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BACKGROUND Sugar medium-chain fatty acid esters are a new type of biodegradable, non-toxic, non-irritant and non-ionic surfactant with proven antimicrobial activity. Various sugar medium-chain fatty monoesters were prepared enzymatically using Lipozyme TLIM in organic solvent. Properties such as surface tension, antimicrobial activity, and ability to foam, emulsify and stabilize emulsions at room temperature were evaluated to conduct systematic studies on the structure-function relationships of these compounds. RESULTS Results showed that all monoesters displayed good surface activity properties. In particular, sucrose monolaurate was the most excellent surfactant among 12 monoesters. Sugar monoesters containing C8 to C12 alkyl chains showed a broad spectrum of increasing antimicrobial activity. All tested monoesters were more effective against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacterium) than Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Gram-negative bacterium). Methyl α- d-glycoside monoesters were the most effective, whereas raffinose monoesters possessed poor antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSIONS Generally, the length of fatty acid chain (hydrophobic group) and sugar groups (hydrophilic group) for sugar medium-chain fatty acid monoesters both affected the surface properties and antimicrobial activities. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DNA microarray was employed in this study to investigate the gene expression profiles of E scherichia coli treated by oil in water (o/w) microemulsion in order to better understand the antimicrobial mechanism of the microemulsion as a promising food-grade antimicrobial system. Among 5,440 open reading frames of E . coli, a total of 634 and 501 were highly induced and repressed, respectively. According to the annotation and analysis in the Gene Ontology ( GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes ( KEGG) databases, it was found that the differently expressed genes were mainly involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall components and membranes, phosphate-related metabolism and some other biosynthetic pathways, suggesting that the main antibacterial mechanisms of the o/w microemulsion were the attacks to the cell surface structure, especially the cell wall, and its influences on the metabolism of phosphate of the E . coli cells through phosphate absorption inhibition. Practical Applications In the panorama of the increasing need to search for novel strategies in order to prevent foodborne outbreaks, microemulsion systems have been of great interest to researchers for their broad antimicrobial properties. In our group, a series of food-grade or pharmaceutical microemulsion systems based on glycerol monolaurate have been established for antimicrobial applications. It was found that the prepared microemulsions possessed excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities due to the disruption and dysfunction of biological membranes and cell walls, as suggested by the transmission electron microscopy observations and membrane permeability experiments. The antimicrobial mechanisms analysis of the microemulsion mediated by DNA microarray in this work will be of great importance in exploring the structure-activity relationship of the o/w microemulsion at molecular biological levels in future work, in order to provide a guideline in designing food-grade antimicrobial microemulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to load glycerol monolaurate (GML) in a microemulsion system for the inactivation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The influence of ethanol, propylene glycol (PG) and sodium benzoate (Na-Bz) on oil solubilization of GML microemulsions is clearly reflected in the phase behavior of these systems. One dilution-stable microemulsion formulation was determined and stable by the examination of the physical stability. Results showed that the microemulsion at 100 ppm, comparable to 3 mg/L ceftazidime, had much higher antimicrobial activities against S. maltophilia, with a major contribution of GML, and Na-Bz enhanced the antimicrobial activities as a hydrotrope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA large and growing body of literature has investigated the broad antibacterial spectrum and strong synergistic antimicrobial activity of medium chain monoglycerides (MCMs) have been widely investigated. Recently, more and more researches have focused on the regulation of MCMs on metabolic health and gut microbiota both in vivo and in vitro. The current review summarizes the digestion, absorption and metabolism of MCMs. Subsequently, it focuses on the functional and nutritional properties of MCMs, including the antibacterial and antiviral characteristics, the modulation of metabolic balance, the regulation of gut microbiota, and the improvement in intestinal health. Additionally, we discuss the most recent developments and application of MCMs using nanotechnologies in food industry, poultry and pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, we analyze recent application examples of MCMs and their nanotechnology formation used in food. The development of nanotechnology platforms facilitating molecular encapsulation and functional presentation contribute to the application of hydrophobic fatty acids and monoglycerides in food preservation and their antibacterial effectiveness. This study emphasizes the metabolic mechanisms and biological activity of MCMs by summarizing the prevailing state of knowledge on this topic, as well as providing insights into prospective techniques for developing the beneficial applications of MCMs to realize the industrialized production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia oil one of the most important vegetable oils in China. Fatty acid composition and positional distribution analyzed by GC and GC-MS in this study reveals that camellia oil is rich in oleic acid (around 78% in TAG and 85% at sn-2 position of TAG). Camellia oil has a potential as an edible oil which provides oleic acid or for use as a feedstock in designing oleic acid-enriched structured lipids. Camellia oil - a high oleic-vegetable oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles of medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCT) on health benefits under high fat diet (HFD) conditions remain in dispute. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of novel LaPLa-rich MLCT on the glycolipid metabolism and gut microbiota in HFD-fed mice when pork fat is half replaced with MLCT and palm stearin (PS). The results showed that although MLCT could increase the body weight in the mouse model, it can improve the energy utilization, regulate the glucose and lipid metabolism, and inhibit the occurrence of inflammation. