Gelation of crocodile myofibrillar protein - κ-carrageenan mixtures in two low-NaCl solution.

Crocodile meat is a novel reptile meat source, but its processing method is rare. This study investigated the effect of κ-carrageenan addition and partial substitution of NaCl on the gel properties of crocodile myofibrillar protein (CMP). Result showed that CMP formed gel when temperature above 60 ℃. The water-holding capacity, gel strength, denaturation degree, sulfhydryl content covalent bond and hydrophobic bond of gel in KCl solution were significantly higher than those in CaCl2 solution (P < 0.05). K+ induced CMP to form a tight network structure with uniform small pores though covalent and hydrophobic bonds, but the gel properties were reduced by κ-carrageenan. In CaCl2 solution, κ-carrageenan improved the gel structure by filling the protein network through hydrogen bonding. Therefore, it can be concluded that KCl is better than CaCl2 in the manufacturing of low-sodium crocodile foods. Moreover, κ-carrageenan was only beneficial to gel quality in CaCl2 solution.

Effect of magnetic field mediated CaCl2 on the edible quality of low-sodium minced pork gels.

Magnetic field combined with calcium chloride (CaCl2,) treatment is a highly promising technique for reducing sodium chloride (NaCl) in meat. Therefore, this paper investigated the effect of reducing NaCl addition (0-10%) by CaCl2 in combination with a magnetic field (3.8 mT) on the edible quality of low-salt pork mince. It is desired to drive the application of magnetic field and CaCl2 in low-sodium meat processing in this way. Results showed that the cooking yield, color, hardness, elasticity, mouthfeel, apparent texture, and orderliness of protein conformation of all minced pork were improved as compared to the control group, while the electron nose response values of their volatile sulfides and nitrogen oxides were decreased. In particular, the best edible quality and perceived salty intensity of minced pork gel was obtained by using CaCl2 in place of 5% NaCl under magnetic field mediation. In addition, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy scans showed that the reduced NaCl treatment by magnetic field combined with CaCl2 could increase the signal intensity of sodium in minced pork matrices to some extent. Magnetic field-mediated substitution of NaCl for CaCl2 treatment was also found to be favorable for inducing the transition of the protein secondary structure from an irregularly coiled to a ß-folded structure (demonstrated by infrared spectroscopy). In short, magnetic fields combined with CaCl2 instead of NaCl was a highly promising method of producing low-NaCl meats.

Effects of calcium chloride on the gelling and digestive characteristics of myofibrillar protein in Litopenaeus vannamei.

In this study, the effects of CaCl2 (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM) on the gelling and digestive properties of the myofibrillar protein (MP) in Litopenaeus vannamei were investigated. The results showed that increasing CaCl2 concentration led to changes in the tertiary structure of MP. Specifically, compared with the control group, a 64.31 % increase in surface hydrophobicity and a 45.90 % decrease in the sulfhydryl group were observed after 100 mM CaCl2 treatment. Correspondingly, the water holding capacity and strength of the MP gel increased by 24.46 % and 55.99 %, respectively. These changes were positively correlated with the rheological properties, microstructure pore size, and content of non-flowable water. The mechanical properties of MP gel were improved, and the microstructure became more compact with the increase in CaCl2 concentration. Furthermore, the particle size of the digested MP gels decreased in the presence of CaCl2, which improved the digestion characteristics of MP gels.

Effect of Chemical Degradation of Sodium Alginate on Capsaicin Encapsulation.

