Search

The adoption of agriculture triggered a rapid shift towards starch-rich diets in human populations1. Amylase genes facilitate starch digestion, and increased amylase copy number has been observed in some modern human populations with high-starch intake2, although evidence of recent selection is lacking3,4. Here, using 94 long-read haplotype-resolved assemblies and short-read data from approximately 5,600 contemporary and ancient humans, we resolve the diversity and evolutionary history of structural variation at the amylase locus. We find that amylase genes have higher copy numbers in agricultural populations than in fishing, hunting and pastoral populations. We identify 28 distinct amylase structural architectures and demonstrate that nearly identical structures have arisen recurrently on different haplotype backgrounds throughout recent human history. AMY1 and AMY2A genes each underwent multiple duplication/deletion events with mutation rates up to more than 10,000-fold the single-nucleotide polymorphism mutation rate, whereas AMY2B gene duplications share a single origin. Using a pangenome-based approach, we infer structural haplotypes across thousands of humans identifying extensively duplicated haplotypes at higher frequency in modern agricultural populations. Leveraging 533 ancient human genomes, we find that duplication-containing haplotypes (with more gene copies than the ancestral haplotype) have rapidly increased in frequency over the past 12,000 years in West Eurasians, suggestive of positive selection. Together, our study highlights the potential effects of the agricultural revolution on human genomes and the importance of structural variation in human adaptation.

The mechanism that triggers the progressive dysregulation of cell functions, inflammation, and breakdown of tissues during aging is currently unknown. We propose here a previously unknown mechanism due to tissue autodigestion by the digestive enzymes. After synthesis in the pancreas, these powerful enzymes are activated and transported inside the lumen of the small intestine to which they are compartmentalized by the mucin/epithelial barrier. We hypothesize that this barrier leaks active digestive enzymes (e.g. during meals) and leads to their accumulation in tissues outside the gastrointestinal tract. Using immune-histochemistry we provide evidence in young (4 months) and old (24 months) rats for significant accumulation of pancreatic trypsin, elastase, lipase, and amylase in peripheral organs, including liver, lung, heart, kidney, brain, and skin. The mucin layer density on the small intestine barrier is attenuated in the old and trypsin leaks across the tip region of intestinal villi with depleted mucin. The accumulation of digestive enzymes is accompanied in the same tissues of the old by damage to collagen, as detected with collagen fragment hybridizing peptides. We provide evidence that the hyperglycemia in the old is accompanied by proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain of the insulin receptor. Blockade of pancreatic trypsin in the old by a two-week oral treatment with a serine protease inhibitor (tranexamic acid) serves to significantly reduce trypsin accumulation in organs outside the intestine, collagen damage, as well as hyperglycemia and insulin receptor cleavage. These results support the hypothesis that the breakdown of tissues in aging is due to autodigestion and a side-effect of the fundamental requirement for digestion.

This research explores the development and evaluation of breakfast cereals formulated from pearl millet (P-1) and finger millet (F-1) flours, with a focus on their nutritional composition and potential anti-obesity properties. The techno-functional properties were assessed, revealing that P-1 exhibited a bulk density of 0.40 ± 0.01 g/ml and a true density of 0.61 ± 0.03 g/ml, while F-1 showed a bulk density of 0.54 ± 0.03 g/ml and a true density of 0.65 ± 0.02 g/ml. The Carr index and Hausner ratio were significantly higher in P-1 (40.33 ± 0.41 and 1.68 ± 0.03, respectively) compared to F-1 (22.3 ± 0.3 and 1.31 ± 0.02, respectively). Both flours demonstrated comparable water absorption indices, but P-1 had superior foaming capacity and stability. Nutritional analysis indicated that P-1 contained 12.64% moisture, 6.02% fat, 10.29% protein, 63.94% carbohydrates, 2.38% ash, and 2.75% fibre, whereas F-1 had 8.92% moisture, 1.78% fat, 8.65% protein, 73.65% carbohydrates, 1.77% ash, and 4.04% fibre. Composite flours (PF-1, PF-2, PF-3) exhibited varying compositions: PF-1 had 9.86% moisture, 5.83% fat, 11.62% protein, 66.04% carbohydrates, 2.19% ash, and 3.03% fibre; PF-2 had 10.79% moisture, 3.87% fat, 10.01% protein, 68.97% carbohydrates, 2.05% ash, and 3.37% fibre; PF-3 had 9.87% moisture, 2.84% fat, 9.33% protein, 71.12% carbohydrates, 1.92% ash, and 3.74% Fiber. Antioxidant activity was higher in F-1 (80.63%) compared to P-1 (59.58%), with PF-1, PF-2, and PF-3 showing 64.84%, 70.14%, and 75.4%, respectively. Lipase and amylase inhibition capacities were 73.15% and 28.66% for P-1, 28.31% and 30.65% for F-1, and varied for composites: PF-1 (79.12% lipase, 46.41% amylase), PF-2 (50.75% lipase, 53.15% amylase), and PF-3 (39.51% lipase, 41.84% amylase). These findings underscore the distinct nutritional and functional properties of these flours, highlighting their potential in obesity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the use of fish-derived probiotics in aquaculture has become more widespread. However, research on Anguilla japonica -derived probiotics is still limited. To evaluate the potential of probiotics for disease control in eel aquaculture, isolates were obtained from the intestinal tract of healthy Anguilla japonica. These isolates were assessed for their adhesion properties, inhibition of pathogen adhesion, and hydrolytic enzyme production. Morphological characteristics and 16S rRNA sequence analysis were used for identification. Results showed that the AJQ03 strain adhered to the intestinal mucus and inhibited common pathogenic bacteria through adhesion inhibition, and further produced amylase, lipase, protease, and cellulase. Based on morphological characteristics and 16S rRNA sequencing, AJQ03 was identified as Bacillus subtilis. The strain demonstrated tolerance to various extreme conditions, as well as survival in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and superior growth in intestinal fluid compared to Luria-Bertani (LB) broth. In vitro safety tests showed that AJQ03 was not resistant to 32 antibiotics and exhibited γ hemolysis on blood plate. In vivo safety tests demonstrated a 100% survival rate for the fish, with stable organ indices, reduced bacterial loads in the liver and spleen, and complete bacterial clearance by day 7 without residue. Intestinal bacterial load results confirmed effective colonization by strain AJQ03. Analysis of the impact of AJQ03 on the gut microbiota of A. japonica revealed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacillus at the genus level, corroborating the colonization efficiency of AJQ03. Additionally, the relative abundances of Klebsiella , Pseudomonas , and Aeromonas were significantly lower compared to the controls, indicating that strain AJQ03 effectively reduced harmful bacteria and improved gut microbiota composition. This study confirms that B. subtilis AJQ03, isolated from the intestine of A. japonica , can serve as a probiotic candidate in A. japonica aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION It is imperative to enhance the quality of sprouts since they are a rich source of various primary and secondary metabolites. The objective of this work was to examine how multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) priming at various concentrations affected the nutritional qualities of four horticultural plants (T. foenum‐graecum, L. grandiflorum, L. sativum and A. graveolens) and their sprouting processes.Among the four applied concentrations (10–60 mgL−1), MWCNTs at 10 and 40 mg L⁻¹ induced the highest biomass accumulation in L. grandiflorum and T. foenum‐graecum, respectively, while 60 mg L⁻¹ was most effective for L. sativum and A. graveolent. MWCNTs induced growth by enhancing photosynthesis, as shown by increased chlorophyll content and rubisco activity, which rose by 27%, 17%, 23% and 12% in T. foenum‐graecum, L. grandiflorum, L. sativum, and A. graveolens, respectively. Enhanced photosynthesis by MWCNTs improved sugar metabolism as indicated by increased activity of sugar metabolic enzymes such as amylase, starch synthase and invertase. This also supplied the carbon necessary for the production of primary (amino acids, fatty acids and organic acids) and secondary (flavonoids and polyphenols) metabolites. There was consistently higher activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase). Interestingly, species‐specific reactions to MWCNT priming were observed, where L. sativum sprouts showed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by A. graveolens.MWCNT priming improves sprout growth and nutritional quality by boosting metabolic processes and antioxidant activity, presenting a promising approach for sustainable agriculture. