Search

BACKGROUND: Yeast culture (YC) is a product fermented on a specific medium, which is a type of postbiotic of anaerobic solid‐state fermentation. Although YC has positive effects on the animal growth and health, it contains a variety of beneficial metabolites as dark matter, which have not been quantified. In the present study, liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry is employed to identify the unknown metabolites. Following their identification, the important chemicals are quantified using HPLC‐diode array detection methods. RESULTS: Non‐targeted metabolomics studies showed that 670 metabolites in total were identified in YC, of which 23 metabolites significantly increased, including organic acids, amino acids, nucleosides and purines, isoflavones, and other substances. The chemical quantitative analysis showed that the contents of succinic acid, aminobutyric acid, glutamine, purine and daidzein increased by 84.42%, 51.07%, 100%, 68.85% and 4.60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the use of non‐targeted metabolomics combined with chemical quantitative analysis to reveal the nutritional and functional substances of YC could help to elucidate the postbiotic mechanism and provide theoretical support for the regulation of the directional accumulation of beneficial metabolites. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is one component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Here, the study evaluated hypertension‐associated metabolites in relation to other MetS components. Fasting plasma samples were collected from 22 hypertensive and 63 normotensive subjects for non‐targeted metabolomics. Compared with normotensive subjects, hypertensive patients were more diabetic (6.3% vs. 36.4%) and had dyslipidemia (27.0% vs. 63.6%) (both p < .05). By non‐targeted metabolomics, 758 metabolites in 22 classes were identified and 56 were differentially regulated between hypertensive and normotensive groups. Amongst these 56 metabolites, receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that 14 had an area under the curve above 0.6. Multivariate‐adjusted logistic regression analysis demonstrated that per one‐fold increase of L‐glutmatic acid, L‐cystine, (9S,10E,12Z,15Z)‐9‐Hydroxy‐10,12,15‐octadecatrienoic acid, deoxyribose 5‐phosphate, and falcarinolone, the odds ratios were 3.64, 4.61, 0.26, 0.26, and 0.37 for having the risk of hypertension, respectively. Of five metabolites, by Spearman's correlation analysis, only L‐glutmatic acid and L‐cystine levels were positively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (all p < .05). Spearman's correlation analysis further revealed that L‐glutmatic acid levels were positively correlated with to body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, and serum triglyceride but negatively associated with HDL‐c (all p < .05) whereas L‐cystine levels were not related to any of these components (p ≥ .13). Multivariate‐adjusted linear regression analysis confirmed the positive correlation between L‐cystine levels and systolic or diastolic blood pressure (β = 2.66 for SBP; β = 2.50 for DBP; both p < .05). In conclusion, L‐cystine could be a potent metabolite for increased risk of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several recent studies reported the potential adverse effects of titanium exposure on glucose homeostasis among the non-pregnant population, but the association of titanium exposure with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is scarce. Methods: The present study of 1,449 pregnant women was conducted within the Jiangsu Birth Cohort (JBC) study in China. Urine samples were collected in the early pregnancy, and urinary titanium concentration and non-targeted metabolomics were measured. Poisson regression estimated the association of titanium exposure in the early pregnancy with subsequent risk of GDM. Multiple linear regression screened for titanium-related urine metabolites. Mediation analyses assessed the mediating effects of candidate metabolites and pathways. Results: As parameterized in tertiles, titanium showed positive dose–response relationship with GDM risk (P for trend = 0.008), with women at the highest tertile of titanium exposure having 30% increased risk of GDM [relative risk (RR) = 1.30 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.61)] when compared to those exposure at the first tertile level. Meanwhile, we identified the titanium-related metabolites involved in four amino acid metabolic pathways. Notably, the perturbation of the aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism mediated 27.1% and 31.0%, respectively, of the relative effect of titanium exposure on GDM. Specifically, three titanium-related metabolites, choline, creatine and L-alanine, demonstrated predominant mediation effects on the association between titanium exposure and GDM risk. Conclusions: In this prospective study, we uniquely identified a correlation between early pregnancy titanium exposure and increased GDM risk. We unveiled novel insights into how perturbations in amino acid metabolism may mediate the link between titanium exposure and GDM. Notably, choline, creatine, and L-alanine emerged as key mediators influencing this association. Our findings imply that elevated titanium exposure in early pregnancy can lead to amino acid dysmetabolism, thereby elevating GDM risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory pharmacological activity, Farfarae Flos has gained extensive usage in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, prostatitis and colitis. And Farfarae Flos come in two color types depending on the color of the flowers: yellowish-white (YW), and purplish-red (PR). However, the difference in anti-inflammatory activity and metabolic profiles between the two flower colors remains unexplored. Methods: This study aims to explore the difference in the anti-inflammatory potential between YW and PR variants of Farfarae Flos and unravel the mechanisms responsible for the observed differences in anti-inflammatory activity through an integrated approach encompassing untargeted metabolomics and in vivo/vitro experimental studies. Initially, we verified the contrasting effects of YW and PR on the inhibition of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) by utilizing an in vitro RAW 264.7 cell inflammation model. Subsequently, a comprehensive evaluation of the systemic inhibitory capacity of YW and PR on IL-6, Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) was conducted using a validated whole-body mouse model, followed by the analysis of inflammatory factors and histological examination of collected serum, liver, and spleen after 7 days. Furthermore, non-targeted metabolomics profiling was employed to analyze the metabolite profiles of Farfarae Flos with different colors, and quantitative analysis was conducted to identify differential metabolites between YW and PR. The correlation between the anti-inflammatory activities of differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and Farfarae Flos was investigated, resulting in the identification of 48 compounds exhibiting significant anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Results: Our findings demonstrate that both YW and PR possess antiinflammatory abilities, with PR exhibiting significantly superior efficacy. The integration of in vivo/vitro experiments and non-targeted metabolomics confirmed the exceptional anti-inflammatory potential of PR and solidified its classification as the "purplish-red better" of Farfarae Flos. Discussion: This study provides valuable insights into the breeding and medical transformation of Farfarae Flos varieties, along with a scientific basis for the establishment of quality standards and the development of new drugs utilizing Farfarae Flos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To enhance the nutritional value of Acanthopanax senticosus leaves (AL), a fermentation process was conducted using a probiotic Bacillus mixture, and the changes in chemical constituents and biological activities before and after fermentation were compared. A response surface methodology was employed to optimize the liquid fermentation conditions of AL based on their influence on polyphenol content. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using LC-MS/MS to reveal the differing profiles of compounds before and after fermentation. The results indicated that Bacillus subtilis LK and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M2 significantly influenced polyphenol content during fermentation. The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be a fermentation time of 54 h, a temperature of 39.6 °C, and an inoculum size of 2.5% (v/v). In comparison to unfermented AL, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the free radical scavenging capacities measured by DPPH and ABTS assays, and the activities of β-glucosidase and endo-glucanase, were significantly increased. The non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified 1348 metabolites, of which 829 were classified as differential metabolites. A correlation analysis between the differential metabolites of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity revealed that 13 differential metabolites were positively correlated with antioxidant activity. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites identified 82 pathways, with two of the top 25 metabolic pathways related to flavonoids. This study explores the potential for enhancing the active ingredients and biological effects of AL through probiotic fermentation using Bacillus strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a rapidly progressive kidney disease caused by medical or environmental exposure to aristolochic acids (AAs). This study aimed to identify serum metabolites associated with the severity of acute AAN and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with vehicle and 3 doses of aristolochic acid I (AAI) (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/d) for 5 days by intraperitoneal injection. The results showed that AAI dose-dependently increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) levels and renal pathological damage. Non-targeted metabolomics revealed that differences in serum metabolite profiles from controls increased with increasing AAI doses. Compared with the control group, 56 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) that could be affected by all 3 doses of AAI were obtained. We further identified 13 DEMs whose abundance significantly correlated with Scr and BUN levels and had good predictive values for diagnosing AAI exposure. Among the 13 DEMs, lipids and lipid-like molecules constituted the majority. Western blotting found that AAI suppressed renal fatty acid oxidation (FAO)-related enzymes expression. In conclusion, these findings provided evidence for developing biomarkers for monitoring AAs exposure and AAN diagnosis and indicated activation of FAO as a potential direction for the treatment of AAN. [Display omitted] • AAI induced nephrotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. • AAI exposure exacerbated serum metabolic profile disturbances in a dose-dependent manner. • 13 DEMs were identified to be correlated with Scr and BUN levels and had good predictive values for diagnosing AAI exposure. • AAI suppressed renal fatty acid oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper was to analyze the difference of composition between hybrid sorghum and conventional sorghum in southwest China, and to establish the method of variety identification. The basic physical and chemical components of 29 sorghum samples were determined, and the metabolite composition of 29 sorghum samples was determined by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive HF-X mass spectrometry. The marker component screening and construction of variety identification model were carried out using stoichiometry, which included principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), cluster analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The model was based on the basic physicochemical composition and all metabolites. The results showed that the contents of amylopectin and tannin of the conventional varieties form southwest China were higher than that of hybrid varieties, while the contents of amylose and 1000-grain weight were lower. By analyzing the physicochemical properties, it was possible to identify certain samples. The OPLS-DA model was constructed with all 1048 compounds variables, and 46 of the differential metabolites that had a significant impact on the model identification were screened out. A novel OPLS-DA identification model was developed for sorghum varieties, achieving a 100% accuracy in identification. The conventional varieties from southwest China exhibited a relatively high concentration of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, after conducting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and assessing the relative standard deviation (RSD) of quality control sample (QC), 20 feature components that exhibited both high diagnostic accuracy and good reproducibility were identified. Among them, syringetin 3-glucoside and 6"-o-acetyldaidzein had higher expression abundance in conventional sorghum varieties, while D-glucarate, putsutrine, N-acetylputsutrine and L-glutamine had higher content in hybrid sorghum varieties. This study unveiled the disparity in metabolites between hybrid sorghum and conventional sorghum. The study successfully developed a scientifically rigorous and precise untargeted metabolomics approach using UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X-MS. This method can be effectively utilized for the identification of sorghum varieties, offering a novel strategy for sorghum variety identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A low temperature (LT) is used to delay grain deterioration effectively. In practical applications, a nitrogen-modified atmosphere (N2) is also an effective way of preventing grain pests and delaying grain deterioration. However, there are few studies on grain quality changes using a combination treatment of an LT and N2 during storage. In this study, the storage quality, processing characteristics, and metabolites of rice under conventional storage (CS), LT (20 °C), N2 (95%), and LT+N2 treatments were analyzed for 180 days, under a controlled humidity of 65% ± 2%. The results showed that compared to the CS, LT, and N2 treatments, the LT+N2 treatment had the best effect in retarding the increase in MDA and electrical conductivity and deferring the decrease in CAT activity. In addition, the LT+N2 treatment maintained the color of the rice better and sustained a better processing quality. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis further confirmed that the LT+N2 treatment maintained the vigor of the rice and retarded its spoilage by activating the metabolisms of amino acids, carbohydrates, and flavonoids. These results suggest a favorable practice for preventing storage deterioration and increasing the processing quality for rice storage. They provided new insights into the mechanisms of rice quality changes using the combination treatment of an LT and N2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Mung beans are highly nutritious but their leguminous flavor limits their development. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation can decrease unwanted bean flavors in legumes and enhance their flavor. This study examined the influence of Lactobacillus fermentation on the flavor characteristics of mung bean flour (MBF) using volatile compounds and non‐targeted metabolomics. RESULTS: Lactobacillus plantarum LP90, Lactobacillus casei LC89, and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA85 eliminated 61.37%, 48.29%, and 43.73%, respectively, of the primary bean odor aldehydes from MBF. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) results showed that fermented mung bean flour (FMBF) included volatile chemicals that contributed to fruity, flowery, and milky aromas. These compounds included ethyl acetate, hexyl formate, 3‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone, and 2,3‐butanedione. The levels of amino acids with a fresh sweet flavor increased significantly by 93.89, 49.40, and 35.27% in LP90, LC89, and LA85, respectively. A total of 49 up‐regulated and 13 down‐regulated significantly differential metabolites were annotated, and ten metabolic pathways were screened for contributing to the flavor. The correlation between important volatile compounds and non‐volatile substances relies on two primary metabolic pathways: the citric acid cycle pathway and the amino acid metabolic system. CONCLUSION: The flavor of MBF was enhanced strongly by the process of Lactobacillus fermentation, with LP90 having the most notable impact. These results serve as a reference for identifying the flavor of FMBF. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsed light is an emerging technique in plant physiology recognized for its ability to enhance germination and accumulate γ–aminobutyric acid in maize. Pulsed light involves exposing plants to brief, high-intensity bursts of light, which can enhance photosynthesis, improve growth, and increase resistance to environmental stresses. Despite its promising potential, the specific metabolic changes leading to γ–aminobutyric acid enrichment in maize induced by pulsed light are not fully understood. This study addresses this gap by quantifying key nutrients and γ–aminobutyric acid-related compounds during maize germination and investigating the underlying mechanisms using non-targeted metabolomics. Our findings indicate that pulsed light significantly promotes maize germination and accelerates the hydrolysis of proteins, sugars, and lipids. This acceleration is likely due to the activation of enzymes involved in these metabolic pathways. Additionally, pulsed light markedly increases the content of glutamic acid and the activity of glutamate decarboxylase, which are crucial for γ–aminobutyric acid synthesis. Moreover, pulsed light significantly reduces the activity of γ–aminobutyric transaminase, thereby inhibiting γ–aminobutyric acid decomposition and resulting in a substantial increase in γ–aminobutyric acid content, with a 27.20% increase observed in germinated maize following pulsed light treatment. Metabolomic analysis further revealed enrichment of metabolic pathways associated with γ–aminobutyric acid, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, energy metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and ABC transporters. In conclusion, pulsed light is a robust and efficient method for producing sprouted maize with a high