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In the present study, the feasibility of using cross-linked cationic potato starch granules (CrCS) as adsorbents for removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solution was assessed. The effect of different degree of substitution (DS) of quaternary ammonium groups in CrCS and the use of CaO additive in the synthesis formulations were considered. The adsorption kinetics and equilibrium adsorption of IB on the synthesized granules were investigated. The parameter values of applied Dubinin–Radushkevich, Fowler–Guggenheim, Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were determined and revealed that driving force of adsorption was electrostatic interaction between quaternary ammonium groups of modified starches and carboxylate groups of IB. The adsorption kinetics and equilibrium adsorption process were best described by pseudo-second order and Langmuir adsorption models, respectively. The highest adsorption capacity of CrCS for IB uptake was 240 mg/g and 559 mg/g when DS of quaternary ammonium groups was equal to 0.21 and 0.51, respectively. The addition of CaO to the synthesis mixture improved the adsorption properties of CrCS granules generating a promising adsorbent for IB removal from aqueous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lately, there has been increased interest in the development of phytochemical alternatives for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, the alternatives that are able to reduce or prevent glucose absorption by inhibiting digestive enzymes. In this context, this study aims to analyze the inhibitory α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities of Artemisia abrotanum and Symphytum officinale polyphenolic compound-rich extracts obtained by membrane technologies (micro- and ultrafiltration). Polyphenols and flavones content, HPLC-MS polyphenolic compounds profiling, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxic potential of these herbs were determined. Major phenolic acid compounds were chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid. The flavone content was higher in the case of A. abrotanum extracts, and the major compounds were rutin and umbelliferone. The polyphenolic-rich extract of A. abrotanum had the highest quantities of polyphenols, 977.75 µg/mL, and flavones, 552.85 µg/mL, as well as a pronounced α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 1881.21 ± 1.8 mg/mL), a value close to acarbose inhibitory activity (IC50 1110.25 ± 8.82 mg/mL) that was used as the control for both enzymes. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was higher for both herb extracts, more pronounced for S. officinale polyphenolic-rich extract (IC50 291.56 ± 2.1 mg/mL), a value higher than that of acarbose (IC50 372.35 ± 3.2 mg/mL). These plants show potential as a complementary therapy for type 2 diabetes management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary phytic acid on the enzymatic activities of the hepatopancreas of the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. For this purpose, a completely randomized in vitro trial was conducted with three phytic acid levels (0.56, 1.68, and 2.80%) and three phytase doses (0, 250, and 500 PU/kg DM). Solubilized protein, reducing sugars, and soluble phosphorus showed significant responses to the interaction between phytic acid and phytase p < 0.001 . Only the main effects were detected on the released amino acids, in keeping with the main effects of alkaline protease activity, which are negatively affected by phytic acid p < 0.001 and improved by phytase inclusion p < 0.001 . Differences in released reducing sugars were attributed to a reduction in amylase activity by increased levels of phytic acid and not to cellulase activity, where only a negative trend of phytic acid was found p = 0.068 . Phytic acid depresses calcium availability, which would explain the decrease in amylase activity. A 500 PU/kg DM dose improved amino acid, reduced sugars, and phosphorus release. These in vitro results might have in vivo implications for the digestibility of proteins, minerals, and energy. Further investigations are required to determine the chelated calcium effect on redclaw amylase activity, molting, and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar chromatography has recently been combined with six different effect-directed assays for three golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) samples. However, the profiles obtained showed an intense tailing, making zone differentiation impossible. The profiling was therefore improved to allow for the detection of individual bioactive compounds, and the range of samples was extended to 15 commercial golden root products. Further effect-directed assays were studied providing information on 15 different effect mechanisms, i.e., (1) tyrosinase, (2) acetylcholinesterase, (3) butyrylcholinesterase, (4) β-glucuronidase, and (5) α-amylase inhibition, as well as endocrine activity via the triplex planar yeast antagonist-verified (6–8) estrogen or (9–11) androgen screen, (12) genotoxicity via the planar SOS-Umu-C bioassay, antimicrobial activity against (13) Gram-negative Aliivibrio fischeri and (14) Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis bacteria, and (15) antioxidative activity (DPPH• radical scavengers). Most of the golden root profiles obtained were characteristic, but some samples differed substantially. The United States Pharmacopeia reference product showed medium activity in most of the assays. The six most active compound zones were further characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry, and the mass signals obtained were tentatively assigned to molecular formulae. In addition to confirming the known activities, this study is the first to report that golden root constituents inhibit butyrylcholinesterase (rosin was tentatively assigned), β-glucuronidase (rosavin, rosarin, rosiridin, viridoside, and salidroside were tentatively assigned), and α-amylase (stearic acid and palmitic acid were tentatively assigned) and that they are genotoxic (hydroquinone was tentatively assigned) and are both agonistic and antagonistic endocrine active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to quantify and identify the phenolic composition of Centaurea kilae Bosse and record the anti‐alzheimer, anti‐urease, anti‐lipase, antidiabetic, anti‐melanogenesis, and antibacterial properties. IC50 values for enzymes were obtained between 0.370–180.1 μg/mL and this plant inhibited HMG_CoA R and urease enzymes more with IC50 values of 0.370 and 39.09 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, molecular docking calculations were done subsequently, using targets, HMGCoA_R, glucosidase, amylase, and lipase to detect the structural necessity in activity for the phenolic compounds of Centaurea kilae plant. Chemical compounds of methanolic extracts of Centaurea kilae determined in this work. Finally, antibacterial and antifungal effects of this plant investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of including exogenous amylolytic or fibrolytic enzymes in a diet for high-producing dairy cows on in vitro ruminal fermentation. Eight dual-flow continuous-culture fermentors were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. The treatments were control (CON), a xylanase and glucanase mixture (T1), an α-amylase mixture (T2), or a xylanase, glucanase, and α-amylase mixture (T3). Treatments were included at a rate of 0.008% of diet dry matter (DM) for T1 and T2 and at 0.02% for T3. All treatments replaced the equivalent amount of soybean meal in the diet compared with CON. All diets were balanced to have the same nutrient composition [30.2% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 16.1% crude protein (CP), and 30% starch; DM basis], and fermentors were fed 106 g/d divided into 2 feedings. At each feeding, T2 was pipetted into the respective fermentor and an equivalent amount of deionized water was added to each fermentor to eliminate potential variation. Experimental periods were 10 d (7 d for adaptation and 3 d for sample collection). Composite samples of daily effluent were collected and analyzed for volatile fatty acids (VFA), NH 3 -N, and lactate concentrations, degradability of DM, organic matter, NDF, CP, and starch, and flow and metabolism of N. Samples of fermentor contents were collected from each fermentor at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding to determine kinetics of pH, NH 3 -N, lactate, and VFA concentrations over time. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.), and the repeated variable of time was included for kinetics measurements. Treatment did not affect mean pH, degradability, N flow and metabolism, or the concentrations of VFA, NH 3 -N, or lactate in the effluent samples. Treatment did not affect pH, acetate:propionate ratio, or the concentrations of lactate, NH 3 -N, total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, or caproate. However, the concentration of total VFA tended to change at each time point depending upon the treatment, and T2 tended to have a greater proportion of 2-methylbutyrate and isovalerate than CON, T1, or T3. As 2-methylbutyrate and isovalerate are branched-chain VFA that are synthesized from branched-chain amino acids, T2 may have an increased fermentation of branched-chain amino acids or decreased uptake by fibrolytic microorganisms. Although we did not observe changes in N metabolism due to the enzymes, there could be changes in microbial populations that utilize branched-chain VFA. Overall, the tested enzymes did not improve in vitro ruminal fermentation in the diet of high-producing dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, green nanotechnology has received much importance in different fields. It is concerned with the production of small‐size nanoparticles (NPs). It is less toxic to human health and also environmentally benign. Heliotropium eichwaldi (HE) is an herbaceous weed and is widely distributed in Pakistan. The herb is used traditionally for earache, headache, cleaning, and healing ulcers. The aim of this study is to develop an easy and justifiable method for the synthesis of HE‐AgNPs using HE extract and then to investigate the effects of HE‐AgNPs as a free radical scavenger, an inhibitor of the two enzymes, that is, alpha‐amylase (α‐amylase) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). UV–Vis spectrum at 416 nm confirmed the AgNPs formation, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the irregular‐shaped HE‐AgNPs, the average size of 19.79 nm was calculated using four major peaks (38.41°, 44.48°, 64.56°, and 77.47°) of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the peaks for the functional groups, and electron diffraction X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed that silver was the main element (30.68%). The HE‐AgNPs showed an excellent %scavenging of ferric chloride (73 ± 0.098), ammonium molybdenum (72 ± 0.0021), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (64 ± 0.055), H2O2 (63.6 ± 0.001), and 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (67.36 ± 0.0014). Hydroxyl radical (67 ± 0.005) showed low IC50 values of 99.93 ± 0.017, 84.58 ± 0.017, 90.14 ± 0.059, 116.02 ± 0.034, 113.02 ± 0.035, and 134.4 ± 0.042 μg as compared with HE extract. Similarly, a maximum inhibition of 67 ± 0.21% (HE extract), 71.4 ± 0.0021% (HE‐AgNPs), and 85 ± 0.11% (glucophage) was reported against α‐amylase with IC50 values of 68 ± 0.27 μg ml−1 for HE extract, 34.43 ± 0.21 μg ml−1 for HE‐AgNPs, and 27.43 ± 0.13 μg ml−1 for glucophage. Statistical analysis showed that HE inhibits α‐amylase in a competitive mode, and HE‐AgNPs in a mixed mode. Similarly, in the case of AChE, the HE plant and HE‐AgNPs exhibited 57 ± 0.21% and 64 ± 0.0021% inhibition with IC50 values of 20 ± 0.014 and 16.81 ± 0.011 μg, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the HE plant and HE‐AgNPs caused a non‐competitive type of AChE. Our work suggests the successful generation of HE‐AgNPs, subsequently as significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti‐Alzheimer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is biologically active as a homotrimer, in which each monomer catalyzes a reaction independently of the others. To answer the question of why the native PNP forms a trimeric structure, we constructed, in silico and in vitro, the monomeric form of the enzyme. Molecular dynamics simulations showed different geometries of the active site in the non-mutated trimeric and monomeric PNP forms, which suggested that the active site in the isolated monomer could be non-functional. To confirm this hypothesis, six amino acids located at the interface of the subunits were selected and mutated to alanines to disrupt the trimer and obtain a monomer (6Ala PNP). The effects of these mutations on the enzyme structure, stability, conformational dynamics, and activity were examined. The solution experiments confirmed that the 6Ala PNP mutant occurs mainly as a monomer, with a secondary structure almost identical to the wild type, WT PNP, and importantly, it shows no enzymatic activity. Simulations confirmed that, although the secondary structure of the 6Ala monomer is similar to the WT PNP, the positions of the amino acids building the 6Ala PNP active site significantly differ. These data suggest that a trimeric structure is necessary to stabilize the geometry of the active site of this enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report the synthesis, DFT calculations, and molecular docking studies of a pyrazole derivative, (E)-N'-benzylidene-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide (E-BMPC) as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitor. Molecular structure of E-BMPC has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectra. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations on E-BMPC were carried out to obtain frontier molecular orbital energies and first-order static hyperpolarizability (β). The α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory of E-BMPC was also tested. E-BMPC displayed moderate inhibitory activity with IC50 values 310.57 ± 2.67 and 182.19 ± 3.20 against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, respectively. Molecular docking analysis provided the inhibition constant of E-BMPC molecule for α-amylase enzyme as 33.60 µM. Both in vitro and in silico enzyme inhibition studies showed that E-BMPC molecule is a better inhibitor for α-amylase than α-glucosidase. The β parameter for the molecule under investigation was also calculated as 4.2 × 10−30 esu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentils are sustainable sources of bioencapsulated macronutrients, meaning physical barriers hinder the permeation of digestive enzymes into cotyledon cells, slowing down macronutrient digestion. While lentils are typically consumed as cooked seeds, insights into the effect of cooking time on microstructural and related digestive properties are lacking. Therefore, the effect of cooking time (15, 30, or 60 min) on in vitro amylolysis and proteolysis kinetics of lentil seeds (CL) and an important microstructural fraction, i.e., cotyledon cells isolated thereof (ICC), were studied. For ICC, cooking time had no significant effect on amylolysis kinetics, while small but significant differences in proteolysis were observed (p < 0.05). In contrast, cooking time importantly affected the microstructure obtained upon the mechanical disintegration of whole lentils, resulting in significantly different digestion kinetics. Upon long cooking times (60 min), digestion kinetics approached those of ICC since mechanical disintegration yielded a high fraction of individual cotyledon cells (67 g/100 g dry matter). However, cooked lentils with a short cooking time (15 min) showed significantly slower amylolysis with a lower final extent (~30%), due to the presence of more cell clusters upon disintegration. In conclusion, cooking time can be used to obtain distinct microstructures and digestive functionalities with perspectives for household and industrial preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch microspherical aerogel (SMA) prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of starch with α-amylase was demonstrated to be higher adsorption capacity for methylene blue. Proper cleavage of α-1,4 glycosidic bonds could enhance the adsorption capacity of SMA, while the cleavage of α-1,6 glycosidic bonds showed an opposite effect. Compared with tapioca starch (TS), α-amylase hydrolyzed starch exhibited a 9.46 % decrease in amylose content, a 25.40 % increase in adsorbability, and significant decreases in weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of different amylases. When the Mw of enzymolysis starch was 6.39 × 106 g/mol, it was suitable for the preparation