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Abstract The influence of repeated and continuous dry heat treatments on structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties of sweet potato starch was investigated. The results showed that the original A-type crystallinity of sweet potato starch remained unchanged after dry heat treatments. The light transmittance, gelatinization temperature, and pasting temperature of sweet potato starch increased; while the pasting viscosities, swelling power, and solubility decreased after dry heat treatments. Relative crystallinity, solubility, swelling power, light transmittance, and thermal parameter values (T o , T p , T c , ΔT) were found to be significantly higher for the continuous dry heat (CDH) treated starch than those of the repeated dry heat (RDH) treated starch after treatment for the same duration. However, CDH treated starch samples showed lower paste viscosity and digestibility than those of RDH treated samples after treatment for the same duration. In addition, the CDH treatment highly influenced the structure of starch granule surface compared with the RDH treatment. Generally, it can be concluded that RDH treatment highly influenced structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties of sweet potato starch compared with CDH treatment. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Sweet potato starch was subjected to repeated and continuous dry heat (RDH and CDH) treatments. • The dry heat treatment significantly influenced physicochemical and digestive properties of the sweet potato starch. • The original A-type crystallinity of the sweet potato starch remained unchanged after dry heat treatments. • The repeated dry heat treatment highly influenced properties of starch compared to continuous dry heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Statement of problem An assessment of the evidence for the antagonist enamel wear of tooth-supported monolithic zirconia posterior crowns is lacking. Purpose The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and summarize clinical studies related to the antagonist enamel wear of tooth-supported monolithic zirconia posterior crowns. Material and methods PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library searches were performed and complemented by manual searches from database inception to December 25, 2017, for title and abstract analysis. Results Initially, 198 articles were obtained through database searches. Twenty-one articles were selected for full-text analysis, and 5 studies met the inclusion criteria. Because of the heterogeneity in design, surface treatment, measurement methods, and wear parameters, a meta-analysis was not possible. The selected studies were analyzed regarding the antagonist natural enamel wear of zirconia, measurement methods, and surface treatment. The results of the antagonist enamel wear varied widely, which made comparing them scientifically with absolute values difficult. Conclusions This review indicated that the antagonist enamel wear of zirconia was similar to or more than that of natural teeth but less than that of metal-ceramics. Additional properly designed, longer follow-up clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate the antagonist enamel wear of monolithic zirconia crowns in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The altered morphology, amylose content, microstructure, viscosity and thermal properties of potato starch after heating by radio frequency (RF) and microwaves (MW) were studied and contrasted with the native potato starch. The results showed that the MW treatment roughens the starch surface and lowers the amylose content of the starch, even more than the RF-treated starch does. The starch granule size of MW treated was larger than RF treated. RF treatment altered the structure and reduced the crystallinity of the starch, but the MW treatment did not affect the crystal form. The gelatinization temperature of the MW-treated starch was higher than the native potato starch, while the RF-treated starch was lower than the native starch. The results also indicated that the peak viscosity and the breakdown viscosity values of the RF-treated starch consistently surpassed that of the MW-treated starch. The results exposed the facts that RF treated starch showed the same trend on crystal and pasting properties compared with the hot water annealing starches, which suggested RF can be an efficient method for starch annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composting has been suggested as a potential strategy to eliminate antibiotic residues and pathogens in livestock manure before its application as an organic fertilizer in agro-ecosystems. However, the impacts of composting on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in livestock manure and their temporal succession following the application of compost to land are not well understood. We examined how aerobic composting affected the resistome profiles of cattle manure, and by constructing laboratory microcosms we compared the effects of manure and compost application to agricultural soils on the temporal succession of a wide spectrum of ARGs. The high-throughput quantitative PCR array detected a total of 144 ARGs across all the soil, manure and compost samples, with Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B, aminoglycoside, multidrug, tetracycline, and β-lactam resistance as the most dominant types. Composting significantly reduced the diversity and relative abundance of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the cattle manure. In the 120-day microcosm incubation, the diversity and abundance of ARGs in manure-treated