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of gut microbiota indicated that PS and MLCT affected the overall structure of the gut microbiota to a varying extent and specifically changed the abundance of some operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Moreover, several OTUs belonging to the genera Dorea, Streptococcus, and g_Eryipelotrichaceae had a high correlation with obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders of the host. Therefore, it can be seen that this new MLCT has different properties and functions from the previous traditional MLCT, and it can better combine the advantages of MLCT, lauric acid, and sn-2 palmitate, as well as the advantages of health function and metabolism. In summary, this study explored the effects of LaPLa-enriched lipids on glycolipid metabolism in mice, providing theoretical support for future studies on the efficacy of different types of conjugated lipids, intending to apply them to industrial production and subsequent development of related products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of antibacterial peptides from Brevibacillus texasporus (BT) on the growth performance, meat quality and gut health of cultured largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Largemouth bass (36.17 ± 1.52 g) were divided into 2 groups and each group was fed with diets supplemented with or without 200 ppm of BT peptides for 130 days. The results showed that BT peptides had no significant influences on growth performance and body indexes, but significantly enhanced total antioxidant capacity and lysozyme content in the serum. Moreover, digestive enzymes activities and intestinal villous height were also prominently increased. From meat quality aspect, no significant differences were found in nutritional components, amino acid composition, fatty acid composition and texture property, except the values of hardness, gumminess and γ-linolenic acid (C18:3n6) were remarkably increased after BT peptides intervention. Finally, the results of gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids revealed that BT peptides significantly decreased the relative abundances of harmful bacteria such as genus Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas , and increased the production of short chain fatty acids. In conclusion, this study confirmed that BT peptides could be used to improve the health of largemouth bass, which provided novel insights into the application of antimicrobial peptides in aquacultures. [Display omitted] • BT peptides enhanced total antioxidant capacity and lysozyme content. • BT peptides increased digestive enzymes activities and intestinal villous height. • Slight changes were found in meat quality after BT peptides intervention. • BT peptides significantly inhibited the relative abundances of harmful gut microbiota. • BT peptides promoted the production of short chain fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In previous studies, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been found to regulate gut microbiota and change gut barrier status, and the potential positive effects of SCFAs on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have also been found, but the role of SCFAs in these three diseases is not clear. This review aims to summarize existing evidence on the effects of SCFAs on IBD, T1D, and NHFLD, and correlates them with gut barrier and gut microbiota (gut microbiota barrier). Methods: A literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, and Wiley Online Library up to October 2020 was conducted for all relevant studies published. Results: This is a retrospective review of 150 applied research articles or reviews. The destruction of gut barrier may promote the development of IBD, T1D, and NAFLD. SCFAs seem to maintain the gut barrier by promoting the growth of intestinal epithelial cells, strengthening the intestinal tight connection, and regulating the activities of gut microbiota and immune cells, which might result possible beneficial effects on the above three diseases at a certain dose. Conclusions: Influencing gut barrier health may be a bridge for SCFAs (especially butyrate) to have positive effects on IBD, T1D, and NAFLD. It is expected that this article can provide new ideas for the subsequent research on the treatment of diseases by SCFAs and help SCFAs be better applied to precise and personalized treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium sorbate (PS) is a widely used food preservative in the field of food industry. However, the effects of continuous intake and washout period of PS on host health are still unclear. In this study, to investigate long-term effect and after-effect of different concentrations and time points of PS, healthy mice were orally exposed to 150 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of PS for 10 weeks, and washout treatment for another 5 weeks, respectively. The results indicated that PS intake for 10 weeks had no obvious effects on organs and adipose tissue, nor did it noteworthily interfere with glucolipid metabolism in the serum. However, it caused inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver, increased serum interleukin (IL)-1β level, changed abundances of gut microbiota but failed to promote the production of short chain fatty acids in the gut. After washout period for 5 weeks, liver inflammation and IL-1β level were decreased, and gut environment developed towards a healthier condition. Specifically, PS washout significantly increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and the production of isobutyric acid. This study confirmed washout period eliminated negative effects from continuous intake of PS, which provided positive evidence for its safety. [Display omitted] • Continuous intake of PS had no significant effect on organic index. • Continuous intake of PS increased IL-1β level in the serum. • PS washout decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver. • PS washout increased the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. • PS washout promoted the production of isobutyric acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEconomy of Pakistan is heavily dependent upon agriculture and extensive use of pesticide is quiet common to enhance the crop yield. Imidacloprid is among the first choice pesticides in Pakistan and it has been reported that through run off along with water it ends up in water bodies affecting non target aquatic fauna. Through the present investigation, we are reporting the effects of Imidacloprid on the fatty acids composition of a non-target, commercially important carp: Labeo rohita. Fish were exposed to sub lethal concentration of Imidacloprid (120 mgL1) for 2, 4 and 8 days (short term) as well as for 16, 32 and 64 days (long term experimental conditions). Pesticide untreated controls were also maintained for each treatment. Following the specific Imidacloprid exposure, fatty acid composition (%) was determined in the muscle of all experimental groups by using gas chromatography. Fish exposed to Imidacloprid for 8 days had reduced Palmitic acid (p = 0.02) and elevated muscle Arachidic acid (p < 0.001) than control group. Labeo rohita exposed to the pesticide for 32 days had elevated muscle Oleic (p = 0.02) and Linoleic acid (p = 0.02) while fish exposed to Imidacloprid to 64 days had reduced muscle Palmitic (p = 0.04) and Oleic acid (p = 0.03). In conclusion, we are reporting that the exposure to sub lethal concentration of Imidacloprid disturb the muscle fatty acid composition of Labeo rohita that may affect its food quality. The effects were more pronounced under long term experimental conditions and were probably due to potentiating lipid peroxidation and disturbed fish metabolism upon Imidacloprid exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the uniform core-shell nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning of bilayer emulsions, which were formed by the addition of gum arabic with opposite charges into the gelatin-stabilized emulsions. The increased weight ratios of gum arabic enhanced the emulsion stability by progressively increasing the viscosity of bilayer emulsions, which contributed to the formation of bead-free and smooth electrospun fibers with the increasing diameters. Transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed that corn oil was evenly distributed in the bilayer emulsion-based fibers. These fibers with various amounts of gum arabic showed a high thermal decomposition stability upon heating to 250 °C, as hydrogen bonds played an important role in the binding of gum arabic to gelatin. The fiber mats showed high oil encapsulation efficiency and good storage stability during 5 days. These results may provide a new strategy to develop bilayer emulsion-based electrospun fibers for bioactive encapsulation in food applications. Image 1 • The uniform nanofibers were fabricated by bilayer emulsion electrospinning. • The encapsulated oil was evenly distributed in the bilayer emulsion-based fibers. • Hydrogen bonds played an important role in the binding of gum arabic to gelatin. • These fibers showed high thermal decomposition stability and storage stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 