γ–aminobutyric acid content. This technique provides a novel approach for developing sprouted cereal foods with enhanced nutritional profiles, leveraging the physiological benefits of γ–aminobutyric acid, which include stress alleviation and potential health benefits for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The actinomycete genus Rhodococcus is known for its diverse biosynthetic enzymes, with potential in pollutant degradation, chemical biocatalysis, and natural product exploration. Comparative genomics have analyzed the distribution patterns of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) in Rhodococcus. The diversity and specificity of its secondary metabolism offer valuable insights for exploring natural products, yet remain understudied. In the present study, we analyzed the distribution patterns of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in the most comprehensive Rhodococcus genome data to date. The results show that 86.5% of the gene cluster families (GCFs) are only distributed in a specific phylogenomic-clade of Rhodococcus, with the most predominant types of gene clusters being NRPS and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). In-depth mining of RiPP gene clusters revealed that Rhodococcus encodes many clade-specific novel RiPPs, with thirteen core peptides showing antibacterial potential. High-throughput elicitor screening (HiTES) and non-targeted metabolomics revealed that a marine-derived Rhodococcus strain produces a large number of new aurachin-like compounds when exposed to specific elicitors. The present study highlights the diversity and specificity of secondary biosynthetic potential in Rhodococcus, and provides valuable information for the targeted exploration of novel natural products from Rhodococcus, especially for phylogenomic-clade-specific metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal the chemical composition profile of Camellia ptilophylla, a rare natural low-caffeine tea variety, non-targeted metabolomics based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) was employed to identify the metabolite composition of green tea and black tea from C. ptilophylla and C. sinensis var. assamica. Additionally, the metabolomic differences between the two types of tea and between the two tea varieties were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Differential metabolites were identified using standards and database. A total of 152 metabolites were identified in the four tea samples, the major ones being flavonoids (42%). These metabolites were categorized into four clusters. The metabolomic difference between C. ptilophylla and C. sinensis var. assamica was more pronounced than that between green and black teas. Notably, 24 metabolites including theasinensin B isomers, theobromine and 14 flavonoids such as tetrahydroxyxanthone and epitheaflagallin 3-O-gallate, which were more abundant in C. ptilophylla green tea than in C. sinensis green tea, were considered as the characteristic metabolites of C. ptilophylla green tea. In black tea from C. ptilophylla, 40 characteristic metabolites were identified including 25 flavonoids such as gallocatechin-3,5-digallate, tetrahydroxyxanthone and dihydromyricetin; 4 tannins such as theaflavin 3-gallate, theasinensin A isomers and theaflavin 3,3’-digallate; and theobromine. This study provides a reference for further exploration of bioactive compounds in C. ptilophylla.

To investigate the differences in volatile components during the processing of Fuling Zhacai, or pickled mustard tuber, with three stacked layers of mustard tuber and salt, gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)-based non-targeted metabolomics combined with multivariate statistical analysis was used to analyze the changes in volatile metabolites and significantly differential metabolic pathways during the spontaneous fermentation of Zhacai. The results showed that a total of 627 volatile compounds were identified from Zhacai samples at different pickling stages, including terpenoids, esters, heterocyclic compounds, terpenoids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, phenols, amines, sulfur compounds, acids, halogenated hydrocarbons, and nitrogen compounds. A significant difference was observed in volatile components among pickling stages. A total 157 unique differential metabolites in the 1st pickling stage vs. the control group, 28 in the 2nd vs. the 1st pickling stage, and one in the 3rd vs. 2nd pickling stage were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways including secondary metabolite biosynthesis, diterpenoid biosynthesis, monoterpenoid biosynthesis, caffeine metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis. This study provides a theoretical basis for the standardized production of Fuling Zhacai.

Abstract Background Several recent studies reported the potential adverse effects of titanium exposure on glucose homeostasis among the non-pregnant population, but the association of titanium exposure with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is scarce. Methods The present study of 1,449 pregnant women was conducted within the Jiangsu Birth Cohort (JBC) study in China. Urine samples were collected in the early pregnancy, and urinary titanium concentration and non-targeted metabolomics were measured. Poisson regression estimated the association of titanium exposure in the early pregnancy with subsequent risk of GDM. Multiple linear regression screened for titanium-related urine metabolites. Mediation analyses assessed the mediating effects of candidate metabolites and pathways. Results As parameterized in tertiles, titanium showed positive dose–response relationship with GDM risk (P for trend = 0.008), with women at the highest tertile of titanium exposure having 30% increased risk of GDM [relative risk (RR) = 1.30 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.61)] when compared to those exposure at the first tertile level. Meanwhile, we identified the titanium-related metabolites involved in four amino acid metabolic pathways. Notably, the perturbation of the aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism mediated 27.1% and 31.0%, respectively, of the relative effect of titanium exposure on GDM. Specifically, three titanium-related metabolites, choline, creatine and L-alanine, demonstrated predominant mediation effects on the association between titanium exposure and GDM risk. Conclusions In this prospective study, we uniquely identified a correlation between early pregnancy titanium exposure and increased GDM risk. We unveiled novel insights into how perturbations in amino acid metabolism may mediate the link between titanium exposure and GDM. Notably, choline, creatine, and L-alanine emerged as key mediators influencing this association. Our findings imply that elevated titanium exposure in early pregnancy can lead to amino acid dysmetabolism, thereby elevating GDM risk. Graphical Abstract

The objective of this paper was to analyze the difference of composition between hybrid sorghum and conventional sorghum in southwest China, and to establish the method of variety identification. The basic physical and chemical components of 29 sorghum samples were determined, and the metabolite composition of 29 sorghum samples was determined by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive HF-X mass spectrometry. The marker component screening and construction of variety identification model were carried out using stoichiometry, which included principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), cluster analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The model was based on the basic physicochemical composition and all metabolites. The results showed that the contents of amylopectin and tannin of the conventional varieties form southwest China were higher than that of hybrid varieties, while the contents of amylose and 1000-grain weight were lower. By analyzing the physicochemical properties, it was possible to identify certain samples. The OPLS-DA model was constructed with all 1048 compounds variables, and 46 of the differential metabolites that had a significant impact on the model identification were screened out. A novel OPLS-DA identification model was developed for sorghum varieties, achieving a 100% accuracy in identification. The conventional varieties from southwest China exhibited a relatively high concentration of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, after conducting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and assessing the relative standard deviation (RSD) of quality control sample (QC), 20 feature components that exhibited both high diagnostic accuracy and good reproducibility were identified. Among them, syringetin 3-glucoside and 6"-o-acetyldaidzein had higher expression abundance in conventional sorghum varieties, while D-glucarate, putsutrine, N-acetylputsutrine and L-glutamine had higher content in hybrid sorghum varieties. This study unveiled the disparity in metabolites between hybrid sorghum and conventional sorghum. The study successfully developed a scientifically rigorous and precise untargeted metabolomics approach using UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X-MS. This method can be effectively utilized for the identification of sorghum varieties, offering a novel strategy for sorghum variety identification.

