Cancer Mutations in SPOP Put a Stop to Its Inter-compartmental Hops.

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Bouchard et al. (2018) identify liquid-liquid phase separation as a mechanism for substrate-triggered localization of SPOP and ubiquitination machinery to different nuclear bodies and describe how cancer mutations disrupt this process.

Unveiling the phenology and associated floral regulatory pathways of Humulus lupulus L. in subtropical conditions.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The hop phenological cycle was described in subtropical condition of Brazil showing that flowering can happen at any time of year and this was related to developmental molecular pathways. Hops are traditionally produced in temperate regions, as it was believed that vernalization was necessary for flowering. Nevertheless, recent studies have revealed the potential for hops to flower in tropical and subtropical climates. In this work, we observed that hops in the subtropical climate of Minas Gerais, Brazil grow and flower multiple times throughout the year, independently of the season, contrasting with what happens in temperate regions. This could be due to the photoperiod consistently being inductive, with daylight hours below the described threshold (16.5 h critical). We observed that when the plants reached 7-9 nodes, the leaves began to transition from heart-shaped to trilobed-shaped, which could be indicative of the juvenile to adult transition. This could be related to the fact that the 5th node (in plants with 10 nodes) had the highest expression of miR156, while two miR172s increased in the 20th node (in plants with 25 nodes). Hop flowers appeared later, in the 25th or 28th nodes, and the expression of HlFT3 and HlFT5 was upregulated in plants between 15 and 20 nodes, while the expression of HlTFL3 was upregulated in plants with 20 nodes. These results indicate the role of axillary meristem age in regulating this process and suggest that the florigenic signal should be maintained until the hop plants bloom. In addition, it is possible that the expression of TFL is not sufficient to inhibit flowering in these conditions and promote branching. These findings suggest that the reproductive transition in hop under inductive photoperiodic conditions could occur in plants between 15 and 20 nodes. Our study sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying hop floral development, paving the way for potential advancements in hop production on a global scale.

Xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) exerts multidirectional pro-healing properties towards damaged zebrafish hair cells by regulating the innate immune response.

Xanthohumol (XN) is a prominent prenylated flavonoid present in the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.). Despite undoubted pro-healing properties of hop plant, there is still a need for clinical investigations confirming these effects as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. The present study was designed to (1) establish the role of XN in non-invasive inflammation induced by chemical damage to zebrafish hair cells, (2) clarify if it influences cell injury severity, neutrophil migration, macrophage activation, cell regeneration, and (3) find out whether it modulates the gene expression profile of chosen immune and stress response markers. All experiments were performed on 3 dpf zebrafish larvae. After fertilization the embryos were transferred to appropriate XN solutions (0.1 µM, 0.3 µM and 0.5 µM). The 40 min 10 µM CuSO4 exposure evoked severe damage to posterior lateral line hair cells triggering a robust acute inflammatory response. Four readouts were selected as the indicators of XN role in the process of inflammation: 1) hair cell death, 2) neutrophil migration towards damaged hair cells, 3) macrophage activation and recruitment to damaged hair cells, 4) hair cell regeneration. The assessments involved in vivo confocal microscopy imaging and qPCR based molecular analysis. It was demonstrated that XN (1) influences death pathway of damaged hair cells by redirecting their severe necrotic phenotype into apoptotic one, (2) impacts the immune response via regulating neutrophil migration, macrophage recruitment and activation (3) modulates gene expression of immune system markers and (4) accelerates hair cell regeneration.

Structure and genetic diversity of Canadian Maritimes wild hops.

Studies on the northeastern American native hops (Humulus lupulus ssp. lupuloides) from the Canadian Maritimes are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic structure and diversity among 25 wild-collected hops from three Canadian Maritime provinces using microsatellite (simple sequence repeat (SSR)) markers. Based on 43 SSR markers, four distinct subgroups were found, with a low molecular variance (19%) between subgroups and a high variance (81%) within subgroups. The Nei's unbiased genetic distance between clusters ranged from 0.01 to 0.08, the genetic distance between clusters 2 and 3 being the farthest and that between clusters 1 and 2 the closest. Cluster 2 captured the highest overall diversity. A total of 18 SSR markers clearly discriminated hop clones by detecting putative subspecies-specific haplotypes, differentiating clones of native-wild H. lupulus ssp. lupuloides from the naturalized old and modern hop cultivars. Seven of the 18 SSR markers also differentiated two clones from the same site from one another. The study is the first, using molecular markers, to identify SSR markers with potential for intellectual property protection in Canadian Maritimes hops. The SSR markers herein used can be prime tools for hop breeders and growers in the region.