88 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from Chinese traditional sourdough and five of them were selected based on their bile resistance. All the five strains were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In vitro probiotic properties of the L. plantarum strains including tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, aggregation activity, and cholesterol removal ability were assessed. Two representatives, L. plantarum ZJUFT34 and L. plantarum ZJUFT17, were intragastrically administered to male C57BL/6J mice of 4-week age for 6 weeks to evaluate their in vivo health-promoting effects. The results indicated that L. plantarum ZJUFT34, L. plantarum ZJUFHN9, and L. plantarum ZJUFAH5 could survive the 3-h incubation in simulated gastric juice with a pH value of 2.0, while L. plantarum ZJUFT32 and L. plantarum ZJUFT17 exhibited better autoaggregation activities and coaggregation activities with pathogens. All the strains showed a cholesterol removal ability in vitro. However, L. plantarum ZJUFT34 or L. plantarum ZJUFT17 administration did not significantly change the serum total cholesterol in vivo. But the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased by the L. plantarum administration. Besides, L. plantarum ZJUFT17 significantly lowered serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations. Furthermore, the administration of the LAB strains showed significant influences on lipid metabolism-related gut microbiota. These findings suggested that the L. plantarum strains may benefit the prevention of metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the gelatin/zein nanofibers by hybrid electrospinning were fabricated. The morphology observations by field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the diameter of gelatin/zein nanofibers was significantly increased with the increasing gelatin ratio. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry indicated that gelatin and zein strongly interacted via hydrogen bonding. The homogeneous mixing resulted in the crystalline structure for the gelatin/zein nanofiber at a 1:1 wt ratio, which showed a hydrophobic surface (water contact angle of 118°). The mechanical tests showed that the gelatin/zein nanofibers with weight ratios of 1:3 and 1:2 gave rise to much higher elongation at break of 87.9% and 69.0%, indicating good deformability and flexibility. In contrast to the pure gelatin or zein nanofibers, the gelatin/zein fibers preserved the 3D porous structures after immersed in water or ethanol for 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the gelatin, zein, and gelatin/zein films were fabricated by electrospinning and solvent casting, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements were performed to characterize the morphology, molecular interactions, thermal behavior, and surface hydrophilicity of the electrospun and casted films. Results showed that the zein particles prevented the gelatin chains from aggregating intra-molecularly in the casted films due to heterogeneous mixing, while strong hydrogen bonding was formed in the nanofibrous film as a result of homogeneous mixing. Interestingly, the gelatin/zein nanofibrous film had a hydrophobic surface (water contact angle of 118.0°), while the casted gelatin/zein film had a hydrophilic surface (water contact angle of 53.5°). The confocal laser scanning microscopy observations suggested that the zein particles were well dispersed in the gelatin network to maintain the nanofibrous structures after immersion in water or ethanol, leading to the improved solvent resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothesis Synthetic sugar alcohol mono-behenates with high melting points, surface activity and resistance to enzymatic lipolysis, are expected to form stable single-component solid lipid nanocarriers (SC-SLNs). The preparation methods and the polar head group of the molecules should affect the size and drug encapsulation efficiency. Experiments SC-SLNs of sugar alcohol mono-behenates with varied polar heads were prepared using emulsification-diffusion method and melting-probe sonication method. Model lipophilic drug fenofibrate was formulated into nanocarriers. The drug release was assessed using the lipolysis model. The structure and drug distribution of the nanocarriers were studied using AFM and TEM. Findings Both the polar head group of the molecules and the preparation methods affect the particle size and size distribution. Nanocarriers prepared with sorbitol mono-behenates showed the smallest mean size (∼100 nm with PdI of 0.26). In addition, they displayed high entrapment efficiency of fenofibrate (95%) and long term drug release. Nanocarriers prepared by emulsification-diffusion method entrapped fenofibrate into lipid bilayers. In contrast, Nanocarriers prepared by melting-probe sonication method had a micelle structure with fenofibrate incorporated into a lipid monolayer. This study provides an insight into the systematic development of novel amphiphilic lipids for solid lipid-based drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studied the effects of non-ionic Tween 80, anionic sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) and cationic cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactants on the morphology of electrospun gelatin nanofibres, and on the release behaviour, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of encapsulated curcumin. Scanning electron micrographs showed that addition of SDS significantly increased the nanofibre diameter. Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that gelatin and SDS intimately interacted via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. However, these interactions inhibited the release of curcumin from the nanofibres with SDS, while CTAB and Tween 80 both facilitated the release. SDS and Tween 80 showed protective effects on curcumin from the attack of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radicals, and the increased release of curcumin from nanofibres with CTAB or Tween 80 resulted in a higher reducing power. The antimicrobial activity results suggested that the curcumin encapsulated gelatin nanofibres with CTAB exhibited effective inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • GMC significantly ameliorated visceral fat accumulation in HFD-fed mice. • GMC improved systemic inflammation in HFD-fed mice. • GMC modulated gut microbiota dysbiosis with increased beneficial bacteria and promoted SCFAs production. • GMC-induced metabolic improvements were closely related to gut microbiota regulation. • Not all of the food preservatives and emulsifiers would drive gut microbiota dysbiosis. Recent findings imply that great consideration should be given to the potential health risks of food additives on gut microbiota. Glycerol monocaprylate (GMC) is a widely consumed food preservative and emulsifier. Our results indicated that GMC significantly ameliorated visceral fat accumulation and systemic inflammation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Furthermore, GMC induced improvements on the composition and function of gut microbiota, resulting in increased beneficial gut bacteria (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and promoted production of short chain fatty acids. Notably, GMC-induced metabolic amelioration is closely related to the regulation in gut microbiota. Overall, our findings supported that unlike the emulsifiers previously reported to damage intestinal health, GMC performed the potential on attenuating HFD-induced metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis, which also refined on the safety evaluation of GMC on gut microbiota. Our findings suggest that when evaluating the safety of food additives with regards to gut microbiota, it is important to take into account the specific characteristics of the additive in question, rather than simply relying on its classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Water, oil and air are common heat transfer media in