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In order to investigate the influence of antifreeze peptide properties on its protective effect on myofibrillar proteins in frozen surimi, the present study was conducted to characterize the properties of three antifreeze peptides (sericin peptides, collagen peptides and silver carp hydrolysates), and we analyzed the changing pattern of myofibrillar protein properties under different freezing conditions, and constructed a correlation model between myofibrillar protein properties and frozen storage parameters and antifreeze peptide properties using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression. The results showed that all antifreeze peptides used in the study were “hyperactive” antifreeze peptides with thermal hysteresis activity (THA) (> 0.60 ℃), low molecular mass (< 10 000 Da), high hydrophilicity (θ < 30°) , and polar amino acid content of more than 60%; the antifreeze peptides were able to significantly mitigate the negative effects of frozen storage on myofibrillar proteins. The mean content of myofibrillar proteins in frozen surimi with added antifreeze peptides was 50.44–54.47 mg/g, the mean Ca2+-ATPase activity was 1.61–1.67 U/mg, the mean surface hydrophobicity index increased only by 39.91%–42.40% when compared with that of fresh surimi, and the rate of myofibrillar protein denaturation was much lower than that of the control group without antifreeze peptides. The Lasso regression model explained the effects of antifreeze peptide properties on changes in the properties of myofibrillar protein in frozen surimi, demonstrating that antifreeze peptides with lower molecular mass and higher THA contributed to slowing down the decline in myofibrillar protein content, Ca2+-ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, and characteristic indexes. The differences in the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of antifreeze peptides resulted in differences in their interactions with ice crystals and proteins, and consequently caused different effects on surimi myofibrillar proteins. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of antifreeze peptides and the quality regulation of surimi products and also provides a direction for the development of novel efficient antifreeze agents.

Fermentation is a traditional way of fish storage. During the fermentation process, microorganisms in raw materials or the environment can promote the decomposition and utilization of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats through metabolism, thereby generating rich flavor substances. People in different regions make different types of fermented fish products with different flavors by using different raw materials and ingredients and controlling conditions such as salt content, fermentation temperature, and fermentation time. The differences in the microbial community composition in various types of fermented fish products result in different compositions of characteristic flavor substances. Therefore, the microbial community composition in different fermented fish products and the correlation between microbial metabolism and the formation of characteristic flavor compounds are current research hotspots. This review summarizes recent studies on the fermentation process, microbial community composition, characteristic flavor substances and their formation mechanisms in different types of fermented fish products in China, and analyzes the impact of fermentation conditions on the microbial community composition and flavor formation. Besides, this review compares the characteristics of research methods for the correlation between different microorganisms and flavor substances. This review will provide a reference and direction for exploring the formation mechanism of the flavor of fermented fish and for the precise regulation of fermented fish flavor in the future.

Objective: Explore the cryoprotective mechanism and structure-activity relationship of antifreeze peptides derived from silver carp parvalbumin. Methods: Using differential scanning calorimetry and molecular dynamics simulation to compare activity, structure and mode of action of two typical peptides. Results: Pv-AFP 1 （KAADSFNH KAFFAKVG） had a stable α-helix structure, while Pv-AFP 2 （KAADSFNHKAF） tended to exhibit random coil. The thermal hysteresis activity of Pv-AFP 1 was 0.87 ℃, which was higher than Pv-AFP 2 （0.74 ℃）. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that Pv-AFP 1 could interact with 53 water molecules, and could form 16 hydrogen bonds to adsorb onto the surface of ice crystals, with a binding energy of -1 514 kJ/mol, all were greater than Pv-AFP 2 （can bind 50 water molecules, adsorb on ice surface by forming 11 hydrogen bonds, with a binding energy of -805 kJ/mol）. Despite the similarity of the two peptide sequences, their major sites and modes of interactions with water molecules and ice crystals were somewhat different. In addition, both peptides could interact with ice/water interface and altered the curvature of the ice surface, thereby inhibiting water freezing. But Pv-AFP 1 showed a better inhibitory effect on ice surface growth than Pv-AFP 2, which was consistent with their thermal hysteresis activity. Conclusion: The activities of antifreeze peptides derived from silver carp parvalbumin might be related to their structural characters and their affinities, sites and modes of interaction with water molecules and ice crystals.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of 9 very preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) after PDA ligation. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 9 very preterm infants with BPD-associated PH and PDA, and all infants underwent PDA ligation and were followed up regularly after surgery. Results After surgical treatment, 7 infants had normal pulmonary artery pressure and were discharged after successful ventilator weaning, and all these infants were regularly followed up to June 2022 at the outpatient service, among whom the oldest infant was aged 4 years; echocardiography showed that all infants had normal heart structure and function, pulmonary artery pressure, and growth and development, without recurrent respiratory infection. Two infants died. Conclusion Very preterm infants with BPD-associated PH and PDA often have critical situations, and in case of failed pharmacotherapy, timely PDA ligation is an important method to improve prognosis.