Insight into the Interaction of Humulus lupulus L. Specialized Metabolites and Gastrointestinal Bitter Taste Receptors: In Vitro Study in STC-1 Cells and Molecular Docking.

Bitter taste receptors, also known as taste 2 receptors (T2R), are expressed throughout the body and are involved in regulating different physiological processes. T2R expression in the intestinal tract regulates orexigenic and anorexigenic peptide secretion, thus becoming potential a potential target for controlling food intake and the prevalence of obesity and overweight. The present study aims to investigate the implication of hop bitter compounds such as α-acids, ß-acids, and xanthohumol in the secretion of anorexigenic hormones and T2R expression in intestinal STC-1 cells. The tested bitter compounds induced the secretion of the anorexigenic hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 and cholecystokinin concurrently with a selective increase of murine Tas2r expression. Xanthohumol and α-acids selectively increase Tas2r138 and Tas2r130-Tas2r138 expression, respectively, in STC-1 cells, while ß-acids increased the expression of all bitter receptors studied, including Tas2r119, Tas2r105, Tas2r138, Tas2r120, and Tas2r130. Increased intracellular calcium levels confirmed this activity. As all investigated bitter molecules increased Tas2r138 expression, computational studies were performed on Tas2r138 and its human orthologue T2R38 for the first time. Molecular docking experiments showed that all molecules might be able to bind both bitter receptors, providing an excellent basis for applying hop bitter molecules as lead compounds to further design gastrointestinal-permeable T2R agonists.

What Explains Hop Growers' Fungicide Use Intensity and Management Costs in Response to Powdery Mildew?

Methods for causal inference from observational data are common in human disease epidemiology and social sciences but are used relatively little in plant pathology. We draw upon an extensive data set of the incidence of hop plants with powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera macularis) collected from yards in Oregon from 2014 to 2017 and associated metadata on grower cultural practices, cultivar susceptibility to powdery mildew, and pesticide application records to understand variation in and causes of growers' fungicide use and associated costs. An instrumental causal forest model identified growers' spring pruning thoroughness, cultivar susceptibility to two of the dominant pathogenic races of P. macularis, network centrality of yards during May-June and June-July time transitions, and the initial strain of the fungus detected as important variables determining the number of pesticide active constituents applied by growers and the associated costs they incurred in response to powdery mildew. Exposure-response function models fit after covariate weighting indicated that both the number of pesticide active constituents applied and their associated costs scaled linearly with the seasonal mean incidence of plants with powdery mildew. Although the causes of pesticide use intensity are multifaceted, biological and production factors collectively influence the incidence of powdery mildew, which has a direct exposure-response relationship with the number of pesticide active constituents that growers apply and their costs. Our analyses point to several potential strategies for reducing pesticide use and costs for management of powdery mildew on hop. We also highlight the utility of these methods for causal inference in observational studies.

A droplet vitrification cryopreservation protocol for conservation of hops (Humulus lupulus) genetic resources.

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) is essentially used in the brewing industry as it contributes to flavor, and aroma of beer. However, the genetic diversity of hops is increasingly threatened by diseases, environmental changes, and urbanization. Cryopreservation has emerged as a pivotal strategy for safeguarding and maintaining the genetic diversity of hops. The present work presents a comprehensive study on the cryopreservation of hops, focusing on the development and optimization of a droplet vitrification based cryopreservation protocol. Shoot tips excised from one month old in vitro cultures were precultured on 0.3 M sucrose, dehydrated in a loading solution followed by treatment with PVS2 solution for different durations. Significant effect of PVS2 dehydration was observed on post-thaw survival and regeneration after cryoconservation with maximum 50% post-thaw regeneration observed in shoot tips dehydrated in PVS2 for 30 min. Genetic fidelity of the regenerated plants was confirmed using 30 ISSR markers. Reproducibility of the developed protocol was tested on seven other accessions and post thaw regeneration ranging from 43 to 70% was observed across the accessions. The present study reports a highly efficient protocol for conservation of hops germplasm. The results indicate that droplet vitrification can be used as a reliable and sustainable approach for hop genetic preservation, with high survival rates and minimal genetic alterations observed in cryopreserved samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on DV based cryopreservation of hops germplasm.