cooking. • The combination of vacuum, ultrasonic and heating promotes healthy cooking. • Lipid peroxidation in cooking is harmful to its quality, digestibility and safety. • Short-term, uniform and mild new cooking technology reduces the loss of lipids. Foods undergo various physical and chemical reactions during cooking. Boiling, steaming, baking, smoking and frying are common traditional cooking techniques. At present, new cooking technologies including ultrasonic-assisted cooking, vacuum low-temperature cooking, vacuum frying, microwave heating, infrared heating, ohmic heating and air frying are widely studied and used. In cooking, lipid oxidation is the main reason for the change in lipid quality. Oxidative decomposition, triglyceride monomer oxidation, hydrolysis, isomerization, cyclization reaction and polymerization occurred in lipid oxidation affect lipids' quality, flavor, digestibility and safety. Meanwhile, lipid oxidation in cooking might cause the decline of lipid digestibility and increase of health risks. Compared with the traditional cooking technology, the new cooking technology that is milder, more uniform and faster can reduce the loss of lipid nutrition and produce a better flavor. In the future, the combination of various cooking technologies is an effective strategy for families to obtain healthier food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The anti-OA effect of Salmonidae bone collagen peptide (CP) was assessed. • CP was confirmed to inhibit the matrix degradation both in vitro and in vivo. • CP suppressed the role of pro-inflammatory via inhibiting NF-κB signal. • CP impeded the serious destruction of subchondral bone. • CP effectively prevent osteoarthritis in pMMx models as a dietary supplement. Nowadays, the biological activity of collagen peptides has been revealed, but the effect of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) bone-derived collagen peptide (CPs) on osteoarthritis remains unclear. In this study, CPs was identified as a small molecular weight peptide rich in Gly-X-Y structure. Meanwhile, interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced hypertrophic chondrocytes and partial medial meniscectomy (pMMx) surgery model in rats were performed. In IL-1β stimulated chondrocytes, CPs significantly increased the type-II collagen content, reduced the type-X collagen abundance and chondrocytes apoptosis. Meanwhile, CPs reversed the increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase, metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs and RUNX family transcription factor 2 in chondrocytes induced by IL-1β. In vivo , CPs increased pain tolerance of rats and without organ toxicity at 1.6 g/ kg.bw. CPs significantly decreased the levels of COMP and Helix-II in serum. Furthermore, a significant decrease of IL-1β in synovial fluid and cartilage tissue were observed by CPs intervention. From Micro-CT, CPs (0.8 g/ kg.bw) significantly decreased Tb.sp and SMI value. Meanwhile, the expression of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 were reduced by CPs administration both in vitro and in vivo. Together, CPs showed potential to be a novel and safe dietary supplement for helping anti-inflammatory and cartilage regeneration, ultimately hindering osteoarthritis development. However, the clear mechanism of CPs's positive effect on osteoarthritis needs to be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fermented sea buckthorn juice (FHJ) displayed better antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in vitro. • FHJ ameliorated diet-induced hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in vivo. • FHJ could interact with Akkermansia to further attenuate metabolic syndrome. • FHJ increased acetate and butyrate contents in caeca. • Fermentation-triggered metabolomic alterations, especially flavonoids in FHJ, played critical roles in the FHJ-microorganism interactions. To enhance physiological activity and probiotic availability of sea buckthorn juice, sea buckthorn juice pulp (BHJ) went through fermentation to the fermented (FHJ). In vitro , FHJ displayed better antioxidant and antidiabetic capacities. To further study effects of FHJ on diet-induced metabolic syndrome (MS) and possible mechanisms in vivo , C57BL/6 mice were fed on BHJ and FHJ under high fat diet (HFD). FHJ, rather BHJ, displayed better performance on ameliorating hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in MS. Mechanistically, FHJ intervention significantly reversed the microorganism dysbiosis by restoring the microbial diversity, and modulating obesogenic bacteria abundance, like Oscillospira. Furthermore, fermentation altered FHJ's metabolomics, especially flavonoids, contributing to interactions between FHJ and probiotics, like Akkermansia and Lachnospiraceae. Furthermore, short-chain fatty acids, related to ameliorations of MS, were increased by FHJ. This study demonstrated that interactions between metabolomic alterations in FHJ and microorganisms were vital to attenuate MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dynamic effects of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on Larimichthys crocea were explored including feeding and fasting stages. • GML supplementation (1.0 g kg−1) significantly improved the flesh quality and productive performance of Larimichthys crocea. • The flesh quality was evaluated from color, texture, flavor and nutritional value. • GML supplementation (1.0 g kg−1) exhibited promising amelioration effects on Larimichthys crocea. The effects of GML (Glycerol monolaurate) supplementation with two level (0.5 and 1.0 g kg−1) on the productive performance and flesh quality of large yellow croaker (360 per group) were investigated during feeding (23,50-days) and fasting stage (23,70-days). The GML supplementation significantly increased body weight after 23-days and crude protein, inosinic acid, and yellowness after 50-days. Moreover, it increased hardness, springiness, and chewiness by increasing the collagen content, myofiber density, and decreasing myofiber diameter. The high GML supplementation increased the total free amino acids, delicate amino acids, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), and EPA + DHA, whereas it decreased the content of saturated fatty acids/unsaturated fatty acids (SFA/UFA). During fasting, better body shape and color were shown were shown at high GML supplementation. Conclusively, high dose GML supplementation exerted promising effects on the productive performance and flesh quality of large yellow croaker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • LA, GML and GTL ameliorated HFD-induced hyperlipidemia. • GML performed better effects on glucose metabolism and systemic inflammation. • LA and its glycerides-induced improvements were related to gut microbiota regulation. • GML regulated phospholipid metabolism and gut microbe-related metabolites. • GML promoted endogenous unsaturated fatty acids synthesis. The anti-bacterial properties of lauric acid (LA) and its glycerides had been studied. However, their effects on gut microbiota remain unclear. Moreover, LA and its glycerides performed controversial influences on lipid metabolism. This study evaluated the regulation of LA, glycerol monolaurate (GML) and lauric triglyceride (GTL) on metabolic health and gut microbiota in high fat diet-fed mice. Serum metabolomics and lipidomics contributed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. LA and its glycerides ameliorated hyperlipidemia, while GML performed more pronounced modulation on glucose metabolism and inflammation. LA and its glycerides modulated gut microbiota with increased Bifidobacterium and decreased Desulfovibrio , which closely related with metabolic improvements. Furthermore, the integrative multi-omics analyses identified that the regulation of phospholipid metabolism, intestinal microbial metabolites (bile acids and indole derivatives) and endogenous unsaturated fatty acids synthesis conduced to the more evident modulation of GML. Our findings suggested an