This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of goji berries fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum NXU0011 on serum metabolites in mice with ulcerative colitis (UC). A mouse model of UC was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water. Four groups of mice were set up: DSS-induced model, control (Con), medication with mesalazine (MS), and intervention with lyophilized powder of L. plantarum NXU0011-fermented L. barbarum L. (LP + Ly). Non-targeted metabolomics was used to analyze differential serum metabolites among the four groups. In the positive ion mode, a total of 381 differential metabolites were identified, including 56 differential metabolites between the MS and DSS groups and 87 differential metabolites between the LP + Ly and DSS groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the significantly differential metabolites between the Con, LP + Ly and DSS groups revealed two metabolic pathways with the higher enrichment rates, arginine biosynthesis and vitamin digestion and absorption. This study provides a reference for the application of Lactobacillus-fermented goji berries to ameliorate UC.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most prevalent liver disease globally, yet no therapies are approved. The effects of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 expressing aldafermin, an engineered analog of the intestinal hormone FGF19, in combination with dietary change were investigated as a potential treatment for MASLD. METHODS: MASLD was induced in C57BL/6J male mice by American lifestyle-induced obesity syndrome diet and then switched to a standard chow diet for seven weeks. In addition to the dietary change, the intervention group received genetically engineered E. coli Nissle expressing aldafermin, while control groups received either E. coli Nissle vehicle or no treatment. MASLD-related plasma biomarkers were measured using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer. The liver steatosis was assessed by histology and bioimaging analysis using Fiji (ImageJ) software. The effects of the intervention in the liver were also evaluated by RNA sequencing and liquid-chromatography-based non-targeted metabolomics analysis. Pathway enrichment studies were conducted by integrating the differentially expressed genes from the transcriptomics findings with the metabolites from the metabolomics results using Ingenuity pathway analysis. RESULTS: After the intervention, E. coli Nissle expressing aldafermin along with dietary changes reduced body weight, liver steatosis, plasma aspartate aminotransferase, and plasma cholesterol levels compared to the two control groups. The integration of transcriptomics with non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed the downregulation of amino acid metabolism and related receptor signaling pathways potentially implicated in the reduction of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Moreover, the downregulation of pathways linked to lipid metabolism and changes in amino acid-related pathways suggested an overall reduction of oxidative stress in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the potential for using engineered microbial therapeutics in combination with dietary changes for managing MASLD.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Conversely, HUA can promote the disease progression of CKD. However, the molecular mechanism of HUA in CKD development remains unclear. In the present study, we applied ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the serum metabolite profiling of 47 HUA patients, 41 non-hyperuricemic CKD (NUA-CKD) patients, and 51 CKD and HUA (HUA-CKD) patients, and then subjected to multivariate statistical analysis, metabolic pathway analysis and diagnostic performance evaluation. Metabolic profiling of serums showed that 40 differential metabolites (fold-change threshold (FC) > 1.5 or<2/3, variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1, and p < 0.05) were screened in HUA-CKD and HUA patients, and 24 differential metabolites (FC > 1.2 or<0.83, VIP>1, and p < 0.05) were screened in HUA-CKD and NUA-CKD patients. According to the analysis of metabolic pathways, significant changes existed in three metabolic pathways (compared with the HUA group) and two metabolic pathways (compared with the HUA-CKD group) in HUA-CKD patients. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was a significant pathway in HUA-CKD. Our findings show that the metabolic disorder in HUA-CKD patients was more serious than that in NUA-CKD or HUA patients. A theoretical basis is provided for HUA to accelerate CKD progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 951 metabolites including 489 primary ones and 315 secondary ones were detected in plum fruit from 5 different varieties/lines in Guangdong by non-targeted metabolomics. For all plum varieties/lines, lipids were the most abundant primary metabolites, followed by sugars, alcohols, amino acids and organic acids, while the contents of nucleotides and vitamins were relatively low. Polyphenols were the most abundant secondary metabolites, followed by plant hormones, alkaloids and terpenoids, while the contents of phenylpropanoids and lignan were very low. The most abundant lipid component in Dami plum was undecanoic acid, accounting for 92.9% of the total lipids. The content of sugar in the fruit of plum is second only to lipid. The most abundant sugar in Dami plum was turanose, 9.5, 8 and 14.6 times as abundant as sucrose, glucose and fructose, respectively, which might be the major contributor to the honey flavor in Dami plum. A total of 170 amino acids and their derivatives were identified, greater than that of any other primary metabolites. L-malic acid was the major organic acid, accounting for 57.1% of the total organic acids and their derivatives. VB6 was the most abundant vitamin, accounting for 51.5% of the total vitamins. Flavonoids were the most abundant polyphenols, accounting for 77.7% of the total polyphenols. Altogether, 84, 73, 113 and 34 differential metabolites were identified between Dami plum and Qingpi, Xiaomi, Hongxian and Daguochishu Sanhua plum, respectively. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites showed that the differential metabolites of the 4 groups were mainly enriched in amino acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids and synthetic and metabolic pathways. The major differential metabolites between Daguochishu Sanhua and Dami plum were flavonoids and phenols such as C-pentosyl-luteolin-C-hexoside, dopamine and trilobatin, and nucleotides such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and β-nicotinamide mononucleotide. These substances may be the key differential metabolites between the 2 varieties at the mature stage.

The study aimed to investigate the changes of metabolites and related flavors in the muscle of fresh mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) during 24 h of postmortem refrigeration at 4 ℃ by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HR-MS). Non-targeted metabolomics was applied for multivariate statistical analysis, metabolic pathway analysis and related flavor calculation of the differential metabolites after 0 versus 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h. The results showed that 33 differential metabolites were identified, including 3 organic acids and derivatives (amino acids and organic acids); 8 organic heterocyclic compounds (purines, purine derivatives and lactones); 7 nucleosides, nucleotides and analogues (purine nucleosides, purine nucleotides and pyrimidine nucleotides); 9 organic oxygen compounds (carbohydrates and their conjugates, as well as a small amount of alcohols); 4 lipid and lipid molecules (fatty alcohols and fatty acid esters); 1 flavonoid glycoside; and 1 alkaloid or its derivatives. Through metabolomic pathway analysis (MetPA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, 9 key differential metabolites were identified including succinic acid, L-aspartic acid, 5’-adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inosine, adenyl succinic acid, xanthine, 5’-guanosine monophosphate (GMP), ribose 5-phosphate, and hypoxanthine. The major metabolic pathway involving these key differential metabolites was purine metabolism, followed by L-aspartic acid metabolism, glutamic acid metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. By calculating the relative taste activity value (RTAV) and relative equivalent umami concentration (REUC), it was found that umami amino acids such as L-aspartic acid together with AMP and GMP mainly contributed to the taste of fresh mandarin fish, while the major taste compounds were AMP and GMP after 2–6 h of refrigeration and GMP after 9–24 h. Overall, the taste of fresh mandarin fish was best. During 24 h of storage at 4 ℃, the umami of mandarin fish decreased due to a decrease in L-aspartic acid content, but it increased between 9 and 24 h due to the accumulation of GMP.