Safety Assessment of Hops as Used in Cosmetics.

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract (reported functions include antimicrobial agent and hair conditioning agent) and Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Oil (reported function is fragrance). The Panel reviewed the relevant data related to these ingredients. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing the same constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. For these ingredients, the Panel was concerned about the presence of 8-prenylnaringenin, ß-myrcene, and quercetin in cosmetics, which could result in estrogenic effects, dermal irritation, and genotoxicity, respectively. Industry should use current good manufacturing practices to limit impurities and constituents of concern. The Panel concluded that Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract and Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Oil are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-sensitizing.

Xanthohumol-A Miracle Molecule with Biological Activities: A Review of Biodegradable Polymeric Carriers and Naturally Derived Compounds for Its Delivery.

Xanthohumol (Xn), a prenylated chalcone found in Hop (Humulus lupulus L.), has been shown to have potent anti-aging, diabetes, inflammation, microbial infection, and cancer properties. Unfortunately, this molecule has undesirable characteristics such as inadequate intake, low aqueous solubility, and a short half-life. To address these drawbacks, researchers have made numerous attempts to improve its absorption, solubility, and bioavailability. Polymeric drug delivery systems (PDDSs) have experienced significant development over the last two decades. Polymeric drug delivery is defined as a formulation or device that allows the introduction of a therapeutic substance into the body. Biodegradable and bioreducible polymers are the ideal choice for a variety of new DDSs. Xn formulations based on biodegradable polymers and naturally derived compounds could solve some of the major drawbacks of Xn-based drug delivery. In this regard, the primary concern of this study is on presenting innovative formulations for Xn delivery, such as nanoparticles (NPs), nanomicelles, nanoliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and others, as well as the received in vitro and in vivo data. Furthermore, this work describes the chemistry and broad biological activity of Xn, which is particularly useful in modern drug technology as well as the cosmetics industry. It is also important to point out that the safety of using Xn, and its biotransformation, pharmacokinetics, and clinical applications, have been thoroughly explained in this review.

Biotransformation of Xanthohumol by Entomopathogenic Filamentous Fungi.

Xanthohumol (1) is a major prenylated flavonoid in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) which exhibits a broad spectrum of health-promoting and therapeutic activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. However, due to its lipophilic nature, it is poorly soluble in water and barely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, which greatly limits its therapeutic potential. One method of increasing the solubility of active compounds is their conjugation to polar molecules, such as sugars. Sugar moiety introduced into the flavonoid molecule significantly increases polarity, which results in better water solubility and often leads to greater bioavailability. Entomopathogenic fungi are well known for their ability to catalyze O-glycosylation reactions. Therefore, we investigated the ability of selected entomopathogenic filamentous fungi to biotransform xanthohumol (1). As a result of the experiments, one aglycone (2) and five glycosides (3-7) were obtained. The obtained (2″E)-4″-hydroxyxanthohumol 4'-O-ß-D-(4‴-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside (5) has never been described in the literature so far. Interestingly, in addition to the expected glycosylation reactions, the tested fungi also catalyzed chalcone-flavanone cyclization reactions, which demonstrates chalcone isomerase-like activity, an enzyme typically found in plants. All these findings undoubtedly indicate that entomopathogenic filamentous fungi are still an underexploited pool of novel enzymes.