soils were significantly higher than those in compost-treated soils at the beginning of the experiment. The level of antibiotic resistance rapidly declined over time in all manure- and compost-treated soils, coupled with similar temporal patterns of manure- and compost-derived bacterial communities as revealed by SourceTracker analysis. The network analysis revealed more intensive interactions/associations among ARGs and MGEs in manure-treated soils than in compost-treated soils, suggesting that mobility potential of ARGs was lower in soils amended with compost. Our results provide evidence that aerobic composting of cattle manure may be an effective approach to mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance propagation associated with land application of organic wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land application of animal manure is a common agricultural practice potentially leading to dispersal and propagation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in environmental settings. However, the fate of resistome in agro-ecosystems over time following application of different manure sources has never been compared systematically. Here, soil microcosm incubation was conducted to compare effects of poultry, cattle and swine manures spiked with or without the antibiotic tylosin on the temporal changes of soil ARGs. The high-throughput quantitative PCR detected a total of 185 unique ARGs, with Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B resistance as the most frequently encountered ARG type. The diversity and abundance of ARGs significantly increased following application of manure and manure spiked with tylosin, with more pronounced effects observed in the swine and poultry manure treatments than in the cattle manure treatment. The level of antibiotic resistance gradually decreased over time in all manured soils but was still significantly higher in the soils treated with swine and poultry manures than in the untreated soils after 130 days’ incubation. Tylosin-amended soils consistently showed higher abundances of ARGs than soils treated with manure only, suggesting a strong selection pressure of antibiotic-spiked manure on soil ARGs. The relative abundance of ARGs had significantly positive correlations with integrase and transposase genes, indicative of horizontal transfer potential of ARGs in manure and tylosin treated soils. Our findings provide evidence that application of swine and poultry manures might enrich more soil ARGs than cattle manure, which necessitates the appropriate treatment of raw animal manures prior to land application to minimise the spread of environmental ARGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium(V) is present in trace amounts in most plants and widely distributed in soils. However, the environmental toxicity of V compound in soils is controversial. A greenhouse study with soybean from germination to bean production under exposure to pentavalent V [V(V)] was conducted to elucidate the interaction of plants and V fractions in soils and to evaluate the toxicity of V at different plant growth stages. Soybean growth has no effect on non-specific-bond and specific-bond fractions of V in soils, but V fractionation occurred in more extraction-resistant phases at high V concentrations. High concentrations of V(V) postponed the germination and growth of the soybeans. Bean production was less than half of that of the control at 500 mg kg −1 spiked V(V). For the 0 mg kg −1 spiked V(V) treated plants, the root was not the main location where V was retained. Vanadium in the soils at ≤ 250 mg kg −1 did not significantly affect the V concentration in the shoot and leaf of soybeans. With the increase in V concentration in soil, V concentrations in roots increased, whereas those in beans and pods decreased. From vegetative growth to the reproductive growth, the soybeans adsorbed more V and accumulated more V in the roots, with <20% transported to the aboveground parts. Hence, the analysis of V concentration in vegetative tissues or beans may not be a useful indicator for V pollution in soil. Meanwhile, the ratio of V concentration in cell wall to the total V concentration in the root increased with the increase in V(V) concentration in soils. Our results revealed that high concentrations of V inhibited soybean germination and biomass production. However, plants may produce self-defense systems to endure V toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The total aroma content of red jujube increased 32.7% after freeze drying. • Pyrazines contributed the highest OAV and roasty note in freeze-dried red jujube. • Fatty acids with LOX had important effects on the increase of alcohols and esters. • Maillard reaction affected the formation of aroma under the controlled temperature. To understand the evolution of aroma in jujubes during dynamic freeze drying (FD), the relationship between aroma compounds, precursors, and related enzyme activities were analyzed. Fifty-three volatiles were identified during FD processing. After FD, the total aroma contents were increased from 11,004 to 14,603 μg/kg, ketones content was significantly decreased by 54.11 %, resulted in the loss of creamy note in freeze-dried jujube (FDJ). Through the network analysis, serine, glycine, proline, valine, cysteine, arginine, glutamic acid, lysine and leucine had the significant correlation with pyrazines, dominated the roasty note of FDJ. Linoleic acid, α -linolenic acid and oleic acid with lipoxygenase had important effects on the increase of esters (from 412 to 9,486 μg/kg), contributed fruity and sweet notes of FDJ. Besides, through the Mantel test, the influence degree