effective strategy of GML for improving metabolism and gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• S BL may reduce the release of butyric acid in simulated gastric digestion. • The release rate of GML in S LBL was low in simulated digestion. • S BL and S LBL retarded the release of GML in intestinal digestion in vivo. • S BL and S LBL induced positive changes in gut microbes rapidly. Structuring is a feasible scheme to improve lipids' value. Here, S BL and S LBL (C4-C12 structural lipids) were obtained through enzymatic ester-ester transesterification or acidolysis interesterification using glyceryl tributyrate/glyceryl tridodecanoate and lauric acid/glyceryl tributyrate as raw materials, respectively. The digestive characteristics of S BL and S LBL were investigated in vitro and in vivo , meanwhile, their effects on gut microbes were studied. Compared with their corresponding triglyceride physical mixture, S BL possessed an ideal butyric acid sustained-release effect in simulated stomach digestion. Moreover, the sustained-release effect of S LBL on glycerol monolaurate (GML) was revealed both in vivo and in vitro , while this effect of the S BL was obviously occurred in small intestine. S BL significantly increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and S LBL promoted the growth of Clostridiales within 24 h. Overall, both S BL and S LBL showed ideal sustained-release effects on GML rather than butyric acid, which may lead to positive changes in gut microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Glycerol monolaurate (GML) supplementation could significantly improve the flesh quality of Larimichthys crocea. • A diet with 0.075% GML increased the non-essential amino acid and unsaturated fatty acid contents of Larimichthys crocea in muscle. • The addition of GML dramatically augmented amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism. • GML could activate the myogenic-related signaling pathway of Larimichthys crocea in muscle. To improve the quality of cultured large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea), this study was performed to study the impacts of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on the nutritional value, growth performance, muscle texture, and taste intensity of L. crocea. The results showed that GML as a feed additive significantly increased the crude lipid content and reduced the diameters of muscle fibers, which in turn markedly altered the flesh texture in terms of cohesiveness. Moreover, the taste indicators (umami and richness) and flavor-related amino acid (glutamic acid, glycine, and proline) contents of L. crocea muscle were significantly higher in the GML group. Metabolomic and gene expression analyses showed that GML supplementation could significantly improve amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, promote protein and lipid synthesis, and activate myogenic-related signaling pathways of L. crocea. Consequently, adding an appropriate amount of GML to fish feed would be conducive to providing healthy, nutrient-rich and acceptably flavored aquatic-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A total of 18 differential metabolites were identified in MG-treated chicken broth. • Dietary MG improves chicken broth taste with increased taste-active compounds. • A total of 36 differential metabolites were identified in MG-treated chicken meat. • Dietary MG improves meat quality with up-regulated creatine, l -anserine and IMP. • Amino acid and purine metabolism pathway contribute to MG-induced meat improvement. This study was conducted to reveal the differences of chicken fresh meat quality, composition and taste induced by medium-chain monoglycerides (MG) supplementation. Results demonstrated that both chicken broth and meat taste were improved by MG supplementation. The up-regulated l -carnosine, sarcosine, uridine and nicotinamide in the chicken broth of the MG group contributed to the umami and meaty taste. Dietary MG increased the total superoxide dismutase activity and amino acid content in the muscle of chicken breast and reduced the malondialdehyde content and drip loss. Moreover, meat metabolome revealed that creatine, betaine, l -anserine, inosine 5′-monophosphate, hypoxanthine, inosine and phospholipid, as well as amino acid and purine metabolism pathway connected to the improvements of meat quality, composition and taste of broilers by MG addition. In conclusion, these findings provide convincing evidence regarding the improvements of fresh meat quality, composition and taste of broilers by MG supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novelty; affinity-ultrafiltration technique used to explore XODI peptide. • Peptides with MW cutoff of 600–1000 Da (UF-2) possessed XODI potential. • UF-2 exhibited the highest antioxidant and XODI activities. • ACECD discovered as a novel XODI peptide derived from Skipjack tuna. • ACECD and UF-2 possibly be used as nutraceuticals for hyperuricemia treatment. This study aimed to isolate and investigate the potential of the peptide alanine-cysteine-glutamic acid-cysteine-aspartic acid (ACECD), a novel xanthine oxidase inhibitory (XODI) peptide derived from Skipjack tuna hydrolysate (HS). Ultrafiltration membranes were used to obtain HS-based peptides as successive ultrafiltration fractions (of decreasing molecular weight) of UF-1, UF-2, UF-3, and UF-4. Their antioxidant and xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitory activities were determined and further characterized by affinity-ultrafiltration coupled with HPLC-MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS and in silico techniques. The results showed that peptides with a molecular weight (MW) cutoff of 600–1000 Da (UF-2) exhibited the highest antioxidant and XODI activities. A novel XODI peptide (ACECD) was identified with an IC 50 value of 13.40 mmol/L, which decreased by 21.24% and 51.40% compared to those of UF-2 and HS, respectively. Molecular docking indicated that ACECD inserted into the active center of Mo atoms in XOD, which led to competitive attachment with XOD and caused inhibition. The study findings indicated that the ACECD peptide could be useful as a safe XODI substance to alleviate hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, diabetes has become a major concern of public health. This study aimed to explore novel antidiabetic strains from 12 Lactobacillus plantarum strains using in vitro techniques and then evaluate their potential through in vivo models. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) served as a reference strain. In vitro investigations showed that LGG, N1, and YJ14 were tolerant to the simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions. However, YJ7 and AH5 strains showed the highest adhesion rates with Caco-2 cells. N1 and YN8 had the higher DPPH scavenging rate of 22.88% and 22.91%, and B2 strain showed strong scavenging ability against hydroxyl radicals. The cell free supernatant (CFS) of strain N1 showed highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. CFS of N1 and cell free extract of B2, YJ7, and YJ14 significantly increased the glucose consumption compared to insulin-resistant group. N1 significantly increased the IL-10 expression in peritoneal macrophages. YJ7 and N1 strains scored higher by principal component analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation compared to other strains and selected for further in vivo studies. Surprisingly, YJ7 supplementation prevented insulin resistance and inflammation in high-fat diet fed mice. Conclusively, Lactobacillus plantarum YJ7 showed antihyperglycemic potential and could be recommended for applications in food and pharmaceuticals products to prevent diabetes. • Evaluating the antidiabetic potential of L. plantarum strains by PCA and FSE. • A comprehensive in vitro method for assessing antidiabetic potential was developed. • Glucose consumption and antiinflammatory activity evaluation assays were included. • Lactobacillus plantarum YJ7 strain with antihyperglycemic potential