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Green synthesized nanoparticles have recently gained significant medicinal applications and oftentimes outperform their green sources. Selenium is of fundamental importance to human health, stemming from its distinctive physicochemical properties, such as antioxidant activity, inhibition of Lipid peroxidation, stabilization of membrane proteins, maintenance of membrane fluidity and modulation of cell signaling. Though reports have shown some therapeutic potential of Ackee plant parts such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, very few scientific proofs still exist in support of these effects. Methods: This study synthesized selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) from crude methanolic extracts of Ackee leaves (AKL) and Ackee arils (AKA), examined the photo-physical characteristics of the Se-NPs and determined the in-vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory potentials of AKL, AKA, and their Se-NPs using established protocols. Results: In both leaves and arils Se-NPs: UV spectroscopy revealed a qualitative absorbance at 310 nm; FTIR indicated multiple vibrations around 4000 cm−1- 400 cm−1; SEM images of 5 µm principally showed consistent size distribution of amorphous and granular shape at a magnification of 10,000X; while EDS spectra strongly confirm the presence of atomic Se compound at 30 kV. Various antioxidant activities assays carried out showed a range of approximately 4 to 60 times higher activities of the AKL, AKA, and Se-NPs than Ascorbic acid—the standard drug used. Furthermore, appreciable activities of more than 50% were obtained for alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities, along with highly significant activities of haemoglobin glycosylation, glucose uptake, membrane stabilization, anti-arthritic, anti-haemolysis activities, when AKL, AKA, and Se-NPs were compared with standard drugs. Conclusion: Encouraging the development and utilization of AKL, AKA, and Se-NPs will provide tremendous therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability approaches towards the management of diabetes, inflammation, and other oxidative stress-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionising radiation (IR) is a form of energy that travels as electromagnetic waves or particles. While it is vital in medical and occupational health settings, IR can also damage DNA, leading to mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and transcriptional changes that disrupt the functions of certain cell regulators, genes, and transcription factors. These disruptions can alter functions critical for cancer development, progression, and treatment response. Additionally, IR can affect various cellular proteins and their regulators within different cell signalling pathways, resulting in physiological changes that may promote cancer development, progression, and resistance to treatment. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of IR exposure and improve cancer treatment outcomes. This review focuses on specific genes and protein biomarkers regulated in response to chronic IR exposure, and how their regulation impacts disease onset, progression, and treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compounds of natural origin found in varying quantities in plant-based products constitute a highly significant category, possessing structural significance as well as the capacity to regulate oxidative processes. The activity of these compounds may be modulated by the composition of the biological environment in which they operate, the pH of the environment, or the presence of metal cations in plants or plant extracts. A successful complexation reaction was mainly confirmed by FT-IR, observing the shift from the original transmittance of catechin bonds, especially O-H ones. This work shows the synthetic methodology and the optimization process that took place to synthesize a catechin–copper complex, which demonstrated antioxidant activity. It was tested for iron chelation ability, hydroxyl radicals, and the inhibition of lipoxygenase (15-LOX). An antidiabetic assay was performed by determining the inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, finding that the synthesized complex had similar inhibitory potential as pure catechin. The antibacterial tests showed results against Staphylococcus aureus and the antifungal properties of the complex against Candida albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human salivary amylase secretion increases in response to stress; the activity has been reported to rise significantly with high‐intensity exercise. The human salivary amylase gene (AMY1) has copy number variation, with the copy number correlating with salivary amylase activity. However, the relationship between individual AMY1 copy number and salivary amylase activity in response to exercise remains unclear. In this study, we investigated AMY1 copy number and fluctuations in amylase activity in 42 healthy university students (25 males and 17 females). Participants engaged in intermittent round‐trip interval training on a basketball court. Saliva samples were collected pre‐ and post‐exercise to measure amylase activity. DNA was extracted from the oral mucosa, and AMY1 copy number was quantified using RT‐PCR. Results showed a significant increase in amylase activity postexercise. Additionally, amylase activity pre‐ and post‐exercise was positively correlated with AMY1 copy number. The generalize linear model showed that the exercise‐induced increase in amylase activity per AMY1 gene was negatively related to the AMY1 copy number and aerobic fitness. Gender has no effect on amylase activity. These results suggest a different mechanism for the constitutive and exercise‐induced amylase secretion, while aerobic fitness may be independently involved in the secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgroud: The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of in situ jaggery based biofloc on bio growth performance, physiological immune response, digestive enzyme activity, nutrient composition and disease resistance of Etroplus suratensis. Methods: The fingerlings of pearlspot, E. suratensis with an average body weight of 5.67±0.08 g was stocked at the rate of 150/m3 in treatment and control system. The insitu biofloc was produced in 2.4-ton capacity outdoor tanks using jaggery as carbon source at two different C:N ratio viz, 10: 1 (B1) and 20:1 (B2), where clear brackishwater system and without carbon sources as control. Result: The levels of ammonia nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen were reduced in the in situ biofloc compared to control while TSS and TS were increased significantly in all in situ biofloc compared to control. The physiological immune responses such as respiratory burst test, myeloperoxidase, serum lysozyme and antioxidant enzymes activity, superoxide dismutase and catalase were found to be significantly higher in B2 at end of the trial. Stress parameters glucose and cortisol were significantly lower in jaggery based biofloc system especially in (B2) C: N 20:1 compared to control. The fishes from the jaggery based biofloc groups possessed significantly (P<0.05) higher immune status as compared to control. The digestive enzymes activity such as amylase protease and lipase, of fish was higher in biofloc treatment and lower in control. Compared to control the nutrient composition of E. suratensis was significantly higher in the treatment groups. Moreover, jaggery based in situ fishes showed lower cumulative mortality rate and enhanced relative levels of protection after experimental challenge with A. hydrophila compared to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute Pancreatitis is a medical disorder characterized by a sudden and intense inflammation of the pancreas. Patients presenting with severe acute upper abdomen discomfort should be considered for acute pancreatitis. However, to confirm the diagnosis, either biochemical or radiologic documentation is necessary. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the role of biochemical marker in predicting acute pancreatitis. Methods The present research is a retrospective investigation carried out at the Department of General surgery, SCB MCH, Cuttack during the period of May 2023 to November 2023. Demographic information obtained from the medical records included age, sex, serum amylase levels, and lipase amylase lipase ratio.. Results: Out of the total of 90 patients, 73.3% (n=66) were male and 26.7% (n=24) were female. Mean age and standard deviation of patients in this research group were 38.5±2.2.5 years. The mean and standard deviation of Amylase, Lipase, and Amylase Lipase Ratio measured 870.3±754.23, 235.8±124.5, and 3.87±2.45, respectively. Amylase and Lipase exhibited sensitivity and specificity of 83.33% and 84.88% respectively, when tested three times over the normal range. The positive predictive statistic is 85.23% and the negative predictive statistic is 82.95%.Point accuracy: 84.09%. Conclusion: The ACG practice recommendations accept elevated levels of lipase and/or amylase over 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) as diagnostic for individuals experiencing stomach discomfort consistent with Acute Pancreatitis. Compared to amylase, lipase is somewhat more specific to Acute Pancreatitis. Elevates sooner and remains higher than serum amylase in individuals with acute pancreatitis. Diagnostic accuracy of serum lipase surpassed that of serum amylase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aims of this study were to (1) establish the maximum allowable interference limits for hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus for chemistry analytes tested in body fluid samples and (2) assess the effectiveness of serial dilution to mitigate spectral interferences. Methods Residual body fluids from clinically ordered testing were mixed (<10% by volume) with stock solutions of interferent (spiked) and compared with a control spiked with an equal volume of 0.9% saline. The analytes were measured on the Roche cobas c501 