of factors on the formation of FDJ aroma was ranked as temperature > enzyme activity > fatty acids > amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a sulfur-oxidizing community was enriched from activated sludge generated in tannery wastewater treatment plants. Bioleaching of tannery sludge containing 0.9–1.2% chromium was investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of the enriched community, the effect of chromium binding forms on bioleaching efficiency, and the dominant microbes contributing to chromium bioleaching. Sludge samples inoculated with the enriched community presented 79.9–96.8% of chromium leaching efficiencies, much higher than those without the enriched community. High bioleaching efficiencies of over 95% were achieved for chromium in reducible fraction, while 60.9–97.9% were observed for chromium in oxidizable and residual fractions. Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans , the predominant bacteria in the enriched community, played an important role in bioleaching, whereas some indigenous heterotrophic species in sludge might have had a supporting role. The results indicated that A. thiooxidans -dominant enriched microbial community had high chromium bioleaching efficiency, and chromium binding forms affected the bioleaching performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooked off-flavor was produced during the processing of concentrated peach puree (CPP), which led to aroma deterioration. Enzymatic treatment was beneficial in eliminating off-flavors and improving the aroma quality. Herein, the efficacy of glycosidase (AR2000), glucose oxidation (GOD), and their combination on the inhibition of off-flavors and aroma enhancement were evaluated. Compared with CPP, contents of benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, nonanal, and linalool increased by 198%, 1222%, 781%, and 71% after AR2000 treatment via the metabolisms of shikimate, glucose, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, leading to the strengthening of floral and grassy. Due to the removal of 1-octen-3-one via linolenic acid metabolism, cooked off-flavor could be significantly weakened by GOD. Furthermore, Furthermore, the combination of AR2000 and GOD could not only inhibit the production of 1-octen-3-one to weaken the cooked note but also enhance grassy and floral attributes via the increase of aldehydes and alcohols. [Display omitted] • Grassy attributes of peach concentrate (PC) were enhanced via glycosidase (AR2000). • "Cooked" odor was inhibited by glucose oxidase (GOD) via linolenic acid metabolism. • The overall aroma of PC improved significantly by the complement of AR2000 & GOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Key aroma-active and off-flavor compounds were identified in peach concentrate. • Aroma properties changed from green to cooked during thermal processing. • 1-Octen-3-one contributed to "cooked" note via linolenic acid metabolism. • "Sour/rancid" was linked to isobutyric, isovaleric acids, and isothiazole. Non-volatiles offer some insight into the formation of aroma-active components in peach puree (PP), but more depth investigation is still needed. Formation pathways of key aroma-active and off-flavor components in PP during thermal concentration (PP + C) and sterilization (PP + C + S) are unclear. Therefore, GC-O-MS combined with UPLC-MS/MS was used to identify the volatile and nonvolatile components and their formation pathways. Among the 36 aroma-active compounds, the contents of γ -decalactone, hexyl acetate, leaf acetate, hexanal, and 1-hexanol (odor activity value ≥ 1) decreased by 46 %, 100 %, 100 %, 92 %, and 100 % between PP and PP + C + S, causing the weakening of "green" and "fruity" attributes. Off-flavor components including 1-octen-3-one, isobutyric acid, isothiazole, and isovaleric acid were identified during thermal processing. 1-Octen-3-one content increased by 75 % from PP to PP + C + S through linolenic acid metabolism, which contributed to "cooked"; the formation of isobutyric and isovaleric acids, isothiazole, resulted in the enhancement of "sour/rancid" via serine and leucine metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Repeated-batch process was applicable for chromium bioleaching from tannery sludge. • Two-stage process reduced sludge retention time and achieved high treatment rate. • High abundance of Acidithiobacillus was critical for effective chromium bioleaching. By using an enriched microbial community, repeated-batch processes for bioleaching of chromium from tannery sludge was set up. The effects of batch-feeding ratio (FR) and sludge total solid (TS) on sludge retention time and treatment rate were investigated and a two-stage repeated-batch process was developed. The results of flask-scale repeated-batch bioleaching suggested that the sludge TS and FR impacted the bioleaching performance and a maximum sludge treatment rate of 6.82 g/L/d was achieved at a TS of 6% and FR of 0.5. Repeated-batch bioleaching using single continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) did not yield a satisfactory treatment rate. However, a two-stage process (two CSTRs in series) successfully reduced the sludge retention time and a maximum sludge treatment rate of 4.60 g/L/d with over 90% chromium removal ratio was achieved. The high relative abundance of Acidithiobacillus was found critical for effective bioleaching; however, other genera including Sulfobacillus, Alicyclobacillus, Mycobacterium , and Acidiphilium might also play important supplementary roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Caryophyllene was the dominant volatile compound in freeze-dried carrot (FDC). • β -Carotene was related to 23 of the 144 volatile compounds in FDC. • β -Carotene degraded to α/β -ionone, β -cyclocitral, and esters to affect FDC flavor. • (H)UAA-CaCl 2 treatments maintained the flavor quality and carotenoids in FDC. Changes in carotenoids and volatiles (including β -carotene-metabolites) of freeze-dried carrots (FDC) treated by thermal/nonthermal-ultrasound (40 KHz, 10 min) and ascorbic (2%, w/v)-CaCl 2 (1%, w/v) solution ((H)UAA-CaCl 2) during a 120-day storage period were investigated. The results of HS-SPME/GC–MS showed that caryophyllene was the dominant volatile compound (70.80–275.74 µg/g, d.b) in FDC, and 144 volatile compounds were detected in 6 samples. Besides, 23 volatile compounds were significantly correlated with β -carotene content (p < 0.05), and β -carotene degraded to off-flavor compounds (β -ionone: 22.85–117.26 µg/g, β -cyclocitral: 0–113.84 µg/g and dihydroactindiolide: 4.04–128.37 µg/g) that had adverse effects on FDC flavor. However, UAA-CaCl 2 effectively preserved the total carotenoid content (793.37 µg/g), and HUAA-CaCl 2 reduced the off-odors (such as β -cyclocitral and isothymol) formation at the end of storage. These results indicated that (H)UAA-CaCl 2 treatments were conducive to the maintenance of carotenoids and the flavor quality of FDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anaerobic VFA production from fruit waste at high OLRs of 8–24 g VTS/(L·d). • An OLR of 14 g VTS/(L·d) yielded the highest VFA concentration (61.90 g COD/L). • OLR increase affected the VFA profile and facilitated butyrate-type fermentation. • Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota were predominant in the VFA production reactor. This study examined the performance and microbial community dynamics of an anaerobic volatile fatty acid (VFA) production reactor for treating fruit waste by stepwise increasing organic loading rates (OLRs) from 8 to 24 g volatile total solids (VTS)/(L·d). Results showed that higher VFA concentrations of 52.25–61.90 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L can be maintained at each OLR, thereby resulting to a production of 0.70–0.76 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) VFA /g VTS. Notably, an increase in OLR from 8 to 14 g VTS/(L·d) was beneficial for achieving higher VFA concentrations and yields. Moreover, an increase in OLR affected the VFA distribution significantly; acetate and butyrate became dominant in the fermentation liquid at OLRs ≥ 14 g VTS/(L·d). Microbial community dynamics analysis revealed that phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota were predominant at each OLR, and the genera Lactobacillus , Clostridium_sensu_stricto_ 12, and Caproiciproducens were closely related to anaerobic VFA production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel strategy was proposed to breed multiple stress-tolerant strain E-158. • Ethanol production was significantly improved under different stress conditions. • Good genetic stability of E-158 was found after 30 times of sub-cultivation. • Strain E-158 had strong antioxidant defense ability. Breeding stress-tolerant industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains is crucial to reduce the cost of bioethanol production. In this study, a novel strategy, atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis combined with genome shuffling and hybridization, was successfully applied to obtain a multiple stress-tolerant flocculating industrial S. cerevisiae strain E-158. The enhanced strain E-158 grew better under various stress conditions compared with the original strain KF-7. The concentrations of ethanol produced by strain E-158 during batch fermentation were 10.14 %–81.02 % higher than those produced by strain KF-7 under high ethanol, high temperature, and high osmosis stress conditions. The stress tolerance of E-158 kept stable even after 30 times of sub-cultivation. The lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in strain E-158 manifested that the antioxidant defense ability of E-158 was improved and contributed to its multiple stress-tolerance. This study provided a stress-tolerant strain for industrial ethanol production and a feasible strategy for breeding multiple stress-tolerant industrial S. cerevisiae strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A combination of point mutation, mating, adaptation, and haploidization was used. • Sugar uptake and ethanol production were enhanced by adaptive evolution. • Evolved strains had strong tolerance to inhibitors in the pretreated straw slurry. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with excellent xylose-fermenting capacity and inhibitor tolerance is crucial for lignocellulosic ethanol production. In this study, a combined strategy including site-directed mutagenesis, mating, evolutionary engineering, and haploidization was applied to obtain strains with ideal xylose fermentabilities. Haploid industrial strain KFG4-6B was engineered to overexpress endogenous xylulokinase (XK) and heterologous native or mutated xylose reductase (XR) and xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) from Scheffersomyces stipitis. The XR-mutated strain HX57D showed over 12% increase in both xylose consumption rate and ethanol yield compared with the XR-native strain. To improve the xylose uptake, the HX57D-derived diploids were subjected to evolutionary engineering. In comparison with HX57D, evolved diploid Z4X-21-18 achieved 4.5-fold increases in rates of xylose consumption and ethanol production when fermenting xylose. When fermenting mixed sugars, the glucose and xylose uptake rates were 1.4-fold and 8.3-fold, respectively, higher. H18s28, a haploid of