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This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of emodin on the physiological responses and antioxidant gene expression of Wuchang bream infected with Aeromonas hydrophila. The experimental diets were prepared with supplementing 0, 30, 100 and 150 mg kg-1 emodin to basal (control) diet respectively, and fed to fish with initial weight of 50.4 ± 2.35 g. All fish were divided into five experimental groups: uninfected fish fed with basal control diet (negative control, NC), infected fish fed with the diet supplemented with 0 (positive control group, PC), 30, 100, and 150 mg kg-1 emodin. The fish were reared for 14 days, sampled at different time points and then analyzed. The results showed that the physiological responses and related antioxidant gene expression of infected Wuchang bream were significantly influenced by the dosage of added emodin and the feeding duration (P < 0.05). Comparing to the positive control group, emodin could inhibit the levels of cortisol (COR), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) in infected Wuchang bream, with hormone levels reaching equilibrium in the shortest time at 30 and 100 mg kg-1 emodin supplementation. Meanwhile, emodin significantly affected alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, glucose (Glu) and triglyceride (TG) contents, and related antioxidant gene expression in infected Wuchang bream (P < 0.05), with the best effect observed at 100 mg kg-1 emodin supplementation in the diet. In conclusion, the supplementation of 100 mg/kg emodin to diet can enhance the resistance of Wuchang bream to A. hydrophila infection via promoting physiological metabolism and antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), as an effective antioxidant, could attenuate the oxidative damage, inflammation and necrosis in the liver in response to oxidative stress. The present study investigated whether oral administration of EGCG could effectively alleviate the hepatic histopathological changes and oxidative damage in yellow-feathered broilers induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Broilers were exposed to 600 μmol t-BHP/kg body weight (BW) to induce oxidative stress by intraperitoneal injection every five days, followed by oral administration of different doses of EGCG (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg BW) and 20 mg vitamin E (VE)/kg BW every day during 5–21 days of age. The results showed that t-BHP injection decreased (p < 0.05) body weight and the relative weight of the spleen; the enzyme activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD); and gene mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), CAT, SOD1, SOD2 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACACA); as well as increased (p < 0.05) necrosis formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, reactive oxygen species (ROS)accumulation, and peroxisome proliferator activates receptor-α (PPARα) mRNA expression in the liver of yellow-feathered female broilers at 21 days of age. Treatment with 60 mg EGCG/kg BW orally could enhance antioxidant enzyme activities and reverse the hepatic damage induced by t-BHP injection by reducing the accumulation of ROS and MDA in the liver and activating the Nrf2 and PPARα pathways related to the induction of antioxidant gene expression (p < 0.05). In conclusion, intraperitoneal injection of t-BHP impaired body growth and induced hepatic ROS accumulation, which destroyed the antioxidant system and led to oxidative damage in the liver of yellow-feathered broilers from 5 to 21 days of age. It is suggested that EGCG may play an antioxidant role through the Nrf2 and PPARα signaling pathways to effectively protect against t-BHP-induced hepatic oxidative damage in broilers, and the appropriate dose was 60 mg EGCG/kg BW by oral administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the batch stability of egg white peptides (EWPs) during the enzymatic hydrolysis process, and confirmed the potential application of four crucial four peptides inoxidative damage repair. The results revealed that different batches of EWPs had good stability relating to antioxidant activity. With a similar sequence to confirmed antioxidant peptides, four EWPs (QMDDFE, WDDDPTD, DEPDPL, and FKDEDTQ) were identified withhigh repetition rates, and their potential to repair oxidative damage was investigated. Network pharmacology results showed that these four peptides could regulate the targets related to oxidative damage. Enrichment results demonstrated that these four peptides could influence the targets and pathways related to glutathione transferase activity (enrichment score: 148.0) and glutathione metabolism (p value: 9.22 × 10−10). This study could provide evidence for the batch stability of hydrolyzed prepared EWPs, and offer theoretical support for the development of antioxidant damage ingredients derived from foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored whether and how prohexadione calcium (Pro-Ca) regulated wheat tolerance to drought stress (DS). Findings displayed that DS had significant influence on antioxidant metabolism, water balance and the photosynthesis. DS significantly improved the activity level of enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), the contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the contents of osmotic regulatory substances soluble protein (SP), soluble sugars (SS) and proline (Pro), compared with control. Whereas DS significantly reduced transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (gs) and relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), plant height and biomass. Compared to DS, Pro-Ca plus DS significantly promoted the antioxidant metabolism by improving the activity level of SOD, CAT, POD and APX and increasing AsA and GSH contents, which in turn reduced MDA content and EL. In addition, Pro-Ca plus DS significantly maintained water balance by promoting the accumulation of osmolytes SP, SS and Pro, which in turn increased RWC, Tr and gs. Pro-Ca plus DS also significantly promoted photosynthesis by increasing the contents of the above photosynthetic pigments, Pn and Fv/Fm, thereby promoting plant growth. These findings indicated that Pro-Ca was a potential agent to improve wheat tolerance under water deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost, spent coffee grounds are discarded to landfill, causing bad impacts on natural environment and generating a great waste because of removing beneficial bioactive compounds. This study investigated effects of dyeing techniques (exhaustion and pad-dry), types of mordants, sequences of adding mordants, temperature, exhausting time and concentration on dyeability of coffee extracts for cotton fabric in terms of color strength (K/S) and color difference (ΔE), thereby proposing a suitable treatment procedure. The experimental results showed that K/S and ΔE values were highest when mordanting with FeSO4.7H2O and CuSO4.5H2O. Simultaneously, highly antioxidant and antibacterial properties of treated cotton were quantitatively evaluated by UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, microbiologicalmethod and mechanical experiments. The content of polyphenols and tannins as well as the bacteriostatic activity of gram-positive and gram-negative species on treated cotton fabrics with coffee extracts were promising in future applications. Particularly, the total amounts of polyphenols and tannins, which could demonstrate antioxidant activity, were examined as 3.01 g/L (GAE) and 0.57 g/L (TAE), respectively. Especially, high reduction of E. coli bacteria and S. aureus bacteria on dyed specimens accounted for 78% and 80% as mordanting with CuSO4.5H2O, and it could be sustained to 75% and 48% after a washing cycle, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu(I)-based adsorbents are currently the most commonly used CO adsorbents due to their high adsorption capacity and adsorption selectivity for CO. In order to achieve a facile preparation and improved antioxidant performance of Cu(I)-based adsorbents, in this work, a series of Cu(I) based CO adsorbents were designed and prepared by choosing CuCl2 as the precursor, ultra-stable Y-type molecular sieves (USY) as the support, and methyl cellulose (MC) as a solid reductant. The MC introduction not only can reduce the precursor CuCl2 to the active component CuCl, but also play a key role in improving the antioxidant performance of the adsorbent. The optimized adsorbent CuCl(5.0)@USY-MC(8%) exhibits an excellent antioxidant performance, maintaining 76% of CO adsorption capacity of fresh adsorbent after being placed in the air for 24 h. In addition, the adsorbent shows the high adsorption capacity, adsorption selectivity and good cycling stability for CO. The excellent CO adsorption performance as well as good antioxidant ability make the developed adsorbent a promising candidate for the efficient CO adsorption and separation from the gas mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ampelopsis grossedentata (vine tea), a high polyphenol content antioxidant plant resource, is renowned for its medicinal benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ampelopsis grossedentata extract (AGE) on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ability, enhancement of intestinal immunity, improvement of intestinal structure, and regulation of gut microbiota in swine. Methods: A total of 135 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a low-dose group, and a high-dose group. Pigs were weighed and blood was collected on days 36, 85, and 154. The feed intake was recorded daily to calculate growth performance parameters. On