of SMA, and could significantly increase its adsorption capacity. The adsorbability of the crosslinked starch microspherical aerogel (CSMA) was 1.816 ± 0.026 mg/g, which was increased by 100.60 % relative to that of native starch microspherical aerogel (NSMA). CSMA had the best adsorption effect on oil and could be applied to the adsorption and removal of vegetable oil. • Μolecular weight of starch affected adsorption of starch microspherical aerogel (SMA). • Proportion of amylose/amylopectin, crosslinking influenced adsorption of SMA. • Properties of SMA (molecular structure, porosity, morphology) were analyzed. • SMA was applied to the removal of vegetable oil to explore its application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of extraction, chemical characterization, and the evaluation of antioxidant activity and α-amylase inhibition capacities of the cell wall polysaccharides extracted from Aspergillus niger ATCC 1004 were studied in this paper. The response surface methodology through a factorial design of three levels indicated the optimal conditions for extraction: pH 13 and 180 min. Characterization results showed that the polysaccharide is glucogalactan, consisting of β-D-galactose-linked units (1 → 6) and β-D-linked glucose (1 → 3). The antioxidant activity was evaluated through three in vitro assays. It could effectively scavenge DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radicals with inhibition rates of 82.12%, 75.87% and 79.24, respectively, at 6.4 mg/mL, which were higher than those of the other polysaccharides. For inhibitory activity against α-amylase, a blocking effect of 53.7% was observed at a concentration of 2 mg/mL. Therefore, the cell wall polysaccharides of Aspergillus niger, (1 → 3)(1 → 6)-β-D-glucogalactan, seem to be a promising source for use as an antioxidant, in addition to holding an in vitro hypoglycemic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastication interventions have previously been shown to alleviate acute stress. However, the relationship between masticatory performance and stress response among individuals remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between masticatory ability and stress response in young women by measuring the autonomic nerve function and salivary α-amylase activity during psychosocial stress. Eighty women (aged 20.0 ± 1.9 years) were divided into either a low or high masticatory performance group, and the Trier Social Stress Test was conducted. Moreover, the autonomic function was measured at rest, immediately before stress, immediately after stress, and 10 min after stress. The salivary α-amylase activity was also measured at rest, 5 min after stress, and 15 min after stress. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used for subjective stress evaluation. There was a significant increase in the autonomic balance of both groups immediately before stress loading, but whilst the high masticatory ability group showed a return to resting-state levels after stress loading, the low masticatory ability group showed elevated levels after stress loading. Salivary α-amylase activity significantly increased 5 min after stress loading in the low, but not high, masticatory ability group. Furthermore, the VAS scores for tension and confusion after stress were significantly higher in the low masticatory ability group than in the high masticatory ability group. Our findings suggest that high masticatory performance may contribute to alleviating psychosocial stress. This is the first study to clarify the relationship between habitual masticatory performance and psychosocial stress suppression in young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold stress is a key climatic factor that limits grape productivity and quality. Although β-amylase (BAM) is known to play an important role as a mediator of starch degradation under conditions of cold stress, the mechanism by which BAM regulates cold tolerance in grape remains unclear. Here, we identified VaBAM1 from Vitis amurensis and characterized its interactive regulating mechanism under cold stress in Arabidopsis thaliana and grape. VaBAM1 -overexpressing A. thaliana plants (OEs) exhibited high freezing tolerance. Soluble sugar content and amylase activity were increased in OEs and VaBAM1 -overexpressing grape calli (VaBAM1-OEs) under cold stress; however, they were decreased in grape calli in which VaBAM1 was edited using CRISPR/Cas9. The results of yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and pull-down experiments showed that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (VaSR1) interacted with VaBAM1. Furthermore, the expression of VaSR1 was opposite that of VaBAM1 in phloem tissue of Vitis amurensis during winter dormancy. In VaSR1 -overexpressing grape calli (VaSR1-OEs), BAM activity and the expression levels of C-repeat binding transcription factor and cold response genes were all significantly lower than that in untransformed calli subjected to cold stress. Moreover, VvBAM1 was downregulated in VaSR1-OEs under cold stress. Overall, we identified that VaSR1 interacts with VaBAM1, negatively regulating BAM activity and resulting in decreased plant cold tolerance. • VaBAM1 overexpression enhanced cold tolerance in Arabidopsis leaves and grape calli. • CRISPR/Cas9 editing of VaBAM1 resulted in decreased cold tolerance in grape calli. • VaSR1 and VaBAM1 interaction inhibited BAM activity, decreasing cold tolerance in grape calli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA) mediated green chemistry route was used for the biofabrication of NiONPs without the provision of additional surfactants and capping agents. The formation of NiONPs was confirmed using advanced different characterization techniques such as Scanning electron microscopy, UV, Fourier transmission-infrared, RAMAN, and energy dispersal spectroscopic and dynamic light scattering techniques. Further, different biological activities of EA-NiONPs were studied. Antibacterial activities were performed using five different bacterial strains using disc-diffusion assays and have shown significant results as compared to standard Oxytetracycline discs. Further, NiONPs exhibited excellent antifungal performance against different pathogenic fungal strains. The biocompatibility test was performed using human RBCs, which further confirmed that NiONPs are more biocompatible at the concentration of 7.51–31.25 µg/mL. The antioxidant activities of NiONPs were investigated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The NiONPs were demonstrated to have much better antioxidant potentials in terms of % DPPH scavenging (93.5%) and total antioxidant capacity (81%). Anticancer activity was also performed using HUH7 and HEP-G2 cancer cell lines and has shown significant potential with IC50 values of 18.45 μg/mL and 14.84 μg/mL, respectively. Further, the NiONPs were evaluated against Lesihmania tropica parasites and have shown strong antileishmanial potentials. The EA-NiONPs also showed excellent enzyme inhibition activities; protein kinase (19.4 mm) and alpha-amylase (51%). In conclusion, NiONPs have shown significant results against different biological assays. In the future, we suggest various in vivo activities for EA-NiONPs using different animal models to further unveil the biological and biomedical potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Ocimum basilicum L., as well as to evaluate the antibacterial, antidiabetic, dermatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, and the EOs and aqueous extracts of O. basilicum. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against bacterial strains, Gram-positive and Gram-negative, using the well diffusion and microdilution methods, whereas the antidiabetic activity was assessed in vitro using two enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. On the other hand, the dermatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by testing tyrosinase and lipoxygenase inhibition activity, respectively. The results showed that the chemical composition of O. basilicum EO (OBEO) is dominated by methyl chavicol (86%) and trans-anethol (8%). OBEO exhibited significant antibacterial effects against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, demonstrated by considerable diameters of the inhibition zones and lower MIC and MBC values. In addition, OBEO exhibited significant inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 = 50.51 ± 0.32 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 39.84 ± 1.2 μg/mL). Concerning the anti-inflammatory activity, OBEO significantly inhibited lipoxygenase activity (IC50 = 18.28 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC50 = 24.8 ± 0.01 μg/mL). Moreover, tyrosinase was considerably inhibited by OBEO (IC50 = 68.58 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC50 = 118.37 ± 0.05 μg/mL). The toxicological investigations revealed the safety of O. basilicum in acute and chronic toxicity. The finding of in silico analysis showed that methyl chavicol and trans-anethole (main compounds of OBEO) validate the pharmacokinetics of these compounds and decipher some antibacterial targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Diversification of cultured fish species is one key measure to promote the sustainable development of marine aquaculture. Mullets (Mugilidae) present great potential due to their eurythermal, euryhaline, and low-trophic nature. However, there are many similar mullet species, and their physiological differences and optimal culture conditions are quite unknown, mainly when reared under intensive systems. In this sense, increasing the knowledge about changes in their digestive biochemistry related to feeding strategies is essential for a sustainable and cost-effective culture of these species. For these reasons, the present study aimed to characterize the digestive biochemistry of two mullet species (Chelon labrosus and Liza aurata) and to evaluate how it is affected when fish are fed using two different feeding frequencies: one or three times per day. In addition, changes in the potential bioavailability of nutrients determined by the two feeding patterns were assessed using digestive simulations performed in vitro. The results demonstrated the convenience of a feeding pattern of three meals per day instead of one. Moreover, the results evidenced that although Chelon labrosus and Liza aurata are species placed in a similar trophic level, their digestive response to feeding patterns, as well as body composition, present differences when fish are reared under the same conditions. This suggests that such interspecific variation must be considered when fish are reared under intensive conditions. Mullets (Mugilidae) present significant potential for sustainable aquaculture diversification due to their eurythermal, euryhaline, and low-trophic nature. However, the physiological differences and optimal cultured conditions among the diverse mullet species are quite unknown. For these reasons, the present study aimed to address two main objectives: (1) to characterize the differences in digestive biochemistry, somatic indexes, and body composition between two mullet species (Liza aurata and Chelon labrosus); and (2) to evaluate the interactions of two different feeding frequencies (one against three meals per day) on the above-mentioned parameters, and also on the potential bioavailability of nutrients determined using in vitro assays. The results evidenced higher protease and amylase activities for Chelon labrosus than for Liza aurata, while the latter species presented a higher percentage of eviscerated weight and muscle lipids. Furthermore, the results from in vitro assays supported the higher enzyme activity of Chelon labrosus by an observed increase in the release of amino acids and reducing sugars measured for this species. Regarding feeding patterns, the results of the in vitro assays simulating enzyme: substrate (E:S) ratios corresponding to one or three meals per day point to a clear increase of nutrient bioavailability when the daily ration is split into several meals. The present results improve the physiological knowledge of mullet species and define criteria to develop better management protocols by producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of ultrasonic-assisted α-amylase hydrolysis on the structure and physicochemical properties of arrowhead-derived type 3 resistant starch (RS3) was studied. After ultrasound treatment, the yield of resistant starch reached 17.21%, significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 65.64%. Compared with RS3 prepared by traditional enzymolysis (RS3-E), the crystal form and chemical bond of RS3 prepared by ultrasonic-assisted enzymolysis (RS3-UAE) did not change, but its gelatinization temperature, relative crystallinity, enthalpy, and 1047/1022 values were improved to varying degrees. RS3-UAE exhibited a higher solubility, transparency, water absorption capacity, and higher swelling power at 70°C. The analysis results of iodine absorption, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that RS3-UAE exhibited a more regular shape, smoother surface, higher crystallinity, stable double helix structure, and more ordered and denser structure. Therefore, ultrasound-assisted enzymatic technology is an effective way to prepare RS3, and it can improve the functional and structural properties of the prepared RS3 to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pistacia Atlantica in folk medicine is used by Algerian traditional healers for treating a wide variety of diseases and conditions including dyspepsia, digestive problems, peptic ulcers, and, in particular, inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant activity (using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS+, and reducing power methods), enzyme inhibitory activity (towards α-amylase and urease), antibacterial activity, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica collected from different parts of the Djelfa region of Algeria. According to the findings, various aqueous extracts exhibited significant antioxidant and enzymatic activities in all tests, but showed that they have a weak inhibitory effect against all tested bacterial strains. Twenty-one minerals comprising both macro- and microelements (Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, U, and Zn) were determined using the technique of neutron activation analysis (INAA). The result indicates that the concentration of the mineral element is close to the minimal FAO recommendation. In addition, the result revealed significant anti-inflammatory activities. The data generated can be a valuable source of information for the pharmaceutical industry and medical research. These results suggest that the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica have an appropriate potential to be utilized across a wide range of contexts as an agent with multifunctional uses, as well as a natural remedy for other physiological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melanogenesis pathway is characterized by a series of reactions catalyzed by key enzymes, such as tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2), and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), to produce melanin pigment. However, in vitro studies of the catalytic activity were incomplete because of a lack of commercially available enzyme substrates, such as dopachrome. Herein, human recombinant intra-melanosomal domains of key enzymes were produced in Trichoplusia ni (T. ni) larvae and then purified using a combination of chromatography techniques in catalytically active form. Using Michaelis–Menten kinetics, the diphenol oxidase activity of tyrosinase achieved the maximum production of native dopachrome at 10 min of incubation at 37 °C for TYR immobilized to magnetic beads (TYR-MB). The presence of dopachrome was confirmed spectrophotometrically at 475 nm through HPLC analysis and in the TYRP2-catalyzed reaction, yielding 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). In the TYRP1-driven oxidation of DHICA, the formation of 5,6-indolequinone-2-carboxylic acid (IQCA) was confirmed at ~560 nm. This is the first in vitro reconstitution of the reactions from the melanogenic pathway based on intra-melanosomal domains. In the future, this approach could be used for quantitative in vitro analysis of the melanin pathway, biochemical effects associated with inherited disease-related mutations, and drug screens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-amylases are one of the most common and important industrial enzymes widely used in various industries. The present study was conducted with the aim of isolating and identifying symbiotic α-amylase enzyme-producing bacteria in the intestine of Silago Sihama and Rasterliger Canagorta fish living in Qeshm Island, Hormozgan. The intestinal