutation-mediated abnormal glucose metabolism would lead to an aberrant cell proliferation in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Previous literature has suggested that consumption of fish oil is associated with lower risk of pancreatic cancer. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in human PDAC cells in vitro and in vivo. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) significantly inhibited the proliferation of human PDAC cells. The actions of DHA were evaluated through an induction of cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and noticed a decreased expression of cyclin A, cyclin E and cyclin B proteins in HPAF-II cells. Moreover, it was found that co-treatment of DHA and gemcitabine (GEM) effectively induced oxidative stress and cell death in HPAF-II cells. Interestingly, DHA leads to an increased oxidative glutathione /reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratio and induced cell apoptosis in HPAF-II cells. The findings in the study showed that supplementation of GSH or N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) could reverse DHA-mediated cell death in HPAF-II cells. Additionally, DHA significantly increased cellular level of cysteine, cellular NADP/NADPH ratio and the expression of cystathionase (CTH) and SLCA11/xCT antiporter proteins in HPAF-II cells. The action of DHA was, in part, associated with the inactivation of STAT3 cascade in HPAF-II cells. Treatment with xCT inhibitors, such as erastin or sulfasalazine (SSZ), inhibited the cell survival ability in DHA-treated HPAF-II cells. DHA also inhibited nucleotide synthesis in HPAF-II cells. It was demonstrated in a mouse-xenograft model that consumption of fish oil significantly inhibited the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and decreased cellular nucleotide level in tumor tissues. Furthermore, fish oil consumption induced an increment of GSSG/GSH ratio, an upregulation of xCT and CTH proteins in tumor tissues. In conclusion, DHA significantly inhibited survival of PDAC cells both in vitro and in vivo through its recently identified novel mode of action, including an increment in the ratio of GSSG/GSH and NADP/NADPH respectively, and promoting reduction in the levels of nucleotide synthesis.

Differences in the Moisture Capacity and Thermal Stability of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides Obtained by Various Drying Processes.

We compared the proportions and differences in the polysaccharides of Tremella fuciformis (Berkeley) after drying them by various processes, such as 18 °C cold air, 50 °C hot air, and freeze-drying. We also focused on the moisture capacity kinetic parameters of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides using various thermal analyses, including differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric techniques. Erofeev's kinetic and proto-kinetic equations, utilized for kinetic model simulation, can predict the moisture capacity due to the thermal effect. Among the various drying processes, cold air-drying had the highest molecular weight of 2.41 × 107 Da and a moisture content of 13.05% for Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides. Overall, the freeze-dried products had the best thermal decomposition properties under the conditions of a closed system, with an air or nitrogen atmosphere, and had an excellent moisture capacity of around 35 kJ/kg under a closed system for all samples.

S-allylcysteine Improves Blood Flow Recovery and Prevents Ischemic Injury by Augmenting Neovasculogenesis.

Studies suggest that a low level of circulating human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is a risk factor for ischemic injury and coronary artery disease (CAD). Consumption of S-allylcysteine (SAC) is known to prevent CAD. However, the protective effects of SAC on the ischemic injury are not yet clear. In this study, we examined whether SAC could improve blood flow recovery in ischemic tissues through EPC-mediated neovasculogenesis. The results demonstrate that SAC significantly enhances the neovasculogenesis of EPCs in vitro. The molecular mechanisms for SAC enhancement of neovasculogenesis include the activation of Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling cascades. SAC increased the expression of c-kit, ß-catenin, cyclin D1, and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) proteins in EPCs. Daily intake of SAC at dosages of 0.2 and 2 mg/kg body weight significantly enhanced c-kit protein levels in vivo. We conclude that dietary consumption of SAC improves blood flow recovery and prevents ischemic injury by inducing neovasculogenesis in experimental models.

Effect of Pulsed Light Irradiation on Bioactive, Nonvolatile Components and Antioxidant Properties of Caterpillar Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes).