day 154, five to six pigs in each group were randomly selected and euthanized to obtain a small intestine to investigate the effects of AGE on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities and gut microbiota. Results: The results showed that 500 mg/kg AGE increased the expression of anti-inflammatory and immune cytokines (IL-10, IgG, and IgA) (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) and decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β) (p < 0.05) in serum. Additionally, 500 mg/kg AGE enhanced the antioxidant capacity by increasing the GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Discussion: A total of 500mg/kg AGE significantly increased the abundance of gut microbiota, enhanced the gut barrier, and modulated gut immunity. During the piglet phase, 500mg/kg AGE increased the relative abundance of Prevotella (p <0.05). During the growing-finishing phase, 500mg/kg AGE increased the relative abundance of unclassified&lowbar;f&lowbar;&lowbar;Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroides (p <0.05, p <0.01). Overall, we recommended 500mg/kg AGE as a routine addition dose for swine to improve porcine growth performance and intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lamb fattening is the main production model of mutton sheep farming because it can produce high-quality meat. In order to meet the requirements of nutrients, the fattening lambs are often provided a high-concentrate diet for maintaining productivity. However, during the lamb period, the functions of the immune and digestive organs are relatively low. Long-term feeding of a high-concentrate diet further aggravates the damage to the gastrointestinal tracts and the oxidative stress of lambs. Thus, alleviating oxidative stress and promoting healthy growth of fattening lambs are of great significance in the intensive feeding of the mutton sheep industry. Our experiment studied the effects of tannin supplementation on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, apparent digestibility, and serum antioxidant and immune indexes in fattening lambs fed a high-concentrate diet. The results of this study indicate that tannin can be used as an effective additive to improve immunity and antioxidant ability in fattening lambs. This experiment aimed to study the effects of tannin supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation characteristics, apparent digestibility and serum biochemistry, and antioxidant and immune indexes in fattening lambs. A total of 36 male Hu sheep lambs (body weight = 15.83 ± 0.48 kg and days of age = 55 ± 2 d) were fed a high-concentrate diet and randomly divided into one of three groups of 12 animals each: control with no tannin (CON) and tannin treatments (TA1, 3 g/d per lamb; TA2, 6 g/d per lamb). The feeding experiment lasted for 60 d. The results showed that the average daily gain and ruminal propionate content of lambs in the TA1 group were higher (p < 0.05) than those in the CON group. Lambs fed tannin had significantly increased (p < 0.05) microbial protein and decreased (p < 0.05) ammonia nitrogen concentrations in the rumen. In addition, the crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the TA2 group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) as compared with the TA1 and CON groups, respectively. The serum concentrations of triglyceride, immunoglobulin A, and catalase and the total antioxidant capacity were higher (p < 0.05) in the TA1 group that those in the CON group, whereas an opposite trend of urea nitrogen, interleukin-1β, and malondialdehyde was found between the two groups. Also, tannin supplementation increased (p < 0.05) Lactobacillus and decreased (p < 0.05) Salmonella counts in the feces of lambs. Taken together, tannin supplementation can improve the growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant ability of fattening lambs fed a high-concentrate diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeromonas hydrophila is an important etiologic agent, triggering an increased trend of disease outbreak in fish farming. In this investigation, we evaluated pathological response in the midgut and liver of three types of grass carps after gut infection. Severe pathological levels of tissue necrosis were observed in common grass carp (GC) and gynogenetic grass carp (GGC), but mild pathological symptom was detected in hybrid grass carp (DRGC), along with the dramatically increased number of goblet cells. Moreover, three types of grass carps showed upregulated levels of immune gene patterns and antioxidant abilities, whereas inflammatory cytokine expression levels in hybrid grass carp (DRGC) were lower than that of gynogenetic grass carp (GGC) and common grass carp (GC). These results suggested that DRGC may exhibit a disease tolerance against A. hydrophila-induced tissue inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing awareness of health, more people have shown a preference for low-alcohol beverages. Seeking various methods to improve the quality of kiwi wine is now a major research interest in the wine industry. In this study, kiwi wine was fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and different non-Saccharomyces strains (Torulaspora delbrueckii, Kluyveromyces thermotolerans, Pichia fermentans) in three methods (pure fermentation, simultaneous, and sequential co-fermentation). The physicochemical characteristics, color parameters, phenolic profiles, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activities, organic acids, and taste sense of the different wines were evaluated to determine the effects of different yeasts and fermentation methods on the quality of the kiwi wine. Results indicated that co-fermentation reduced the contents of alcohol while enhancing the lightness of the kiwi wine. The TPC of sequential co-fermentation with K. thermotolerans/S. cerevisiae was significantly higher than that of their simultaneous co-fermentation. Compared to K. thermotolerans/S. cerevisiae, the antioxidant activities were increased by co-fermentation of T. delbrueckii/S. cerevisiae and P. fermentans/S. cerevisiae. Principal component analysis showed that kiwi wines fermented by different yeasts and inoculation methods could be separated and grouped. Correlation analysis presented positive correlations of phenolic composition, antioxidant activities, and color intensity. This study provided theoretical guidance for co-fermentation of non-Saccharomyces/S. cerevisiae and accelerated the industrialization process of kiwi wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the increasing demands for higher-value and nutrient-rich vegetables, this work aims to investigate whether molecular hydrogen (H2)-based irrigation, in the form of hydrogen nanobubble water (HNW), could improve yield and quality of Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.). Field trials showed that compared to surface water (SW) irrigation (control group), HNW irrigation significantly increased Chinese cabbage yield by 32.70 ± 12.15%, and the single plant weight, height, the maximum leaf length and width were also significantly increased. Higher nutritional value, including the increased contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein, mineral nutrients (P, Fe, Zn, and Cu), and secondary metabolites (total carotenoids, proanthocyanidins, phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid), as well as decreased nitrate content and higher antioxidant capability (assessed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP values) were also observed. Molecular evidence further revealed that the expressions of genes related to Fe, Zn, and P absorption as well as ascorbic acid biosynthesis were obviously up-regulated, consistent with changes in Fe, Zn, P, and ascorbic acid accumulation achieved after HNW irrigation. These results clearly suggested that HNW might have a practical value in improving yield and quality of horticultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate the effect of feed supplementation with coenzyme Q10 on Micropterus Salmoides growth, body composition, antioxidant capacity, and serum and liver antioxidant enzyme activity under low oxygen stress.Three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated,400g/kg fish meal control (F0), 200 g/kg fish meal control (F1), 200 g/kg fish meal + 50 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 (F2). The diets were fed to M. salmoides with the initial body weight of (5.00±0.02) g for 56 daysHypoxic stress at 3-4 mg/L was performed 1 week after the end of the experiment and sampled for analysis.The results showed as follows: Compared with the control group F1, WG, SGR and FW supplemented with 50mg/kg coenzyme Q10 were significantly increased (P<0.05). The highest crude protein was 50 mg/kg coenzyme Q10. Fish water and crude fat content were not significantly different between groups (P>0.05). The serum of AST supplemented with coenzyme Q10 was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum GSH-Px, GSH and CAT activities in the 50 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 group were higher than the control group F1 (P>0.05), and the serum MDA content was significantly lower than the high fish meal control group F0 (P<0.05). Under low-oxygen stress conditions, significantly increased serum GSH-Px and CAT activity supplemented with co‐enzyme Q10 (P<0.05), GSH-Px and CAT activity with 50 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 were the highest in liver compared with other experimental groups.The cortisol content of 50 mg/kg Coenzyme Q10 was significantly lower than that of F0 group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 50 mg/kg Coenzyme