was screened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scope: Palmitoleic acid (POA) is an omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid that has been suggested to improve metabolic disorders. However, it remains unclear whether gut microbiota plays a role in the amelioration of metabolic disorders by POA. This study aims to investigate the regulation of POA on metabolism, as well as systemic inflammation in HFD-fed mice from the perspective of serum metabolome and gut microbiome., Methods and Results: Thirty-six C57BL/6 male mice are randomly assigned to either a normal chow diet containing 1.9% w/w lard or an HFD containing 20.68% w/w lard or 20.68% w/w sea buckthorn pulp oil for 16 weeks. The study finds that POA significantly attenuated hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation in HFD-fed mice. POA supplementation significantly alters the composition of serum metabolites, particularly lipid metabolites in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway. POA obviously increases the abundance of Bifidobacterium and decreases the abundance of Allobaculum. Importantly, the study finds that glycerophosphocholine mediates the effect of Bifidobacterium on LDL-C, sphingomyelin mediates the effect of Bifidobacterium on IL-6, and maslinic acid mediates the effect of Allobaculum on IL-6., Conclusion: The results suggest that exogenous POA can improve metabolic disorders and inflammation in HFD-fed mice, potentially by modulating the serum metabolome and gut microbiome., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The altered circulating bile acids (BAs) modulate gut microbiota, energy metabolism and various physiological functions. BA profiles in liver, serum, ileum and feces of HFD-fed mice were analyzed with normal chow diet (NCD)-fed mice after 16-week feeding. Furthermore, gut microbiota was analyzed and its correlation analysis with BA was performed. The result showed that long-term HFD feeding significantly decreased hepatic and serum BA levels, mainly attributed to the inhibition of hepatic BA synthesis and the reduced reabsorption efficiency of BAs in enterohepatic circulation. It also significantly impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis and gut microbiota in mice. We found significantly higher bile salt hydrolase activity in ileal microbes and a higher ratio of free BAs to conjugated BA content in ileal contents in HFD groups compared with NCD group mice, which might account for the activated intestinal farnesoid X receptor signaling on liver BA synthesis inhibition and reduced ileal reabsorption. The decreased circulating BAs were associated with the dysregulation of the lipid metabolism according to the decreased TGR5 signaling in the ileum and BAT. In addition, it is astonishing to find extremely high percentages of taurocholate and 12-OH BAs in liver and serum BA profiles of both groups, which was mainly attributed to the high substrate selectivity for 12-OH BAs of the intestinal BAs transporter during the ileal reabsorption of enterohepatic circulation. This study revealed a significant effect of long-term HFD feeding on the decreased circulating BA pool in mice, which impaired lipid homeostasis and gut microbiota, and collectively resulted in metabolic disorders and obesity.

Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal (GI) problem affecting a large number of individuals. This study aimed to investigate peristalsis-promoting potential characteristics of Ligilactobacillus acidipiscis YJ5 and the underlying molecular mechanism. The study demonstrated the relieving effect of L. acidipiscis YJ5 on constipation in both zebrafish and mouse models. L. acidipiscis YJ5 intervention significantly increased intestinal peristalsis by reducing the peak time and increasing the fluorescence disappearance rate in the zebrafish model. In the mouse model, the symptoms of constipation relief induced by L. acidipiscis YJ5 included a shortened first black stool time, an increased number of defecation particles, an accelerated propulsion rate of the small intestine, and an increase in fecal water content. L. acidipiscis YJ5 was found to reduce the expression of colonic aquaporins to normalize the colonic water transport system of constipated mice. Additionally, L. acidipiscis YJ5 reversed loperamide-induced morphological damage in the ileum and colon and increased the colonic mucosal barrier. The results of the 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that L. acidipiscis YJ5 could reverse the structure of gut microbiota to a near-normal group, including levels of β-diversity, phylum, family, and genus. Furthermore, the fermentation supernatant of L. acidipiscis YJ5 was shown to relieve constipation, and metabolomics analysis revealed that these positive effects were related to its metabolites like malic acid and heliangin.

Scope: Butyric acid (C4) and lauric acid (C12) are recognized as functional fatty acids, while the health benefits of the structural lipids they constitute remain unclear., Methods and Results: In this study, lauric acid-butyric structural lipid (S LBL ) is synthesized through ultrasound-assisted enzyme-catalyzed acidolysis and its health benefits are evaluated in a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. S LBL and its physical mixture (M LBL ) do not significantly inhibit obesity in mice. However, S LBL treatment increases the ratio of n3/n6 fatty acids in the liver and improves obesity-induced hepatic lipid metabolism disorders. Furthermore, the expression of liver pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) are significantly suppressed by S LBL , while the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) is increased. Moreover, S LBL ameliorates the dysbiosis of small intestinal microbes induced by high-fat diet and regulates microbial community structure to be close to the control group. Especially, S LBL significantly alleviates the high-fat diet-induced decrease in Dubosiella and Bifidobacterium abundance. Correlation analysis reveals that S LBL treatment increases the abundance of microorganisms with potential anti-inflammatory function and decreases the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria., Conclusion: In all, small intestinal microbes may be a significant bridge for the positive anti-inflammatory effects of S LBL , while the exact mechanism remains to be clarified., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Sea cucumber peptides (SCPs) have been proven to have many active functions; however, their impact on testosterone synthesis and the corresponding mechanism are not yet clear. This study attempts to explore the effects of SCPs on sex hormone regulation in acute exhaustive swimming (AES) male mice and the possible mechanisms. In the present study, SCP intervention significantly prolonged exhaustive swimming time and reduced exercise metabolite accumulation. The reproductive ability-related parameters including penile index, mating ability, testicular morphology, and sperm storage were dramatically improved by SCP intervention. Notably, SCPs markedly reversed the AES-induced decrease in serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Moreover, treatment with a high dose of SCP (0.6 mg per g bw) significantly enhanced the expression of testosterone synthesis-related proteins in testis, meanwhile markedly increasing the gene expression of StAR , Hsd17b3 , Hsd17b2 , Ldlr , and Cyp19a1 . Serum metabolomics results indicated that SCP intervention notably upregulated the expression of 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl- sn -glycerol but downregulated the concentrations of succinate and DL-lactate. Furthermore, serum metabolomics combined with testicular transcriptome, western blot, and correlation analyses demonstrated that SCPs may regulate testosterone synthesis via the Ca 2+ /PKA signaling pathway. This study indicated that the SCP could be a potential dietary supplement to improve the symptoms of decreased sex hormones related to exercise fatigue.