instrument. Difference and percentage difference were calculated and compared with allowable total error limits. A subset of samples were serially diluted with 0.9% saline. Mean (SD) difference and percentage difference were calculated. Results The interference thresholds were lower than the package insert for lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol, triglycerides, and total protein for hemolysis; amylase, cholesterol, and total protein for icterus; and albumin for lipemia. Only cholesterol and triglyceride results returned to baseline upon dilution of icteric samples. Conclusions Interference thresholds in body fluids were lower than blood for 6 analytes. Diluting interferences that surpass these limits does not produce reliable results that are comparable to the baseline results before spiking in the interferent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch degradation in malted barley produces yeast-fermentable sugars. In this study, we compared the amylolytic enzymes and composition of the malt starch hydrolysates of two barley cultivars, Hokudai 1 (the first cultivar established in Japan) and Kitanohoshi (the currently used cultivar for beer production). Hokudai 1 malt contained lower activity of amylolytic enzymes than Kitanohoshi malt, although these cultivars contained α-amylase AMY2 and β-amylase Bmy1 as the predominant enzymes. Malt starch hydrolysate of Hokudai 1 contained more limit dextrin and less yeast-fermentable sugars than that of Kitanohoshi. In mixed malt saccharification, a high Hokudai 1 malt ratio increased the limit dextrin levels and decreased the maltotriose and maltose levels. Even though Kitanohoshi malt contained more amylolytic enzymes than Hokudai 1 malt, addition of Kitanohoshi extract containing the amylolytic enzymes did not enhance malt starch degradation of Hokudai 1. Hokudai 1 malt starch was less degradable than Kitanohoshi malt starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of quality and sufficient shrimp fry for production is largely determined by the management of maintenance during larval stadia. This study aims to obtain the best treatment of natural feed in the form of Spirulina sp. and Artemia sp. as feed supplements to improve the growth performance and survival rate of patin fish larvae. The experiment used a Complete Randomized Design consisting of 4 feed treatments and 3 replicates: A (Artemia sp. 100%), B (Artemia sp. 100% and Spirulina sp. 100%), C (Artemia sp. 50% and Spirulina sp. 50%), and D (Spirulina sp. 100%). The larvae with a density of 50 heads/L were kept in the aquarium and fed according to the treatment. The density of Spirulina sp. administered was 104–105 cells/mL maintained until day 7 according to the treatment. The parameters measured included growth performance, which included specific growth rate (SGR), survival (SR), absolute length growth (PPM), and analysis of larval digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, and protease). The data were analyzed using one way-analysis of variance and continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test with a 95% confidence interval using SPSS version 22.0. The results showed that the administration of Spirulina sp. produced better SGR, SR, PPM, amylase enzyme, lipase, and protease activities compared to the control (100% administration of Artemia sp.). The best treatment was given by 100% Spirulina sp. treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high amount of starch in fruits is responsible for its post-processing cloudiness. In the current study, α-amylase from porcine pancreases was immobilized onto carboxymethyl cellulose/polyacrylamide (CMC/PAM) hydrogel. This in-house-built CMC/PAM-Amy hydrogel offers a more efficient and sustainable solution for apple juice clarification. To acquire the best immobilization efficiency, the concentration of glutaraldehyde crosslinker was optimized. Biocatalytic characterization studies were brought into consideration for free and immobilized α-amylase. The synthesized native and immobilized CMC/PAM-Amy hydrogels were also characterized using SEM, FTIR and XRD. Under ideal circumstances, the activity of CMC/PAM-Amy was up to 604 μmolmin−1, and its immobilization efficiency was 96.29 ± 1.15%. A kinetic parameters study resulted in a conspicuously lowered Km value for immobilized amylase, signifying its higher affinity for its substrate. CMC/PAM-Amy showed a half-life (t1/2) 3.5 times higher than free-Amy at 50, 55 and 60 °C. The higher values of the inactivation rate constant (kd), free energy of inactivation (ΔG*), enthalpy of inactivation (ΔH*) and change in entropy (ΔS*) of CMC/PAM-Amy manifested the enhanced thermal stability of amylase after immobilization. A reusability study revealed that immobilized amylase retained roughly 70% of its initial catalytic activity after six successive repetitions of the process. CMC/PAM-Amy displayed improved recycling ability operational stability and biocatalytic activity, rendering it an auspicious tool in decreasing the starch content of crude apple juice to about 61% of its total starch content before treatment. Moreover, the values of Brix, viscosity, acidity and turbidity were also decreased in CMC/PAM-Amyclarified apple juice. Therefore, immobilized amylases with other industrial enzymes could be an efficient tool for potential industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Amylase (α-1,4-glucan maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.2) is known to be an important enzyme in beer brewing. To identify the contribution of β-amylase in more detail, two β-amylase-deficient barley, 'Backcrossed line (BCL)-Haruna' and 'Nittakei 81', were used for the investigation of malt quality and brewing characteristics. 'BCL-Haruna' was bred by the backcross method for the introduction of the β-amylase-deficient trait from landrace barley ('Tibet Violet 1') to Japanese traditional malting barley 'Haruna Nijo'. 'Nittakei 81' was bred by crossing between Japanese malting barley 'Sukai Golden' and 'Tibet Violet 1'. With regards to the malting quality under 41.0% target cast moisture in micro-malting, the diastatic power (DP) and apparent attenuation limit (AAL) of 'BCL-Haruna' and 'Nittakei 81' were 408 oWK and 416 oWK and 12.4% and 14.8% lower than those of the control variety 'Haruna Nijo'. Oligosaccharide analysis indicated that the maltose concentration of the 'Nittakei 81' wort was 19.7 g/L lower in comparison to a standard European malting barley 'Propino' wort, although the maltotetraose and maltopentaose concentrations of the 'Nittakei 81' wort were 5.6 g/L and 2.7 g/L higher than those of the 'Propino' wort. After fermentation, the alcohol concentration of the 'Nittakei 81' beer was 0.67% lower compared with the 'Propino' beer, and the extract and concentrations of maltotetraose and maltopentaose of the 'Nittakei 81' beer were 5.0 g/L and 2.5 g/L higher than those of the 'Propino' beer. The results indicate that the β-amylase-deficient barley has a unique malting quality, especially lower DP and AAL, which might induce inadequate starch degradation or fermentation. However, this trait caused no serious issues during the brewing process, suggesting the possibility of β-amylase-deficient barley as a unique brewing material including low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer production with a specific saccharide composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assessing the heterogeneity of Bacillus sp. isolates spoilage potential, six Bacillus sp. isolates isolated from spoiled low-temperature sausages were used to investigate the heterogeneity of their spoilage properties at 20 °C (room temperature) and 37 °C (optimum growth temperature). The growth curve, acid production capacity, gas production capacity, protease activity, lipase activity, and amylase activity of six strains of Bacillus sp. were measured in the experiment. The results revealed that Bacillus cereus (C) had the greatest capacity for producing acid and that after 48 hours at 37 °C, the pH in the culture medium dropped by 0.71 relative to the blank control group. Following a 5-day culture at 37 °C, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (G) displayed the greatest protease and amylase activities, with a maximum protease activity of 7.17 U/mL and a decomposition circle area of starch agar of 16.53 cm². Bacillus cereus (C) exhibited the least comprehensive spoiling ability, as evidenced by its protease activity of 2.63 U/mL and the decomposition circle area of starch agar of 7.55 cm2 after 5 days of culture at 37 °C. Furthermore, it was discovered that the growth temperature significantly impacted the spoilage potential of the strains. In summary, there was great heterogeneity in the spoilage characteristics of Bacillus sp.. When examining its spoilage traits, it is important to consider this heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to explore the structural characteristics, expression and enzymatic activity changes during germination of wheat α-amylase and β-amylase. The structural characteristics of α-amylase and β-amylase in wheat were predicted by bioinformatics, fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of α-amylase and β-amylase gene in wheat seeds during the germination process, and their enzymatic activity was measured. The results showed that wheat α-amylase was an alkaline protein, β-amylase was an acidic protein, α-amylase had a signal peptide and a transmembrane region, while β-amylase did not, and the secondary and tertiary structures and number of phosphorylation sites of both amylases were similar. When wheat sprouted, the expression level of α-amylase gene