Q10 to the feed can promote the growth performance of M. salmoides, improve the antioxidant capacity of the body and the anti stress capacity under hypoxia stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The aim of the study was to determine changes in the physicochemical and rheological properties, antioxidant activity and sensory attributes of stirred yogurts containing hawthorn composite (HC). Materials and methods. In this study, the peel and pulp of hawthorn were used to obtain a composite which was incorporated into stirred yogurts in different concentrations (0.0 to 0.5% w/w) coded as Y0, Y0.1, Y0.3 and Y0.5. Acidification kinetics during yogurt production were evaluated, as well as sensory attributes at day 5 of storage, antioxidant capacity, physicochemical and rheological properties at days 1 and 21. Results. Addition of 0.5% HC decreased the fermentation time from 8 (Y0) to 5.80 h (Y0.5). The incorporation of HC generated higher protein, ash, and fiber concentrations in the yogurts. The syneresis of the yogurts with added HC decreased by 18.0% compared to Y0. The flow behavior of the yogurts was described by the Ellis model (R2 = 0.99), where η0 and λ exhibited higher values as the HC concentration increased. The highest percentage of inhibition was 53 ±1.50 % (Y0.5), and the lowest was 39.57 ±0.62 % (Y0), maintaining antioxidant activity at the end of storage. Yogurts Y0.1 and Y0.3 obtained an overall acceptability of 3.92 ±0.79 and 4.12 ±0.72 on a 5-point scale. Conclusion. These results suggest that hawthorn composite (HC) can serve as a functional ingredient in fermented dairy products such as stirred yogurt. The addition of HC reduced total fermentation time and improved the yogurt's physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ß-sitosterol, as the most abundant phytosterol, has been shown to exert multiple biological roles in in vitro and in vivo animal studies. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is an economical freshwater-farmed species widely cultivated in China due to its nutritious and delicious meat. This study investigated the effects of dietary ß-sitosterol supplementation on largemouth bass farming. In the study, largemouth bass were fed with five levels of ß-sitosterol (0, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg) supplementation in a commercial feed for four weeks. The growth performance, antioxidant ability, intestinal structure, immune-related gene expression, and resistance to pathogens such as Aeromonas hydrophila and largemouth bass virus (LMBRaV) were detected. The results revealed that ß-sitosterol supplementation in feed increased the weight gain rate of largemouth bass, with 40 mg/kg supplementation displaying the best effect. The serum biochemical indices all showed an increase, including glucose and alkaline phosphatase. The intestinal villus length and muscularis propria thickness also increased, accompanied by elevated digestive enzyme activities, which promoted digestion and absorption of nutrients. Meanwhile, the levels of total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in serum decreased, indicating reduced liver damage. In addition, ß-sitosterol supplementation effectively enhanced the antioxidant capacity of largemouth bass by decreasing malondialdehyde and elevating superoxide dismutase. Immune-related gene expression also changed. Pathogen infection tests revealed that ß-sitosterol supplementation in feed had a certain protective effect against infection in largemouth bass, with the protection rate against A. hydrophila being higher than LMBRaV. The 40 mg/kg ß-sitosterol supplementation group exhibited the best results. Collectively, the results revealed that the ß-sitosterol can promote growth, improve enzyme activity, stimulate intestinal digestion, increase immune gene expression, and induce disease resistance in largemouth bass, with the optimal supplementation dosage being 40 mg/kg. ß-sitosterol might be an excellent feed additive in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cordyceps sinensis is a rare and endangered medicinal herb in China and a typical medicinal and food plant. Most of the research related to Cordyceps sinensis focuses on its pharmacological effects, artificial cultivation and clinical applications. However, there are few comprehensive evaluations on the quality of Cordyceps sinensis under different drying methods. In this study, the effects of vacuum freeze-drying (DG), oven-drying (HG) and air-drying (YG) on the morphological characteristics, microstructure, antioxidant activity and metabolites of Cordyceps sinensis were investigated using wild Cordyceps sinensis as the research object. The results showed that in their appearance and morphology, the YG- and HG-method Cordyceps sinensis samples were darker in color and wilted, while the DG- method Cordyceps sinensis samples were golden yellow in color and had better fullness. In terms of microstructure, the stomata of the YG and HG method Cordyceps sinensis samples were relatively small and irregularly shaped, whereas those of the DG method Cordyceps sinensis samples were larger and neat. In terms of antioxidant capacity, the HG-method samples were the lowest, followed by the YG group, and the DG group had the highest total antioxidant capacity. A correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between antioxidant capacity and lipids, lipid molecules, nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogs. A metabolomics analysis identified 1937 metabolites from 18 superclasses, with lipids, lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, organoheterocyclic compounds, and organic oxygen compounds being the predominant metabolites in Cordyceps sinensis. Differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in DG samples showed higher levels of lipids and lipid molecules, organic oxygen compounds, organic acids and derivatives, and organoheterocyclic compounds compared to the other drying methods, suggesting DG as the optimal preservation method for Cordyceps sinensis. These findings offer insights for selecting appropriate drying methods and maintaining the post-drying quality of Cordyceps sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose oxidase (GOD) has been investigated as a potential additive for enhancing intestinal health and growth performance in poultry. However, limited research exists on the effects of ultra-high doses of GOD in practical poultry production. This study aimed to investigate the impact of high dietary GOD levels on broiler growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota. A total of 400 healthy, 1-day-old, slow-growing broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. The control group was fed a standard basal diet, while the other groups (G1, G2, and G3) were fed the basal diet supplemented with 4 U/g, 20 U/g, and 100 U/g of VTR GOD, respectively. The results showed that a dose of 100 U/g GOD significantly improved the final body weight and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p

The objective of current experiment was to study the potential influence of hydrolysable tannin supplementation on slaughter performance, meat quality, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant ability and barrier function in fattening lambs. In total, 36 male Hu sheep lambs with similar body weight (15.83 ± 0.48 kg) and days in age (55 ± 2 d) were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 12 animals each: control without tannin (CON) and tannin supplementation groups (TA1, 3 g/d per lamb; TA2, 6 g/d per lamb). All the lambs were reared in individual hutches, and the experiment lasted for 60 d. On d 61, 8 lambs from each group were randomly selected to slaughter. Results showed that the serum diamine oxidase and lipopolysaccharide contents of TA2 group were higher (p

Marine macroalgae are of broad interest because of their abundant bioactive phenolic compounds. However, only a few previous studies have focused on bound phenolic compounds. In this study, there were significant differences in total phenolic content, total phlorotannin content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant ability in free and bound forms, as well as in their bound-to-free ratios, among 11 marine macroalgal species from the South China Sea. Padina gymnospora had the highest total phenolic content of free fractions, and total phlorotannin content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of free fractions. Sargassum thunbergii had the highest total phlorotannin content of bound fractions, whereas Sargassum oligocystum had the highest total flavonoid content and total phenolic content of bound fractions. Moreover, 15 phenolic acids, 35 flavonoids, 2 stilbenes, 3 bromophenols, and 3 phlorotannins were characterized and quantified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with Xevo triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, and 42 phenolic compounds were reported in the bound fractions of seaweeds for the first time. Among the species, the number and amount of free and bound phenolic compounds varied greatly and the main components were different. Padina gymnospora had the largest total phenolic number, while Turbinaria ornata showed the highest total phenolic amount. Coutaric acid and diosmetin were dominant in Sargassum polycystum, and hinokiflavone was dominant in Caulerpa lentillifera, and cyanidin was dominant in the other seaweeds. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to divide the seaweed species into seven groups. This study revealed that Padina gymnospora, Sargassum thunbergii, Turbinaria ornata, and Sargassum oligocystum are promising functional food resources.