Capsaicin is known as an oily extract of paprika that is characterized by pungent taste and bioactivity. It also may cause irritation to the mouth and stomach which is why is so important to immobilize capsaicin on a carrier to prevent it. The usage of alginate oligomers, which has an antioxidant potential compared to alginate, is of benefit because it may be used in the immobilization of bioactive substances that are fragile to oxidation. The purpose of this study was to use sodium alginate oligomers as a coating material in the encapsulation process of paprika oleoresin. Alginate oligomers were produced by chemical degradation with hydrogen peroxide. The characteristics of the samples were obtained by measuring the viscosity, the contact angle of the surface, and the surface tension of solutions. The obtained solution of alginate oligomers served as the carrier material for the immobilization of capsaicin. Capsules were prepared by ionic gelation using a calcium chloride solution as a crosslinking agent. In this way, capsules without and with the core (capsaicin) were prepared and their ability to scavenge free radicals (DPPH) and iron-reducing properties (FRAP) were determined. The stability of the capsules was examined by thermal decomposition and under conditions of the gastric and small intestine, and capsaicin content was detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. It was found that alginate oligomers could be used in the encapsulation of bioactive compounds and the efficiency was above 80%. Capsule production from alginate oligomers affected their thermal stability. The use of alginate derivatives as a carrier increased the antioxidant properties of the finished product, as well as its ability to reduce iron ions. The use of alginate oligomers as a coating material prevented the active substance from being released too early in the conditions of the small intestine, prolonged the stability of the capsules, and supported their durability in gastric conditions.

Use of soybean oil to modulate the gel properties of soybean protein isolation-wheat gluten composite with or without CaCl2.

BACKGROUND: Plant protein is widely used in the study of animal protein substitutes and healthy sustainable products. The gel properties are crucial for the production of plant protein foods. Therefore, the present study investigated the use of soybean oil to modulate the gel properties of soybean protein isolation-wheat gluten composite with or without CaCl2 . RESULTS: Oil droplets filled protein network pores under the addition of soybean oil (1-2%). This resulted in an enhanced gel hardness and water holding capacity. Further addition of soybean oil (3-4%), oil droplets and some protein-oil compounds increased the distance between the protein molecule chain. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and intermolecular interaction also showed that the disulfide bond and ß-sheet ratio decreased in the gel system, which damaged the overall structure of the gel network. Compared with the addition of 0 m CaCl2 , salt ion reduced the electrostatic repulsion between proteins, and local protein cross-linking was more intense at 0.005 m CaCl2 concentration. In the present study, structural properties and rheological analysis showed that the overall strength of the gel was weakened after the addition of CaCl2 . CONCLUSION: The presence of appropriate amount of soybean oil can fill the gel pores and improve the texture properties and network structure of soy protein isolate-wheat gluten (SPI-WG) composite gel. Excessive soybean oil may hinder protein-protein interaction and adversely affect protein gel. In addition, the presence or absence of CaCl2 significantly affected the gelling properties of SPI-WG composite protein gels. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Role of metal chlorides in the gelation and properties of fucoidan/κ-carrageenan hydrogels.

Metal ions play a crucial role in forming hydrogels, and their effects on fucoidan (FUC): κ-carrageenan (KC) mixed gels were investigated. The results indicated that the FUC: KC mixed gels (FC) were promoted by K+ and Ca2+ but destroyed by Fe3+. The gel strength of FC was enhanced by K+ and Ca2+, with G' and G″ being highest at 50 mmol/L KCl and 25 mmol/L CaCl2, respectively. Water mobility was weakened after the addition of KCl and CaCl2 in accordance with the decrease in T23 relaxation time (free water, 100-1000 ms). After addition of KCl and CaCl2, the FC groups presented a typical three-dimensional network structure in contrast to the lamellar, disordered, and broken structure of FUC. Moreover, the FT-IR spectrum certified the enhancement of hydrogen bonds and the occurrence of electrostatic interactions during gel formation by the red-shift of the OH stretching vibration of the Ca2+ group and the blue-shift of the COS vibrations. The XRD results confirmed that the binding of Ca2+ to FC was tighter than that of K+ at the same charge content. These results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the interaction mechanism of FC with metal ions.

Growth of ɣ-Proteobacteria in Low Salt Cucumber Fermentation Is Prevented by Lactobacilli and the Cover Brine Ingredients.