The caterpillar medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris contains many bioactive components, such as adenosine, cordycepin, and polysaccharides. In this study, C. militaris was exposed to 0, 3, 6, or 9 pulses of light irradiation to estimate changes in vitamin D2, bioactive compounds, nonvolatile taste components, and antioxidant properties. In addition, we compared the components and properties of C. militaris mycelia and solid waste medium that had been treated with pulsed light (PL) irradiation. Overall, PL irradiation of C. militaris increased the vitamin D2 content and increased the total amino acid levels 9-48%; the antioxidant properties of the mycelia treated with 0 pulses and of the solid waste medium treated with 3 pulses all exhibited lower half-maximal effective concentrations. Therefore, PL irradiation affected the amounts of bioactive compounds, but the irradiated samples still contained intense umami taste and a sufficient amount of antioxidant components.

Compositional Differences of the Winter Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Flammulina velutipes (Agaricomycetes), under Three Types of Light Conditions.

The focus of this study was to investigate the effect of light on the cultivation and the amounts of bio-active components in Flammulina velutipes. The mushrooms were cultivated under fluorescent tube (T8) grow lights, lightemitting diodes (LEDs), and cold-cathode fluorescent lamps. The biological efficiency of the T8 lights was the highest, at 92%. The crude fat content, crude fiber content, polysaccharide content, and ergosterol content were highest under the LEDs, at 2.9 g/100 g, 7.9 g/100 g, 3.9 g/100 g, and 1.4 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, vitamin D2 (1.9 µg/g) was generated only under light from LEDs. Principal component analysis showed that F. velutipes cultivated under the 3 different lighting conditions showed different profiles for proximate composition, nutritional compounds, and principal fatty acids.

Dual Inhibition of Key Proliferation Signaling Pathways in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by a Novel Derivative of Taiwanin A.

The treatment of breast cancer cells obtained by blocking the aberrant activation of the proliferation signaling pathways PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MEK/ERK has received considerable attention in recent years. Previous studies showed that Taiwanin A inhibited the proliferation of several types of cancer cells. In this study, we report that 3,4-bis-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene-dihydrofuran (BTMB), a novel derivative of Taiwanin A, significantly inhibited the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells both in vitro and in vivo The results show that BTMB inhibited the proliferation of human TNBC cells by the induction of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose-dependent fashion. BTMB inhibited the expression of ß-catenin, cdc2 and the cell-cycle regulatory proteins, cyclin A, cyclin D1, and cyclin E. The mechanism of action was associated with the suppression of cell survival signaling through inactivation of the Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Moreover, BTMB induced cell apoptosis through an increase in the expression of BAX, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP. Moreover, BTMB inhibited TNBC cell colony formation and sensitized TNBC cells to cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic drug. In a TNBC mouse xenograft model, BTMB significantly inhibited the growth of mammary carcinomas through decreased expression of cyclin D1. BTMB was shown to significantly suppress the growth of mammary carcinoma and therefore to have potential as an anticancer therapeutic agent. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(3); 480-93. ©2016 AACR.

The Quality Improvement of Solid-State Fermentation with Cordyceps militaris by UVB Irradiation.

Cordyceps militaris, a medicinal and edible mushroom, was used to ferment buckwheat and embryo rice by solid-state fermentation (SSF). Our aim was to investigate the effect of ultraviolet B (UVB) light irradiation on the content of vitamin D2 and biologically effective components, and antioxidant properties of buckwheat and embryo rice in SSF with C. militaris. Irradiated samples of buckwheat and embryo rice fermented by C. militaris had significantly increased vitamin D2 content, from 0-0.3 to 1.18-16.79 µg/g, while the increase in fresh embryo rice fermented by C. militaris was up to 16.79 µg/g. The content of adenosine, cordycepin and polysaccharide in irradiated dry samples fermented by C. militaris was 0.08 to 11.15 mg/g, higher than that of the irradiated fresh samples fermented by C. militaris (0.07-8.40 mg/g). Samples fermented by C. militaris had lower EC50 values and higher content of antioxidants than did unfermented samples. When the solid-state fermented sample was irradiated with UVB light, the content of biologically effective and antioxidant components and antioxidant property of sample decreased. However, it still contained enough of these biologically effective and antioxidant components.