Z4X-21-18, enabled a further 10% increase in xylose consumption rate when fermenting xylose only. However, it was inferior to its diploid parent when fermenting mixed sugars. In the presaccharification-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (P-SSF) of the whole pretreated wheat straw slurry with high contents of multiple inhibitors, Z4X-21-18 produced approximately 42 g/L ethanol with a yield of 0.38 g/g total sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Response mechanisms to weak acids were first revealed in mixed sugars fermentation. • Synergistic inhibition of acetic acid and formic acid on S. cerevisiae was serious. • Three transcription factors related to acetic and formic acids stress were proposed. The growth and ethanol fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are vulnerable to weak acid that coexists with sugar in lignocellulosic hydrolysate. In this study, the molecular basis of S. cerevisiae in response to acetic and formic acids was investigated when fermented with glucose and xylose at pH 5.0. Transcriptional profiling revealed that 294 (657 in total) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were exclusive to mixed acetic and formic acids (Aa_Fa) group, the DEGs in acetic acid (Aa) and formic acid (Fa) group were 308 and 326, respectively. The general responses to Aa, Fa, and Aa_Fa mainly involved carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and stress response. In Aa_Fa group, the enrichment ratio of each pathway was much higher than being exposed to Aa or Fa stress individually, and some enrichments not existed in Aa or Fa group were observed, suggesting the synergistic anti-inhibition responses of S. cerevisiae was triggered. In yeast cells, bioconversion, stress response, and transmembrane transport could be activated to resist acetic and formic acids accompanying with energy consumption. Except the putative transcriptional factor (TF) - Haa1p, the other three TFs, Hap4p, Yox1p, and Mag1p, might as well be considered to participate in acetic and formic acids resistance responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was undertaken to reveal the effects of freeze-thaw cycles at different freeze temperature (−20 °C, −40 °C and −80 °C) and the number of freeze-thaw cycles (3, 6, 12, 18, 24 times) on physicochemical and structural properties of waxy corn starch. The number of pores on the surface of starch granules increased, but there was no significant (P < 0.05) effect on molecular weight, transparency, freeze-thaw stability and the crystal structure of starch after repeated freeze-thaw cycle. But the crystallinity intensity decreased after freeze-thaw cycles treatment and a tiny decrease in onset, peak, conclusion temperature and gelatinization enthalpy were found. The RVA analysis exhibited an increase in gelatinization temperatures and a decrease in breakdown and setback value after freeze-thaw treatment, which manifested an increase in the aging and heat resistance of waxy corn starch paste. However, there was no statistical (P < 0.05) difference between different freeze temperatures at the same number of freeze-thaw cycle on physicochemical and structural properties of starch. The obtained data could be helpful in evaluation of the repeated freeze-thaw treatment of waxy corn starch-based foodstuffs and providing the theoretical basic for revealing the effect of repeated freeze-thaw processes in manufacture applications. • The effects of freeze-thaw on waxy corn starch properties were investigated. • Starch maintained A-type before and after freeze-thaw cycles. • The freezing temperature had little effect on starch properties under a same cycle. • The extent of starch property changes increased with freeze-thaw cycle times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native potato starch was suspended in distilled water at starch: water ratio of 1:3 (w/v). The starch-water suspensions were then subjected to repeated annealing treatments (RANN) at 55 °C for 12 h, repeated for 8 cycles or continuous annealing treatments (CANN) at 55 °C for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The structural, physiochemical and digestive properties of the annealed starch samples were studied and compared with those of the native starch. The scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy analysis showed that the repeated and continuous annealing treatments could keep the integrity and surface perfection of the starch granules. The growth rings of the annealed starch granules were more distinct than those of the native starch granules as revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The crystallinity degree increased and the crystalline retained the B-type pattern after the annealing treatments. There were no chemical bonds and functional groups produced or disappeared during the applied annealing treatments. Infrared absorption peak intensity of starch decreased and short-range ordered structures increased after treatments. The swelling power and solubility decreased at low temperature (50 to 60 °C) and increased at relatively high temperature (70 to 90 °C). The rapid visco-analyzer and differential scanning calorimeter analysis revealed an increase in the setback, final viscosity, pasting temperature and gelatinization transition temperature, and a decrease in breakdown value of the starch after the annealing treatments. On the other hand, the repeated and continuous annealing treatments resulted in starch with low in vitro digestibility degree, indicating formation of resistant starch. Generally, the repeated annealing treatment resulted in starch with high improved properties compared with the starch resulted from the continuous annealing treatments. Therefore, the repeated annealing treatments can be suggested as an effective method for producing of modified starch for food industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are involved in osteopenia in people with diabetes and the elderly. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) are potent regulators of bone metabolism, and in bone tissue, osteocytes are an important source of these regulators. However, whether AGEs can directly regulate IL-6 and VEGF-A secretion by osteocytes is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AGEs on IL-6 and VEGF- A production as well as apoptosis in osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells. We also studied the involvement of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), P38 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling pathways. We found that 100 μg/ml AGEs significantly induced apoptosis and up-regulated the expression of IL-6 and VEGF-A in MLO-Y4 cells. Additionally, AGEs significantly activated the ERK1/2, P38 and STAT3 signalling pathways. The ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126, the P38 inhibitor SB239063 and the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 all attenuated the effects of AGEs on MLO-Y4 cell apoptosis and IL-6 and VEGF-A secretion. Moreover, activation of the three signalling pathways was abolished by their respective inhibitors. Additionally, the AGEs-induced effects, including increased apoptosis, up-regulated expression of IL-6 and VEGF-A and activation of the three signalling pathways, were all abolished by pre-treating the osteocytes with the RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1. Together, these data convince us that AGEs can activate the ERK1/2, P38 and STAT3 signalling pathways via RAGE and that their activation involves the AGEs-induced up-regulation of IL-6 and VEGF-A production as well as apoptosis in osteocytes. These results highlight the role of osteocytes in the regulation of bone metabolism by AGEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Valorizing kitchen waste to produce value-added fertilizer by TSC followed by SS. • Feeding ratio of 10% allowed OM degradation of 80.88% and GI of 78.51% during TSC. • SS resulted in enhanced quality of compost from TSC. • Keystone mircrobes responsible for product maturity was proliferated during SS. To explore an effective decentralized kitchen waste (KW) treatment system, the performance and bacterial community succession of thermophilic semi-continuous composting (TSC) of KW followed by static stacking (SS) was studied. A daily feeding ratio of 10% ensured stable performance of TSC using an integrated automatic reactor; the efficiencies of organic matter degradation and seed germination index (GI) reached 80.88% and 78.51%, respectively. SS for seven days further promoted the quality of the compost by improving the GI to 91.58%. Alpha- and beta- diversity analyses revealed significant differences between the bacterial communities of TSC and SS. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, and Myxococcota were dominant during the TSC of KW, whereas the members of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes responsible for product maturity rapidly proliferated during the subsequent SS and ultimately dominated the compost with Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. These results provide new perspectives for decentralized KW treatment using TSC for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Co-composting using rice straw as main feedstock by supplying N -rich waste. • The maturity and fertility of compost were high with the food waste supply. • Food waste supply accelerated the succession of bacterial communities. • Food waste promoted organic matter degradation by regulating moisture and TN. This study evaluated the compostability of rice straw as the main feedstock (75 % in dry weight), supplemented with three different nitrogen-rich wastes, namely food waste (FW), dairy manure (DM), and sewage sludge (SS). Organic matter (OM) degradation, maturity and fertility of the end-product, and bacterial community structure during the composting processes were compared. All composting processes generated mature end-product within 51 days. Notably, FW addition was more effective to accelerate rice straw OM degradation and significantly improved end-product fertility with a high yield of Chinese cabbage. The succession of the bacterial community was accelerated with FW supplementation. Genera Geobacillus , Chryseolinea , and Blastocatella were significantly enriched during the composting of rice straw with FW supplementation. Finally, temperature, total nitrogen, moisture, pH, and total carbon were the key factors affecting microorganisms. This study provides a promising alternative method to enhance the disposal of larger amounts of rice straw in a shorter time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • UAA increased retention ratios of TCC (36.38%) and β -carotene (51.73%) of FDS. • Samples treated by UAA had the highest raman intensity of C C in-plane expansion. • Twelve color-related carotenoid products were identified by PCA-X analysis. • 2- n -Pentylfuran was positively linearly correlated with the extractable color. • β -Carotene dominated the surface color of FDS. Color enhancement mechanisms of freeze-dried carrot sample (FDS) treated by ultrasound-assisted osmotic (ascorbic acid-CaCl 2) dehydration (UAA) were comprehensively investigated from physical microstructures and color-related carotenoid compounds. Results of scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that cells in samples treated