In this study, foodborne microorganisms capable of fermenting and decomposing soy proteins were screened, and molecular weight analysis was performed for the peptides produced during decomposition. Subsequently, oligopeptides were obtained via isolation and purification, and their antioxidant activities were studied. The experiment results showed that a PZ1 strain was isolated from homemade kimchi and identified as Lactococcus lactis based on morphology and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Whole genome analysis showed that the PZ1 strain contained a variety of peptidases and protease genes that had the potential to decompose proteins. Soybean proteins were then fermented by PZ1, and the polypeptides produced during fermentation were analyzed via gel permeation chromatography, revealing that 85% of polypeptides had a molecular weight below 1000 Da. The oligopeptides with molecular weight 300～1000 Da were obtained via ultrafiltration purification, and their antioxidant activity was studied. The oligopeptides demonstrated a good scavenging effect on DPPH, hydroxyl (·OH), and superoxide anion (O2−·) radicals, at an oligopeptide concentration of 2 mg/mL, the clearance rates were 79.31%, 78.27%, and 84.62%, respectively. Therefore, L. lactis PZ1 could degrade soybean protein efficiently and could be used as a probiotic for developing functional soybean products.

Increasing soil cadmium (Cd) contamination is a serious threat to human food health and safety. In order to reduce Cd uptake and Cd toxicity in silage maize, hydroponic tests were conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous Cd on the toxicity of silage maize in this study. In the study, a combination of Cd (5, 20, 50, 80, and 10 μM) treatments was applied in a hydroponic system. With increasing Cd concentration, Cd significantly inhibited the total root length (RL), root surface area (SA), root volume (RV), root tip number (RT), and branching number (RF) of maize seedlings, which were reduced by 28.1 to 71.3%, 20.2 to 64.9%, 11.2 to 56.5%, 43.7 to 63.4%, and 38.2 to 72.6%, respectively. The excessive Cd accumulation inhibited biomass accumulation and reduced silage maize growth, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll content and activated the antioxidant systems, including increasing lipid peroxidation and stimulating catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), but reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in the root. Besides, selenium (Se) significantly decreased the Cd concentration of the shoot and root by 27.1% and 35.1% under Cd50, respectively. Our results reveal that exogenously applied Cd reduced silage maize growth and impaired photosynthesis. Whereas silage maize can tolerate Cd by increasing the concentration of ascorbate and glutathione and activating the antioxidant defense system, the application of exogenous selenium significantly reduced the content of Cd in silage maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment investigated the effects of seleiiium-enriched mealworm powder on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices, carcass performance, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 72 healthy pigs (Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire), weighing about 21 kg, were randomly divided into three groups, with six replicates in each group and four pigs per replicate. The control group was fed with a basal diet, and the 0.1% group and 0.2% group were supplemented with 1 kg/t and 2 kg/t of selenium-enrich mealworm powder in the basal feed, respectively. The experiment lasted for 17 weeks. The results showed that compared with the control group, 0.1% selenium-enriched mealworm powder to the diet could significantly increase the average daily gain of growing-finishing pigs (P<0.05). 0.2% selenium-enriched mealworm powder could significantly increase serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) content, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities (jB<0.05), while significantly decreasing serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content in pigs (P<0.05). 0.1% and 0.2% selenium-enriched mealworm powder could increase the concentrations of intramuscular fat, selenium, linoleic acid, a -linoleic acid, arachidic acid, eicosenoic acid, and eicosadienoic acid in the longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs (2k0.05). The results show that dietary supplementation with selenium-enriched mealworm powder can improve growth performance, immunity, antioxidant ability, and the nutritional value of meat in growing-finishing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions among small molecular functional components (FCTs) within a food matrix have become a focal point for enhancing their stability and bioactivities. Jiuzao glutelin (JG) is a mixed plant protein within Jiuzao (a protein-rich baijiu distillation by-product). This study aimed to explore the interactions between JG and selected FCTs, including resveratrol (RES), quercetin (QUE), curcumin (CUR), and azelaic acid (AZA), and the consequential impact on stability and antioxidant activity of the complexes. The findings conclusively demonstrated that the interactions between JG and the FCTs significantly enhanced the storage stability of the complexes. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the complexes exhibited improvement compared to their individual counterparts. This study underscores the notion that JG and FCTs mutually reinforce, exerting positive effects on stability and antioxidant activity. This symbiotic relationship can be strategically employed to augment the quality of proteins and enhance the functional properties of bioactive components through these interactions.

Recent studies have witnessed that chemical modification can improve the physicochemical and functional properties of plants' polysaccharides. Herein, we modified the natural Lycium barbarum seed dreg polysaccharides (LBSDPs) by sulfation (S-LBSDPs), phosphorylation (P-LBSDPs), and carboxymethylation (C-LBSDPs), and evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of their derivatives. Natural polysaccharides and their derivatives exhibited typical polysaccharide absorption peaks and characteristic group absorption peaks in FT-IR spectra along with maximum UV absorption. After modification, the total sugar and protein contents of the derivatives were decreased, whereas the uronic acid content was increased. Among the three derivatives, sulfated polysaccharides displayed excellent thermal stability. S-LBSDP and P-LBSDP showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging and reducing power while S-LBSDPs and C-LBSDPs showed better DPPH radical scavenging effect, and P-LBSDPs showed considerable Fe2+ chelating ability. Our data indicate that chemical modifications can impart a positive effect on the antioxidant potential of plant-derived polysaccharides.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide (AOP) supplementation on broilers’ growth performance and antioxidant function. A total of 288 1-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly divided into 6 groups with 6 replicates each (n = 8). The groups contained a control diet group (basal diet, CON), an antibiotic diet group (basal diet + 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline, CTC) and AOP diet groups (basal diet containing 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg/kg AOP, respectively). The experiment included starter phase (days 1–21) and grower phase (days 22–42). The results showed that adding 750 mg/kg AOP increased the average daily gain (ADG), decreased feed/gain (F/G). Adding 500–1000 mg/kg AOP in the diet of broilers increased the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in spleen, liver and small intestine (P

This study investigated the batch stability of egg white peptides (EWPs) during the enzymatic hydrolysis process, and confirmed the potential application of four crucial four peptides inoxidative damage repair. The results revealed that different batches of EWPs had good stability relating to antioxidant activity. With a similar sequence to confirmed antioxidant peptides, four EWPs (QMDDFE, WDDDPTD, DEPDPL, and FKDEDTQ) were identified withhigh repetition rates, and their potential to repair oxidative damage was investigated. Network pharmacology results showed that these four peptides could regulate the targets related to oxidative damage. Enrichment results demonstrated that these four peptides could influence the targets and pathways related to glutathione transferase activity (enrichment score: 148.0) and glutathione metabolism (p value: 9.22 × 10−10). This study could provide evidence for the batch stability of hydrolyzed prepared EWPs, and offer theoretical support for the development of antioxidant damage ingredients derived from foods.