Antiproliferative Activities of Hot Water Extracts from Culinary-Medicinal Mushrooms, Ganoderma tsugae and Agrocybe cylindracea (Higher Basidiomycetes) on Cancer Cells.

Using anticancer agents to progress chemotherapy to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells is an effective means. Two medicinal mushrooms, Ganoderma tsugae and Agrocybe cylindracea, exhibited various physiological effects, and the antiproliferation effect on HL-60, Hep 3B, and C6 cells was studied. The viability of different cancer cells was decreased significantly by hot water extracts from different forms of G. tsugae and A. cylindracea. The hot water extracts from the fruit body, mycelium, and filtrate of A. cylindracea were less effective in inhibiting the antiproliferation of C6, Hep 3B, and HL-60 cells than were those from G. tsugae, as evidenced by their IC50 values. The IC50 values of G. tsugae on C6, Hep 3B, and HL-60 cells were 1.13, 2.73, and 2.60 mg/mL, respectively, whereas those of baby G. tsugae were 1.87, 2.63, and 3.12 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, the filtrates of G. tsugae on C6 and Hep 3B cells were 2.81 and 2.80 mg/mL, respectively. The morphological transformation of 3 cancer cells was observed clearly, and the possible mechanism would be necrosis, apoptosis, or differentiation. Owing to the noticeable effect on antiproliferation of hot water extracts, especially those from G. tsugae, the extract could be of great potential to be used as an alternative cancer therapy.

Effect of UV-B Irradiation on Physiologically Active Substance Content and Antioxidant Properties of the Medicinal Caterpillar Fungus Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes).

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light irradiation is a well-known technique for converting vitamin D2 from ergosterol in mushroom fruit bodies. Mushrooms are a natural and nonanimal food source of vitamin D2. We studied the effect of UV-B light irradiation on the amount of vitamin D2 and physiologically active substances in Cordyceps militaris and their antioxidant properties. After UV-B irradiation for 2 hours, the vitamin D2 content of freshly harvested C. militaris fruiting bodies, mycelia, whole submerged culture (WSC), and homogenized submerged culture (HSC) increased from 0 to 0.03 to 0.22 to 1.11 mg/g, but the ergosterol content was reduced from 1.36 to 2.50 to 1.24 to 2.06 mg/g, respectively. After UV-B irradiation, the amount of adenosine, cordycepin, and ergothioneine of fruiting bodies dramatically increased 32-128%, but the polysaccharide content slightly decreased 36%. The reverse trends were observed in mycelia, WSC, and HSC. UV-B irradiation could reduce the effective concentrations at 50% of fruiting bodies for ethanolic and hot water extracts in reducing power, scavenging, and chelating abilities, whereas mycelia, WSC, and HSC of ethanolic extracts increased effective concentrations at 50% in reducing power, scavenging, and chelating abilities. UV-B irradiation slightly increased flavonoid content (10-56%) and slightly affected total phenol content.

Caffeic acid derivatives inhibit the growth of colon cancer: involvement of the PI3-K/Akt and AMPK signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: The aberrant regulation of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3-K)/Akt, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR) signaling pathways in cancer has prompted significant interest in the suppression of these pathways to treat cancer. Caffeic acid (CA) has been reported to possess important anti-inflammatory actions. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CA derivatives including caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and caffeic acid phenylpropyl ester (CAPPE), exert inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells have yet to be elucidated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: CAPE and CAPPE were evaluated for their ability to modulate these signaling pathways and suppress the proliferation of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Anti-cancer effects of these CA derivatives were measured by using proliferation assays, cell cycle analysis, western blotting assay, reporter gene assay and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining assays both in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrates that CAPE and CAPPE exhibit a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation and survival of CRC cells through the induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and augmentation of apoptotic pathways. Consumption of CAPE and CAPPE significantly inhibited the growth of colorectal tumors in a mouse xenograft model. The mechanisms of action included a modulation of PI3-K/Akt, AMPK and m-TOR signaling cascades both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the results demonstrate novel anti-cancer mechanisms of CA derivatives against the growth of human CRC cells. CONCLUSIONS: CA derivatives are potent anti-cancer agents that augment AMPK activation and promote apoptosis in human CRC cells. The structure of CA derivatives can be used for the rational design of novel inhibitors that target human CRC cells.

