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To find a suitable medium for muscle satellite cells of Larimichthys crocea, herein, the effect of different basal media and coating materials on the proliferation of piscine satellite cells (PSCs) was explored. Firstly, two basal media, namely F10 and DMEM/F12, were selected as experimental materials, and high-sugar DMEM was the main basal culture medium used with fish muscle cells as a control. The results showed that the PSCs proliferated better in F10 than in DMEM/F12 or DMEM. Secondly, the effects of rat tail collagen, polylysine and matrix coatings, as compared with no coating, on the proliferation and later differentiation of PSCs were also investigated. Our results indicated that there was no significant difference between coating and no coating on the proliferation of PSCs in the F10-based medium. Meanwhile, it was found that the myotubes were washed out, and only those under matrix-coated conditions remained intact in the process of differentiation. The results also suggested that PSCs could still differentiate into myotubes without their stemness being affected after proliferation in the F10-based medium. Hence, this study identified an efficient proliferation medium based on F10 basal medium that could shorten the culture time and maintain the stemness of PSCs, thus providing a basis for large-scale cell expansion and cell-culture-based meat production in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icariin is the most effective bioactive compound in Herba Epimedii. To enhance the content of icariin in the epimedium water extract, a novel strain, Papiliotrema laurentii ZJU-L07, producing an intracellular α-L-rhamnosidase was isolated from the soil and mutagenized. The specific activity of α-L-rhamnosidase was 29.89 U·mg−1 through purification, and the molecular mass of the enzyme was 100 kDa, as assayed by SDS-PAGE. The characterization of the purified enzyme was determined. The optimal temperature and pH were 55 °C and 7.0, respectively. The enzyme was stable in the pH range 5.5–9.0 for 2 h over 80% and the temperature range 30–40 °C for 2 h more than 70%. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Ca2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, and Mg2+, especially Fe2+. The kinetic parameters of Km and Vmax were 1.38 mM and 24.64 μmol·mg−1·min−1 using pNPR as the substrate, respectively. When epimedin C was used as a nature substrate to determine the kinetic parameters of α-L-rhamnosidase, the values of Km and Vmax were 3.28 mM and 0.01 μmol·mg−1·min−1, respectively. The conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis were optimized through single factor experiments and response surface methodology. The icariin yield increased from 61% to over 83% after optimization. The enzymatic hydrolysis method could be used for the industrialized production of icariin. At the same time, this enzyme could also cleave the α-1,2 glycosidic linkage between glucoside and rhamnoside in naringin and neohesperidin, which could be applicable in other biotechnological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics have been reported to play a major role in maintaining the balance of microbiota in host. Consumption of food with probiotics has increased with consumer concerns regarding healthy diets and wellness. Correspondingly, safety evaluation of probiotics for human consumption has become increasingly important in food industry. Herein, we aimed to test the safety of Bifidobacterium lactis BL-99 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 and ET-22 strains in vitro and in vivo. In results, these strains were found to be negative for mucin degradation and platelet aggregation test. Additionally, the three strains were susceptible to eight antibiotics. In accordance with bacterial reversion mutation (Ames) assay, the tested strains had no genetic mutagenicity. Finally, it was confirmed that there were no dose-dependent mortality and toxicity throughout multidose oral toxicity tests in rats. Our findings demonstrated that B. lactis BL-99 and L. paracasei K56 and ET-22 can achieve the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status as probiotics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of synthetic microbiology, the microbial consortium has expanded from a single microorganism to a symbiotic system composed of multifile microorganisms. Each microorganism in the symbiotic system maintains the relationship of commensalism, competition or mutualism with other microorganism through metabolism. At present, for the construction of microbial consortia, basic theory and application cases have been widely studied. Compared to cultivating a single strain, the use of synthetic microbiota to convert substrates to products has the advantages of high yield, low cost, and low raw material requirements. However, the basic principles of synthetic microbial consortium, the interrelationship between microbial communities, the principle of the exchange of substances and information need be studied further. Here, we review the relationship among microbial populations in a consortium, and the problems that need to be solved in the production and application of a desired microbial consortium, to provide references for the application of these microbial consortium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of macrofungi (mushrooms) as well as their economic value have been steadily increasing globally. The use of functional foods, dietary supplements, and traditional medicines derived from macrofungi is increasing as they have numerous health benefits as well as abundant nutrients. Macrofungi are diverse with complex and highly varied growth conditions and bioactive constituents, most macrofungal resources have not yet been fully explored and applicated, leading to an urgent need for appropriate strategies to address the problem. Increasing attention has been paid to the macrofungal cultivation and application, in particular, potential prebiotics. Herein, the present review comprehensively summarizes recent progress in the cultivation, newly identified bioactive constituents, and their effects on gut microbiota as well as the potential ways in which they affect human health. Moreover, the macrofungal food development is discussed to improve food nutritional value and change the quality characteristics of food. Finally, the review addresses consumer safety concerns and the prospective genetic manipulation of macrofungi. We hope that this review can provide a comprehensive research reference for ensuring the safety and efficacy, along with maximizing the value and profitability of macrofungi production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This