Recent studies have shown that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), as an effective antioxidant, could attenuate the oxidative damage, inflammation and necrosis in the liver in response to oxidative stress. The present study investigated whether oral administration of EGCG could effectively alleviate the hepatic histopathological changes and oxidative damage in yellow-feathered broilers induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Broilers were exposed to 600 μmol t-BHP/kg body weight (BW) to induce oxidative stress by intraperitoneal injection every five days, followed by oral administration of different doses of EGCG (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg BW) and 20 mg vitamin E (VE)/kg BW every day during 5–21 days of age. The results showed that t-BHP injection decreased (p < 0.05) body weight and the relative weight of the spleen; the enzyme activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD); and gene mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), CAT, SOD1, SOD2 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACACA); as well as increased (p < 0.05) necrosis formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, reactive oxygen species (ROS)accumulation, and peroxisome proliferator activates receptor-α (PPARα) mRNA expression in the liver of yellow-feathered female broilers at 21 days of age. Treatment with 60 mg EGCG/kg BW orally could enhance antioxidant enzyme activities and reverse the hepatic damage induced by t-BHP injection by reducing the accumulation of ROS and MDA in the liver and activating the Nrf2 and PPARα pathways related to the induction of antioxidant gene expression (p < 0.05). In conclusion, intraperitoneal injection of t-BHP impaired body growth and induced hepatic ROS accumulation, which destroyed the antioxidant system and led to oxidative damage in the liver of yellow-feathered broilers from 5 to 21 days of age. It is suggested that EGCG may play an antioxidant role through the Nrf2 and PPARα signaling pathways to effectively protect against t-BHP-induced hepatic oxidative damage in broilers, and the appropriate dose was 60 mg EGCG/kg BW by oral administration.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as the third gasotransmitter could regulate many physiological processes such as growth and stress responses in plants. However, few studies focused on H2S affecting cell differentiation and secondary metabolism of suspension cells. In this study, we investigated the impact of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 mM) as H2S-donor at different time points on cell differentiation, antioxidant capacity, and accumulation of flavonoids (Fla) and terpene lactones (Lac) in Ginkgo biloba L. suspension cells. Results showed that distinct asymmetric division with a large and a small cell appeared in suspension cells under three NaHS treatments. Especially, the cells became enlarged, rounded and compact, and resembled embryonic cell mass in treated 3.0 mM. The 0.5 and 1.0 mM NaHS treatments efficiently promoted the growth, enhanced the enzyme activities such as SOD, POD, PAL, and 4CL (4-coumarate-Coenzyme A ligase), etc., as well as increased the levels of chlorophyll, carotenoid, AsA (Ascorbic acid), and total Fla or Lac in suspension cells. The best treatment was 1.0 mM treated for 4 or 7 days, and total Fla and Lac increased by 18.7% (4d) and 76.1% (7d) compared with the control, respectively. The high dose (3.0 mM) of NaHS treatment for 7 days restrained cells growth by decreasing photosynthetic pigments levels, and enhanced lipid peroxidation by increasing MDA content (141.5%) and the relative electrical conductivity levels (82.9%) compared to the control. High-dose NaHS also inhibited the above enzyme activities and total Flc and Lac accumulations. However, short-term 3.0 mM NaHS treatment (1d) could increase total Fla and Lac levels. This study provided new insights into the cell differentiation and the production of secondary metabolites in cell culture of G. biloba. Key message: Hydrogen sulfide promoted cell differentiation and embryonic cell mass formation, antioxidant ability, and flavonoids accumulation in Ginkgo biloba suspension cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the functional properties of lactic yeast-fermented Tartary buckwheat sprout with passion and pineapple juice (Tatary buckwheat sprout juice). Pineapple and passion fruit were included during fermentation to improve the sensory and nutritional quality of the juice. We initially created a juice with Tartary buckwheat sprouts, and then fermented it with Lactobacillus plantarum and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to produce a novel fermented sprout juice. Our results indicated that the best organoleptic quality was achieved when the inoculum of Lactobacillus plantarum was 2%, the inoculum of yeast was 1%, and the fermentation time was 30 hours. The results showed that fermentation resulted in a 1.55-fold increase in the total amino acid content, with fresh sweet amino acids increasing by 1.75-fold and sour-bitter amino acids increasing by 1.33-fold. Additionally, the levels of acetic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid in the buckwheat sprout juice increased by 12.31%, 11.45%, 4.22%, and 3.88%, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed a significant increase of volatile flavoring substances, such as alcohols and esters, by more than 24.7% in the fermentation products. From the results, yeast-Lactobacillus fermentation process may effectively improve the nutritional values of Tartary buckwheat sprout juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to investigate the effects of different NFC/NDF ratios on the ruminal fermentation characteristics and serum biochemical indexes of mutton sheep under a corn straw diet. A total of 15 healthy, 50 kg mutton sheep fitted with permanent rumen fistula were seclected, the mutton sheep in the group I, group H, and group M were fed a total mixed diet feeding with NFC/NDF ratios of 0.65, 1.02, and 1.57, respectively. The pre-test period was 15 days, and the formal test period was seven days. The results showed that with the increase of NFC/NDF ratio, the rumen pH value decreased. However, the content of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in rumen liquid first increased and then decreased. With the increase of feeding time, bacterial protein (MCP) content first decreased and then increased. With the increase of NFC/NDF ratio, the total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) increased after 6 h. The concentration of serum total protein (TP) in the group I was significantly higher than that in other groups (P<0.05), while the concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and albumin (ALB) were significantly lower than that in other groups (P<0.05). The concentration of serum triglyceride (TG) in the group H was significantly higher than that in the group I (P<0.05), and the concentration of free fatty acid (NEFA) was significantly higher than that in other groups (P<0.05). The concentrations of serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and leptin (LEP) in the group M were significantly higher than those in other groups (P<0.05), the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was significantly higher than that in the group H (P<0.05), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly lower than that in other groups (P<0.05). The results showed that when NFC/NDF ratio was 1.02 in the corn straw diet mode, the rumen environment and the antioxidant level of mutton sheep could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brasenia schreberi is a widely consumed aquatic plant, yet the knowledge regarding its bioactive components, particularly polysaccharides, remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize the extraction process of polysaccharides from B. schreberi using the response surface method (RSM). Additionally, we characterized the polysaccharides using various methods and assessed their antioxidant capabilities both in vitro and in vivo, employing cell cultures and Caenorhabditis elegans. Furthermore, these polysaccharides were incorporated into a unique yogurt formulation. Our findings demonstrated that hot water extraction was the most suitable method for extracting polysaccharides from B. schreberi, yielding samples with high sugar content, significant antioxidant capacity, and a well-defined spatial structure. Moreover, pectinase was employed for polysaccharide digestion, achieving an enzymolysis rate of 10.02% under optimized conditions using RSM. Notably, the results indicated that these polysaccharides could protect cells from oxidative stress by reducing apoptosis. Surprisingly, at a concentration of 250 μg/mL, the polysaccharides significantly increased the survival rate of C. elegans from 31.05% to 82.3%. Further qPCR results revealed that the polysaccharides protected C. elegans by up-regulating the daf-16 gene and down-regulating mTOR and insulin pathways, demonstrating remarkable antioxidant abilities. Upon addition to the yogurt, the polysaccharides significantly enhanced the water retention, viscosity, and viability of lactic acid bacteria. These outcomes underscore the potential of polysaccharides from B. schreberi as a valuable addition to novel yogurt formulations, thereby providing additional theoretical support for the utilization of B. schreberi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trace element selenium (Se) plays a key role in development and various physiological processes, mainly through its transformation into selenoproteins. To investigate the developmental patterns of Se content and expression of selenoproteins, the liver and longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle of Duroc pigs were collected at 1, 21, 80, and 185 days of age (7 pigs each age) for the determination of Se