Abstract Background The excessive application of chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge results in a reduction in the quality of the medicinal plant and compromises the sustainable productivity of the soil. PGPB inoculant is a hot topic in ecological agriculture research. In the cultivation of Astragalus mongholicus, the screened nitrogen-fixing bacteria can promote plant growth, however, whether it can promote the accumulation of main bioactive components remains unknown. In this study, mixed inoculants containing 5 strains of growth promoting bacteria (Rhizobium T16 , Sinorhizobium T21 , Bacillus J1 , Bacillus G4 and Arthrobacter J2) were used in the field experiment. The metabolic substances in the root tissues of Astragalus mongholicus were identified during the harvest period by non-targeted metabolomics method, and the differential metabolites between groups were identified by statistical analysis. Meanwhile, high-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the changes of rhizosphere soil and endophytic microbial community structure after mixed microbial treatment. Results The results of non-targeted metabolism indicated a significant increase in the levels of 26 metabolites after treatment including 13 flavonoids, 3 saponins and 10 other components. The contents of three plant hormones (abscisic acid, salicylic acid and spermidine) also increased after treatment, which presumed to play an important role in regulating plant growth and metabolism. Studies on endosphere and rhizosphere bacterial communities showed that Rhzobiaceae, Micromonosporaceae, and Hypomicrobiaceae in endophytic, and Oxalobactereae in rhizosphere were significantly increased after treatment. These findings suggest their potential importance in plant growth promotion and secondary metabolism regulation. Conclusions This finding provides a basis for developing nitrogen-fixing bacteria fertilizer and improving the ecological planting efficiency of Astragalus mongholicus.

ObjectiveTo screen biomarkers for forensic identification of acute myocardial infarction （AMI） by non-targeted metabolomic studies on changes of urine metabolites in rats with AMI.MethodsThe rat models of the sham surgery group, AMI group and hyperlipidemia + acute myocardial infarction （HAMI） group were established. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS） was used to analyze the changes of urine metabolic spectrometry in AMI rats. Principal component analysis, partial least squares-discriminant analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to screen differential metabolites. The MetaboAnalyst database was used to analyze the metabolic pathway enrichment and access the predictive ability of differential metabolites.ResultsA total of 40 and 61 differential metabolites associated with AMI and HAMI were screened, respectively. Among them, 22 metabolites were common in both rat models. These small metabolites were mainly concentrated in the niacin and nicotinamide metabolic pathways. Within the 95% confidence interval, the area under the curve （AUC） values of receiver operator characteristic curve for N8-acetylspermidine, 3-methylhistamine, and thymine were greater than 0.95.ConclusionN8-acetylspermidine, 3-methylhistamine, and thymine can be used as potential biomarkers for AMI diagnosis, and abnormal metabolism in niacin and nicotinamide may be the main causes of AMI. This study can provide reference for the mechanism and causes of AMI identification.

In this study, the effects of Trichoderma erinaceum M6-5 volatile components on metabolites, respiration and energy metabolism of Alternaria alternata from postharvest Korla fragrant pear were investigated. Non-targeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to determine the changes of metabolites in A. alternata after treatment with M6-5 volatile substances. At 0, 3, 5 and 7 days after fumigation with M6-5 volatile substances, the respiratory rate of A. alternata was measured, and the respiration inhibition rate were calculated. The levels of ATP, ADP, AMP and energy charge in the M6-5-treated and control groups as a function of culture time were determined by liquid chromatography (LC). The results showed that among the identified differential metabolites, 6-amyl-2h-pyrano-2-one (6pp), 4-ethylbenzaldehyde, 3,4-dimethylbenzoic acid, 4-phenylbutyric acid and 2-methoxyresorcinol were up-regulated, while 6-aminonicotinamide, 11-ketoacetyl cholesterol, 3-hydroxyconilone, jasmonic acid and benzoylsphenine were down-regulated by M6-5 volatile substances. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the significantly differential pathway was involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. At the end of the 7 day incubation period, the respiration inhibition rate of A. alternata by M6-5 volatile substances was (49.64 ± 2.04)%. Compared with the control group, treatment with M6-5 volatile substances significantly reduced the levels of ATP, ADP, AMP and energy charge, indicating that it can keep the energy charge at lower levels, thereby resulting in imbalanced energy metabolism and inhibited respiratory rate and affecting metabolite changes.

Background It is a research hotspot to study the changes of metabolites and metabolic pathways in the process of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) by metabonomics and to explore its pathogenesis. ObjectiveTo study the change of metabolites in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with CWP and explore the metabolic regulation mechanism of the disease. MethodsPatients with CWP who met the national diagnostic criteria according to Diagnosis of occupational pneumoconiosis (GBZ 70-2015) and underwent massive whole lung lavage were selected as the case group, and patients with tracheostenosis who underwent bronchoscopy were selected as the control group. BALF samples were collected from the cases and the controls. After filtering out large particles and mucus, the supernatant was stored in a −80 ℃ refrigerator. The samples were detected and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after adding extraction solution, cold bath ultrasonication, and high-speed centrifugation, and the metabolic profiles and related data of CWP patients were obtained. The differential metabolites related to the occurrence and development of CWP were screened by multiple statistical analysis; furthermore, we searched the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database for potential metabolic pathways involved in the progression. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the general conditions of the subjects, such as weight, height, age, and length of service among the stage I group, the stage II group, the stage III group, and the control group (P˃0.05). When comparing the CWP stage I group with the control group, 48 differential metabolites were screened out, among which 14 were up-regulated and 34 were down-regulated. A total of 66 differential metabolites were screened out between the patients with CWP stage II and the controls, 14 up-regulated and 52 down-regulated differential metabolites. Compared with the control group, 63 differential metabolites were screened out in the patients with CWP stage III, including 11 up-regulated and 52 down-regulated differential metabolites. There were 36 differential metabolites that may be related to the occurrence of CWP, among which 11 differential metabolites were up-regulated, and 25 were down-regulated. Four significant differential metabolic pathways were identified through KEGG database query: linoleic acid metabolic pathway, alanine metabolic pathway, sphingolipid metabolic pathway, and glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway. ConclusionThe metabolomic study of BALF show that there are 36 different metabolites in the occurrence and development of CWP, mainly associating with linoleic acid metabolism, alanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways.