is a study of microstructure changes and Soybean milk colloidal particles degradation during in vitro digestion. Soybean milk passed through the digestion stages of the Infogest protocol, while its colloidal particles were examined in terms of size decrease/free surface evolution kinetics and of surface charge. Colloidal protein break-down was determined in relation to the digestion stage, and the shape and structure of the soybean milk particles were monitored with confocal microscopy. Gastric digestion significantly influenced the soybean milk particles, increasing the particle size and decreasing absolute surface charge, hydrolyzing protein and accumulating aminoacids. Similar breakdown was not observed in the absence of pepsin, so the protein break-down can be primarily attributed to pepsin-induced hydrolysis. Correlation of the aminoacids release kinetics with the changes in surface area of the soybean milk proteins showed a direct relation between aminoacids release and solid-water interface formation. A sequence of events can be proposed where proteins are exposed and hydrolyzed throughout the simulated gastrointestinal tract as new interface (substrate) is created in the soybean milk colloidal systems. Highlights • The oral–gastric–intestinal digestion of soybean milk was studied in vitro. • The physical properties of the milk particles were affected by the enzyme presence. • Hydrolysis reduced inter-particle repulsions, causing irreversible aggregation of oil droplets. • Soybean milk were physically changed in absence of enzymes during in vitro digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, is distributed in a variety of plants, such as birch, eucalyptus and plane trees. It shows a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, antimalarial, anti-HIV and antitumor effects. Among them, the antitumor activity of betulinic acid has been extensively studied. However, obtaining betulinic acid from natural resources can no longer meet the needs of medicine and nutrition, so methods such as chemical synthesis and microbial biotransformation have also been used to prepare betulinic acid. At the same time, with the development of synthetic biology and genetic engineering, and the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of terpenoid, the biosynthesis of betulinic acid has also been extensively researched. This article reviews the preparation of betulinic acid and its pharmacological activities, in order to provide a reference for the research and utilization of betulinic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids belong to a class of plant secondary metabolites that have a polyphenol structure. Flavonoids show extensive biological activity, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-cancer, and antibacterial properties, so they are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. However, traditional sources of flavonoids are no longer sufficient to meet current demands. In recent years, with the clarification of the biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids and the development of synthetic biology, it has become possible to use synthetic metabolic engineering methods with microorganisms as hosts to produce flavonoids. This article mainly reviews the biosynthetic pathways of flavonoids and the development of microbial expression systems for the production of flavonoids in order to provide a useful reference for further research on synthetic metabolic engineering of flavonoids. Meanwhile, the application of co-culture systems in the biosynthesis of flavonoids is emphasized in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycolipid biosurfactants are natural amphiphiles and have gained particular interest recently in their biodegradability, diversity, and bioactivity. Microbial infection has caused severe morbidity and mortality and threatened public health security worldwide. Glycolipids have played an important role in combating many diseases as therapeutic agents depending on the self-assembly property, the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and the antimicrobial properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects. Besides, their role has been highlighted as scavengers in impeding the biofilm formation and rupturing mature biofilm, indicating their utility as suitable anti-adhesive coating agents for medical insertional materials leading to a reduction in vast hospital infections. Notably, glycolipids have been widely applied to the synthesis of novel antimicrobial materials due to their excellent amphipathicity, such as nanoparticles and liposomes. Accordingly, this review will provide various antimicrobial applications of glycolipids as functional ingredients in medical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethyl carbamate (EC) is a potential carcinogen that forms spontaneously during Chinese rice wine fermentation. The primary precursor for EC formation is urea, which originates from both external sources and arginine degradation. Urea degradation is suppressed by nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The regulation of NCR is mediated by two positive regulators (Gln3p, Gat1p/Nil1p) and two negative regulators (Dal80p/Uga43p, Deh1p/Nil2p/GZF3p). DAL80 revealed higher transcriptional level when yeast cells were cultivated under nitrogen-limited conditions. In this study, when DAL80-deleted yeast cells were compared to wild-type BY4741 cells, less urea was accumulated, and genes involved in urea utilization were up-regulated. Furthermore, Chinese rice wine fermentation was conducted using dal80Δ cells; the concentrations of urea and EC were both reduced when compared to the BY4741 and traditional fermentation starter. The findings of this work indicated Dal80p is involved in EC formation possibly through regulating urea metabolism and may be used as the potential target for EC reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, we showed that BetA could inhibit cell proliferation and lead to lethal cytotoxicity accompanying programmed cell death (PCD). Interestingly, it was found that vacuolar protease Pep4p played a pivotal role in BetA-induced S. cerevisiae PCD. The presence of Pep4p reduced the damage of BetA-induced cells. This work implied that BetA may induce cell death of S. cerevisiae through mitochondria-mediated PCD, and the deletion of Pep4 gene possibly accelerated the effect of PCD. The present investigation provided the preliminary research for the complicated mechanism of BetA-induced cell PCD regulated by vacular protease Pep4p and lay the foundation for understanding of the Pep4p protein in an animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]