content, mRNA expression of selenoproteins, and concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR or TXNRD), and selenoprotein P (SELP). The results showed that age significantly affected the expression of GPX1, GPX2, GPX3, TXNRD1, TXNRD2, TXNRD3, iodothyronine deiodinases 2 (DIO2), DIO3, SELF, SELH, SELM, SELP, SELS, SELW, and selenophosphate synthetase2 (SPS2) in the liver, as well as GPX3, GPX4, TXNRD1, TXNRD2, DIO2, DIO3, SELF, SELN, SELP, SELR, SELS, and SELW in the LD muscle of Duroc pigs. The concentrations of GPX, TrxR, and SELP showed an increasing trend with age, and they were positively correlated with Se content at 1, 21, and 185 days of age and negatively correlated at 80 days of age, both in the liver and LD muscle. The Se content decreased at the age of 80 days, especially in the LD muscle. In summary, our study revealed developmental changes in Se content and expression of selenoproteins in the liver and LD muscle of Duroc pigs at different growth stages, which provided a theoretical basis for further study of Se nutrition and functions of selenoproteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics and their secondary metabolites are commonly found in aquatic ecosystems, leading to the passive exposure of many aquatic animals to low doses of antibiotics, which can affect their health. However, there is limited information available on how to mitigate the side effects of antibiotics on normal aquatic animals. This study aimed to investigate the potential of dietary β-glucan to alleviate the side effects induced by antibiotics in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) (0.37 ± 0.02 g). A six-week feeding trial was conducted with four dietary treatments including a control, 1 g/kg β-glucan (β-glucan), 50 mg/kg oxytetracycline (OTC), and a combination of 50 mg/kg OTC and 1 g/kg β-glucan (Mix) groups. At the end of the trial, the growth performance, intestinal microbial composition, antioxidant capacity, and immune response of the shrimp were assessed. There were no significant differences in growth performance among the groups, but the condition factor of the shrimp in the Mix group was significantly decreased when compared to the control and β-glucan groups. The activities of hepatopancreas catalase (CAT) and serum phenol oxidase in the OTC group were significantly lower than those in the control group. On the other hand, the activities of hepatopancreas superoxide dismutase and CAT enzymes in the β-glucan group were significantly higher than those in the OTC group. The supplementation of β-glucan in combination with antibiotics significantly increased the CAT activity and bacteriolytic activity compared to the OTC and control groups, respectively. Moreover, an analysis of the intestinal microbiota revealed that the Observed_species estimator in the Mix group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Dietary antibiotics significantly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria at the phylum level, but the Mix group showed no significant difference. The supplementation of β-glucan in combination with antibiotics also significantly increased the relative abundance of Meridianimaribacter compared to the control group. Additionally, the synergistic influence of β-glucan with antibiotics increased the beta diversity of intestinal microbiotas. These findings suggest that the supplementation of β-glucan in combination with antibiotics on Pacific white shrimp can alleviate the low antioxidant capacity and immune response caused by antibiotics while enhancing the intestinal microbial composition. This provides a potential solution to mitigate the negative impacts of antibiotics in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differences in the response of the leaves of different bamboo types to sudden snowfalls in winter were analyzed in order to provide scientific references for the introduction and cultivation of cold-resistant bamboo species and to provide new theoretical information on bamboo afforestation and disaster reduction. A total of nine bamboo species were selected to analyze the physiological and chemical changes in the leaves caused by a sudden snowfall. The results showed that sudden snowfall in winter led to a decrease in the moisture, soluble sugar, and starch contents in the leaves of all of the bamboo species analyzed, but there were increases in the contents of proline, MDA, and H2O2 and in the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG. Both the enzymatic activities (SOD, POD, CAT, APX, DHAR, GPX, and GR) and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents (AsA and GSH) were increased after the snowfall, which indicated that the sudden snowfall caused an increase in the antioxidant abilities in the leaves of all bamboo species analyzed. Different bamboo species adopted different strategies for resisting the freezing damage caused by the sudden snowfall. The prevention and mitigation of snow disasters in winter can be scientifically carried out in bamboo forests according to their tolerance abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee is a popular hobby beverage with a unique flavor, while its quality has been affected by several reported factors, including the particle size and shape of the ground coffee, the contact time between the ground coffee and the water, the direction of the water flow, and other issues related to post-processing equipment. This study investigated the direction and stability of water flow in three types of coffee filter cups during coffee extraction using three different grind sizes while also evaluating the effects of physicochemical properties (including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), color, and antioxidant abilities) and bioactivities (total phenols content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and trigonelline) contents extracted from coffee. This study showed that pour-over coffee preparation using fine-ground coffee resulted in high TDS content (780–799 ppm) in all filter cups, while a filter cup of prime filter type II (PF2) with medium-ground coffee yielded similar results (790 ppm). In addition, the optimum TDS content and color appearance were obtained using a ground coffee (14 g) to water (270 g) ratio to prepare pour-over coffee. Taken together, this study indicated that the use of PF2 filter cups has satisfactory performance in terms of flow direction and stability. Moreover, the pour-over coffee produced by PF2 filter cups allows the realization of high-quality and high-bioactive substance content of the coffee under the constraints arising from using the same commercial coffee beans.

This experiment aimed to study the effects of tannin supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation characteristics, apparent digestibility and serum biochemistry, and antioxidant and immune indexes in fattening lambs. A total of 36 male Hu sheep lambs (body weight = 15.83 ± 0.48 kg and days of age = 55 ± 2 d) were fed a high-concentrate diet and randomly divided into one of three groups of 12 animals each: control with no tannin (CON) and tannin treatments (TA1, 3 g/d per lamb; TA2, 6 g/d per lamb). The feeding experiment lasted for 60 d. The results showed that the average daily gain and ruminal propionate content of lambs in the TA1 group were higher (p < 0.05) than those in the CON group. Lambs fed tannin had significantly increased (p < 0.05) microbial protein and decreased (p < 0.05) ammonia nitrogen concentrations in the rumen. In addition, the crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the TA2 group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) as compared with the TA1 and CON groups, respectively. The serum concentrations of triglyceride, immunoglobulin A, and catalase and the total antioxidant capacity were higher (p < 0.05) in the TA1 group that those in the CON group, whereas an opposite trend of urea nitrogen, interleukin-1β, and malondialdehyde was found between the two groups. Also, tannin supplementation increased (p < 0.05) Lactobacillus and decreased (p < 0.05) Salmonella counts in the feces of lambs. Taken together, tannin supplementation can improve the growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant ability of fattening lambs fed a high-concentrate diet.

With the increasing awareness of health, more people have shown a preference for low-alcohol beverages. Seeking various methods to improve the quality of kiwi wine is now a major research interest in the wine industry. In this study, kiwi wine was fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and different non-Saccharomyces strains (Torulaspora delbrueckii, Kluyveromyces thermotolerans, Pichia fermentans) in three methods (pure fermentation, simultaneous, and sequential co-fermentation). The physicochemical characteristics, color parameters, phenolic profiles, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activities, organic acids, and taste sense of the different wines were evaluated to determine the effects of different yeasts and fermentation methods on the quality of the kiwi wine. Results indicated that co-fermentation reduced the contents of alcohol while enhancing the lightness of the kiwi wine. The TPC of sequential co-fermentation with K. thermotolerans/S. cerevisiae was significantly higher than that of their simultaneous co-fermentation. Compared to K. thermotolerans/S. cerevisiae, the antioxidant activities were increased by co-fermentation of T. delbrueckii/S. cerevisiae and P. fermentans/S. cerevisiae. Principal component analysis showed that kiwi wines fermented by different yeasts and inoculation methods could be separated and grouped. Correlation analysis presented positive correlations of phenolic composition, antioxidant activities, and color intensity. This study provided theoretical guidance for co-fermentation of non-Saccharomyces/S. cerevisiae and accelerated the industrialization process of kiwi wine.