Enhancement of antioxidant properties and increase of content of vitamin D2 and non-volatile components in fresh button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (higher Basidiomycetes) by γ-irradiation.

Agaricus bisporus is a popular culinary-medicinal mushroom in Taiwan, and γ-irradiation could extend its shelf life. Our objective was to study the content of vitamin D2 and the taste components and antioxidant properties of ethanolic extracts from A. bisporus with various doses of γ-irradiation. After irradiation, the vitamin D2 content of 5-10 kGy irradiated mushrooms was in the range of 5.22-7.90 µg/g, higher than that of the unirradiated control (2.24 µg/g). For all treatments, the total content of soluble sugars and polyols ranged from 113 to 142 mg/g, and the monosodium glutamate-like components ranged from 6.57 to 13.50 mg/g, among which the 2.5 kGy irradiated sample has the highest content of flavor 5'-nucleotide. About antioxidant properties, 10 kGy irradiated samples exhibited lower EC50 values than did other samples. EC50 values were less than 5 mg/mL for ethanolic extracts. Total phenols were the major antioxidant components and the total content was 13.24-22.78 mg gallic acid equivalents/g. Based on the results obtained, γ-irradiation could be used to improve the vitamin D2 content and intensity of umami taste in fresh mushrooms. In addition, γ-irradiation not only maintained the antioxidant properties of mushrooms but also enhanced the antioxidant properties to some extent.

Eicosapentaenoic acid induces neovasculogenesis in human endothelial progenitor cells by modulating c-kit protein and PI3-K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathways.

Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) derived from bone marrow play a crucial in the prevention of ischemic injuries in the course of postnatal neovasculogenesis. Frequent fish oil (FO) consumption is reportedly associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are not well elucidated, and the beneficial effect of FO consumption on neovasculogenesis has not been demonstrated yet. In the current study, we investigated the effects of EPA/DHA and FO consumption on neovasculogenesis by using vascular tube formation assay, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Doppler imaging in both in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrate that EPA and DHA dose-dependently enhance the neovasculogenesis and cell migration of hEPCs in vitro. The mechanisms of action included up-regulation of the c-kit protein as well as the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2, Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling molecules in hEPCs. Furthermore, EPA significantly suppressed the expression of microRNA 221 in vitro. In experimental animal models, FO consumption significantly induced the formation of new blood vessels (neovasculogenesis) and prevented ischemia. Taken together, it is suggested that FO consumption enhances neovasculogenesis mainly through the effects of EPA in hEPCs, thereby exerting a preventive effect against ischemic injury.

Hepatocyte growth factor-induced BMP-2 expression is mediated by c-Met receptor, FAK, JNK, Runx2, and p300 pathways in human osteoblasts.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been demonstrated to stimulate osteoblast proliferation and participated bone remodeling. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is a crucial mediator in bone formation during fracture healing. However, the effects of HGF in BMP-2 expression in human osteoblasts are large unknown. Here we found that HGF induced BMP-2 expression in human osteoblasts dose-dependently. HGF-mediated BMP-2 production was attenuated by c-Met inhibitor or siRNA. Pretreatment with FAK inhibitor or JNK inhibitor (SP600125) also blocked the potentiating action of HGF. Stimulation of osteoblasts with HGF enhanced FAK phosphorylation, JNK phosphorylation, and RunX2 translocation from cytosol to the nucleus. HGF-mediated Runx2 binding to BMP-2 promoter was inhibited by c-Met inhibitor, FAK inhibitor, and SP600125. The binding of Runx2 to the BMP-2 promoter, as well as the recruitment of p300 and the enhancement of histones H3 and H4 acetylation on the BMP-2 promoter was enhanced by HGF. Our results suggest that HGF increased BMP-2 production in human osteoblasts via the c-Met receptor/FAK/JNK/Runx2 and p300 signaling pathways.