Antioxidant Activity of Humulus lupulus Phenolic Hop Extracts in Creating a New Pâté: An Element Affecting Fat Stability and Microbiological Quality during Storage.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hop extracts on changes in the primary and secondary fat oxidation products, physicochemical properties, and microbiological quality of pâté-type offal sausages obtained through the partial replacement of animal fat with vegetable fat. This study demonstrated that the extraction efficiency varied among hop cone varieties, with the highest efficiency observed for the Lubelski variety and the lowest for the Magnum variety. The phenolic compound content was higher in the Magnum cones (2.74 ± 0.11 mg/g dry matter) compared to the Lubelska cones (2.27 ± 0.05 mg/g of product). Additionally, the DPPH radical scavenging activity was greater in the extract from the Magnum cones (4.21 ± 0.09 mg TE/g d.w.) than in the extract from the Lublelski cones (3.87 ± 0.05 mg TE/ g d.w.). Similarly, the extracts from the Lubelski cones exhibited a higher antiradical activity against the ABTS radical compared to the extract from Magnum cones. Throughout storage, a significant increase in the pH value was observed in the control sample and in the samples with a 20% replacement of animal fat with rapeseed oil and Magnum hop extract. However, the addition of Lubelski hop extract resulted in a decrease in the pH value during the 15-day storage period. The samples with a 20% replacement of animal fat with rapeseed oil and 0.1% Lubelski hop extract showed the least changes in water activity during storage. The samples with a 20% replacement of animal fat with rapeseed oil and the addition of 0.2% Lubelski hop extract had the lowest peroxide value and TBARS index throughout the storage period. The addition of hop extract inhibited the growth of the total number of microorganisms in the tested sausages. In the samples with a 20% replacement of animal fat with rapeseed oil, the content of aerobic microorganisms, compared to the control sample, was statistically significantly lower.

Optimization of Antifungal Properties of Hop Cone Carbon Dioxide Extracts Based on Response Surface Methodology.

Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process parameters of the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of hop cones in terms of their antifungal properties against Fusarium culmorum and Aspergillus niger. The effects of temperature (40-50 °C), pressure (200-300 bar), and CO2 consumption (25-75 kgCO2/kg) on the extraction yield, content of α- and ß-acids, as well as pathogens' growth inhibition were investigated. Both pressure and CO2 consumption had a significant effect on antifungal properties. It was observed that the best results for antifungal properties were obtained when hop cones were extracted with pure carbon dioxide at the temperature of 50 °C, under the pressure of 300 bar with CO2 consumption at the level of 75 kgCO2/kg of feed for extraction. The highest antifungal properties of hop cone supercritical carbon dioxide extracts were analyzed as 100% for Fusarium culmorum and 68% for Aspergillus niger, calculated as the growth inhibition of tested pathogens. The aim of the study was to determine the optimum values of extraction parameters to achieve the maximum response and enable us to investigate the interaction of these parameters on the antifungal properties of hop cone extracts.

Unlocking hot trub's potential: a simple method for extracting bitter acids and xanthohumol.

BACKGROUND: Hot trub is a macronutrient- and micronutrient-rich by-product generated in the brewing industry, which is still underrated as a raw material for reprocessing purposes. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the extraction of bitter acids' and xanthohumol from hot trub as well as identify the significance of parameters for the process. The research assessed various extraction parameters, such as pH, ethanol concentration, temperature, and solid-to-liquid ratio, using a Plackett-Burman design. RESULTS: Ethanol concentration and pH were the most significant parameters affecting extraction yield. ß-acids were found to be the principal components of the bitter acids, with a maximum concentration near 16 mg g-1, followed by iso-α-acids and α-acids achieving 6 and 3.6 mg g-1, respectively. The highest yields of bitter acids were observed in the highest ethanol concentration, while pH was relevant to extraction process in treatments with low ethanol ratios. Concerning the xanthohumol extraction, the approach achieved maximum concentration (239 µg g-1) in treatments with ethanol concentration above 30%. Despite their variances, the phytochemicals exhibited comparable extraction patterns, indicating similar interactions with macromolecules. Moreover, the characterization of the solid residues demonstrated that the extraction process did not bring about any alterations to the chemical and total protein profiles. CONCLUSION: Ethanol concentration was found to have the most significant impact on the extraction of bitter acids and xanthohumol, while temperature had no significant effect. The solid remains resulting from the extraction showed potential for use as a protein source. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The hops (Humulus lupulus) genome contains a mid-sized terpene synthase family that shows wide functional and allelic diversity.