Astaxanthin is an efficient nutrition strategy to relieve oxidative stress and enhance crustacean body color. Because of technological and economic benefits, synthetic astaxanthin is favored by the aquatic feed industry. However, whether synthetic astaxanthin can achieve the effects of natural astaxanthin needs further investigation. Here, we evaluated the effects of synthetic astaxanthin and natural astaxanthin (dietary supplementation with Haematococcus pluvialis and Phaffia rhodozyma) on the growth performance, body color, fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon). Compared with the control group (no astaxanthin supplementation), only synthetic astaxanthin significantly increased the weight gain rate (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR), together with the elevation of feed efficiency ratio (FER). All three types of astaxanthin enhanced body color by increasing astaxanthin deposition. The highest value of (a*) in the carapace and muscle occurred in the synthetic astaxanthin group. Synthetic astaxanthin significantly increased the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) contents in muscle. As expected, different sources of astaxanthin inhibited glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities in the hemolymph and decreased the contents of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hepatopancreas. Correspondingly, the structure of hepatopancreas was enhanced by astaxanthin. In addition, three types of astaxanthin almost indistinguishably enhanced the ability of shrimps to resist stress caused by transportation simulation. In conclusion, these results indicate that dietary synthetic astaxanthin has a better effect than natural astaxanthin on growth promotion, body color enhancement and n-3 PUFA deposition in muscle of black tiger prawn. Hence, synthetic astaxanthin is a suitable feed additive to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the shrimp industry.

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Fraxinus excelsior L. and Eschscholtzia californica Cham. mother tinctures against a range of foodborne bacteria were investigated to determine the major components and to analyse the action spectrum and antimicrobial effectiveness of the extracts. Results demonstrated a significant antioxidant activity of Fraxinus excelsior L. and a lower activity of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. and a good chemical phenolic composition with the highest content of flavonoids. The Fraxinus excelsior L. and Eschscholtzia californica Cham. mother tinctures demonstrated a middle-high antimicrobial activity against, respectively, 66.67% and 43.33% of all tested bacteria. The inhibitory activity showed a moderate effect on the growth of the sensitive strains in presence of extracts minimum inhibitory concentration. The synergistic actions of bioactive compounds detected in the extracts might be on the basis of antioxidant and biological activities observed and should be used in pharmaceutical, food preservation, alternative medicine and natural therapies fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonatum sibiricum (P. sibiricum) and Polygonatum odoratum (P. odoratum) are commonly known Chinese herbal medicine sources. Although they had similar medical effects, the difference between these varieties was verified in this study. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was used to determine their chemical composition. P. sibiricum has seven chemical components, whereas P. odoratum has only five. Based on the DPPH radical scavenging activity analysis results, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of P. sibiricum and P. odoratum were 4.23 and 18.3 mg/mL, respectively. The results of ABTS+ radical scavenging activity analysis showed that the IC50 values of P. sibiricum and P. odoratum were 4.77 and 19.3 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, P. sibiricum had higher total phenolic content (10.0 mg of gallic acid / g of extract), and better reducing ability than P. odoratum. Again, P. sibiricum showed better tyrosinase inhibition ability than P. odoratum, and the IC50 values were 9.68 and 15.4 mg/mL, respectively. P. sibiricum was concluded to have better biofunctionality than P. odoratum.

Cordyceps sinensis is a rare and endangered medicinal herb in China and a typical medicinal and food plant. Most of the research related to Cordyceps sinensis focuses on its pharmacological effects, artificial cultivation and clinical applications. However, there are few comprehensive evaluations on the quality of Cordyceps sinensis under different drying methods. In this study, the effects of vacuum freeze-drying (DG), oven-drying (HG) and air-drying (YG) on the morphological characteristics, microstructure, antioxidant activity and metabolites of Cordyceps sinensis were investigated using wild Cordyceps sinensis as the research object. The results showed that in their appearance and morphology, the YG- and HG-method Cordyceps sinensis samples were darker in color and wilted, while the DG- method Cordyceps sinensis samples were golden yellow in color and had better fullness. In terms of microstructure, the stomata of the YG and HG method Cordyceps sinensis samples were relatively small and irregularly shaped, whereas those of the DG method Cordyceps sinensis samples were larger and neat. In terms of antioxidant capacity, the HG-method samples were the lowest, followed by the YG group, and the DG group had the highest total antioxidant capacity. A correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between antioxidant capacity and lipids, lipid molecules, nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogs. A metabolomics analysis identified 1937 metabolites from 18 superclasses, with lipids, lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, organoheterocyclic compounds, and organic oxygen compounds being the predominant metabolites in Cordyceps sinensis. Differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in DG samples showed higher levels of lipids and lipid molecules, organic oxygen compounds, organic acids and derivatives, and organoheterocyclic compounds compared to the other drying methods, suggesting DG as the optimal preservation method for Cordyceps sinensis. These findings offer insights for selecting appropriate drying methods and maintaining the post-drying quality of Cordyceps sinensis.