This study investigated the ability of É£-proteobacteria, indigenous to fresh cucumber, to grow in the expressed fruit juice (CJM) and fermentation. It was hypothesized that fresh cucumbers can support prolific growth of É£-proteobacteria but that the cover brine composition and acid production by the competing lactobacilli in the fermentation of the fruit act as inhibitory agents. The É£-proteobacteria proliferated in CJM with an average maximum growth rate (µmax) of 0.3895 ± 0.0929 and doubling time (Td) of 1.885 ± 0.465/h. A significant difference was found between the É£-proteobacteria µmax and Td relative to Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LA0445 (0.2319 ± 0.019; 2.89/h) and Levilactobacillus brevis 7.2.43 (0.221 ± 0.015; 3.35/h) but not Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 3.2.8 (0.412 ± 0.119; 1.87/h). While inoculation level insignificantly altered the µmax and Td of the bacteria tested; it impacted the length of lag and stationary phases for the lactobacilli. Unlike the lactobacilli, the É£-proteobacteria were inhibited in CJM supplemented with a low salt fermentation cover brine containing calcium chloride, acetic acid and potassium sorbate. The É£-proteobacteria, P. agglomerans, was unable to proliferate in cucumber fermentations brined with calcium chloride at a pH of 6.0 ± 0.1 and the population of Enterobacteriaceae was outcompeted by the lactobacilli within 36 h. Together these observations demonstrate that the prolific growth of É£-proteobacteria in CJM is not replicated in cucumber fermentation. While the É£-proteobacteria growth rate is faster that most lactobacilli in CJM, their growth in cucumber fermentation is prevented by the cover brine and the acid produced by the indigenous lactobacilli. Thus, the lactobacilli indigenous to cucumber and cover brine composition influence the safety and quality of fermented cucumbers. IMPORTANCE While the abundance of specific É£-proteobacteria species varies among vegetable type, several harbor Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae that benefit the plant system. It is documented that such bacterial populations decrease in density early in vegetable fermentations. Consequently, it is assumed that they do not contribute to the quality of finished products. This study explored the viability of É£-proteobacteria in CJM, used as a model system, CJM supplemented with fermentation cover brine and cucumber fermentation, which are characterized by an extremely acidic endpoint pH (3.23 ± 0.17; n = 391). The data presented demonstrates that fresh cucumbers provide the nutrients needed by É£-proteobacteria to proliferate and reduce pH to 4.47 ± 0.12. However, É£-proteobacteria are unable to proliferate in cucumber fermentation. Control of É£-proteobacteria in fermentations depends on the cover brine constituents and the indigenous competing lactobacilli. This knowledge is of importance when developing guidelines for the safe fermentation of vegetables, particularly with low salt.

Floating Ricobendazole Delivery Systems: A 3D Printing Method by Co-Extrusion of Sodium Alginate and Calcium Chloride.

At present, the use of benzimidazole drugs in veterinary medicine is strongly limited by both pharmacokinetics and formulative issues. In this research, the possibility of applying an innovative semi-solid extrusion 3D printing process in a co-axial configuration was speculated, with the aim of producing a new gastro-retentive dosage form loaded with ricobendazole. To obtain the drug delivery system (DDS), the ionotropic gelation of alginate in combination with a divalent cation during the extrusion was exploited. Two feeds were optimized in accordance with the printing requirements and the drug chemical properties: the crosslinking ink, i.e., a water ethanol mixture containing CaCl2 at two different ratios 0.05 M and 0.1 M, hydroxyethyl cellulose 2% w/v, Tween 85 0.1% v/v and Ricobendazole 5% w/v; and alginate ink, i.e., a sodium alginate solution at 6% w/v. The characterization of the dried DDS obtained from the extrusion of gels containing different amounts of calcium chloride showed a limited effect on the ink extrudability of the crosslinking agent, which on the contrary strongly influenced the final properties of the DDS, with a difference in the polymeric matrix toughness and resulting effects on floating time and drug release.

Enhanced Sunscreen Effects via Layer-By-Layer Self-Assembly of Chitosan/Sodium Alginate/Calcium Chloride/EHA.