Nonvolatile taste components of culinary-medicinal maitake mushroom, Grifola frondosa (Dicks.:Fr.) S.F. Gray.

Culinary-medicinal maitake mushroom Grifola frondosa (Dicks.: Fr.) S.F. Gray mycelium was inoculated into wheat, a new product was formed after fungal fermentation, and its nonvolatile taste components were studied. Contents of crude ash, fat, fiber, and protein were higher in fruit bodies and mycelia, whereas carbohydrate contents were higher in the uninoculated and fermented wheat. Contents of total soluble sugars and polyols were 234.06, 111.70, 88.58, and 28.83 mg/g for fermented wheat, fruiting bodies, mycelia, and wheat, respectively. Contents of total free amino acids were in the descending order of mycelia > fermented wheat > fruiting bodies > wheat. Contents of total 5'-nucleotides were in the descending order: fruiting bodies > mycelia > fermented wheat > wheat. Based on the results obtained, fruiting bodies and mycelia possessed highly intense umami taste. Overall, as a result of solid-state fermentation, fermented wheat contained more taste components and a higher equivalent umami concentration than wheat did.

Preparation of culinary-medicinal maitake mushroom, Grifola frondosa (Dicks.: Fr.) S.F. Gray (Aphyllophoromycetideae)-fermented wheat and its antioxidant properties.

The optimization of solid-state fermentation conditions for mycelial growth in wheat by culinary-medicinal maitake mushroom, Grifola frondosa (Dicks.: Fr.) S.F. Gray was studied. The results from the center of the design analysis showed that the recommended optimal conditions for carbon, nitrogen sources, and temperature were 19 mg lactose/g, 2.0 mg malt extract/g, and 30 degrees C, respectively. Under these conditions, the mycelial biomass of 533.1 mg/g was obtained in fermented wheat, comparable to that (545.7 mg/g) obtained using the one-factor-at-a-time method. Based on the results obtained, EC50 values of ethanolic and hot water extracts from fermented wheat were 1.13-15.27 mg/mL, indicating that fermented wheat was effective in antioxidant activity, reducing power, scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, and chelating ability on ferrous ions. Total phenol contents of both extracts were 13.35 and 23.01 mg/g, respectively. Accordingly, the information obtained would be applicable for the cultivation and consumption of G. frondosa-fermented wheat to provide its beneficial health effects.

Antioxidant properties of Glossogyne tenuifolia.

Glossogyne tenuifolia (Labill) Cass. (Compositae) is a special medicinal plant in the Pescadores Islands. Ethanolic, cold and hot water extracts were prepared from the dried herb and their antioxidant properties and components were studied. Ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, butylated hydroxyanisole, citric and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acids were used in assays for comparison. With regard to EC(50) values in antioxidant activity, ethanolic and hot water extracts (0.08 and 0.09 mg/ml) were much more effective than the cold water extract (0.76 mg/ml). At 1.0 mg/ml, reducing capacities were 1.57, 0.31 and 1.04 for ethanolic, cold water and hot water extracts, respectively. Scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals were in descending order: ethanolic > cold water > hot water extracts. At 20 mg/ml, the hot water extract chelated all hydroxyl ions (100%) whereas the scavenging ability of the cold water extract was 68.86%. Chelating abilities on ferrous ions were in descending order: cold water > hot water > ethanolic extracts. Phenols were found to be the major antioxidant components. All EC(50) values were below 20 mg/ml, and some even below 0.1 mg/ml, indicating that all three extracts from G. tenuifolia were rich in antioxidant properties.