by UAA were intact, had less porosity and showed stronger carotenoid autofluorescence. As for color-related compounds, UAA not only increased the retention ratios of total carotenoid content (36.38%) and β -carotene (51.73%) of FDS, but also preserved the high raman intensity of C C in-plane expansion (9986 A.U) and induced the formation of coloring-carotenoid-derivatives. Additionally, correlation and PCA-X model analysis showed that fresh carrot had higher extractable color value (78.46), which was positively linearly related to 2- n -pentylfuran (p < 0.01), whereas FDS mainly affected the surface color that was dominated by β -carotene. This work provided the practical analysis and theoretical basis of color enhancement of freeze-dried carrot foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baked red jujube is a common food ingredient used to enrich the nutritional value and enhance the aroma. DDMP (2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one) with intense bitterness and potential toxicity may be present in several baked red jujube-based products but there are no well-defined methods to measure it quickly, sensitively, and accurately. Headspace solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS) was applied for the analysis of DDMP. The standard curve was linear between the concentrations of 0.01 and 100 μg/mL, with a limit of detection at 0.1 ng/g that below the sensory threshold of DDMP (2.06 μg/g). Five cultivars of baked red jujubes from China were evaluated with the method for DDMP content (4.55–46.50 μg/g). The results indicated that jujube cultivars with a higher molar ratio of proline to glucose, lower moisture content, and stronger ability to resist water stress should be avoided from baking to modulate the formation of DDMP. [Display omitted] • HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS was applied for the analysis of DDMP in baked red jujube. • The standard curve of DDMP was set in a range of 0.01 and 100 μg/mL. • DDMP content varied between 4.55 μg/g- 46.50 μg/g in baked red jujubes. • Factors affecting the formation of DDMP in red jujubes had been analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • TCC influenced the color and flavor of FDC during the 120-day storage. • The nonenzymatic browning index was positively related to moisture content and Aw. • UACT increased the redness (29.60%) and chroma (16.59%) of FDC. • UACT improved carotenoid's extraction ratio (11.41%–13.40%) during storage. • Carrots treated by UACT and then preserved at 25 °C facilitated the storage of FDC. Discoloration and unpleasant flavor were observed in freeze-dried carrots (FDC) during shelf life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of thermal/non-thermal pre-treatments and storage temperatures on the color and flavor of FDC during the 120-day storage. Results showed that terpenes and sulfur-containing organics were the main volatiles sensitive to the 60 °C treatment (p < 0.05). Nonenzymatic browning of FDC happened during storage, which was significantly positively related to moisture content (r = 0.63) and water activity (r = 0.84), while negatively correlated with total carotenoid content (TCC, r = -0.62). However, redness (29.66%), chroma (16.59%) and TCC (3.40%) of FDC at 120-day (25 °C) was effectively improved after the combination treatment of ultrasound (40 kHz, 100 W, 10 min) and ascorbic acid (2%, w/v)-CaCl 2 (1%, w/v) solution (UAA-CaCl 2), showing that carrots pre-treated with UAA-CaCl 2 and preserved at 25 °C facilitated the FDC storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia inhibition easily affects the performance of anaerobic digestion (AD) for municipal sludge and the oxidization of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) is the rate-limiting step of this process. Bioaugmentation is considered to be an effective method to alleviate ammonia inhibition of AD, but most study used the hydrogenotrophic methanogens as the bioaugmentation culture. In this study, bioaugmentation of mesophilic AD (MAD) and thermophilic AD (TAD) under ammonia inhibition with syntrophic acetate and propionate oxidizing consortia was investigated. The results showed that the bioaugmented reactors recovered earlier than control reactors with 20 (MAD) and 8 (TAD) days, respectively. The high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the relative abundance of carbohydrates fermenter (Lentimicrobium), syntrophic VFAs-oxidizing bacteria (Rikenellaceae_ DMER64, Smithella and Syntrophobacter) and acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanosaeta , Methanolinea and Methanospirillum) increased in MAD after bioaugmentation. However, part of the bioaugmentation culture could not adapt to the high free ammonia (FAN) concentration in MAD and the effect was weakened. In TAD, proteolytic bacteria (Keratinibaculum and Tepidimicrobium), syntrophic VFAs-oxidizing bacteria (Syntrophomonas) and hydrogenotrophic methanogen (Methanosarcina) were strengthened. The effect of bioaugmentation in TAD was durable even at higher organic loading rate (OLR), due to its positive influence on microbial community. These results suggested that the different bioaugmentation mechanism occurred in MAD and TAD, which are derived from the synergetic effects of ammonia tolerance and microbial interactions. Our study revealed the VFAs-oxidizing consortia as bioaugmented culture could be the potential strategy to alleviate the ammonia stress of AD. [Display omitted] • Bioaugmentation recovered MAD and TAD performance from the ammonia inhibition. • Bioaugmentation increased the robustness of thermophilic community at higher OLR. • Enrichment of hydrolysis, syntrophic