symbiotic bacteria of these species were isolated using nutrient agar culture medium; then, α-amylase producing bacteria were screened using a special culture medium containing starch and the Lugol's solution test. The α-amylase enzyme activity of enzyme-producing bacteria was measured using the starch substrate. Finally, bacteria with the highest enzyme activity were selected and identified by the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The results showed that out of 22 isolated bacteria, 10 were able to grow in a special culture medium, and 5 strains of these 10 bacteria had the ability to produce relatively stronger halos. The four bacterial strains belonging to the genus Bacillus that had the highest α-amylase enzyme activity were identified and registered in the NCBI gene database as B. subtilis strains HR13, HR14, HR15, and HR16. Among these four strains, two strains of B. subtilis, HR13 and HR16, displayed high enzyme activity and maximum activity at 60 °C at pH values of 5 and 7, respectively. α-Amylase enzymes isolated from marine symbiotic bacteria of Bacillus species can be considered potential candidates for application in various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestive enzymes play the important roles in human food digestion. Normal gastrointestinal enzyme activities are the basis for ensuring the stable functioning of the digestive system and the human health. Probiotics are active microorganisms that promote human gastrointestinal motility and regulate intestinal enzyme activities. For the purpose of improving human intestinal digestive function, this study employed experimental animals to investigate the effects of probiotics on the activities of intestinal digestive enzymes. 60 specific pathogen-free male ICR mice were involved in this research. The probiotic fermented soymilk was prepared by mixing pure milk and soymilk in a ratio of 3:7 with the addition of Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium. The probiotic fermented soymilk was then added into the basal food of mice in the concentration of 0%, 15%, and 30%, respectively. The animal feces were sampled after feeding to measure the enzyme activities of intestinal amylase, protease, and lipase. The effects of probiotic fermented soymilk on the regulation of intestinal digestion were then assessed. The results showed that the most ideal enzyme activities were observed by feeding animals with 15% probiotic fermented soymilk, while feeding less concentrated probiotic fermented soymilk would reduce the secretion of intestinal enzymes. However, although feeding animals with high concentrated probiotic fermented soymilk would increase the secretion of intestinal enzymes, it might cause a consequence of damaging and further destroying intestinal cells and reduce the intestinal digestive enzyme activities. This study confirmed that optimal concentrated, probiotic fermented soymilk could increase the activities of intestinal amylase, protease, and lipase of the mouse, which laid the foundation for further exploration of the effects of probiotic fermented soymilk on human intestinal digestive enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal use of Salsola tetragona Delile (Amaranthaceae) aerial parts is a longstanding tradition. This study delved into the plant's potential as an antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-Alzheimer agent. The aerial portion extracted and evaluated four fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol) for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, FRAP, and anti-hemolysis tests, as well as the inhibitory activity of cholinesterase and carbohydrate digesting enzymes. The results showed that the dichloromethane fraction (St.DCM) of S. tetragona had a significant ability to scavenge DPPH• radicals. The ethyl acetate fraction (St.EtOAc) had the best reduction power test activity compared to other solvent fractions. The n-hexane fraction (St.Hex) was most effective in the anti-hemolysis test. The ethyl acetate fraction also had inhibitory activities (p <.05) with IC50 values of 70 ± 1.80 µg/ml for α-glycosidase, equivalent to the n-butanol fraction (St.n-BuOH), which had very significant activity (p <.05) in the α-amylase inhibition test with an IC50 of 64 ± 1.80 µg/ml. The ethyl acetate fraction also had a considerable concentration of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids and exhibited significant (p <.05) inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 of 30 ± 0.30 µg/ml. Therefore, the aerial parts of S. tetragona contained high levels of biologically active compounds, making it a potential source for developing new plant-based pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals to enhance human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate In vitro free radical scavenging activity and In vitro anti-diabetic properties of extracts from the sprout of Borassus fabellifier. Antioxidant activity was performed using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, SO and NO inhibition methods. The enzymes (a-amylase and b-Glucosidase inhibitory activities were investigated. Moreover, glucose adsorption and diffusion properties were also studied to confirm the potential effect of the sprout of B. fabellifier as an anti-diabetic drug. The ethanolic extracts of B. flabellifer exhibited high antioxidant activity towards DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, SO, and NO. However, the ethanolic extracts possessed the strongest inhibitory effect towards a-amylase and b-Glucosidase. The ethanolic extract showed excellent anti-diabetic activity when we examined using glucose adsorption and Glucose diffusion methods. This study suggested that the extracts from Borassus fabellifier sprout may act as a potential medicinal plant to treat diabetic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, new benzoic acid derivatives of the quinazolinone ring, which is one of the biologically active members of nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds, were synthesized with excellent yields (98–90 %). The structures of the novel compounds (1–12) were characterized with Fourier‐transform Infrared (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR–13C NMR), and High‐Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (HRMS). α‐Glucosidase and α‐Amylase inhibition properties were examined to evaluate the anti‐diabetic properties of the synthesized compounds. For α‐Glucosidase, molecules showed IC50 in ranging of >100–3.468±0.270 μM and Kis in ranging of >100–3.310±0.326 μM. For α‐Amylase, molecules showed IC50 in ranging of >100–1.215±0.225 μM. 4‐[(2‐[(4‐phenylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methyl]‐4‐oxoquinazolin‐3(4H)‐ylimino)methyl]benzoicacid (10) has the strongest inhibitory effect for both enzymes. It is 5.4 times more potent inhibitor for α‐Glucosidase and 34.9 times more potent for α‐Amylase than the standard inhibitor Acarbose. Also, the molecular docking study was carried out for the most active compound for the determination of ligand‐enzyme interactions. Binding affinities of the most active compound were calculated as −5.978 kcal/mol and −5.548 kcal/mol for α‐Glucosidase and α‐Amylase, respectively. The aromatic ring and the aminomethyl group of the quinazoline and the carboxyl group moieties have played a critical role in the inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elaboration of some N‐alkylated pyrazole‐tetrazole derivatives is reported. The structures of the newly ones are verified using NMR and FTIR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry as well as elemental analysis. Their potencies to inhibit the α‐amylase enzyme were evaluated using spectrophotometric method and the obtained results showed that some of them were extremely potent with respect to the used positive control. The structure activity relationship showed that the α‐amylase inhibition activity depends on the alkylation position as well as the nature of the alkyl moiety and the alkylation at the N1 position with a donor group improves the α‐amylase inhibition activity. Docking study was also performed and the obtained results support the experimental results in the case of the alkylation position effect. These findings suggest that the molecules reported in this study may be used as good drug candidate to treat Type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polyextremophilic