The sunscreen nanocapsules were successfully synthesized by the way of layer-by-layer self-assembly using charged droplets (prepared by emulsification of LAD-30, Tween-80 and EHA (2-Ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate)) as templates. Chitosan/sodium alginate/calcium chloride were selected as wall materials to wrap EHA. The emulsions with the ratio of Tween-80 to EHA (1:1) were stable. A stable NEI negative emulsion can be obtained when the ratio of Tween-80 and LAD-30 was 9:1. Chitosan solutions (50 kDa, 0.25 mg/mL) and sodium alginate solutions (0.5 mg/mL) were selected to prepare nanocapsules. The nanocapsules were characterized via some physico-chemical methods. Based on the synergistic effects of the electrostatic interaction between wall materials and emulsifiers, EHA was effectively encapsulated. DLS and TEM showed that the sunscreen nanocapsules were dispersed in a spherical shape with nano-size, with the increasing number of assembly layers, the size increased from 155 nm (NEI) to 189 nm (NEII) to 201 nm (NEIII) and 205 nm after solidification. The release studies in vitro showed sustained release behavior of the nanocapsules were observed with the increase of the number of deposition layers, implying a good coating effect. The sunscreen nanocapsules could control less than 50% the release of EHA after crosslinking of calcium chloride and sodium alginate, which also could effectively avoid the stimulation of the sun protection agent on the skin.

Evidence for a semisolid phase state of aerosols and droplets relevant to the airborne and surface survival of pathogens.

The phase state of respiratory aerosols and droplets has been linked to the humidity-dependent survival of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. To inform strategies to mitigate the spread of infectious disease, it is thus necessary to understand the humidity-dependent phase changes associated with the particles in which pathogens are suspended. Here, we study phase changes of levitated aerosols and droplets composed of model respiratory compounds (salt and protein) and growth media (organic-inorganic mixtures commonly used in studies of pathogen survival) with decreasing relative humidity (RH). Efflorescence was suppressed in many particle compositions and thus unlikely to fully account for the humidity-dependent survival of viruses. Rather, we identify organic-based, semisolid phase states that form under equilibrium conditions at intermediate RH (45 to 80%). A higher-protein content causes particles to exist in a semisolid state under a wider range of RH conditions. Diffusion and, thus, disinfection kinetics are expected to be inhibited in these semisolid states. These observations suggest that organic-based, semisolid states are an important consideration to account for the recovery of virus viability at low RH observed in previous studies. We propose a mechanism in which the semisolid phase shields pathogens from inactivation by hindering the diffusion of solutes. This suggests that the exogenous lifetime of pathogens will depend, in part, on the organic composition of the carrier respiratory particle and thus its origin in the respiratory tract. Furthermore, this work highlights the importance of accounting for spatial heterogeneities and time-dependent changes in the properties of aerosols and droplets undergoing evaporation in studies of pathogen viability.

Structure reorganization of cellulose hydrogel by green solvent exchange for potential plastic replacement.

Petroleum-based plastics have raised great environmental concerns from the beginning of their production to the end-of-life cycle. It is urgently needed to develop sustainable and green materials with certain plastic properties. Herein, biobased cellulose films are fabricated from low quality cotton cellulose by manipulating its hydrogen bonding network with green solvents. The cellulose is dispersed in inorganic salts (ZnCl2/CaCl2) to form ionic hydrogels, and then transformed into tough and flexible films through ethanol exchange and air drying. Without extra hot-pressing treatment, the aggregate structure of cellulose is re-organized with the disruption and re-construction of hydrogen bonds. Benefiting from the densely packed structure and highly in-plane orientation, the cellulose film presents outstanding optical, thermal and mechanical properties. Such cellulose materials hold a potential for plastic replacement in the field of biodegradable packing.

Effect of bentonite and calcium chloride on apple wine.