BACKGROUND: Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are a dioecious climbing perennial, with the dried mature "cones" (strobili) of the pistillate/female inflorescences being widely used as both a bittering agent and to enhance the flavour of beer. The glandular trichomes of the bract and bracteole flowering structures of the cones produce an abundance of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, bitter acids and prenylated phenolics depending on plant genetics, developmental stage and environment. More knowledge is required on the functional and allelic diversity of terpene synthase (TPS) genes responsible for the biosynthesis of volatile terpenes to assist in flavour-directed hop breeding. RESULTS: Major volatile terpene compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the ripe cones of twenty-one hop cultivars grown in New Zealand. All cultivars produced the monoterpene ß-myrcene and the sesquiterpenes α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene, but the quantities varied broadly. Other terpenes were found in large quantities in only a smaller subset of cultivars, e.g. ß-farnesene (in seven cultivars) and α-pinene (in four). In four contrasting cultivars (Wakatu™, Wai-iti™, Nelson Sauvin™, and 'Nugget'), terpene production during cone development was investigated in detail, with concentrations of some of the major terpenes increasing up to 1000-fold during development and reaching maximal levels from 50-60 days after flowering. Utilising the published H. lupulus genome, 87 putative full-length and partial terpene synthase genes were identified. Alleles corresponding to seven TPS genes were amplified from ripe cone cDNA from multiple cultivars and subsequently functionally characterised by transient expression in planta. Alleles of the previously characterised HlSTS1 produced humulene/caryophyllene as the major terpenes. HlRLS alleles produced (R)-(-)-linalool, whilst alleles of two sesquiterpene synthase genes, HlAFS1 and HlAFS2 produced α-farnesene. Alleles of HlMTS1, HlMTS2 and HlTPS1 were inactive in all the hop cultivars studied. CONCLUSIONS: Alleles of four TPS genes were identified and shown to produce key aroma volatiles in ripe hop cones. Multiple expressed but inactive TPS alleles were also identified, suggesting that extensive loss-of-function has occurred during domestication and breeding of hops. Our results can be used to develop hop cultivars with novel/improved terpene profiles using marker-assisted breeding strategies to select for, or against, specific TPS alleles.

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with R1-mediated resistance to powdery mildew and sex determination in hop (Humulus lupulus L.).

KEY MESSAGE: Two QTL were identified using linkage mapping approaches, one on hop linkage group 3 (qHl_Chr3.PMR1) associated with powdery mildew resistance and a second on linkage group 10 (cqHl_ChrX.SDR1) associated with sex determination. Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is a dioecious species cultivated for use in beer. Hop powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera macularis, is a constraint in many growing regions. Thus, identifying markers associated with powdery mildew resistance and sex provides the opportunity to pyramid R-genes and select female plants as seedlings, respectively. Our objectives were to characterize the genetic basis of R1-mediated resistance in the cultivar Zenith which provides resistance to pathogen races in the US, identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with R1 and sex, and develop markers for molecular breeding-based approaches. Phenotypic evaluation of the population indicated that R1-based resistance and sex are inherited monogenically. We constructed a genetic map using 1339 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based upon genotype-by-sequencing of 128 F1 progeny derived from a Zenith × USDA 21058M biparental population. SNPs were assigned to 10 linkage groups comprising a map length of 1204.97 cM with an average density of 0.94 cM/marker. Quantitative trait locus mapping identified qHl_Chr3.PMR1, associated with R1 on linkage group 3 (LOD = 23.57, R2 = 57.2%), and cqHl_ChrX.SDR1, associated with sex on linkage group 10 (LOD = 5.42, R2 = 25.0%). Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assays were developed for both QTL and assessed against diverse germplasm. Our results indicate that KASP markers associated with R1 may be limited to materials that are pedigree-related to Zenith, whereas markers associated with sex may be transferable across populations. The high-density map, QTL, and associated KASP markers will enable selecting for sex and R1-mediated resistance in hop.

The Hop Cyst Nematode, Heterodera humuli: History, Distribution, and Impact on Global Hop Production.

Humulus lupulus (commonly known as hop) is an herbaceous plant that is used in brewing throughout the world. Hop cones are an essential ingredient in the production of beer, which makes hops of critical importance to global craft beverage industries. The hop cyst nematode, Heterodera humuli, is a plant-parasitic nematode with the potential to substantially limit yields of hop. H. humuli has been detected in many of the most significant regions for hop production worldwide, and infestations of H. humuli can consequently impact hop growth and limit cone production. Despite documented reports on the distribution of and damage caused by H. humuli since its description in 1934, there have been limited studies on the biology, pathogenicity, management, and consequences of infestations on hop production over time. Inconsistencies and gaps in the available information (e.g., the number of H. humuli generations per season, host status of alternate crops), exacerbate difficulties in understanding how H. humuli can be managed. Resolving the existing knowledge gaps identified within this review can lead to determining effective H. humuli management strategies for hop growers.