first increased and then decreased, while the expression level of β-amylase gene was at a low level, the expression of α-amylase gene was induced by low concentration of salt alkali and inhibited by high concentration of salt alkali, the expression level of β-amylase gene increased with increasing salt alkali concentration, the activity of α-amylase and β-amylase significantly increased in the late stage and early stage of germination, respectively. The results indicated that wheat α-amylase was a secreted membrane protein, β-amylase was a stroma free protein, the stress responses of α-amylase and β-amylase to salt alkali were different, and they played a major role in the late and early stages of wheat germination respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by the fermentation of dietary fibers in the colon, plays a pivotal role in regulating metabolic health, particularly by enhancing insulin sensitivity. Given the rising incidence of metabolic disorders, understanding the factors that influence butyrate production is of significant interest. This study explores the link between salivary amylase activity and butyrate levels in overweight women of reproductive age. Participants were categorized into low (LSA) and high (HSA) salivary amylase activity groups and further divided into two subgroups: one followed a low-starch diet (LS), and the other underwent caloric restriction (CR). We assessed salivary amylase activity and measured serum butyrate concentrations to examine their associations. Our findings showed a significant, though weak, positive correlation (ρ = 0.0486, p < 0.05), suggesting a link between salivary amylase activity and butyrate levels. The statistical significance, despite the weak correlation, implies that this relationship is not random. Moreover, higher baseline butyrate levels were observed in women with elevated salivary amylase activity. Also, women with low salivary amylase activity on a low-starch diet experienced a more pronounced increase in butyrate levels compared to those on caloric restriction. These results suggest that salivary amylase activity and dietary intake interact to influence butyrate production, with potential implications for improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. The study underscores the potential of butyrate in enhancing insulin sensitivity and promoting overall metabolic well-being. Further research is necessary to clarify the mechanisms involved and to understand the long-term effects of butyrate on metabolic health across different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by prolonged elevated blood glucose levels. It is a common health problem with a high mortality and morbidity to the human race. A number of medicinal plants such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) have been used for the treatment of diabetes. Most of the anti-diabetic conventional drugs have been found to have some side effects and there is therefore need to explore new sources of anti-diabetic drugs. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possibility of getting anti-diabetic compounds from R. officinalis that can be used as leads for drug discovery. Methodology: R. officinalis leaves were macerated in 50% methanol in dichloromethane and the crude extract fractionated by column chromatography. The obtained fractions were subjected to an in-vitro alpha-amylase inhibition assay. The anti-hyperglycemic potential of the fractions was evaluated in diabetic induced Wistar rats. The most potent fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) for identification of the compounds. Results: A total of 21 chromatographic fractions were assembled with different alpha- amylase inhibition activity. Eleven of the fractions had more than 30% alpha-amylase inhibition activity. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest inhibition potential (LC50 of 2.8 μg/mL). The anti-diabetic assay in rats showed that fractions (F1) and (F4) had highest blood glucose reduction of 44.5 ± 0.4 and 52.8 ± 1.3%, respectively (p < 0.05). GC-MS analysis of fractions F1 and F4 showed the presence of 21 and 23 compounds in F1 and 23, respectively. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that R. officinalis crude extract fractions obtained from 50% methanol in dichloromethane possesses alpha-amylase inhibitory and anti-hyperglycemic activities as well as secondary metabolites with varying chemical structures. The hexane and hexane/ethyl acetate (8/2) fractions showed most potent alpha-amylase inhibition with high anti-hyperglycemic activity giving hope of a possibility of obtaining lead compounds for new anti-diabetic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepal harbors a rich diversity of cultures and traditions, including the unique practice of creating an indigenous grain called Marcha by various ethnic groups such as Newar, Tamang, Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Magar, and Tharu people. In the eastern region of Nepal, Marcha producers utilize over 42 different plants, including Vernonia cinerea, Clematis grewiae, Polygala arillata, Buddleja asiatica, Inula sp., Scoparia, and more, which shows regional diversity. The primary objective of the study was to explore the diversity of yeast present in Marcha samples. The studied Marcha samples were collected from 10 different geographic regions of Nepal, which included altogether 27 samples. The isolates were grouped into Groups A, B, and C based on morphological and physiological characteristics. Notably, Group B yeast displayed high amylase production, an enzyme responsible for starch breakdown, and exhibited the ability to produce ethanol. To further investigate the potential of these isolates, stress exclusion tests were conducted, with 30 isolates (70%) showing positive responses. The yeast isolates demonstrated resilience to high glucose concentrations of up to 36% (w/v) at a pH above 3 and a temperature of 37°C, which is the ideal growth condition. The study observed a direct correlation between the yeast isolates' ethanol production capabilities and their tolerance to different ethanol concentrations. Considering that all tested Marcha samples contained yeast capable of starch degradation and ethanol production, it was expected that these yeast isolates would actively participate in the fermentation of starch‐based alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Fern root starch has a high percentage of amylose and has great potential for application in the field of slow‐digesting foods. Clarifying the effect of treatment conditions on fern root starch is key to achieving industrialized production of fern root resistant starch. In the present study, fern root starch was treated by the autoclave‐enzymatic method with pullulanase, glucoamylase and mixed enzyme.The content of resistant starch in fern roots treated with mixed enzyme was the highest (24.07 ± 1.11%), which was approximately 320% times that of the native starch, had the best water‐holding capacity (151.08%), vital transparency and freeze–thaw stability. By contrast, the solubility, swelling and viscosity were lower than natural starch. In addition, mixed enzyme shows a denser structure, and the crystal form changes from C‐type to V‐type, with a high relative crystallinity and significantly enhanced thermal stability.After mixed enzyme combined with autoclave treatment, the content of resistant starch in fern root was greatly increased. The modified starch molecules did not produce new functional groups, which made the crystal structure of starch molecules more compact, and resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis and high temperature thermal stability were significantly enhanced. This provides a positive reference for further in‐depth study of fern root starch, improvement of utilization value, development and innovation of new food health products, and diabetes treatment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the effect of probiotic consortium technology (PCT) on the performance of Penaeus vannamei juveniles in the biofloc system in a short time. The experiment had four treatments with four replicates. In each experimental unit, 35 animals (3.15 ± 0.53 g and 7.80 ± 0.54 cm) were stocked in a biofloc system for 35 days. The treatments were: control - control without probiotic; PCT1 - probiotic in the diet (3 mL kg-1) and water (0.5 ppm - three times a week); PCT2 - probiotic in the diet (3 mL kg-1) and water (1 ppm - daily), and PCT3 - probiotic in the water (1 ppm - daily). For water quality and Vibrio, no significant differences were observed among treatments (P > 0.05). Regarding the zootechnical performance, the treatments with the probiotic promoted higher final biomass, biomass gain, and a more efficient feed conversion rate (P < 0.05). The performance improvement promoted by the probiotic may be related to increased concentrations of amylases, chymotrypsin, and lipases in the hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). It was concluded that PCT2 promoted the best zootechnical performance of P. vannamei during the grow-out phase in the biofloc system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the impact of 13 different enzymes, including protease, amylase, hemicellulase, and xylanase, on wafer dough and sheets, aiming to identify the most effective enzyme combination. Commercial protease, amylase, hemicellulase, and xylanase enzymes were applied to wafer dough following manufacturer instructions, and their flow behaviors were analyzed. Subsequently, the doughs were baked into wafer sheets, and various parameters such as water activity (aw), moisture content (%), weight loss (%), color parameters (L*, a*, b*), hardness (g), and sensory attributes were evaluated. Protease 4, Hemicellulase 2, and Xylanase 2 enzymes were selected for combination testing based on the analysis of flow behavior and characterization parameters of the wafer doughs. Among the tested combinations, the wafer dough containing 80 ppm Xylanase 2 + 300 ppm Protease 4 enzyme group exhibited promising potential for industrial applications due to its favorable flow behavior, while the resulting wafer sheets demonstrated desirable crispness and a brown-caramel color, suggesting suitability for commercial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilisation of enzymes in the industry has brought numerous benefits and advantages to production processes. Enzymes serve as biocatalysts, efficiently catalyzing reactions and hydrolysis in biochemical processes. However, there are challenges in applying enzymes in the industry, particularly concerning enzyme stability. The obstacle encountered in the production processes involving industrial enzyme applications is the low stability of enzymes when used at high temperatures. Heat-sensitive enzymes undergo damage or denaturation. Thermophilic microorganisms are chosen because they hold the potential to produce thermophilic enzymes. The thermophilic enzymes exhibit better heat stability compared to other enzymes, making them an effective alternative for future industrial production processes. This study aims to isolate thermotolerant bacteria from Nglimut Hot Spring sediment, screen for cellulase- and amylase-producing isolates, and molecularly identify the best isolate using 16S rRNA barcode. The results show that 22 bacterial isolates were found in the sediment of a hot spring; TS-14 was the best isolate in producing amylase, with the highest average amylolytic index of 2.38, whereas TS-15 had the highest cellulolytic index of 2.11. Based on 16S rRNA identification, TS-14 showed an homological identity of 79% with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, while TS-15 had a 100% homological identity with Bacillus licheniformis. These results were important as the first step of screening bacterial potential to produce thermophilic enzymes that could be applied in the downstream processing in future industrial and biotechnology companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute and chronic stress each have physical manifestations in the human body that can lead to many negative health impacts. Today, reported stress levels worldwide are at an all-time high, spurring the search for non-pharmaceutical interventions to maintain healthy stress levels. In this study, we examined whether a pet dog's presence influences healthy adults' acute stress responses as assessed through self-reports, heart rate, plasma cortisol, and salivary alpha-amylase. Participating pet dog owners were randomly assigned to undergo the Trier Social Stress Test either with their pet dog or alone. While there was no group difference in perceived anxiety levels, participants undergoing the acute psychological stressor with their pet dogs present had significantly lower heart rates, lower plasma cortisol responses, and higher salivary alpha-amylase responses than people without their dogs. Those who participated without their dogs had a statistically flat alpha-amylase response, which is typically associated with extreme or pathological stress. These findings extend the potential effects of pet dogs beyond merely lowering their owner's stress levels to maintaining a healthier, balanced response across the sympathoadrenal medullary axis and hypothalamic–pituitary-adrenal axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore the soil of the Gujarat, Kachchh region to identify amylaseproducing bacteria and characterize them using molecular methods. The unique ecological characteristics of the Kachchh region may facilitate the isolation of these bacteria. Samples were collected from multiple locations within the Kachchh District, including Gandhidham, Rapar, Bhuj, Nakhatrana, Mandvi, and Mundra Talukas. These samples were then screened to isolate amylaseproducing bacteria. A total of 27 different types of colonies were identified, out of which 16 exhibited amylase production (M1-M16). Out of 27 colonies identified, 16 showed amylase production. Strains M2, M7, and M13 exhibited high amylase activity, with M2 showing a consistent increase over 72 hours, making it a strong candidate for amylase production. Further identification of M2 stain identified M2 as a Gram-positive, spore-forming, capsulated, and motile bacillus, specifically Bacillus licheniformis. This was confirmed through DNA sequencing and analysis in the NCBI database, which showed a 99.15% similarity with Bacillus licheniformis. The study concludes that Soil in Kachchh is rich with microorganisms that produce amylase, an enzyme with diverse industrial applications. These organisms are valuable for sectors like food, textiles, paper, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Despite evidence-based guidelines stating that lipase alone should be used in the diagnosis of suspected acute pancreatitis, health care providers continue to order amylase or amylase and lipase together. The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of appropriate laboratory testing related to the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Methods The study used a retrospective cross-sectional design. The timeframe was from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. A retrospective chart review was used to collect data for the following: patient-provider encounter notes, patient demographics, provider demographics, differential and final diagnosis, and laboratory test results. Data analysis include stratification of categorical variables and calculation of cost savings. Results For the 12-month period, this study found 2567 (9.3%) of all amylase and lipase tests to be unnecessary. Amylase tests (1881; 73.2%) made up the most unnecessary tests followed by lipase tests (686; 26.7%). An analysis of test-ordering behavior by providers revealed that 81.5% of all unnecessary tests were ordered by MDs. Finally, this study estimated a total cost savings of $128,350 if all unnecessary tests were eliminated. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that amylase and lipase tests have been overutilized in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanol extract of Inula viscosa (IVM) was investigated for its antioxidant potential using the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging as well as iron chelating assays (ICA). The total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) of IVM were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride methods, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of I. viscosa methanol extract was investigated by disc diffusion and broth microdilution method. The IVM extract was found to be containing TPC (236.78 ± 7.63 mg GAE/g) and TFC (94.36 ± 1.86 mg QE/g). Antioxidant activity IC50 values for the DPPH, ABTS and ICA assays were found to be 277.7 ± 3.68, 2.44 ± 0.02, and 222.1 ± 0.71 µg/mL, respectively. The MIC values of the IVM on the tested microorganisms ranged from 0.48 to 7.81 mg/mL. Furthermore, IVM extract was demonstrated 18.32 ± 1.37%, 23.06 ± 1.05%, 4.72 ± 0.13%, 15.13 ± 0.37% and 37.64 ± 4.02% inhibition against tyrosinase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, AChE and BChE, respectively. In the results of LC-MS/MS analysis, acacetin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and protocatechuic acid were determined as most dominant compounds. These findings suggested that this plant may be a natural resource for creating novel medicinal compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of New Food Industry is the property of NFI LLC. 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.)

Background: Today, biologically active additives, which contain hydrolytic enzymes (amylase, lipase, protease), are widely used in the digestive industry. These enzymes are often obtained from animal and vegetable raw materials, -for example, from the pancreas of a reindeer, the Fabricius bag of chickens, and Medusomyces Gisevii Lindau (Kombucha). However, in obtaining enzymes, the activity of amylase and lipase may decrease due to active forms --of proteases. Objective: The main goal of this research work was to evaluate the stabilizing effect of nanostructures-cyclodextrins on the activity of hydrolytic enzymes (protease, amylase, lipase) obtained from animal raw material (chicken bursa of Fabricius) and microorganism cultures (Kombucha). Identify the relationship at which the negative influence of external environmental factors is leveled and, as a result, enzymatic activity is maintained for a certain period of time. Methods: The protein concentration in the solution was determined using the Lowry method. A modified method by Rukhlyadiva was used to determine the amylolytic activity. The definition of lipolytic activity is based on modified Shibabi-Bishop method. To determine the amylolytic activity, a modified method by Rukhlyadiva was used. Results: The relationship between b-cyclodextrin and enzymes was determined, at which enzymatic activity is maintained for a certain period. Conclusion: Thus, cyclodextrins in solution stabilizes the activity of proteases, amylases, and lipases, which is of great practical importance in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology / Zhongguo Shipin Xuebao is the property of Journal of Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology Periodical 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.)