VFAs-oxidation and methanogenesis is crucial. • The bioaugmentation mechanisms were different between MAD and TAD. • Syntrophic VFAs-oxidizing consortia was effective as the bioaugmented culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performances and microbial population changes in laboratory-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) augmented with Sphingomonas xenophaga QYY were investigated in the present study. It was demonstrated that after 30 days acclimation, the non-augmented MBR system were able to degrade bromoamine acid (BAA) well. However, the efficiency of the system decreased with BAA concentration increasing. While the augmented MBR showed higher capability, in which the color and COD removal were more than 90% and 50%, respectively. By ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA), it was found that BAA-utilizing populations gradually increased to become the dominant species in the non-augmented MBR. However, the augmented MBR possessed relatively stable treatment abilities, in which the introduced strain QYY could be persistent and co-exist well with the indigenous populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The solid model system of jujube slice skeleton was established. • Sugars significantly influence glass transition of jujube slice skeleton. • Organic acids induced their crystallization in jujube slice skeleton. • Fructose present greater influence on the adverse quality of jujube slices. To understand the specific contributions of amorphous sugars and organic acids to the quality of food matrix, the solid model system of jujube slice skeleton (JSS) was firstly established. Effects of fructose (F), glucose (G), malic acid (M) and citric acid (C) on the glass transition temperature (T g) and crystallization of JSS were studied. JSS-F/G/M/C blends were prepared by osmosis in the solution at a range of 0 ~ 32 g/100 g. Sugars reduced the T g in the system, structure of JSS-G/M blends was changed from "amorphous glassy" to "amorphous rubbery" by increasing the osmotic solute concentration. T g was decreased from 50.8 to 14.0 °C when JSS was osmosed in a 4 g/100 g fructose solution. Organic acids induced their crystallization in JSS. The crystallinity of JSS-M immersed in 32 g/100 g osmotic solution concentration was increased from 2% to 75%. Fructose presented greater influence on the adverse quality of jujube slices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digested residue remains after anaerobic digestion of municipal sludge (hereafter called anaerobic digested sludge, ADS) and needs further treatment to attain more sustainability. In this study, the compostability of ADS was assessed, focusing on the stability of organic matter and the fate of typical antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The results showed that ADS was not suitable as a fertilizer (reflected by a low germination index of 16.9%) due to very high concentrations of NH 4 + and soluble total organic carbon. Composting post-treatment stabilized the ADS; the degradation efficiency of volatile total solids reached 18.5% within 37 d of composting. The physicochemical properties of the treated ADS indicated that a mature compost product was obtained. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of typical ARGs revealed that ARG abundance was reduced four-fold during ADS composting due to a reduction in the typical ARGs and low horizontal gene transfer in host microbes. The analysis of bacterial communities revealed that members of the phyla Actinobacteria , Proteobacteria , Firmicutes , Bacteroidetes , and Chloroflexi are crucial for material transformation and ARG reduction during the ADS composting process. These results demonstrated that aerobic composting further stabilized the organic matter and reduced ARG abundance; therefore, it was found to be an effective method for ADS post-treatment. • Anaerobic digested sludge (ADS) was post-treated via aerobic composting. • Unstable ADS was converted to a matured compost product. • Typical antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) abundance was reduced 4-fold. • Reduction of ARGs caused by shrink of ARGs hosts and low horizontal gene transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MAD and TAD of high-solids containing sludge were comprehensively compared. • The response of microbial community composition to sludge properties was monitored. • TAD performed better than MAD in biogas production and VTS reduction. • Ammonia inhibition was the main risk for high-solids TAD of sludge. • Microbial analysis based on RNA datasets more accurately reflected the AD process. This study involved a comparison between mesophilic (MAD) and thermophilic anaerobic digestion (TAD) of municipal sludge with high (10%) solids content; the reactor performance and the response of total and active microbial communities to changes in sludge properties were monitored. Both TAD and MAD were stably maintained. TAD performed better than MAD in biogas production and volatile total solids reduction upon feeding sludge 1. TAD was slightly inhibited by ammonia, whereas the performance of MAD was improved when sludge 2 was used as the feedstock. Alpha- and beta-diversity analyses revealed significant differences in the microbial community based on DNA and RNA datasets, indicating that not all microbes function in AD. The active microbial community diversity and composition in MAD and TAD were also driven by sludge properties. Moreover, MAD showed significantly higher richness and diversity of the active microbial community compared with TAD, regardless of changes in sludge properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]