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Here, we reported that detailed investigation on trace targeted metabolites from nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora mutant with deletion of P450 gene AOL_s00215g278 led to isolation of 9 new polyketide-terpenoid hybrid derivatives, including four new glycosides of the key precursor farnesyl hydrotoluquinol (1) and, surprisingly, four new sesquiterpenyl epoxy-cyclohexenoids (SECs) analogues. Among them, two major target metabolites 1 and 14 displayed moderate nematode inhibitory ability. Moreover, the mutant lacking AOL_s00215g278 could form far more nematode-capturing traps within 6 h in contact with nematodes and show rapid potent nematicidal activity with killing 93.7% preys, though deletion of the P450 gene resulted in dramatic decrease in fungal colony growth and failure to produce fungal conidia. The results unequivocally revealed that gene AOL_s00215g278 should be involved in not only the SEC biosynthetic pathway in the nematode-trapping fungus A. oligospora but also fungal conidiation and nematicidal activity.

The mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative and antitumor activities of aromatic turmerone (ar-turmerone), a volatile turmeric oil isolated from Curcuma longa Linn., have been largely unknown. In this study, 86% pure ar-turmerone was extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide and liquid-solid chromatography and its potential effects and molecular mechanisms on cell proliferation studied in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Ar-turmerone exhibited significant antiproliferative activity, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 64.8 ± 7.1, 102.5 ± 11.5, and 122.2 ± 7.6 μg/mL against HepG2, Huh-7, and Hep3B cells, respectively. Ar-turmerone-induced apoptosis, confirmed by increased annexin V binding and DNA fragmentation, was accompanied by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation, increased Bax and p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) levels, Bax mitochondrial translocation, cytochrome c release, Fas and death receptor 4 (DR4) augmentation, and caspase-3, -8, and -9 activation. Exposure to caspase inhibitors, Fas-antagonistic antibody, DR4 antagonist, and furosemide (a blocker of Bax translocation) effectively abolished ar-turmerone-triggered apoptosis. Moreover, ar-turmerone stimulated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and activation; treatment with JNK and ERK inhibitors markedly reduced PUMA, Bax, Fas, and DR4 levels and reduced apoptosis but not ROS generation. Furthermore, antioxidants attenuated ar-turmerone-mediated ROS production; mitochondrial dysfunction; JNK and ERK activation; PUMA, Bax, Fas, and DR4 expression; and apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that ar-turmerone-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells is through ROS-mediated activation of ERK and JNK kinases and triggers both intrinsic and extrinsic caspase activation, leading to apoptosis. On the basis of these observations, ar-turmerone deserves further investigation as a natural anticancer and cancer-preventive agent.

The separation of residual fats from whey protein concentrates (WPC) results in a better nutritional and functional utilization of this product. Bipolar membrane electroacidification (BMEA) technology allows acidification and demineralization of solutions without any salt addition. The principle of BMEA is based on proton formation from water molecule dissociation at the bipolar membrane interface. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of an electroacidification treatment at pH 4.5 on the precipitation of lipids. WPC electroacidification was carried out with or without preliminary demineralization by conventional electrodialysis. The effect of ionic strength on lipid precipitation rates was also evaluated by dilution of the WPC samples. Lipid precipitation levels of 35-39% were obtained using the electroacidification process without a dilution step, while the combination of BMEA and dilution of the WPC resulted in a decrease in lipid content by six-fold from 0.76 to 0.21%.

Chitosan, a partially deacetylated derivative of chitin, was solubilized by bipolar membrane electroacidification (BMEA). Bipolar/monopolar (anionic or cationic) configuration and chitosan addition mode (single step or stepwise) were examined. Chitosan solubility and electroacidification parameters were monitored during the process to determine the optimal conditions. Bipolar/anionic configuration and stepwise feeding mode led to chitosan solubilization yield of 91% in 60 min at 20 mA/cm2. In this configuration, chitosan solution had a pH of 2.5, a conductivity of 8.5 mS/cm, and an ash content of 0.2%. Relative energy consumption was 0.05 kWh/L of 1% chitosan solution prepared. Although some chitosan particles were aggregated in the electrodialysis stack, limiting chitosan solubilization, BMEA allowed complete solubilization of chitosan circulating in the system. Keywords: Chitosan solubilization; electroacidification; bipolar membranes; ionic membranes

Chitosan, a linear polysaccharide composed of beta-1,4 linked d-glucosamine residues, can be depolymerized into oligomers by enzymatic reaction with chitosanase. Recently, bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) has been used for chitosan solubilization and for terminating the enzymatic reaction by action of electrogenerated acid and base, respectively. The aim of the present study was to test a complete "3-in-1" process using a three-compartment BMED configuration to perform simultaneously the solubilization of chitosan, the inactivation of chitosanase, and the demineralization of the oligomers. In addition, the BMED process was compared to a conventional process using chemical acid and base. The BMED method was found to be as effective as the conventional method for solubilizing the chitosan and for inactivating the chitosanase. Furthermore, the use of BMED allowed a demineralization rate of 53% of the chito-oligomer solution in the diluate compartment. A global process of chitosan hydrolysis into its oligomers using a BMED system was proposed. This technology has great potential for industrial application in chitosan oligomer preparation, because it is convenient and ecological and it produces chito-oligomers with a lower mineral content compared with the conventional method.