An amylolytic industrial yeast strain named 1974-GA-temA, developed previously by our research team by coexpressing the α-amylase and glucoamylase genes, combines enzyme production, sweet potato residue (SPR) hydrolysis, and glucose fermentation into ethanol in a one-step process. This consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) method has great application potential in the commercial production of bioethanol from SPR, but important fermentation parameters should be optimized to further increase the ethanol concentration and yield. In this study, the effects of the initial fermentation pH, solid-to-liquid ratio, inoculation volume, addition of exogenous enzyme, and supplementation with metal ions were systemically investigated. Single-factor experiments revealed that the optimal pH was 4.0. In the solid-to-liquid ratio test, an increase in the solid-to-liquid ratio corresponded with a gradual increase in the ethanol concentration, peaking at 1:5. However, the ethanol yield gradually decreased, with the optimal solid-to-liquid ratio identified as 1:5. The ethanol concentration and yield reached 9.73 g/L and 5.84%, respectively. Additionally, an increase in the inoculum size resulted in increased ethanol concentration and yield, with the optimal inoculum level determined to be 10%. An ethanol concentration of 7.87 g/L was attained under these specified conditions, equating to an ethanol yield of 4.72%. Further analysis was conducted to assess the effects of exogenous cellulase, hemicellulase, and pectinase, both individually and in combination, on ethanol concentration and yield. The results indicated that pectinase had a particularly significant effect. The highest ethanol concentration was observed when all three enzymes were administered concurrently, yielding 27.27 g/L ethanol. Then, the role of metal ions in SPR fermentation was evaluated. The metal ions did not significantly affect the process, with the exception of copper ions. The addition of copper ions at a specific concentration of 0.2 g/100 g SPR increased the ethanol concentration. However, concentrations exceeding 0.2 g/100 g SPR inhibited yeast cell growth. Finally, orthogonal optimization was employed to determine the optimal combination of factors: pH, 4.0; solid-to-liquid ratio, 1:6; inoculation volume, 10%; cellulase and pectinase addition; and the absence of Cu2+ addition. Under these conditions, strain 1974-GA-temA produced 34.83 ± 0.62 g/L ethanol after 8 days of fermentation, corresponding to a 20.90% ± 0.37% ethanol yield. This value markedly exceeds the outcomes of all the conducted orthogonal experiments. The fermentation optimization experiments in this study are expected to increase ethanol production during the CBP fermentation of SPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the antidiabetic effects of the methanolic extract of E. africanum (MEEA) stem bark on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Wistar rats. The in vitro enzyme (α-amylase) inhibitory activity of MEEA was measured using a standard procedure. Diabetic rats with fasting blood glucose above 250 mg/dL were considered diabetic and were divided into the following groups: control (distilled water-treated), diabetic-control, diabetic metformin (100 mg/kg), diabetes + MEEA (150 mg/kg), and diabetes + MEEA (300 mg/kg) via oral gavage once daily for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, kidney tissues were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Kidney apoptosis and marker gene expression were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. MEEA exhibited α-amylase inhibitory effects. MEEA significantly (p<0.05) reduced the STZ-induced increases in blood glucose, serum urea, serum creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and malondialdehyde and increased the STZ-induced decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione. In addition, MEEA protects against DN by significantly downregulating the mRNA expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP-response binding protein (CREB), and cFOS and upregulating B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), suggesting that the nephroprotective ability of MEEA is due to the modulation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/cFOS signaling pathway. Furthermore, MEEA treatment protected against histopathological alterations observed in diabetic rats. The data from this study suggest that MEEA modulates glucose homeostasis and inhibits redox imbalance in DN rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to similar symptoms of abdominal pain, acute pancreatitis (AP) is often difficult to differentiate from acute aortic dissection (AAD) in clinical practice. It is unknown whether serum amylase and coagulation function indices can be used to distinguish AP from AAD. Methods: In this retrospective study, 114 AP patients (AP group) and 48 cases with AAD (AAD group) admitted for acute abdominal pain were enrolled for a final analysis. The levels of serum amylase and coagulation function indices, including prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and D-dimer (DD), were tested before or on admission and compared between the two groups. Student's t-test was adopted for comparing the mean. Model discrimination was evaluated by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Comparison of AUC was performed by using the Z-test. Results: Compared with the AAD group, amylase and FIB were both significantly increased, while DD was significantly lower in the AP group (all p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences of PT, INR, and APTT between AP and AAD (all p > 0.05). The AUCs in distinguishing AP from AAD were 0.913, 0.854, and 0.837 for amylase, FIB, and DD, respectively, but there were no significant differences observed among amylase, FIB, and DD (all p > 0.05). Finally, the cutoff values (specificity, sensitivity, and Youden index) in distinguishing between AP and AAD were 114 μ/L (80.70%, 95.83%, 0.765) for amylase, 2.62 g/L (76.32%, 85.42%, 0.617) for FIB, and 2.74 mg/L (95.61%, 62.50%, 0.581) for DD, respectively. Conclusions: Amylase, FIB, and DD can demonstrate accurate and reliable diagnostic values, suggesting that they are useful and potential biomarkers in distinguishing AP from AAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Background: Acronychia pedunculata is commonly found in mountainous regions across Vietnam. The species has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Methods: The essential oils (EOs) of A. pedunculata roots, leaves, and flowers were extracted by hydrodistillation process and their chemical compositions were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Besides, the EOs were assayed for in vitro α-amylase and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. In silico molecular docking simulations on the major components of the EOs were conducted. Results: The EOs from A. pedunculata roots and leaves consisted of 41 compounds (97.6 and 95.1%, respectively) while the flower EO comprised 37 compounds (98.7%). α-Pinene was found to be the most abundant component in the root and flower EOs, with the percentages of 63.9% and 52.6%, respectively. (E)-β-Caryophyllene was detected at the highest level (22.8%) in the leaf EO. The root EO had the most potent anti-α-amylase and antityrosinase activities, with IC50 values of 53.73 ± 1.94 and 815.53 ± 3.24 μg/mL, respectively. Its inhibitory activity against α-amylase was stronger than that of acarbose (88.80 ± 1.87 μg/mL). In molecular docking results, limonene was the potential compound in the EOs with the best binding affinity against tyrosinase. Moreover, the evaluation of potential interactions between the main components of the EOs and the selected proteins was elucidated. Conclusions: The findings unveiled that the EOs of A. pedunculata possessed α-amylase and tyrosinase inhibitory effects and potential applications in nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mental fatigue causes decreases in aspects of athletes' performance. Elite coaches commonly undertake cognitively demanding tasks and are seemingly at similar risk of subsequent performance impairment. However, elite sport coaches' experiences of mental fatigue, alongside other markers of psychobiological stress, have yet to be quantified. Methods: Three elite coaching and performance staff (2 women and 1 man) provided 100-mm visual analog scale ratings of mental fatigue, physical fatigue, readiness to perform, and salivary samples for later cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA) analysis. Data were obtained on the same morning each week across a 16-week preseason. Data were subset by individual coach for descriptive and repeated-measures correlational analyses. Results: Fluctuating mental fatigue was observed over the 16 weeks (min–max; coach 1 = 25–86 AU; coach 2 = 0–51 AU; and coach 3 = 15 − 76 AU). Elevated levels of mental fatigue were reported at multiple time points, with individual variability observed. sCort (in nanomoles per liter), sAA (in micromoles per liter), and sAA:sCort indicated that coaches experienced psychophysiological stress (min–max; coach 1 sCort = 8.42–17.31, sAA = 52.40–113.06, sAA:sCort = 3.20–12.80; coach 2 sCort = 4.20–9.70, sAA = 158.80–307.20, sAA:sCort = 21.10–61.70; and coach 3 sCort = 6.81−19.66, sAA = 86.55–495.85, sAA:sCort = 4.90–35.50). A significant inverse relationship between mental fatigue and readiness to perform (r = −.44 [−.64 to −.17], P =.002) was identified. Conclusions: Elite sport coaches report elevated instances of mental fatigue during a preseason training period. Those involved in elite sports should act to understand the presence and potential subsequent impacts of staff mental fatigue and consider management or mitigation strategies. Optimization of the cognitive performance of coaches and performance staff presents as a potential source of competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amylases are highly needful product in food, beverage, and detergent industry. With the objective of isolating α-amylases producing strains, samples were collected from local bakery chimneys and kitchens, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The potential α-amylase producers were isolated and screened by Starch-Iodine plate assay method. The optimized parameters such as 1.5% of starch concentration in the media with 7.2-pH at 35 °C for 36 h enhanced the production of α-amylase. The strain showing high potential, identified by 16s rRNA sequencing was found to be Bacillus subtilis. The Bacillus subtilis strain produced extracellular α-amylase with activity of 1330.14 U/mL. Further partial purification by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by dialysis and column chromatography enhanced the specific activity to 1695.306 U/mg. The molecular weight of enzymes was found to be around 36 kDa. The enzyme stability and activity characterization revealed that the enzyme was thermotolerant which was able to retain more than 70% activity at 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C. The purified enzyme was also found to be Ca2+ independent. The hydrolysis of raw starch from rice, wheat and corn flour using the purified α-amylase from Bacillus subtilis showed significant activity of 72.8%, 76.1% and 65.2% with 4 h incubation respectively. The potentiality of the enzyme as an additive with commercial detergent was also determined to be effective. This study favourably attracts the attention towards industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broodstock rearing is fundamental to produce high-quality offspring for aquaculture. However, reproduction requires large amounts of energy and nutrients, and physiological activities of digestive enzymes determine the absorption of energy and nutrients. However, the interaction between reproduction and digestive physiology is still unclear in sea cucumbers. In this study, we used laboratory experiments and field investigations to assess the variations of digestive physiology and digestive function in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus during reproduction. Unexpectedly, activities of both amylase and trypsin were depressed in adult sea cucumbers during reproduction under both laboratory and field conditions. As a physiological consequence, digestive efficiencies of energy and organic matter decreased significantly during reproduction. Although reproductive output of sea cucumbers varied greatly between laboratory and wild conditions, reproductive effort had no effect on the activities of numerous digestive enzymes. Together, these data indicated that reproductive status induced digestive function decline in A. japonicus. Our study provided very important information about the reproductive biology of sea cucumbers that could be applied to broodstock rearing and conservation of this commercially important species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different concentrations of wet biofloc on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, were investigated in this study. The aim was to assess the impact on growth, survival, body composition, digestive enzyme activity, liver enzyme activity, and mucosal innate immunity. The experiment consisted of five treatments: a control group (C) which received 100% commercial feed and 50% daily water exchange without biofloc and four treatments where portions of the commercial feed were replaced with wet biofloc (BFT25, 25%; BFT50, 50%; BFT75, 75%; and BFT100, 100%) with limited water exchange. Nile tilapia fingerlings weighing 1.3 g and with a density of 1 ind./L were held for 38 days in fiberglass tanks containing 130 L of water with a salinity of 8 g/L. The results showed that the control group had the highest levels of total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite nitrogen (NO2) (P < 0.05). Among the BFT treatments, fingerlings fed with 25% wet biofloc had significantly higher total biomass (741.51 g) and survival (99.74%) (P < 0.05). In terms of carcass quality, the BFT25 treatment had the highest protein (58.77% DW) and lipid (25.06% DW) content. The analysis of bioflocs in the biofloc treatments revealed protein levels ranging from 26.84 to 31.85 (% DW), lipid levels ranging from 1.68 to 2.51 (U/mg protein), and ash levels ranging from 31.85 to 36.44 (% DW). Furthermore, the BFT25 treatment resulted in improved digestive and liver enzyme activity, with the highest levels of protease (17.81 U/mg protein), lipase (2.48 U/mg protein), amylase (80.66 U/mg protein), and liver enzyme ALP (0.176 U/mg protein). In terms of mucosal immunity, the BFT25 treatment exhibited the highest levels of lysozyme (Lys. 34.33 U/mL/min) and immunoglobulin (Ig. 51.66 mg/100 mL), while the BFT100 treatment had the lowest levels (Lys. 17.33 U/mL/min, Ig. 37 mg/100 mL). Based on these findings, it has been demonstrated that Nile tilapia can be fed wet biofloc (developed under the conditions of this study) up to 25% of their commercial feed without compromising their growth performance, survival, body composition, digestive enzyme activity, liver enzyme activity, or mucosal immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice flour (RF), a common rice product, has become an increasingly sought out ingredient for its blend flavor and gluten-free nature. However, the high concentration of native starch (> 80%) represents a technological challenge for its incorporation into food formulations, especially due to its low solubility, which may limit its food industry applications. This study shows the enzymatic hydrolysis of rice flour starch followed by optimized spray drying using protein-rich drying carriers (rice protein concentrate RPC, soy protein isolate SPI) to produce a novel, enhanced hydrolyzed rice-derived ingredient (HRI). For this, white RF suspension (25% w/v) was treated with α-amylase (70 °C, 30 min) and amyloglucosidase (50 °C, 30 min) to produce a hydrolyzed solution that was spray dried using a 33 Box-Behnken design to maximize solids recovery (%) and sugars recovery (%). Optimal conditions (10°Bx, 13.4% w/v carrier addition and 35.5:64.5% SPI:RPC) led to high solids (63.4%) and sugar recoveries (82.6%), indicative of an efficient spray drying process. Spray dried HRI showed low water activity (0.187 ± 0.001) and enhanced functional properties compared to unprocessed RF, including increased solubility (54.07 ± 0.85%), higher flowability and emulsifying attributes. Overall, we show a successful production protocol using industrially friendly techniques to obtain a novel rice-derived ingredient for food applications. These advancements pave the way for developing high-performance, stable rice starch-derived ingredients, driving innovation and expanding opportunities in food formulation and processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amylases are one of the biotechnologically important enzymes that have multiple applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textile, detergent, paper and pulp, bioremediation and nano-biotechnology industries. Amylases can be isolated from animals, plants and microbial regions, but nowadays enzymes from prokaryotic species have gained more importance. Among the microbes, amylases from Bacillus cereus have gained considerable demand in various industrial sectors. Growing industrial demand for enzymes compels the availability of enzymes in large quantities that can only be achieved by employing efficient fermentation techniques. Therefore, the current study is aimed at the statistical optimisation of the production conditions for extracellular amylase production from Bacillus strain AS2. In a recent study, the optimum amylase producing AS2 strain was identified on a molecular level, and it was found that it has close relation with the already reported strains of Bacillus cereus. The further enzyme production was optimised by using a statistical optimisation tool. A full-factorial central composite design (CCD) consisting of 53 experiments was designed using six significant variables (incubation period, pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen source and metal ion). The analysis revealed that the optimal media concentrations were 54.34 g.L-1 starch, 0.63 g.L-1 CaCl2, 1 g.L-1 glycine, pH 7.0, 76 h, and 40 °C, respectively. A 1.23-fold increase in the enzyme yield (1 050 IU.mL-1.min-1) was noticed as compared to the original production level. The statistical optimisation approach gives the exact variables that influence the enzyme production and, hence, offers the best way to optimise the bioprocess. The optimised enzyme can be used in industries for various purposes such as de-sizing, de-inking, hydrolysing starch residues, etc.

Byline: S. M. Fatima, W. Tahir, M. Moin, H. Waheed and H. Khan Keywords: Traditional medicine;Datura alba; Anti-phospholipase A2; Anti-amylase; Antioxidant INTRODUCTION Traditional medicine (TM) is an integral part of [...]