Sodium benzoate (SB) is a common food preservative widely used in the food industry. However, the effects of SB intake on host health at different stages were still unclear. Hence, we investigated the impact of SB with three concentrations (150 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) and at three stages (intake for 5-weeks, intake for 10-weeks and removal for 5 weeks) on host health in normal mice. The results showed that SB intake for 5 weeks slightly changed gut microbiota composition, but it significantly increased TG (only 150 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) and blood glucose levels (only 500 mg/kg) and promoted the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 ( p < 0.01). However, SB intake for 10 weeks mostly maintained normal glucolipid metabolism; although, IL-1β ( p < 0.01) and IL-6 ( p < 0.05) levels were also significantly increased and positively regulated the gut microbiota by significantly increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and significantly decreasing the relative abundance of Ileibacterium . Meanwhile, the safety of SB for host metabolism and gut microbiota was also confirmed via a fecal microbiota transplantation experiment. In addition, we found that SB removal after 10 weeks of intake significantly increased the levels of blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR index, which might be attributed to gut microbiota dysbiosis. Mechanistically, these positive effects and negative effects had no close relationship with the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the gut, which might be associated with metabolites of SB or special bacterial strains. In short, this work provided positive evidence for the safety of SB consumption within the recommended range.

Medium-chain monoglycerides (MG) have been reported to affect the productive performance, gut microbiota and health of broiler chickens reared in ideal experimental conditions at home and abroad. However, the effects of MG on performance, intestinal development and gut microbiota of chickens in large-scale farms during different feed stages remain unknown. The present study was conducted on a modern farm with a total of 12,000 yellow feathered broiler chicks that were randomly allotted to 2 groups (1000 chicks/replicate, 6 replicates/group) for a 70-day trial. The control group (CON group) received a basal diet, and the treated group (MG group) was fed a basal diet containing 300 mg/kg mixed MG. The results revealed that dietary MG significantly ( P  < 0.05) increased the body weight and average feed intake, but notably reduced the feed conversion and mortality of chickens in large-scale production during the starter phase. The villus height of the duodenum in the MG group at 1, 2 and 7 wk of age increased notably, and the villus height to crypt depth ratio at 1, 2, 5 and 10 wk of age was improved. Dietary MG decreased the serum insulin content of chickens at 5, 7 and 10 wk of age, and decreased the serum lipopolysaccharide at 3 and 7 wk of age. The triglyceride level of chickens at 3, 5 and 10 wk of age and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of chickens at 7 and 10 wk of age in the MG group decreased notably, while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly. Moreover, MG supplementation selectively increased the relative abundance of genus Bacteroides (family Bacteroidaceae) and Lachnospiraceae&#95;NK4A136&#95;group , but decreased the content of genus Rikenellaceae &#95; RC9 &#95; gut &#95; group , Collinsella and family Barnesiellaceae in the cecum of chickens at 3, 7 and 10 wk of age. Conclusively, these findings showed that dietary MG notably enhanced chicken performance, health and feed nutrient utilization at early ages by regulating gut microbiota, intestinal development and serum biochemical indices., Competing Interests: We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, and there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the content of this paper., (© 2023 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.)

Sea cucumber peptides (SCPs) have various functional activities. However, studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SCPs from the perspective of sex hormones are still lacking. In this study, normal and premature ovarian failure (POF) female mice were used to assess the effect of SCPs on the sex hormones. The ovarian and uterine indices were not influenced by SCP both in normal and POF mice. In normal mice, SCP showed no significant impact on the estrous cycle, ovarian, uterine morphology, sex hormone levels, and sex hormone synthesis-related genes of the ovary. However, 0.6 mg per g bw dosage of SCP (SCPH) statistically increased mapk1 expression on normal mice hypothalamus. In POF mice, SCPH played a more positive role than a low dosage of SCP (0.2 mg per g bw). SCP ameliorated POF-induced estrous cycle disturbances and significantly increased serum estradiol, testosterone, and AMH levels. Moreover, SCP increased the synthesis of the sex hormone by upregulating the expression of StAR , Fshr , and Cyp19a1 in the ovary, which might be due to the activation of the cAMP-related signaling pathways. The upregulation of mapk1 , Esr1 , and Gnrh was also observed in the hypothalamus. Together, SCP is safe for normal female mice and seems to have positive effects on POF mice from sex hormone regulation. However, the risk of excessive supplementation of sex hormones induced by the SCP intake in POF mice needs to be further explored.

Chicken muscle yield and amino acid composition improvements with medium-chain monoglyceride (MG) supplementation were reported by previous studies, but the underlying mechanism was uncertain. This study aimed to decipher chicken amino acid improvements induced by medium-chain monoglycerides in the views of metabolomics, gene expression, and the gut microbiome. Newly hatched chicks (12,000 chicks) were weighed and randomly divided into two flocks, each with six replicates (1000 chicks per replicate), and fed a basal diet (the control group, CON) or a basal diet enriched with 300 mg/kg MG (the treated group, MG). Results demonstrated that MGs significantly increased the chicken flavor and essential and total amino acids. The serum amino acids and derivatives (betaine, l-leucine, l-glutamine, 1-methylhistide), as well as amino acid metabolism pathways in chickens, were enhanced by MG supplementation. Gene expression analysis exhibited that dietary MGs could improve muscle protein synthesis and cell growth via the mTOR/S6K1 pathway. Dietary MGs enhanced the cecal amino acid metabolism by selectively increasing the proportion of genera Lachnospiraceae&#95;NK4A136&#95;group and Bacteroides . Conclusively, the present study demonstrated that dietary MGs improved chicken amino acid composition via increasing both gut amino acid utilization and muscle amino acid deposition.

With the increase in human mean age, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) also rises. This negatively affects mental and physiological health. In recent years, evidence has revealed that anthocyanins could regulate the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) through the microbiome-gut-brain axis, which provides a new perspective for treating NDs. In this review, the protective effects and mechanisms of anthocyanins against NDs are summarized, especially the interaction between anthocyanins and the intestinal microbiota, and the microbial-intestinal-brain axis system is comprehensively discussed. Moreover, anthocyanins achieve the therapeutic purpose of NDs by regulating intestinal microflora and certain metabolites (protocateic acid, vanillic acid, etc.). In particular, the inhibitory effect of tryptophan metabolism on some neurotransmitters and the induction of blood-brain barrier permeability by butyrate production has a preventive effect on NDs. Overall, it is suggested that microbial-intestinal-brain axis may be a novel mechanism for the protective effect of anthocyanins against NDs.

