Search

Curdlan has unique gel properties and special triple helix conformation, and curdlan gel has great application potential in the fields of food and biomedicine because of its water-retention capacity, thickening capacity, film-forming capacity, freeze-thaw stability, pH stability. Curdlan hydrogels with physicochemical properties and application fields can be prepared by different methods. In addition, combination with other substances can improve gel properties and impart unique functional properties to hydrogels. In this paper, the preparation methods, gel properties, and gelation mechanism of curdlan hydrogels, as well as recent progress in research on curdlan-based composite hydrogels are reviewed. Meanwhile, an overview of the application of curdlan-based hydrogels in food and biomedical fields is provided. This review is expected to provide a reference for further research and application of curdlan-based hydrogels.

Citral is used in the food field because of its lemon-like aroma and antibacterial biological activity. However, due to its sensitivity to acid, oxygen and light, citral is prone to acid-catalyzed cyclization, oxidation and photochemical degradation, reducing its biological activity and consequently limiting its application. Polysaccharide encapsulation is an effective way to improve the physical and chemical stability of citral and delay its degradation. This article reviews the structural properties of citral and its application in food and beverage as a food preservative, summarizes the methods used for encapsulating and stabilizing citral with polysaccharides including emulsion systems, self-assembly, hydrogels and spray drying as well as the current status of the application of these methods to stabilize citral, and finally points out the problems existing in this field and future research directions. This review hopes to provide a theoretical reference for improving the biological activity of citral and expanding its application in the food field.

IDEAL PLANT ARCHITECTURE1 (IPA1) is a pivotal gene controlling plant architecture and grain yield. However, little is known about the effects of Triticum aestivum SQUAMOSA PROMOTER‐BINDING‐LIKE 14 (TaSPL14), an IPA1 ortholog in wheat, on balancing yield traits and its regulatory mechanism in wheat (T. aestivum L.). Here, we determined that the T. aestivum GRAIN WIDTH2 (TaGW2)‐TaSPL14 module influences the balance between tiller number and grain weight in wheat. Overexpression of TaSPL14 resulted in a reduced tiller number and increased grain weight, whereas its knockout had the opposite effect, indicating that TaSPL14 negatively regulates tillering while positively regulating grain weight. We further identified TaGW2 as a novel interacting protein of TaSPL14 and confirmed its ability to mediate the ubiquitination and degradation of TaSPL14. Based on our genetic evidence, TaGW2 acts as a positive regulator of tiller number, in addition to its known role as a negative regulator of grain weight, which is opposite to TaSPL14. Moreover, combinations of TaSPL14‐7A and TaGW2‐6A haplotypes exhibit significantly additive effects on tiller number and grain weight in wheat breeding. Our findings provide insight into how the TaGW2‐TaSPL14 module regulates the trade‐off between tiller number and grain weight and its potential application in improving wheat yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal, discusses the discovery of a gene in wheat called GRAIN WIDTH2 (TaGW2) that has a dual effect on enhancing leaf rust resistance and increasing grain weight. Leaf rust, caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia triticina Eriksson, is a major threat to global wheat production. The limited number of cloned resistance genes often have undesirable agronomic traits, so finding new resistance genes while balancing yield is important for breeding strategies. The researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to edit TaGW2 and found that knockout plants had increased resistance to leaf rust and increased grain weight, offering a novel approach to enhancing wheat's resistance without sacrificing yield. [Extracted from the article]

Sodium metal batteries (SMBs) have been widely studied owing to their relatively high energy density and abundant resources. However, they still need systematic improvement to fulfill the harsh operating conditions for their commercialization. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in SMBs in terms of sodium anode modification, electrolyte exploration, and cathode design. Firstly, we give an overview of the current challenges facing Na metal anodes and the corresponding solutions. Then, the traditional liquid electrolytes and the prospective solid electrolytes for SMBs are summarized. In addition, insertion‐ and conversion‐type cathode materials are introduced. Finally, an outlook for the future of practical SMBs is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases is increasing year by year. The demand for coronary artery bypass grafting has been very large. Acellular blood vessels have potential clinical application because of their natural vascular basis, but their biocompatibility and anticoagulant energy need to be improved. We decellularized the abdominal aorta of SD rats, and then modified with bivalirudin via polydopamine. The mechanical properties, blood compatibility, cytocompatibility, immune response, and anticoagulant properties were evaluated, and then the bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels were implanted into rats for remodeling evaluation in vivo. The results we got show that the bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels showed good cytocompatibility and blood compatibility, and its anti‐inflammatory trend was dominant in the immune response. After 3 months of transplantation, the bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels did not easily form thrombus. It was not easy to form calcification and could make the host cells grow better. Through vascular stimulation and immunofluorescence test, we found that vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells proliferated well in the bivalirudin group. Bivalirudin‐modified acellular blood vessels provided new idea for small diameter tissue engineering blood vessels, and may become a potential clinical substitute for small‐diameter vascular grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is an increasing interest in the use of Aloe Vera in the food industry, with it being used as a source of functional foods in drinks, beverages, and ice creams. In addition, there are several reports about the antifungal activity of Aloe Vera on human mycological diseases. However, little evidence exists on the effect of Aloe extracts on fruit postharvest diseases caused by fungi, either ex-vivo or in vitro. In recent years, there have been some reports on the effect of Aloe extracts applied at postharvest in controlling fruit spoilage by fungi. However, no in-depth information has been reported on the role of Aloe extracts in decay development in fruits previously inoculated with fungi responsible for postharvest diseases or defense-related enzyme activities and modulation of antioxidant system activities. Thus, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the protective effects of Aloe extracts on Red Fuji apple fruit decay caused by Botrytis cinerea, as well as the effect of Aloe extracts on the disease resistance ability in Red Fuji apple fruit. In order to search for an alternative to synthetic fungicides for the control of the postharvest decay of Red Fuji apple fruits, the potential of using Aloe extract flavonoid for the control of postharvest gray mold incidence of Red Fuji apple fruits was investigated. Red Fuji apple fruits were disinfected with 75%(v/v) ethanol for 2 min., rinsed with tap water, air-dried, and then divided randomly into four treatment groups, with 140 fruit in each group. Three groups were dipped into 0.020, 0.035 and 0.050 g/mL Aloe extract flavonoid solutions for 5 min. at room temperature (23±1)°C. Another group (the control) was treated with distilled water. A uniform wound (4mm deepx3 mm wide) was made at the equator of each fruit using a sterile dissecting needle, followed by the inoculation of a20 μL conidial suspension of B.cinerea (1×108spores/mL) into each wound site. Inoculated fruit were placed in covered plastic boxes with small holes, and stored at (23±1)°C and RH 85%-90%. The diameters of lesions caused by B.cinerea in the apple fruit were recorded each day after inoculation, and each treatment had three replicates. The remaining fruit with inoculations were used for determination of physio-biochemical parameters. The results showed that Aloe extract flavonoid significantly decreased the incidence of gray mold rot in Red Fuji apple fruits, and effectively suppressed the expansion of lesions in vivo. After four-day storage, the gray mold rot incidence of Red Fuji apple fruits that were treated with the concentration of Aloe extract flavonoid (0.035 g/L, 0.050 mg/L) was 73% and 53% respectively, which was significantly lower than that of the control (93%). Concurrently, Aloe extract flavonoid increased the activity of peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia enzyme (PAL), chitinase (CHT), and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU). Phenolics content also increased significantly. These results indicated that increased disease resistance of Red Fuji apple fruit after Aloe extract flavonoid treatment during storage might be attributed to an elicitation of defense response involving the enhancement of defense-related enzyme activities and the modulation of antioxidant system activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]