BACKGROUND: Apple wine is a popular alcoholic beverage for its nutrition and fresh taste. However, the methanol existing in apple wine restricts its quality. Unfortunately, there are no methods to reduce the methanol content in fruit wine. To this end, bentonite (B), calcium chloride (CC) and their combination (B&CC) were added into apple juice in this study. The treated juice (0) and supernatant obtained by standing the juice at 25 °C for 24 h were fermented at 25 °C and 10 °C, respectively. RESULTS: Bentonite was an excellent methanol interrupter, a pectin retainer and a wine quality defender both at 25 and 10 °C. The lowest methanol content of 1.41 mg L-1 and higher pectin content of 84.74 mg L-1 were reached in the finished wine by B0 at 10 °C. Calcium chloride decreased pectin content, elevated methanol content and changed the profile of individual organic acids. In fact, the wine by B&CC0 at 25 °C showed dramatic changes in individual organic acids. The content of l-malic acid and succinic acid was only 2.22% and 6.29% of the control, respectively, while the lactic acid content was 17.72 times that of the control. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that B0 and fermented at 10 °C was the most effective way to decrease methanol content, retain pectin content and defend wine quality. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

A novel biomimetic nanomedicine system with anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoporosis effects improves the therapy efficacy of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Clinically, steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is always prolonged and difficult to treat and easily develops into end-stage renal disease, resulting in a low survival rate. Strategies to reverse steroid resistance and reduce the long-term use of high doses of steroid medicines are urgently needed. In this study, a novel nanoparticle drug system (Pm-GCH) with a core-shell structure was designed. Metal-organic frameworks, synthesized by glycyrrhizic acid (G) and calcium ions (Ca2+) loaded with hydrocortisone (H) were the core of the nanoparticles. Platelet membrane vesicles were the shells. The natural platelet membrane endows Pm-GCH with good biocompatibility and the ability to promote immune escape. In addition, under the chemotaxis of inflammatory factors, platelet membranes assist Pm-GCH in nonspecific targeting of the inflammatory sites of the kidney. Under an inflammatory acid environment, GCH slowly degrades and releases glycyrrhizic acid and hydrocortisone. Glycyrrhizic acid inhibits the inactivation of hydrocortisone, jointly inhibits the activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and the classic activation pathway of complement C2, blocks the production of inflammatory factors, plays an anti-inflammatory role, and enhances the efficacy of hydrocortisone in the treatment of SRNS. Moreover, glycyrrhizic acid alleviates osteoporosis induced by long-term use of glucocorticoids. These results indicate that Pm-GCH is a promising treatment strategy for SRNS.

Calciprotein Particles Link Disturbed Mineral Homeostasis with Cardiovascular Disease by Causing Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Inflammation.

An association between high serum calcium/phosphate and cardiovascular events or death is well-established. However, a mechanistic explanation of this correlation is lacking. Here, we examined the role of calciprotein particles (CPPs), nanoscale bodies forming in the human blood upon its supersaturation with calcium and phosphate, in cardiovascular disease. The serum of patients with coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease displayed an increased propensity to form CPPs in combination with elevated ionised calcium as well as reduced albumin levels, altogether indicative of reduced Ca2+-binding capacity. Intravenous administration of CPPs to normolipidemic and normotensive Wistar rats provoked intimal hyperplasia and adventitial/perivascular inflammation in both balloon-injured and intact aortas in the absence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Upon the addition to primary human arterial endothelial cells, CPPs induced lysosome-dependent cell death, promoted the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stimulated leukocyte adhesion, and triggered endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We concluded that CPPs, which are formed in the blood as a result of altered mineral homeostasis, cause endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation, thereby contributing to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Influence of Inorganic Salts and pH on Surface Activity of Biodegradable Amido Gemini Amine Oxide Surfactant.

The present study was designed to provide information regarding the influences of pH and inorganic salts on the surface activity of the amido Gemini amine oxide surfactants, the formula of which was C n H2 n +1CONH(CH2)2N+O-(CH3)-(CH2)2-(CH3)N+O-(CH2)2NHCOC n H2 n +1 (n=11, 13, 15, and 17). Their biodegradability was also investigated. The results showed that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the corresponding surface tension (γCMC) changed regularly with the increase of the mass concentration of NaCl and CaCl2. The optimal CMC and γCMC can be obtained by adjusting the inorganic salt content. Besides, the CMC near the isoelectric point of the surfactant is higher than the CMC within the isoelectric point. Furthermore, the biodegradability test revealed that the prepared surfactants had good biodegradability which was above 96% after 7 days.