Octyl and decyl glycerate (ODG), a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), is widely used as a food additive. Medium-chain monoglycerides, such as glycerol monolaurate and glycerol monocaprylate, were found to change the composition of the gut microbiota and influence glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation. However, whether ODG influences the gut microbiota and whether the alteration in the gut microbiota contributes to the metabolic phenotype remain unknown. Under a normal-chow diet, mice were treated with or without different dosages of ODG (150, 800, 1600 mg kg -1 ) for 22 weeks. All doses of ODG significantly decreased the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol, improved the inflammation and insulin resistance, and increased the α-diversity of the gut microbiota and the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Turicibacter . Under a high-fat diet, mice were treated with or without 1600 mg kg -1 ODG for 16 weeks. The results demonstrated that ODG significantly alleviated the increase in the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, and inflammation caused by HFD. The expression of related genes was consistent with the above observations. ODG also altered the composition of the gut microbiota and increased the Bifidobacterium abundance under HFD. Our findings indicated that ODG similarly improved glucose metabolism and inflammation but exhibited differential effects on lipid metabolism under different dietary patterns. Furthermore, changes in the gut microbiota caused by ODG supplementation might contribute to the alteration in glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation, which might be influenced by dietary patterns.

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum , a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, possesses various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions. The purpose of this study was to determine the alleviating effect of the water extract of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum leaves (THLW) on ulcerative colitis (UC) and its relationship with gut microbiota. The administration of THLW significantly decreased the severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal damage, as demonstrated by the stabilization of body weight and colon length, and decreased disease activity index (DAI) and histological scores. THLW also decreased NF-κB protein expression in colon tissues and reduced the serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Further co-housing experiment confirmed that the anti-UC effect of THLW was possibly by regulating the structure and composition of gut microbiota, including increasing the abundance of Oscillospiraceae , Prevotellaceae and Corynebacterium . Additionally, the expression of genes related to inflammation and immunity was also regulated by THLW treatment as evidenced by transcriptome analysis. These results suggested that the protective effect of THLW on DSS-induced colitis was mediated by alleviating inflammation and modulating the microbiota composition. This work proved the potent protective effects of THLW treatment on colitis and may have potential for UC relief., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Lactobacillus plantarum ZJUFB2 is a novel probiotic isolate derived from Chinese traditional sourdough that possesses promising probiotics properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L. plantarum ZJUFB2 (B2) on insulin sensitivity using mice fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) as well as to explore the involved mechanisms. Purposely, male C57BL/6 mice continuously received an intervention of B2 (~10 9 CFU/day) for 16 weeks. The results showed that B2 treatment remarkably ameliorated insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in HFD-fed mice. The B2 intervention significantly decreased the hepatic lipid accumulation, serum low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and lipopolysaccharides, and regulated the bile acids levels as well as liver mRNA expression involved in lipid metabolism. Moreover, the B2 intervention significantly changed the gut microbiota, specifically, showed a lower abundance of obesity-related and inflammation-associated microbes, e.g., Ruminococcus and Mogibacteriaceae . Furthermore, it exhibited a higher abundance of short-chain fatty acids and bile salt hydrolas-producing bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and F16 compared with the HFD group. The findings of this study suggested that B2 is a novel probiotic, effective in preventing insulin resistance by improving the gut microbiota and bile acids., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Zhong, Wang, Abdullah, Hafeez, Guan and Feng.)

Recent studies reveal that glycerol monolaurate (GML) is regarded as an effective feed supplement in the production of broilers; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The current study aimed to investigate how GML affected production performance and meat quality in yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 528 chicks were randomly assigned into four groups for a 56-day feeding trial. The control group received a basal diet, and the treated groups fed basal diet containing 300 (GML300), 450 (GML450), and 600 (GML600) mg/kg GML. Results revealed that dietary GML notably increased the average daily feed intake (p < 0.05) and body weight in broilers during 28-56 days of age and improved the duodenum and jejunum morphology. Dietary GML increased the total cholesterol in broilers (p < 0.05), but the hepatic, abdominal, and muscular fat deposition, as well as muscle fatty acids, were not affected. The flavor amino acids and total amino acids in muscle of GML300 and GML 450 groups were notably (p < 0.05) increased. GML supplementation selectively increased the colonization of an unclassified genus of Lachnospiraceae family and Bifidobacteriaceae, which were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the increase of muscle amino acids. Meanwhile, dietary GML notably increased short chain fatty acids content and the microbial DNA abundance of carbohydrate, amino acids and lipid metabolism pathway in cecum. These findings demonstrated that dietary GML improved performance, intestinal morphology, and muscle amino acids in broilers mainly by manipulating community, function and metabolites of gut microbiota. KEY POINTS: • GML improves performance, muscle composition, and feed efficiency in broilers. • GML alters gut microbiota community, function, and microbial metabolites in broilers. • Improvements of broilers by GML closely associated with gut microbiota alteration. Graphical abstract.

It has become a hotspot and keystone in gene engineering and bioengineering to produce recombinant proteins through heterologous expression systems. Unfortunately, not all the genes could be successfully and effectively expressed in heterologous hosts. The role of gene itself in regulating translation process through its intrinsic sequence characteristics such as codon bias, codon pair bias, GC content, mRNA secondary structure and mRNA stability, has been gradually elucidated. Here we review these factors that influence the translation processes and their corresponding optimization methods in the process of gene design. We emphatically discussed codon bias and codon pair bias and their optimization methods. In particular, the latest theories of codon harmonization and codon pair harmonization were discussed and compared with the traditional codon and codon pair optimization strategies in gene design.

ε-Poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) is a novel food biopreservative with broad antimicrobial activity. In the present study, single-factor experiments were applied to screen optimal carbon and nitrogen sources that affect the yield of a ε-PL-producing strain, Streptomyces violaceusniger, which was obtained in our laboratory recently. Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology (RSM) were adopted to derive a statistical model for optimizing the composition of the fermentation medium. The results showed that the main factors that affect ɛ-PL production were glucose, carbon source; peptone, organic nitrogen source; and (NH(4))(2)SO(4), inorganic nitrogen source. The optimum fermentation medium for ɛ-PL production of S. violaceusniger consisted of (g/L) glucose, 62.49; peptone, 5.71; (NH(4))(2)SO(4), 11.19; MgSO(4), 0.5; FeSO(4), 0.03; ZnSO(4), 0.04; KH(2)PO(4), 1.36; and Na(2)HPO(4).12H(2)O, 3.58. When cultured in the optimum medium, the ε-PL production was an average of 0.349 ± 0.025 mg/mL, which was 1.75 times higher than the initial medium., (© 2010 Institute of Food Technologists®)