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: Metabolites of intestinal microorganisms play an important role in the growth process of animals, and there are differences in the feeding behavior of animals of different sexes. The aim of this study was to reveal the sex differences in intestinal microbial metabolites of Hainan special wild boars. This study shows that the highest number of differential metabolites was found between entire males and females, the differential metabolites were enriched in more metabolic pathways, and castration reduced this difference. This study provides a certain metabolite database for future precision feeding of Hainan special wild boars and other pig breeds of different sexes. The intestinal microbiota and its metabolites are essential for the health and growth development of animals. Current research indicates that sex has a certain impact on the structure and function of the intestinal microbiota, but there are few reports on sex differences in intestinal microbiota metabolites, including those of castrated male animals. This study aimed to explore the impact of sex on the intestinal microbial metabolites of Hainan special wild boars (10 entire male pigs, 10 female pigs, and 10 castrated male pigs, denoted EM, FE, and CM, respectively) by employing non-targeted metabolomics and gas chromatography. A total of 1086 metabolites were detected, with the greatest number of differential metabolites observed between EM and FE (54 differential metabolites, including 18 upregulated and 36 downregulated metabolites), the fewest between CM and FE (7 differential metabolites, including 1 upregulated and 6 downregulated metabolites), and an intermediate number between CM and EM (47 differential metabolites, including 35 upregulated and 12 downregulated metabolites). Differential metabolites were involved in more pathways between EM and FE and between CM and EM, including amino acid metabolism and digestive system pathways, whereas differential metabolites were involved in the fewest pathways between CM and FE. Correlation analysis showed Ruminococcaceae UCG-009, uncultured_bacterium_o_SAR324_cladeMarine_group_B, and Candidatus Saccharimonas contributed to the production of metabolites such as trehalose, docosatrienoic acid, D(−)-beta-hydroxy butyric acid, and acetyl-DL-leucine. The levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid were significantly higher in EM than in FE, with CM falling between the two. Streptococcus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group showed a significant positive correlation with the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group, uncultured_bacterium_f_p–251–o5 and Ruminococcaceae_UCG–005 showed a significant negative correlation with the generation of SCFAs. This study provides foundational data and significant insights into precision feeding strategies for Hainan special wild boars of different sexes, as well as the study of sex differences in intestinal microbial metabolites in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the clinical cure rate for primary liver cancer remains low. Effective screening and early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain clinical challenges. Exosomes are intimately associated with tumor development and their contents have the potential to serve as highly sensitive tumor-specific markers. A comprehensive untargeted metabolomics study was conducted using exosome samples extracted from the serum of 48 subjects (36 HCC patients and 12 healthy controls) via a commercial kit. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) strategy was used to identify the metabolic compounds. A total of 18 differential metabolites were identified using the non-targeted metabolomics approach of UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Pathway analysis revealed significant alterations in the arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism pathways. ROC analysis indicated that three metabolites with AUC values exceeding 0.900 were selected as potential biomarkers: caprylic acid and linoleic acid were upregulated in the HCC group, whereas pentadecanoic acid was downregulated. Linoleic acid, caprylic acid, and pentadecanoic acid are potential biomarkers for diagnosing HCC. The significant alterations in these three metabolic pathways offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying HCC formation and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic coronary artery stenosis can lead to regional myocardial dysfunction in the absence of myocardial infarction by repetitive stunning, hibernation or both. The molecular mechanisms underlying repetitive stunning‐associated myocardial dysfunction are not clear. We used non‐targeted metabolomics to elucidate responses to chronically stunned myocardium in a canine model with and without β‐adrenergic blockade treatment. After development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction induced by ameroid constrictors on the coronary arteries, animals were randomized to 3 months of placebo, metoprolol or carvedilol. We compared these two β‐blockers with their different β‐adrenergic selectivities on myocardial function, perfusion and metabolic pathways involved in tissue undergoing chronic stunning. Control animals underwent sham surgery. Dysfunction in stunned myocardium was associated with reduced fatty acid oxidation and enhanced ketogenic amino acid metabolism, together with alterations in mitochondrial membrane phospholipid composition. These changes were consistent with impaired mitochondrial function and were linked to reduced nitric oxide and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor signalling, resulting in a decline in adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase. Mitochondrial changes were ameliorated by carvedilol more than metoprolol, and improvement was linked to nitric oxide and possibly hydrogen sulphide signalling. In summary, repetitive myocardial stunning commonly seen in chronic multivessel coronary artery disease is associated with adverse metabolic remodelling linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and specific signalling pathways. These changes are reversed by β‐blockers, with the non‐selective inhibitor having a more favourable impact. This is the first investigation to demonstrate that β‐blockade‐associated improvement of ventricular function in chronic myocardial stunning is associated with restoration of mitochondrial function. Key points: The mechanisms responsible for the metabolic changes associated with repetitive myocardial stunning seen in chronic multivessel coronary artery disease have not been fully investigated.In a canine model of repetitive myocardial stunning, we showed that carvedilol, a non‐selective β‐receptor blocker, ameliorated adverse metabolic remodelling compared to metoprolol, a selective β1‐receptor blocker, by improving nitric oxide synthase and adenosine monophosphate protein kinase function, enhancing calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase, probably increasing hydrogen sulphide, and suppressing cyclic‐adenosine monophosphate signalling.Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation alterations were ameliorated by carvedilol to a larger extent than metoprolol; this improvement was linked to nitric oxide and possibly hydrogen sulphide signalling.Both β‐blockers improved the cardiac energy imbalance by reducing metabolites in ketogenic amino acid and nucleotide metabolism.These results elucidated why metabolic remodelling with carvedilol is preferable to metoprolol when treating chronic ischaemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction caused by repetitive myocardial stunning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During estrus, the poll glands of male Bactrian Camels (Camelus Bactrianus) become slightly raised, exuding a large amount of pale yellow watery secretion with a characteristic odor that may contain hydrogen sulfide (H2S). However, whether H2S can be synthesized in the poll glands of male Bactrian Camels and its role in inducing camel estrus remains unclear. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and signaling pathways in the poll gland tissues of male Bactrian Camels using data independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics. Additionally, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to identify differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in the neck hair containing secretions during estrus in male Bactrian Camels, to explore the specific expression patterns and mechanisms in the poll glands of camels during estrus. The results showed that cystathionine-γ-lyase (CTH) and cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), which are closely related to H2S synthesis in camel poll glands during estrus, were mainly enriched in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and metabolic pathways. In addition, both enzymes were widely distributed and highly expressed in the acinar cells of poll gland tissues in camels during estrus. Meanwhile, the neck hair secretion contains high levels of amino acids, especially glycine, serine, threonine, and cystathionine, which are precursors for H2S biosynthesis. These results demonstrate that the poll glands of male Bactrian Camels can synthesize and secrete H2S during estrus. This study provides a basis for exploring the function and mechanism of H2S in the estrus of Bactrian Camels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The excessive application of chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge results in a reduction in the quality of the medicinal plant and compromises the sustainable productivity of the soil. PGPB inoculant is a hot topic in ecological agriculture research. In the cultivation of Astragalus mongholicus, the screened nitrogen-fixing bacteria can promote plant growth, however, whether it can promote the accumulation of main bioactive components remains unknown. In this study, mixed inoculants containing 5 strains of growth promoting bacteria (Rhizobium T16, Sinorhizobium T21, Bacillus J1, Bacillus G4 and Arthrobacter J2) were used in the field experiment. The metabolic substances in the root tissues of Astragalus mongholicus were identified during the harvest period by non-targeted metabolomics method, and the differential metabolites between groups were identified by statistical analysis. Meanwhile, high-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the changes of rhizosphere soil and endophytic microbial community structure after mixed microbial treatment. Results: The results of non-targeted metabolism indicated a significant increase in the levels of 26 metabolites after treatment including 13 flavonoids, 3 saponins and 10 other components. The contents of three plant hormones (abscisic acid, salicylic acid and spermidine) also increased after treatment, which presumed to play an important role in regulating plant growth and metabolism. Studies on endosphere and rhizosphere bacterial communities showed that Rhzobiaceae, Micromonosporaceae, and Hypomicrobiaceae in endophytic, and Oxalobactereae in rhizosphere were significantly increased after treatment. These findings suggest their potential importance in plant growth promotion and secondary metabolism regulation. Conclusions: This finding provides a basis for developing nitrogen-fixing bacteria fertilizer and improving the ecological planting efficiency of Astragalus mongholicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Depression is a common comorbidity in hypertensive older adults, yet depression is more difficult to diagnose correctly. Our goal is to find predictive models of depression in hypertensive patients using a combination of various machine learning (ML) methods and metabolomics. Methods: Methods We recruited 379 elderly people aged ≥65 years from the Chinese community. Plasma samples were collected and assayed by gas chromatography/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/LC-MS). Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), volcano diagrams and thermograms were used to distinguish metabolites. The attribute discriminators CfsSubsetEval combined with search method BestFirst in WEKA software was used to find the best predicted metabolite combinations, and then 24 classification methods with 10-fold cross-validation were used for prediction. Results: 34 individuals were considered hypertensive combined with depression according to our criteria, and 34 subjects with hypertension only were matched according to age and sex. 19 metabolites by GC-MS and 65 metabolites by LC-MS contributed significantly to the differentiation between the depressed and non-depressed cohorts, with a VIP value of more than 1 and a P value of less than 0.05. There were multiple metabolic pathway alterations. The metabolite combinations screened with WEKA for optimal diagnostic value included 12 metabolites. The machine learning methods with AUC values greater than 0.9 were bayesNet and random forests, and their other evaluation measures are also better. Conclusion: Altered metabolites and metabolic pathways are present in older adults with hypertension combined with depression. Methods using metabolomics and machine learning performed quite well in predicting depression in hypertensive older adults, contributing to further clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objects: This study aims to explore the etiology of peri‐implantitis by comparing the metabolic profiles in peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) from patients with healthy implants (PH) and those with peri‐implantitis (PI). Materials and Methods: Fifty‐six patients were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. PICF samples were collected and analyzed using both non‐targeted and targeted metabolomics approaches. The relationship between metabolites and clinical indices including probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and marginal bone loss (MBL) was examined. Additionally, submucosal microbiota was collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to elucidate the association between the metabolites and microbial communities. Results: Significant differences in metabolic profiles were observed between the PH and PI groups, with 179 distinct metabolites identified. In the PI group, specific amino acids and fatty acids were significantly elevated compared to the PH group. Organic acids including succinic acid, fructose‐6‐phosphate, and glucose‐6‐phosphate were markedly higher in the PI group, showing positive correlations with mean PD, BOP, and MBL. Metabolites that increased in the PI group positively correlated with the presence of Porphyromonas and Treponema and negatively with Streptococcus and Haemophilus. Conclusions: This study establishes a clear association between metabolic compositions and peri‐implant condition, highlighting enhanced metabolite activity in peri‐implantitis. These findings open avenues for further research into metabolic mechanisms of peri‐implantitis and their potential therapeutic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging-related type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is characterized by hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be unclear. We conducted non-targeted metabolomics to compare human serum samples from young adults (YA), elderly adults (EA), and elderly adults with diabetes (EA + DM) of Chinese population. Adult mice and aged mice were intragastrically administered with varespladib every day for two weeks and metabolic characteristics were monitored. Serum levels of arachidonic acid, insulin, and C-peptide, as well as serum activity of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) were detected in mice. Mouse islet perfusion assays were used to assess insulin secretion ability. Phosphorylated AKT levels were measured to evaluate insulin sensitivities of peripheral tissues in mice. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis of human serum samples revealed differential metabolic signatures among the YA, EA, and EA + DM groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed significant enhancement of arachidonic acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the EA group compared with the YA group. Further analysis identified two metabolic fluxes that favored the accumulation of arachidonic acid in the elderly. Increased levels of arachidonic acid were also confirmed in aged mice with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, together with subsequent glucose intolerance. Conversely, inhibiting the generation of arachidonic acid with varespladib, an inhibitor of sPLA2, reduced aging-associated diabetes by improving hyperinsulinemia and hepatic insulin resistance in aged mice but not in adult mice. Islet perfusion assays also showed that varespladib treatment suppressed the enhanced insulin secretion observed in aged islets. Collectively, our findings uncover that arachidonic acid serves as a metabolic hub in Chinese elderly population. Our results also suggest that arachidonic acid plays a fundamental role in regulating β-cell function during aging and point to a novel therapy for aging-associated diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Tea Science is the property of Journal of Tea Science Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Terpinen-4-ol (T-4-O) is an important component of tea tree oil and has anti-inflammatory effects. Currently, there are very few studies on the mechanisms by which T-4-O improves lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage inflammation. In this study, LPS-stimulated mouse RAW264.7 macrophages were used as a model to analyze the effects of T-4-O on macrophage inflammatory factors and related metabolic pathways in an inflammatory environment. The results showed that T-4-O significantly decreased the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS. Cellular metabolism results showed that T-4-O significantly decreased the ratio of the extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate. Non-targeted metabolomics results showed that T-4-O mainly affected glutamine and glutamate metabolism and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolic pathways. qPCR results showed that T-4-O increased the transcript levels of GLS and GDH and promoted glutamine catabolism. Western blotting results showed that T-4-O inhibited the mTOR and IκB, thereby decreasing NF-κB activity. The overall results showed that T-4-O inhibited mTOR phosphorylation to promote glutamine metabolism and increased cell oxidative phosphorylation levels, thereby inhibiting the expression of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene-based warm uterus acupoint paste (GWUAP) is an emerging non-drug alternative therapy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD), but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. SD female rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group to explore the mechanism of GWUAP in the treatment of PD. Combined with 16S rDNA and