Alginate with citrus pectin and pterostilbene as healthy food packaging with antioxidant property.

A new type of film packaging made from natural polysaccharide materials, with its environmental safety and friendliness, is considered as a potential substitute for plastics. Novel polysaccharide composite films based upon citrus pectin (CP) and sodium alginate (SA) were successfully prepared and characterized, containing pterostilbene (PTE) at various concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 mM). The rheological analysis displayed that all film-forming liquids performed no gelation behavior with G" > G' at low frequency and weak gelation with G" < G' at high frequency. The SA-CP films had good tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB), while adding PTE as an antioxidant to the film reduced both the values. Of note, the SA-CP films with PTE had better moisture resistance than that of the pure SA-CP films, which was related to the changes of its microstructure. The increased roughness of the films containing PTE was observed by microscope. After calcium chloride cross-linking, the water solubility of the films was reduced, while its thermal stability was improved. Notably, the accretion of PTE expressively enhanced the antioxidant properties of the SA-CP films. Thus, the SA-CP composite films containing PTE could be utilized as an excellent antioxidant packaging material.

A Comparison of Calcium Aggregation and Ultracentrifugation Methods for the Preparation of Rat Brain Microsomes for Drug Metabolism Studies.

Preparation of brain microsomes by the calcium chloride aggregation method has been suggested as an alternative to the ultracentrifugation method. However, the effects of the calcium chloride concentration on the quality of the microsomal fractions are not known. Brain microsomes were prepared from the adult rat brains using the high-speed ultracentrifugation and low-speed calcium chloride (10-100 mM) aggregation methods (n = 5-6 per group). The microsomal protein yield (spectrometry), the cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) activity (spectrometry), and the monooxygenase activities (UPLC-MS/MS) of CYP2D and CYP2E1 were determined in the obtained fractions. Increasing the concentrations of calcium chloride progressively increased the protein yield of the low-speed microsomal fractions. However, the increased yield was associated with a significant decrease in the activities of CPR, CYP2D, and CYP2E1. Additionally, the CYP2D and CYP2E1 activities were significantly correlated with the CPR activities of the fractions. In conclusion, when an ultracentrifuge is available, preparation of brain microsomes by the ultracentrifugation method might be preferable. However, the calcium aggregation method at a calcium chloride concentration of 10 mM is an acceptable alternative to the ultracentrifuge method.

Effects of seed priming treatments on the germination and development of two rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) varieties under the co-influence of low temperature and drought.

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of seed priming. This was done by soaking the seeds of two rapeseed cultivars, namely, ZY15 (tolerant to low temperature and drought) and HY49 (sensitive to low temperature and drought), for 12 h in varying solutions: distilled water, 138 mg/L salicylic acid (SA), 300 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA), 89.4 mg/L sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3000 mg/L calcium chloride (CaCl2), and 30 mg/L abscisic acid (ABA). Primed and non-primed seeds were left to germinate at 15°C and -0.15 MPa (T15W15) and at 25°C and 0 MPa (T25W0), respectively. The results showed that SA, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA significantly improved the germination potential (GP), germination rate (GR), germination index (GI), stem fresh weight (SFW), stem dry weight (SDW), root length (RL), stem length (SL), and seed vigor index (SVI) under T15W15. For ZY15 seeds under T25W0, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA priming reduced the average germination time (96% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (88% after 5 days). For ZY15 seeds under T15W15, SA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA priming, with respect to the control and water-treated groups, shortened the average germination time (92% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (80% after 5 days). For HY49 seeds under T25W0, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA priming reduced the average germination time (92% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (85% after 5 days). Similarly, for HY49 seeds under T15W15, GA priming shortened the average germination time (89% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (83% after 5 days). These priming agents increased the net photosynthesis, stomatal conductivity, and transpiration rate of rape seedlings under conditions of low temperature and drought stress, while also decreasing intercellular carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Additionally, SA, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA increased superoxide dismutase concentrations (SOD) and ascorbic peroxidase (APX) activities of rape seedlings under stress conditions, while decreasing catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities in ZY15 seedlings. In HY49, which is sensitive to low temperature and drought, all priming solutions, except for SNP, led to an increase in SOD activity levels and a decrease in CAT activity levels. Overall, SA, GA, SNP, and CaCl2 increased the concentrations of indoleacetic acid (IAA), GA, ABA, and cytokinin (CTK) in seedlings under stress conditions. Moreover, compared to SA, CaCl2, and ABA, GA (300 mg/L) and SNP (300 mol/L) showed improved priming effects for ZY15 and HY49 under stress conditions.

