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Abstract: Ganoderma tsugae Murrill (Ganodermataceae) were available in the form of mature and baby Ling chih, mycelia and fermentation filtrate. From these four forms, hot water extracted and hot alkali extracted polysaccharides were prepared and their antioxidant properties were studied. Polysaccharides showed good antioxidant activity as evidenced by their particularly low EC50 values (<0.1mg/ml). At 20mg/ml, both extracted polysaccharides from mycelia showed reducing powers of 0.41–0.52 whereas reducing powers of other polysaccharides were in the range of 0.87 to 1.14. At 20mg/ml, scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals increased to 93.7–100%, except for that of the hot water extracted polysaccharide, from filtrate, being 74.9%. At 20mg/ml, scavenging abilities of both extracted polysaccharides from mycelia on hydroxyl radicals were 13.9 and 24.4%, respectively whereas scavenging abilities of the other polysaccharides were in the range of 39.0–55.2%. At 10mg/ml, the chelating abilities of polysaccharides from mature and baby Ling chih, mycelia and filtrate were 93.9–100%, 97.6–100%, 85.1–88.0% and 51.2%, respectively. Overall, both extracts of polysaccharides possessed good antioxidant properties except for scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals and can be developed as a new dietary supplement and functional food. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Both the fungus Monascus sp. and adlay possess functional components effective in improving human health. The fungus was inoculated into adlay and a new product was produced after the colonization of fungal mycelia. Our objective was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from inoculated products [monascal polished adlay (MPA) and monascal dehulled adlay (MDA)] as compared to uninoculated products [polished adlay (PA) and dehulled adlay (DA)]. With regard to EC50 values (mg extract ml−1) of methanolic extracts, antioxidant activities were excellent and in the descending order of MDA (0.05)≫MPA (0.75)>DA (0.83)≫PA (6.35). Effectiveness in reducing powers was in a descending order of MPA (0.78)>MDA (1.53)≫PA (13.24)∼DA (13.67mgml−1). Scavenging abilities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals and chelating abilities on ferrous ions were in the descending order of MPA>MDA>DA>PA. Total phenols were the major naturally occurring antioxidant components found. Overall, monascal adlay products displayed higher antioxidant activity, reducing power, scavenging and chelating abilities and higher in total phenol content than uninoculated adlay products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ganoderma tsugae Murrill are currently popular and used in the formulation of nutraceuticals and as functional foods. The non-volatile components in the form of mature and baby fruit bodies (Ling chih), mycelia and fermentation filtrate from submerged culture were studied. Mycelia and filtrate contained significantly higher moisture contents (10.3% and 19.8%) and higher contents of carbohydrates, reducing sugars, crude ash and crude protein. Four forms of G. tsugae contained from 7.65% to 10.1% dry weight of total soluble sugars and polyols. Total free amino acid contents ranged from 2.50 to 149 mg g-1 dry weight and in the descending order of filtrate, mycelia, baby Ling chih and Ling chih. Contents of monosodium glutamate-like components ranged from 0.16 to 26.0 mg g-1 whereas, contents of sweet components ranged from 0.50 to 24.6 mg g-1. The bitter components were predominant. Contents of total and flavour 5′-nucleotides were high in filtrate (5.48 and 3.10 mg g-1, respectively). The umami intensities were expected to be in the descending order of filtrate, mycelia, baby Ling chih and Ling chih. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Monascus purpureus was inoculated into cooked adlay and new products, monascal dehulled adlay (MDA) and monascal polished adlay (MPA), were produced after fungal fermentation. MDA contained higher protein and lower carbohydrate contents than MPA. However, no difference was found in crude ash, fat and fibre contents. During storage at 25 °C, the acid and peroxide values of these two products significantly increased at month six. At months 0–3, the contents of coixenolide, monacolin K and γ-aminobutyric acid in MDA and MPA were in the range of 532–540 μg g-1, 1.05–1.13 mg g-1 and 489 ∼ 497 μg g-1, respectively, but at month six, decreased to 487–497 μg g-1, 0.71–0.84 mg g-1 and 397–419 μg g-1, respectively. Three major fatty acids found were in descending order of oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids. At month six, the percentages of oleic and linoleic acids significantly decreased. Based on the results obtained, MDA and MPA were slightly different in proximate composition and comparable in their content of functional components and their fatty acid profiles. Also, these two products were shelf stable at 25 °C for three months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• An extract of PGBR (EP) has high levels of γ-oryzanol, flavonoids, and anthocyanidin. • It can improve insulin activity, glycolysis, glycogenesis, lipid synthesis, and lipid absorption. • This study is the first to report that EP protects against cardiovascular complications associated with T2DM. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of extract of pre-germinated brown rice (EP) on metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction in a rat model of T2DM. Hypertensive rats were divided into: (1) normal diet (ND group), (2) induced T2DM (DM group), and T2DM rats that were treated with (3) EP30 mg/kg (EP30 group) or (4) EP300 mg/kg (EP300 group) per day for 4 weeks. T2DM symptoms included: weight loss, hyperglycaemia, hypoinsulinemia, hyperlipidaemia, higher HbA1c, glucose in urine, and lower GLP-1. EP treatment improved metabolic parameters, activated insulin signalling, and increased lipid metabolism, and also ameliorated T2DM-associated increases in levels of inflammation, free radicals, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. EP reduced T2DM and related cardiovascular complications by increasing insulin signalling and lipid metabolism, and reducing levels of inflammation and free radicals. Thus, EP may be a potential candidate for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the behavior of suction bucket foundations during seismic loading induced soil liquefaction through shaking table experiments using both steel and 3D printed mini buckets. The pore water pressure response of the soil inside and around the mini buckets was monitored, and the results show that excess pore water pressure ratios greater than 1.0, indicating liquefaction occurred inside and around the buckets. In order to verify whether the soil plug liquefies under seismic loading, a floating ball experiments was specifically designed. The findings suggest that behavior of suction bucket foundations may differ from that of gravity-based foundations when experiencing soil liquefaction, owing to their unique semi-enclosed geometric structure and suction installation method. The appropriately weighted steel mini bucket has the advantage of being less prone settlement in the liquefied soil, making it suitable as a monitoring platform for soil liquefaction. • This study investigates the behavior of suction bucket foundations during seismic loading induced soil liquefaction through shaking table experiments using both steel and 3D printed mini buckets. • According to the response of suction bucket foundations under seismic load, the suction bucket foundations exhibit unique behavior compared to gravity-based foundations when experiencing soil liquefaction. • The pore water pressure response monitored inside and around the mini buckets, as well as the floating balls inside the buckets, could both verify that liquefaction occurred entirely under seismic loading. • The research offers a novel approach to monitoring excess pore water pressure response of soil during seismic shaking, enhancing the understanding of soil liquefaction processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharides were extracted by hot-water and hot-alkali from four forms of Ganoderma tsugae including mature and baby Ling chih, mycelium and filtrate. Different profiles of proximate composition and monosaccharide constituents, and element contents were found in the extracted polysaccharides from different extractions and different forms. The molecular weight distributions of polysaccharides were 2.8 × 10 4 –6.5 × 10 5 Da and their infrared spectra were comparable. The hot-alkali extracted polysaccharides exhibited better anti-proliferation on IMR32 cells than the hot-water extracted polysaccharides, which were in turn more effective than the hot-water extracts. Besides, most hot-water extracts and both extracted polysaccharides exhibited an anti-proliferation effect on Hep G2 cells. However, the hot-water extracts showed less effective in anti-proliferation of IMR32 and Hep G2 cells. Based on the anti-tumor effects, both polysaccharides could be prepared for use in the formulation of nutraceuticals and functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ganoderma tsugae Murrill was available in the form of mature and baby Ling chih, mycelia and fermentation filtrate. From these four forms, methanolic extracts were prepared and their antioxidant properties were studied. Methanolic extracts from mature and baby Ling chih showed high antioxidant activities (96.8% and 93.6%) at 20mgml−1, and had EC50 values of 0.53 and 1.11mgml−1, respectively. EC50 values in reducing power were 5.00, 2.28, 0.93 and 2.15mgml−1 for Ling chih, baby Ling chih, mycelia and filtrate, respectively. Methanolic extracts from mature and baby Ling chih scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals by 88.4% and 93.8% at 5mgml−1, whereas those from mycelia and filtrate scavenged by 85.7% and 79.3% at 10mgml−1, respectively. EC50 values in chelating ability on ferrous ions were 4.82, 3.05, 1.10 and 3.41mgml−1 for Ling chih, baby Ling chih, mycelia and filtrate, respectively. Total phenols were the major naturally occurring antioxidant components found in all methanolic extracts and in the range of 24.0–35.6mgg−1. Based on EC50 values, G. tsugae was good in antioxidant properties except for the scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]