β-galactosidase enzyme of the haloarchaeon Halorubrum lacusprofundi functions in extremely cold and hypersaline conditions. To better understand the basis of polyextremophilic activity, the enzyme was studied using steady-state kinetics and molecular dynamics at temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 50 °C and salt concentrations from 1 M to 4 M KCl. Kinetic analysis showed that while catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) improves with increasing temperature and salinity, Km is reduced with decreasing temperatures and increasing salinity, consistent with improved substrate binding at low temperatures. In contrast, kcat was similar from 2–4 M KCl across the temperature range, with the calculated enthalpic and entropic components indicating a threshold of 2 M KCl to lower the activation barrier for catalysis. With molecular dynamics simulations, the increase in per-residue root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) was observed with higher temperature and salinity, with trends like those seen with the catalytic efficiency, consistent with the enzyme's function being related to its flexibility. Domain A had the smallest change in flexibility across the conditions tested, suggesting the adaptation to extreme conditions occurs via regions distant to the active site and surface accessible residues. Increased flexibility was most apparent in the distal active sites, indicating their importance in conferring salinity and temperature-dependent effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal phytopathogens are challenging to control due to their penetration into plant tissues. Therefore, plant-colonizing bacteria could serve as an excellent weapon in fighting fungal infections. In this study, we aim to determine the biocontrol potential of the new endophytic strain Serratia quinivorans KP32, isolated from the roots of Petroselinum crispum L.; identify the related mechanisms; and understand the basis of its antagonistic interaction with taxonomically diverse fungi at the molecular level. The KP32 strain presented biological activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Colletotrichum dematium, Fusarium avenaceum, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and its ability to inhibit the growth of the phytopathogens was found to be mediated by a broad spectrum of biocontrol features, such as the production of a number of lytic enzymes (amylases, chitinases, and proteases), siderophores, volatile organic and inorganic compounds, salicylic acid, and N-acyl-homoserine lactones. The higher expression of chitinase (chiA) and genes involved in the biosynthesis of hydrogen cyanide (hcnC), enterobactin (entB), and acetoin (budA) in bacteria exposed to fungal filtrates confirmed that these factors could act in combination, leading to a synergistic inhibitory effect of the strain against phytopathogens. We also confirm the active movement, self-aggregation, exopolysaccharide production, and biofilm formation abilities of the KP32 strain, which are essential for effective plant colonization. Its biological activity and colonization potential indicate that KP32 holds tremendous potential for use as an active biopesticide and plant growth promoter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amylases have potential application, inter alia, in processes with starch hydrolysis. The present paper reports the estimation of the optimum temperatures, the activation and deactivation energies of starch hydrolysis by α -amylase Bacillus spp. The literature activity of α -amylase Bacillus spp. versus temperature curves was analyzed. The mathematical model presented the activity of α -amylase Bacillus spp. and the starch hydrolysis. Both the starch hydrolysis and the deactivation process of α -amylase were analyzed by the first-order equations according to the enzyme concentration. Determined optimum temperatures T opt were in the range from 323.67 ± 1.48 K to 354.00 ± 2.27 K, activation energies E r were in the range from 18.01 ± 7.22 kJ mol-1 to 102.85 ± 20.53 kJ mol-1, and the values of deactivation energies E d were in the range from 79.76 ± 8.77 kJ mol-1 to 162.85 ± 32.23 kJ mol-1. The present study is related to the starch hydrolysis by α -amylase Bacillus spp. The obtained results might find application in the industry hydrolysis of starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

A 90-day experiment with 2 × 2 factorial design—2 levels of substrate (with and without) and 2 levels of feeding (with and without)—was carried out in 16-m2 outdoor cement tanks having 5-cm soil base, to evaluate the performance of Labeo fimbriatus in polyculture with Catla catla in periphyton-based culture system with sugarcane bagasse as the substrate. Advanced fingerlings of L. fimbriatus (av. length 19.1 cm and weight 16.81 g) and C. catla (av. length 20.5 cm and weight 11.70 g) were stocked in tanks at a density of 10,000 no./ha in 6:4 ratio. Treatments included no feed, no substrate (NFNS); substrate (S); feed (F); and substrate + feed (S + F) treatments, each tried in triplicates. Sugarcane bagasse was hung vertically at 2 t/ha in S and S + F tanks. Fish in the treatments F and S + F only were fed daily a formulated pelleted feed (25% crude protein and 6% fat) at 5% of fish biomass. Estimation of periphyton biomass and total pigment content was done once in 15 days. Representative fish samples were analyzed for carcass biochemical composition and activity of gut digestive enzyme—total protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A and B, amylase, lipase, and cellulase—at the end of the growth trial. The weight gains of L. fimbriatus in F (65.05 g) and substrate added tanks (62.75 g in S and 76.48 g in S + F), at the end of the rearing period, was comparable. The weight gain of catla was similar in NFNS (69.17 g) and S treatments (75.25 g) and lower compared to F (100.63 g) and S + F tanks (100 g). While higher moisture and lower crude protein content were observed in the carcass of L. fimbriatus (estimated at harvest) under NFNS treatment, these parameters remained similar with other treatments. In C. catla, S + F recorded the highest crude protein content, with similar values under other treatments. Excepting cellulase in hepatopancreas, the activity of all other enzymes in C. catla showed a pattern corroborating the growth trend, with lower values in NFNS treatment. While the activity of enzymes was higher in fed C. catla compared to the unfed ones, in L. fimbriatus, the activities in all the three treatments were comparable and higher than that recorded in fish under NFNS treatment. The growth performance of L. fimbriatus in polyculture with C. catla in periphyton-enhanced culture system was comparable with those maintained under supplementary feeding, indicating the utility of periphyton enhancement in polyculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ascertain the effects of Taraxacum mongolicum flavonoids (TMF) on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immune indices, inflammatory response and antioxidant capacity of Channa argus , 400 C. argus with an average body weight of (8.08 ± 0.21) g were selected and divided randomly into four groups. They were fed with four experimental diets supplemented with TMF of 0 (control), 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for 56 d, and then challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 96 h, afterwards indices were detected. The results manifested that the addition of TMF above 50 mg/kg in the dietary could significantly improve the final body weight, WGR, SGR and PER of C. argus , while decreased FCR (P < 0.05). Similarly, the 50 mg/kg group had the highest activity of digestive enzymes (protease, lipase, amylase) in intestine and hepatopancreas, which were notably higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, 100 mg/kg group could effectively inhibit the liver and gut injury caused by LPS and reduce the contents of ALT and AST, LPS and LBP in serum. In the immune (LY, AKP, ACP, IgM, C3) and antioxidant (T-AOC, SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, GR, ASA, MDA) systems, 100 mg/kg groups were the optimal group, which were remarkably higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of genes revealed that 100 mg/kg group could noteworthy restrain the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (tnf-α , il-1β , il-8) and pro-apoptosis (cas-3 , 8 , 9 , p53 , bax , bcl-2) related genes, up-regulate the expression of anti-inflammatory (il-10 , tgf-β) factors, antioxidant-related (nrf2 , gpx , gst , cat) genes and heat shock proteins (hsp70 , hsp90). Simultaneously, the survival rate of C. argus in the 100 mg/kg TMF-supplemented group was the highest after LPS challenge. Our results elucidate that dietary supplementation TMF protects C. argus from LPS-induced inflammatory injury, to ameliorate digestion, immune response, antioxidant status and apoptosis, implying that TMF could be regarded as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent adding to aquatic animal feed. [Display omitted] • TMF as a Chinese herbal medicine additive promoted the growth performance of Channa argus. • TMF could alleviate inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by LPS. • The optimal dietary supplement of TMF for culturing Channa argus is 50–100 mg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kreon® (Creon®) and Lipancrea® are pancreatic enzyme supplements indicated in the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In order to determine their interchangeability, an in vitro comparison of their physical properties and enzymatic activity was carried out. Capsule fill weight and particle size were also determined in order to establish their physical properties. Amylase, lipase and protease activities, lipase release at different pHs and the dissolution time of pellets were assessed for enzymatic analysis. The length range of Kreon® and Lipancrea® pellets was 1.1–2.2 mm and 1.5–2.8 mm, respectively. Protease activity was below the label claim for Lipancrea® and above for Kreon® presentations. Lipase and amylase activity were equal to or higher than the label claim in both preparations. In dissolution experiments simulating the stomach passage, significant release of lipase activity was observed for Lipancrea® (% actual activity: 41% for Lipancrea® 8000; 21% for Lipancrea® 16000) after 60 min at pH 5.0. No release of lipase activity was observed for Kreon® at that particular pH. Enzyme release for Lipancrea® at pH 6.0 was generally slower than for Kreon® and seemed to be influenced by the preceding incubation at lower pH. More than 85% of Kreon® and Lipancrea® dissolved in a pH 6.0 phosphate buffer within 20 min. Despite the similarities of the enzyme content on the respective labels, Kreon® and Lipancrea® differ in pellet size, enzymatic activity and release. This may impact their therapeutic efficacy and, therefore, may limit their interchangeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide increasing problem, associated with development of hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. Decreasing of glucose absorption by inhibition of α-amylase is one of the therapeutic approaches to retard diabetes type 2. Pancreatic α-amylase (PA) inhibition widely studied mechanism for determination of potential of natural compounds as antidiabetic agents. The aim of this work was identification of inhibitory secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus egypticus, isolated from Helianthus tuberosus. Materials and Methods: The PA inhibitory activity of the secondary metabolites determined using iodometric method. Isolation of inhibitory compounds was carried out by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) analysis. Results: It was found that the inhibitory concentration of a compound, K-10 (Rf : 0.74), isolated from metanolic extract of A. egypticus was 4.82 mg/ mL. LC-MS/MS analysis of K-10 showed polymethoxylated flavones (PMF). Conclusion: The fungal endophyte A. egypticus-HT166S can be considered a source of PMF as potential agents for developing new PA inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research the production of α-amylase enzyme using Bacillus spp. bacteria, and biomass production of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast using three types of media were assayed. The production of α-amylase enzyme is realized through two types of fermentations, liquid fermentation where bacterial culture Bacillus spp. is cultivated in LB medium, and solid-state fermentation where industrial wastes such as potato and banana peels are used as substrate. Cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast is done using three different media: Yeast-Peptone-Dextrose, Yeast-Peptone-Sucrose and molasses. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the process of enzyme production using industrial waste, as well as yeast biomass production has a potential, which should be further researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus lutetiensis RB4 was isolated from the rumen of beef cattle. An amylase gene from the isolate RB4 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α by using pGEMT-Easy vector system. S. lutetiensis is a member of S. bovis / S. equinus complex. Sequence characterization of the cloned gene AmySL displayed a 1640 bp long with an open reading frame coding 298 amino acids. AmySL has a molecular mass of 33.456 Da which was considerably smaller. The optimal pH and temparature for AmySL werepH 6.5 and 40oC, respectively. AmySL hydrolyzed starch to maltose and other oligosaccarides as the final products. Random coils (37.25%) and α-helix (34.23%) were dominated the secondary structure of AmySL. S. lutetiensis RB4 grouped together with S. macedanicus and S. pasterurianus according to phylogenetics analysis. This research identified some features of the amylase gene isolated from S. lutetiensis. Although S. bovis, which has an important place in amylolytic bacteria, is known to be an important factor in rumina l acidosis, the number of studies on the amylases of the SBSEC group is surprisingly low. Therefore, this study will add to our understanding of the enzymes belonging to the SBSEC complex involved in the breakdown of rumen starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability in the textile industry is a major challenge. As a strategy, enzymes are used as biocatalysts in textile processing. Amylase enzymes can help to remove impurities and starch. Glucose oxidase, laccase, and cellulase promote fiber bleaching. Laccases, e.g., Pleurotus, Trametes, and Cerrena are used in dyeing with natural or chemical precursors. Current literature reports a vast number of promising results; however, operating conditions with high temperatures, extreme pH, and very long kinetics can make industrial applications still unfeasible. Desizing with commercial and isolated enzymes was evaluated in terms of percentage of gum removal, wettability, and TEGEWA scale, the bleaching efficiency was based on whiteness and Berger indices. Finishing with enzymes improves the final appearance of the fabric and, therefore, was also addressed. Dyeing with natural dyes and chemical precursors in the presence of enzymes was also discussed in terms of color strength (K/S) and CIE index. A final topic is presented on the combination of several steps in a single bath and their implications. This critical review was based on a theoretical framework combined with the opinion of an expert in biotechnology from the textile industry, bringing real perspectives on the application of enzymes in this important industrial sector. [Display omitted] • Natural and chemical dyes combined with enzymes for textile industries are deeply discussed. • Critical discussion about the real applicability of the enzymatic processes. • Evaluation of the integration of wet process steps in textile processing. • The technical opinion of an enzyme biotechnology expert is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal plant Aaronsohnia pubescens is currently used in the algerian phytotherapy to treat several disorders. In order to investigate the potential influence of A. pubescens, six extracts were screened for their antioxidant and anti-amylase capacities. Antioxidant ability was evaluated by different assays as well as scavenging effect of free radicals (DPPH, ABTS, GOR and hydroxyl radical), metal chelating, reducing power, CUPRAC and total antioxidant capacity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in these extracts were also measured. Phenolic compounds in different extracts were identified using the HPLC-DAD analysis. The total phenolic contents of these extracts ranged from 70 to 335.9 mg GAE/g. Generally, the highest amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts, which may explain their strong antioxidant