Structural properties of diluted alkali-soluble pectin from Pyrus communis L. in water and salt solutions.

The self-assembly and gelation of low-methoxyl diluted alkali-soluble pectin (LM DASP) from pear fruit (Pyrus communis L. cv. Conference) was studied in water and salt solutions (NaCl and CaCl2, constant ionic strength) without pH adjustment at 20 °C. The samples at different LM DASP concentrations were characterized using rheological tests, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dual-angle dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy. LM DASP from pear fruit (Pyrus communis L.) showed gelling ability. The indices (aggregation index and shape factor) based on light scattering may be useful for the characterization of structural changes in polysaccharide suspension, particularly for the determination of a gel point. The results obtained may be important for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries where pectin is used as a texturizer, an encapsulating agent, a carrier of bioactive substances or a gelling agent.

Tumor-derived exosomes encapsulating miR-34a promote apoptosis and inhibit migration and tumor progression of colorectal cancer cells under in vitro condition.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA (miR)-34a, as a master tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer (CRC), could regulate multiple genes participating in tumor proliferation, invasion, immune evasion, and inflammation-induced progression. Exosomes, as novel nano-carriers, were found to be capable of shuttling crucial mediators to various cells. Since the conventional CRC therapeutics currently are a matter of debate, implication of microRNAs in malignancy remedies have been addressed illustrating promising outlooks. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the delivery of miR-34a to CRC cell line CT-26 by encapsulating into tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs), in order to evaluate the anti-proliferative and progressive effects of the novel nano-carrier complex under in vitro condition. METHODS: Exosomes were purified from the starved CT-26 cells and then enriched by miR-34a using the calcium chloride (Cacl2) modified solution. Following the detection of miR-34a expression in the enriched TEXs, the viability of CT-26 cells treated by multiplicity concentrations of either TEXs or TEX-miR-34a was examined. Moreover, the apoptosis rate of the cells was evaluated, and the migration of CT-26 cells subjected to both TEX-miR-34a and TEX was also measured. Thereafter, the expressions of miR-34a target genes, as IL-6R, STAT3, PD-L1, and VEGF-A, which play roles in tumor progression, were determined in the treated CT-26 cells. RESULTS: The viability of CT-26 cells was harnessed following the treatment with TEX-miR-34a and the apoptosis levels of the cells were also observed to be enhanced dose-dependently. TEX-miR-34a was able to diminish the migration rate of the TEX-miR-34a treated cells and the expressions of IL-6R, STAT3, PD-L1, and VEGF-A were significantly restricted. Moreover, TEXs alone increased the apoptosis rate of tumor cells and repressed the proliferation and migration of these cells which were boosted by enrichment of TEXs with miR-34a. CONCLUSION: Exosomes isolated from the starved CT-26 cells were found to have a potential to deliver miR-34a into tumor cells properly with high functionality maintenance for miR-34a in case of regulating genes related to tumor progression and TEXs which showed no positive effect favoring cancer cells, presumably act as a favorable adjuvant in the CRC therapy.