fecal metabolomics, the diversity of microbiota and metabolites in each group was comprehensively evaluated. In this study, GWUAP reduced the torsion score of PD model rats, improved the pathological morphology of uterine tissue, reduced the pathological damage score of uterine tissue, and reversed the expression levels of inflammatory factors, pain factors and sex hormones. The 16 S rDNA sequencing of fecal samples showed that the abundance of Lactobacillus in the intestinal flora of the model group decreased and the abundance of Romboutsia increased, while the abundance of Lactobacillus in the intestinal flora of the treatment group increased and the abundance of Romboutsia decreased, which improved the imbalance of flora diversity in PD rats. In addition, 32 metabolites related to therapeutic effects were identified by metabolomics of fecal samples. Moreover, there is a close correlation between fecal microbiota and metabolites. Therefore, the mechanism of GWUAP in the treatment of PD remains to be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Edible Mushrooms boast a diverse array of biomolecules with exceptional nutritional and bioactive benefits for humans. This study conducted metabolomic and nutritional analyses, aiming to identify potential bioactive metabolites in Tricholoma mesoamericanum from Pinus forests in Veracruz, Mexico. These mushrooms exhibited high carbohydrate and protein contents, coupled with a significant anti‐oxidant capacity. Metabolomic analysis identified 181 different compounds, with terpenoids, fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, and sphingolipids as the most enriched compound classes detected in T. mesoamericanum. Some compounds presented a positive correlation, while others demonstrated negative correlations with anti‐oxidant activity, ash, carbohydrate, fat, and protein contents. Notably, 39 of these compounds have previously demonstrated medicinal properties in other mushroom species, suggesting potential health benefits for humans. This study presents the first combined nutritional and metabolomic analysis of T. mesoamericanum, highlighting its value and underscoring the importance of sustainable management and further research to explore its bioactive potential, as unveiled in this investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) possesses a rich nutritional profile, making it a valuable ingredient for a wide range of culinary applications. After removing its outer skin, ginger can be effectively utilized in the production of pickles and other processed food products. However, following scraping, ginger undergoes a series of physiological and biochemical changes during storage, which can impact its subsequent development and utilization in food. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the browning mechanism of scraped ginger using non‐targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics. The findings revealed 149 shared differential metabolites and 639 shared differential genes among freshly scraped ginger, ginger browned for 5 days, and ginger browned for 15 days. These metabolites and genes are primarily enriched in stilbenes, diarylheptane, and gingerol biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and tyrosine metabolism. Through the combined regulation of these pathways, the levels of phenolic components (such as chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid) and the ginger indicator component (6‐gingerol) decreased, whereas promoting an increase in the content of coniferaldehyde and curcumin. Additionally, the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) were significantly increased (p‐adjust <0.05). This study hypothesized that chlorogenic and ferulic acid undergo polymerization under the catalysis of PPO and POD, thereby exacerbating the lignification of scraped ginger. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for understanding the browning mechanism of ginger after scraping. Practical Application: Ginger's quality and nutrition can change when its skin is removed. This happens due to physical and biochemical reactions during scraping. The browning that occurs affects both the taste and health benefits of ginger, we can better understand how to prevent browning and maintain ginger's quality. This research sheds light on improving ginger processing techniques for better products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The main objectives were to evaluate the substantial equivalence of metabolite composition in transgenic rice and its parents, and assess the risk factors in rice from two aspects of metabolomic variation and mycotoxin content. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used to analyze Japonica rice varieties Nip-ponbare (FP1) and PJ574(FP2) and their corresponding transgenic lines (FT16 and FT23). The results were as follows: multivariate statistical methods such as principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to detect 448 metabolites from rice samples. Different metabolites were screened and it was found that the concentration variations of zearalenone, L-lactate, 10@, 12Z-octadecanodienoic acid and spermine were significantly affected by gene modification or variety differences. There were 9, 23 and 13 unique differential metabolites in group FP1-FP2, FP1-FT16 and FP2-FT23, respectively, with the highest variation in FP1-FT16. The unique differential metabolites of group FP1-FT16 mainly included deoxyguanolate, coffee salt and gluconic acid. The distinct metabolites of FP2-FT23 were mainly prostaglandin B2, L-cystine, 16-hydroxypalmitic acid. The unique differential metabolites of FP1-FP2 consisted of inositol and stearate amides. The effects of transgenic breeding and variety differences were similar, both of which affect arginine biosynthesis and multiple amino acid metabolic pathways to a certain extent, but the variation of metabolic pathways in different varieties of transgenic rice was different. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) showed that the zearalenone content in rice samples ranged from 4.2 to 6 !g/kg, with a significant difference between the two parent varieties (A<0.01), but the content of zearalenone in transgenic rices was substantial equivalence to that in the parents. Fusarium was found to be a common endophytic fungus in rice by high-throughput sequencing. Conclusions: Although the variation of metabolic components and metabolic pathways induced by transgenic breeding may affect the nutritional quality of rice, the extent of variation is not greater than that of rice varieties, and it is within the safe range. A low dose (less than 6 g/kg) of Fusarium toxin zearalenone was detected in rice samples from four rice samples by untargeted metabolomic analysis technique. Although lower than the national standard (60 g/kg), Fusarium toxin may be synthesized by endophytic Fusarium fungi in rice, and there is a risk of fungal outbreaks under certain conditions with significant accumulation of toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Vitamin E (VE) has antioxidant properties and can mediate lipid metabolism. Non-targeted metabolomics technology was employed to uncover comprehensively the metabolome of VE in NAFLD rats. NAFLD model was created with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFD) in rats. NAFLD rats in the VE group were given 75 mg/(kg day) VE. The metabolites in the serum of rats were identified via UPLC and Q-TOF/MS analysis. KEGG was applied for the pathway enrichment. VE improved the liver function, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress in NAFLD rats induced by HFD. Based on the metabolite profile data, 132 differential metabolites were identified between VE group and the HFD group, mainly including pyridoxamine, betaine, and bretylium. According to the KEGG results, biosynthesis of cofactors was a key metabolic pathway of VE in NAFLD rats. VE can alleviate NAFLD induced by HFD, and the underlying mechanism is associated with the biosynthesis of cofactors, mainly including pyridoxine and betaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Forensic Medicine / Fayixue Zazhi is the property of Journal of Forensic Medicine Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Vaccinium dunalianum, a medicinal plant, is utilized for Quezui Tea production from its leaf buds and young leaves. Despite prior research on V. dunalianum revealing several medicinal compounds, the comprehensive variations in metabolites during its growth and development, along with the molecular mechanisms underlying high chlorogenic acid (CGA) yield, remain unclear. Through a joint analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics, our study first identified 15 key structural genes and 3 transcription factors influencing CGA biosynthesis in V. dunalianum, offering new evidence to understand its regulatory network. Furthermore, non-targeted metabolomics analysis provides the first extensive report on the metabolic profile of V. dunalianum, furnishing a valuable dataset for deeper exploration of its nutritional and medicinal value, and the development of a quality evaluation system for its product Quezui Tea. This study offers the most comprehensive molecular information on V. dunalianum, marking a significant step toward understanding and enhancing the plant’s potential for medicinal and nutritional applications. Additionally, this study also reveals V. dunalianum holds promise as a natural antioxidant source for functional foods, providing data support for network pharmacology.