Effect of Humulus lupulus L. (Hop) on Postmenopausal Sexual Dysfunction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Female sexual dysfunction is a common distressing problem among women, which may result from reducing circulating endogenous estrogen. Humulus lupulus L. (hop) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and estrogenic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of hop on postmenopausal sexual dysfunction. Methods: In the current randomized clinical trial, study populations consisted of 63 postmenopausal women who were randomly categorized into two groups. In the hop group (N = 33), women received the vaginal gel containing Hop extract every day for seven days and then continued for two months, twice weekly. In the estradiol group (N = 30), women were treated with vaginal estradiol (0.625 mg) over two 28-day cycles (21 days of therapy and seven days rest). The sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire before and after intervention. Results: No statistically significant differences in FSFI scores (sexual desire, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication, satisfaction, orgasm, sexual pain, and total FSFI) (P > 0.05) were noticed after treatment between the hop and estradiol groups. Conclusion: Vaginal hop was as effective as estradiol in improving the sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women with no adverse events. This trial is registered with IRCT20210405050859N1.

Effects of intraduodenal or intragastric administration of a bitter hop extract (Humulus lupulus L.), on upper gut motility, gut hormone secretion and energy intake in healthy-weight men.

Gastrointestinal functions, particularly pyloric motility and the gut hormones, cholecystokinin and peptide YY, contribute to the regulation of acute energy intake. Bitter tastants modulate these functions, but may, in higher doses, induce GI symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of both dose and delivery location of a bitter hop extract (BHE) on antropyloroduodenal pressures, plasma cholecystokinin and peptide YY, appetite perceptions, gastrointestinal symptoms and energy intake in healthy-weight men. The study consisted of two consecutive parts, with part A including n = 15, and part B n = 11, healthy, lean men (BMI 22.6 ± 1.1 kg/m2, aged 25 ± 3 years). In randomised, double-blind fashion, participants received in part A, BHE in doses of either 100 mg ("ID-BHE-100") or 250 mg ("ID-BHE-250"), or vehicle (canola oil; "ID-control") intraduodenally, or in part B, 250 mg BHE ("IG-BHE-250") or vehicle ("IG-control") intragastrically. Antropyloroduodenal pressures, hormones, appetite and symptoms were measured for 180 min, energy intake from a standardised buffet-meal was quantified subsequently. ID-BHE-250, but not ID-BHE-100, had modest, and transient, effects to stimulate pyloric pressures during the first 90 min (P < 0.05), and peptide YY from t = 60 min (P < 0.05), but did not affect antral or duodenal pressures, cholecystokinin, appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms or energy intake. IG-BHE-250 had no detectable effects. In conclusion, BHE, when administered intraduodenally, in the selected higher dose, modestly affected some appetite-related gastrointestinal functions, but had no detectable effects when given in the lower dose or intragastrically. Thus, BHE, at none of the doses or routes of administration tested, has appetite- or energy intake-suppressant effects.

Humulus lupulus and microbes: Exploring biotic causes for hop creep.

BACKGROUND: Hop creep continues to present an unresolved issue for the brewing industry, specifically stemming from those hops added to beer during fermentation. Hops have been found to contain four dextrin-degrading enzymes: alpha amylase, beta amylase, limit dextrinase, and an amyloglucosidase. One recent hypothesis predicts that these dextrin-degrading enzymes could originate from microbes rather than the hop plant itself. SCOPE AND APPROACH: This review begins by describing how hops are processed and used in the brewing industry. It will then discuss hop creep's origins with a new beer style, antimicrobial factors from hops and resistance mechanisms that bacteria use to counter them, and finally microbial communities that inhabit hops, focusing on whether they can produce the starch degrading enzymes which drive hop creep. After initial identification, microbes with possible links to hop creep were then run through several databases to search the genomes (if available) and for those specific enzymes. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Several bacteria and fungi contain alpha amylase as well as unspecified glycosyl hydrolases, but only one contains beta amylase. Finally, this paper closes with a short summary of how abundant these organisms typically are in other flowers.