Simple Summary: As a growth-promoting additive, taurine has various physiological functions in aquatic animals. However, few studies have explored the effects of taurine intake on gastropod species' growth performance and other physiological metabolism. The present study evaluates the effects of different taurine supplementation levels (0.0% as control, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0%) on the growth performance, lipid composition, and antioxidant ability of juvenile ivory shells Babylonia areolata and obtains the optimum concentration of taurine for ivory shell culture. The results showed that (1) moderate taurine supplementation in an artificial diet (about 1.5–2.0%) could significantly improve the growth performance and antioxidant ability of ivory shells; (2) taurine supplementation could change the lipid composition of juvenile ivory shells; and (3) taurine supplementation could increase the expression of orexin and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and inhibit the expression of leptin and cholecyatoklnin. In this study, an eight-week feeding trial was performed to investigate the effects of different taurine supplementation levels (0.0% as control, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0%) on the growth performance, lipid composition, and antioxidant ability in juvenile ivory shells Babylonia areolata. The results showed that taurine supplementation significantly improved the specific growth rates (SGRs) and survival rates of ivory shell (except the survival rate in the 3.0% taurine diet group) (p < 0.05). The SGRs showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency with increasing dietary taurine supplementation, and the highest value was observed in the 2.0% taurine diet (2.60%/d). The taurine content in the muscle of ivory shells fed taurine-supplemented diets significantly increased when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The profiles of C22:2n6 in the muscle of ivory shells fed taurine-supplemented diets were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05), and the highest values were observed in the 2.0% taurine supplementation group. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content in the hepatopancreas showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency with increasing dietary taurine supplementation, while the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration showed a decreasing tendency. Furthermore, the activities of pepsin and lipase in both the intestine and hepatopancreas significantly increased at moderate taurine supplementation levels compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Accordingly, obvious increases in the histological parameters in the intestine of ivory shells fed taurine-supplemented diets were also found. As for the antioxidant ability, the activities of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency with increasing dietary taurine supplementation, and the highest values were observed in the 1.0% and 1.0–2.0% taurine supplementation groups, respectively; the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents significantly decreased with increasing dietary taurine supplementation (p < 0.05). The taurine intake affected the expression of four appetite-related genes in the hepatopancreas, in which orexin and NPY showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency, while leptin and cholecyatoklnin decreased with increasing dietary taurine supplementation. In conclusion, moderate taurine supplementation in an artificial diet (about 1.5–2.0%) could improve the growth performance and antioxidant ability and change the lipid composition of juvenile ivory shells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is susceptible to waterlogging stress. Although abundant wild germplasm resources exist among Actinidia plants for improving the waterlogging tolerance of kiwifruit cultivars, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, a comparative study was undertaken using one wild germplasm, Maorenshen (A. valvata Dunn, MRS), and one cultivar, Miliang-1 (A. chinensis var. deliciosa (A.Chev.) A.Chev. cv. Miliang-1, ML). Under stress, the ML plantlets were seriously damaged with wilted chlorotic leaves and blackened rotten roots, whereas the symptoms of injury in the MRS plantlets were much fewer, along with higher photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and root activity under stress conditions. However, neither aerenchyma in the root nor adventitious roots appeared in both germplasms upon stress exposure. The activities of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), as well as their transcript levels, were constitutively higher in MRS than those in ML under both normal and stress conditions. Waterlogging stress significantly enhanced the PDC and ADH enzyme activities in both germplasms, which were 60.8% and 22.4% higher in the MRS roots than those in the ML roots under waterlogging stress, respectively. Moreover, MRS displayed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, CAT, and APX, as well as DPPH-radical scavenging ability, and decreased H2O2 and MDA accumulation under both normal and stress conditions. Our findings suggest that the waterlogging tolerance of the wild A. valvata germplasm was associated with high PDC and ADH, as well as antioxidant ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fritillaria hupehensis (Hubeibeimu) widely grows in the mid-western zones of China. In the present work, we investigated the physicochemical compositions, antioxidant abilities, and thermal properties of the bulbs of F. hupehensis dehydrated by heat-pump drying (HD), vacuum drying (VD), natural drying (ND), freeze drying (FD), and microwave drying (MD). Total contents of nucleosides and nucleobases in F. hupehensis flours ranged from 727.64 to 1,654.25 µg/g, and total free amino acids ranged from 88.03 to 128.21 mg/g. FD flour had high contents of total nucleosides and nucleobases, and free amino acids. MD flour had low contents of total starch, amylose, protein, nucleosides and nucleobases, and VB1 and VB2, and high levels of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant abilities. Furthermore, MD flour facilitated gelatinisation, while FD flour displayed opposite trend. HD flour had high total starch content, while ND flour weakened the bitter taste due to the percentage of sweet and bitter taste of amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study aimed at determining the changes in physicochemical characteristics and lipid concomitant of rapeseed oil during germination. Rapeseeds of two varieties, namely Shanyou 28 (Sy 28) and Qinyou 10 (Qy 10), were germinated. Oil was obtained by roasting, pressing and moderate refinement. The germination of 12–48 h led to a reduction in acid value, and 24–72 h led to a decrease in peroxide value. α‐Tocopherol content increased consistently throughout the entire period, increasing to 2.96‐ and 2.50‐fold at the end of germination. In the germination process of 36–72 h, β‐sitosterol, campesterol and brassicasterol content increased gradually. At 72 h, the total phytosterol content rose modestly (1884.02–2071.55 and 1743.96–2691.72 mg kg−1). Carotenoid content increased dramatically (5.81–12.68 and 2.54–12.35 mg kg−1). An increase occurred in unsaturated fatty acids from 24 to 72 h, whereas saturated fatty acids decreased. These findings indicated that germination enhanced α‐tocopherol, phytosterol and carotenoid, as well as the fatty acid composition, thereby improving the nutritional value and edible quality of oil. Among various constituents, α‐tocopherol in oil could be considered as a reference marker to distinguish the germination stage and estimate the nutritional value of rapeseed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Calf stage is critical to the production performance and meat quality of growing beef cattle. Early weaning is gradually carried out in rearing calves because it can accelerate their gastrointestinal development. Nevertheless, calves experience a significant stress reaction due to the transformation of feed type in weaning. Therefore, mitigating the weaning stress and promoting the healthy growth of weaned beef calves are of great significance for modern large-scale beef cattle farming. Our study evaluated the effects of grape seed extract supplementation on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical, antioxidative and immune parameters of weaned cross-breed beef calves. The findings obtained from the current study indicate that grape seed extract as a feed additive led to a significant improvement in growth performance, ruminal fermentation, antioxidative capacity and immunity of weaned cross-breed beef calves. The purpose of this research was to evaluate effects of grape seed extract (Gse) supplementation on the growth performance; ruminal fermentation; nutrient digestibility; and serum biochemical, antioxidative, and immune parameters of weaned beef calves. A total of 30 Simmental crossbred male calves with similar age and body weight were randomly allocated to two groups: a control group with no Gse (CON) and a Gse supplementation group (GSE) (4 g/d Gse per animal). The results show that, compared with the CON group, the average daily gain significantly increased (p = 0.043) in the GSE group. The ruminal contents of microbial protein and butyrate in GSE group were higher (p < 0.05) than those in the CON group. Additionally, calves fed Gse displayed increased (p < 0.05) dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Moreover, the serum concentrations of triglyceride, catalase, superoxide dismutase, immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M were higher (p < 0.05) in the GSE group than those in the CON group. However, opposite tendencies of non-esterified fatty acid, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were found between the two groups. Overall, the supplementation of Gse can improve ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant ability, and immunity, as well as promoting the healthy growth of weaned cross-breed beef calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the dangers to human health posed by the use of plastic films for food preservation, new functional films derived from non-toxic and rich in antioxidant biosources must be developed. Chitosan (CH)-based active antioxidant films were developed by infused with halloysite nanotubes (HNT) and 5, 10, and 20% of Citrus limetta pomace extract (LPE) (v/v % of film forming solution). An increase in the LPE amount resulted in films with increased thickness. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the smooth, compact, and dense nature of the CH-LPE films and the uniform dispersion of HNT. An X-ray diffraction study revealed the crystallinity of CH/HNT/LPE films was greater than that of CH film. CH films with LPE possessed a better elongation ratio (maximum of 31.64%) with reduced tensile strength than pure CH also affected the water vapor permeability of the film. The CH film with the addition of HNT and LPE (20% v/v) was optimal for producing functional films with 80.42% antioxidant properties. Within the context of the food processing sector, CH/HNT/LPE films have the potential to be utilized as active packaging material in order to improve the oxidative stability of lipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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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.)

Citrus fruits are rich in phenolic compounds that possess several health benefits. However, few studies have focused on the changes in phenolic compounds in citrus fruits during postharvest storage. This study dynamically monitored the phenolic content, components and antioxidant activity of ‘Tarocco’ blood oranges during a period of 12-week cold storage and on-tree storage, respectively. We investigated the alteration mechanism of phenolic compounds in blood oranges by evaluating phenylpropanoid pathway-related enzyme activities and gene expression. Results showed that flavanones were the main phenolic compounds in blood oranges. Both storage methods mainly stimulated the accumulation of phenolic acids to improve total phenolic content, which reached the maximum at week 12. Nonetheless, blood oranges had a higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity under on-tree storage than cold storage. Furthermore, the enzyme activities and gene expression of the phenylpropanoid pathway demonstrated that the accumulation of phenolics in blood oranges during storage was highly related to the activation of the phenylpropanoid pathway. These results demonstrate that on-tree storage is a potential approach for extending the supply period of blood orange from the perspective of phenolic compounds.