BACKGROUND: Fried foods are favored for their unique crispiness, golden color and flavor, but they also face great challenge because of their high oil content, high calories and the existence of compounds such as acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long‐term consumption of fried foods may adversely affect health. Therefore, it is necessary to explore fried foods with lower oil contents and a high quality to meet the demand. RESULTS: A method of enzyme treatment was explored to investigate the effects of maltogenic amylase (MA), transglutaminase (TG) and bromelain (BRO) on the physicochemical properties of the batter and the quality of fried spring roll wrapper (FSRW). The results showed that the MA‐, TG‐ or BRO‐treated batters had a significant shear‐thinning behavior, especially with an increase in viscosity upon increasing TG contents. FSRW enhanced its fracturability from 419.19 g (Control) to 616.50 g (MA‐6 U g−1), 623.49 g (TG‐0.75 U g−1) and 644.96 g (BRO‐10 U g−1). Meanwhile, in comparison with BRO and MA, TG‐0.5 U g−1 endowed batter with the highest density and thermal stability. MA‐15 U g−1 and TG‐0.5 U g−1 displayed FSRW with uniform and dense pores, and significantly reduced its oil content by 18.05% and 25.02%, respectively. Moreover, compared to MA and TG, BRO‐50 U g−1 improved the flavor of FSRW. CONCLUSION: MA, TG or BRO played a key role in affecting the physicochemical properties of the batter and the quality of FSRW. TG‐0.5 U g−1 remarkly reduced the oil content of FSRW with a great potential in practical application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gibberellin (GA3) is an important plant hormone involved in many physiological and developmental processes in plants. However, the physiological mechanism of GA3 on the regulation yield and grain shell thickness of Tartary buckwheat is still unclear. In this study, the thick-shelled cultivar "Jinqiao 2" and thin-shelled cultivar "Miku 18" were used to study the effects of different concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg L−1) of exogenous GA3 and chlorocholine chloride (CCC, GA3 synthesis inhibitor) on the cellulose content, amylase, and sucrose synthase (SS) activity in grain shell and the yield of Tartary buckwheat. The application of exogenous GA3 can improve the cellulose content and the activity of amylase and SS in the grain shell of the two Tartary buckwheat varieties. It can also increase the main stem node number, main stem branch number, grains per plant, and yield. Compared with the control treatment (CK, 0 mg L−1), the 100 mg/L exogenous GA3 treatment increased the number of grains per plant, grain weight per plant, 1000-grain weight, and yield of Jinqiao 2 by 20.1%, 41.9%, 13%, and 34.7%, respectively. These items of Miku 18 were increased by 26%, 15.2%, 10.2%, and 23.8%. The application of CCC reduced the activity of amylase and SS and cellulose content in grain shell. In addition, it decreased the main stem node number, main stem branch number, grains per plant, and yield of Tartary buckwheat. In summary, exogenous GA3 treatment not only improved the yield of Tartary buckwheat but also increased the thickness of grain shell by enhancing the activity of amylase and SS and promoting the synthesis and accumulation of cellulose. The results can provide theoretical references for clarifying the physiological mechanism of the difference in shell thickness between Tartary buckwheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diabetic individuals have a higher probability of suffering from illness and death due to small blood vessel-related problems such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and stroke than other complications. There are many synthetic anti-diabetic agents available, but these can be expensive and have undesirable pathological effects. The enzyme α-amylase (hydrolase), catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch to maltose and glucose via the cleavage of α-1,4-glucosidic linkages. Diabetes mellitus patients may benefit from a therapeutic strategy that involves slowing the hydrolysis of starch by inhibiting the activity of α-amylase. Thus, looking for cost-effective, natural, and safe antidiabetic agents is essential. This study aims to screen phytoconstituents and evaluate the in-vitro and in-silico α-amylase inhibitory activity of the ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves. Methods: The extraction of Adhatoda vasica leaves was performed using ethanol via the Soxhlet extraction process. Different concentrations (100 μg/mL to 1000 μg/mL) of ethanolic extract, Acarbose, and Sitagliptin, were prepared and evaluated for α-amylase inhibitory activity using the spectrophotometric method. Molecular docking (AutodockVina 1.2.0) and toxicity profiling (SToPToX web server) studies were performed. Results: The ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves showed the highest percentage inhibition against α-amylase (56.763 ± 0.0035) at a concentration of 1000 μg/mL. The in-silico study supported this inhibitory activity. Vasicoline (C5) and Quercetin (C9), the active constitute of Adhatoda vasica, showed the best binding energies of −8.3 and −8.0 Kcal/mol, respectively against α-amylase enzyme (PDBID: 4W93). A toxicity study revealed the safety profile of the plant extract. Conclusion: It was concluded that Adhatoda vasica leaves possess some bioactive compounds that are responsible for controlling blood glucose levels, and their identification, purification, and isolation may lead to the development of new therapeutic agents with fewer side effects than the available drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type II diabetes mellitus is posing a severe health threat throughout the globe due to its associated pathophysiological risks and high mortality rate. Carbohydrate catabolic enzymes, including α-amylase, α-glucosidase and aldose reductase, play an important role in the development of diabetes. The natural or synthetic inhibitors of these enzymes are crucial in reducing diabetes and its related complications. Tinosporacordifolia is a plant of great significance in Ayurveda due to its unique biological activities, including anti-diabetic properties. The present study aims to identify the active constituents of T. cordifolia leaves and evaluate the in vitro inhibitory potential of its ethanol extract constituents against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and aldose reductase activities. Results: The ethanolic leaf extract of T. cordifolia inhibited the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and aldose reductase in a dose-dependent manner. It was on par with the standard inhibitors acarbose and quercetin. At 5 mg/ml, the noted % inhibition values of extract were 69.27 ± 0.17, 67.8 ± 0.26 and 62.55 ± 0.24, respectively, for α-amylase, α-glucosidase and aldose reductase. Using GC-MS analysis, neophytadiene, γ-sitosterol, phytol, phytyl palmitate, and phytyl acetate were identified as prominent constituents of the ethanolic extract. Based on molecular docking and ADME analysis, γ-sitosterol was found as the major reactive phytoconstituent, which showed the highest inhibitory potential against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and aldose reductase activities. Conclusions: The present study identified γ-sitosterol as triplet inhibitor of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and aldose reductase and affirmed the ethno-medicinal significance of T. cordifolia leaves in the development of new anti-diabetic leads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urine amylase levels are usually used to diagnose acute pancreatitis. However, there are reported cases where urine amylase levels are slightly increased in individuals without pancreatitis. Herein, we report the case of a young lady who presented with acute abdominal pain for 3 days. Her urine amylase level was 1717 U/L upon admission, and her condition was initially treated as acute pancreatitis. Unfortunately, the patient demonstrated abdominal guarding after 24 h; thus, urgent computed tomography (CT) was performed. CT revealed the presence of a dilated small bowel. She underwent emergency laparotomy, wherein a gangrenous small bowel with no evidence of saponification at the lesser sac was noted. Due to the non-specific nature of hyperamylasaemia, an alternative diagnosis other than acute pancreatitis should be considered if the clinical symptoms are not suggestive of pancreatitis or the condition worsens despite conservative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the importance of α‐amylase in industry, it is necessary to develop a more simple and practical approach to measure α‐amylase activity. Herein, a fluorescence method was established for the detection of α‐amylase activity based on hydroxyproply‐β‐cyclodextrin‐curcumin inclusion complex (HP‐β‐CDs‐Cur). Curcumin was utilized as a signal probe, while hydroxyproply‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CDs) was employed both as a substrate of α‐amylase and the carrier of curcumin. α‐amylase is capable to hydrolyse α‐1,4‐glycosidic bond on the HP‐β‐CDs ring, facilitating the detection of its activity through the measurement of the decrease of fluorescence intensity caused by the release of curcumin into the aqueous. The results showed that there was a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and α‐amylase concentration in the range of 0.065~1.365 U mL−1, and the detection limit was 0.0065 U mL−1. The successful application of this method to evaluate the activities of multiple commercial α‐amylases underscores its robustness and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato residue (SPR) is the by-product of starch extraction from fresh sweet potatoes and is rich in carbohydrates, making it a suitable substrate for bioethanol production. An amylolytic industrial yeast strain with co-expressing α-amylase and glucoamylase genes would combine enzyme production, SPR hydrolysis, and glucose fermentation into a one-step process. This consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) shows great application potential in the economic production of bioethanol. In this study, a convenient heterologous gene integration method was developed. Eight copies of a Talaromyces emersonii α-amylase expression cassette and eight copies of a Saccharomycopsis fibuligera glucoamylase expression cassette were integrated into the genome of industrial diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1974. The resulting recombinant strains exhibited clear transparent zones in the iodine starch plates, and SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that α-amylase and glucoamylase were secreted into the culture medium. Enzymatic activity analysis demonstrated that the optimal temperature for α-amylase and glucoamylase was 60-70°C, and the pH optima for α-amylase and glucoamylase was 4.0 and 5.0, respectively. Initially, soluble corn starch with a concentration of 100 g/L was initially used to evaluate the ethanol production capability of recombinant amylolytic S. cerevisiae strains. After 7 days of CBP fermentation, the α-amylase-expressing strain 1974-temA and the glucoamylase-expressing strain 1974-GA produced 33.03 and 28.37 g/L ethanol, respectively. However, the 1974-GA-temA strain, which expressed α-amylase and glucoamylase, produced 42.22 g/L ethanol, corresponding to 70.59% of the theoretical yield. Subsequently, fermentation was conducted using the amylolytic strain 1974-GA-temA without the addition of exogenous α-amylase and glucoamylase, which resulted in the production of 32.15 g/L ethanol with an ethanol yield of 0.30 g/g. The addition of 20% glucoamylase (60 U/g SPR) increased ethanol concentration to 50.55 g/L, corresponding to a theoretical yield of 93.23%, which was comparable to the ethanol production observed with the addition of 100% α-amylase and glucoamylase. The recombinant amylolytic strains constructed in this study will facilitate the advancement of CBP fermentation of SPR for the production of bioethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]