activity. All extracts demonstrated a significant inhibitory activity on a-amylase. Based on these findings, A. pubescens could serve as a source of natural compounds for oxidative damage and diabetes mellitus management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is a condition that limits crop growth and productivity, and soil-dwelling bacteria from halophytic plant roots may be a viable strategy to cope with low productivity due to salt stress. Halophilic and halotolerant bacteria of the root soil of Sesuvium verrucosum were analyzed in this study as there is little evidence regarding its associated microbiology. Soil was sampled from the roots of Sesuvium verrucosum to obtain the cultivable bacteria. Their morphological characteristics were identified and they were molecularly identified by the 16S sequence. The growth capacity of the bacteria was determined at different levels of pH and salinity, and several growth promotion characteristics were identified, such as phosphorus solubilization, indole acetic acid production by the tryptophan-dependent (AIAt) and tryptophan-independent (IAA) pathways, ammonium production from organic sources, solubilization of carbonates, and zinc and sodium capture capacity. In addition, the bacteria that presented the best characteristics for germination variables of Solanum lycopersicum were evaluated. A total of 20 bacteria from root soil of Sesuvium verrucosum Raf. belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria (50%), Firmicutes (45%) and Actinobacteria (5%) were identified, with each one having different morphological characteristics. Among the bacterial isolates, 45% had the ability to resist different levels of salinity and pH, ranging from 0 to 20% of NaCl, and pH between 5 and 11. Moreover, these bacteria had the capacity to solubilize carbonates, phosphorus and zinc, capture sodium, produce ammonium from organic substrates and IAA (indole acetic acid), and promote enzymatic activity of amylases, proteases, lipases and cellulases. The bacteria evaluated on the germination of Solanum lycopersicum had an influence on germination at different salinity levels, with greater influence at 100 mM NaCl. This demonstrated that halophilic bacteria belonging to the rhizosphere of Sesuvium verrucosum have the ability to promote growth in extreme salinity conditions, making them candidates for the recovery of productivity in saline soils. [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.)

Biochemical and kinetic properties are of special interest for the specific applications of α-amylases in industrial sectors such as textile industries, detergents, biofuels and food among others. Therefore, protein engineering is currently directed towards a continuous demand to improve the properties of amylases and thus meet the specific characteristics for various industrial sectors. In the present work, modular protein engineering was performed to improve the biochemical and kinetic properties of AmyJ33r an α-amylase isolated from Bacillus siamensis JJC33M consisting of five domains, A, B, C, D and E (SBD) (Montor-Antonio et al. in 3 Biotech 7:336, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-017-0954-8). AmyJ33r is not active on native starch, only showing activity on gelatinized starch. At the C-terminal, AmyJ33r has a starch binding domain (SBD, domain E) belonging to the CBM26 family. In this study, four truncated versions were constructed and expressed in E. coli (AmyJ33-AB, AmyJ33-ABC, AmyJ33-ABCD, and SBD) to determine the role of the A, B, C, D, and E domains in the biochemical behavior of AmyJ33r on starch. Biochemical and kinetic characterization of the truncated versions showed that domain C is essential for catalysis; domain D improved enzyme activity at alkaline pH values, is also involved negatively in thermostability at 40, 50, and 60 °C and its presence favored the production of maltooligosaccharides with a higher degree of polymerization (DP4). E domain have interaction with raw starch, also the deletion of E domain (SBD) favors the affinity for the substrate while the deletion of D domain increased enzyme kcat at the time of product release. In conclusion, AmyJ33-ABC has better kinetic parameters than AmyJ33-ABCD and AmyJ33r, but is less stable than these two enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by raised glucose levels in the blood, resulting in grave damage over time to various body organs, including the nerves, heart, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. One of its therapeutic treatment approaches involves the inhibition of enzymes accountable for carbohydrate digestion and absorption. The present work is aimed at evaluating the potential of some reported metabolites from Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen, Guttiferae) as alpha-amylase inhibitors. Forty compounds were assessed for their capacity to inhibit alpha-amylase using in silico studies as well as in vitro assays. Molecular docking was carried out to analyze their binding capacities in the 3D structure of alpha-amylase (PDB ID: 4GQR). Among the tested compounds, 6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2,4,6,3′,4′,6′-hexahydroxybenzophenone (8), aromadendrin-8-C-glucoside (5), epicatechin (6), rhodanthenone (4), and garcixanthone D (40) had a high XP G.score and a Glide G.score of −12.425, −11.855, −11.135, and −11.048 Kcal/mol, respectively. Compound 8 possessed the XP and Glide docking score of −12.425 Kcal/mol compared to the reference compounds myricetin and acarbose which had an XP and Glide docking score of −12.319 and 11.201 Kcal/mol, respectively. It interacted through hydrogen bond formations between its hydroxyl groups and the residues His 101, Asp 197, Glu 233, Asp 300, and His 305, in addition to water bridges and hydrophobic interactions. Molecular mechanics-generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) was used to calculate the binding free energy and molecular dynamic studies that indicated the stability of the alpha-amylase-compound 8 complex during the 100 ns simulation in comparison with myricetin- and acarbose-alpha-amylase complexes. Additionally, the in vitro alpha-amylase inhibition assay findings validated the in silico study's findings. This could further validate the potential of G. mangostana as a candidate for diabetes management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the intestinal targeted release of kidney tea saponins, a simple delivery system was designed through the use of porous starch (PS), sodium alginate (ALG) and xanthan gum (XG). Porous starch was prepared by hydrolysis with a combination of α-amylase and amyloglucosidase and it was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, which revealed the formation of porous structures in the starch granules. The results of one-way optimisation illustrated that this unique delivery system achieved 79.00 ± 1.22 % of the optimal encapsulation rate. The carrier structure was subjected to analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay showed better inhibition of kidney tea saponin compared to the positive control acarbose. In addition, the effectiveness of this delivery design was confirmed via an in vitro simulated digestion method. It was showed that only a 15.57 ± 1.27 % release rate of kidney tea saponin was observed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, whereas release rates of 17.51 ± 1.29 % and 41.07 ± 0.76 % were observed for xanthan gum/sodium alginate/kidney tea saponin and sodium alginate/kidney tea saponin beads, respectively. It was concluded that the utilization of PS and a xanthan gum/sodium alginate coating represents an efficacious methodology for the development of an intestinal targeted delivery system. • A hydrogel bead for the intestinal targeted release of kidney tea saponins was prepared. • Hydrogel beads consist of porous starch, sodium alginate and xanthan gum. • Porous starch was prepared by hydrolysis with a combination of α-amylase and amyloglucosidase. • The prepared hydrogel beads achieved a high encapsulation rate of 79.00 ± 1.22 %. • Over 80 % of kidney tea saponins can be transported to the intestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Amylases and glucoamylases play a crucial role in starch degradation for various industrial applications. Further exploration of novel α-amylases and glucoamylases with diverse enzymatic characteristics is necessary. In this study, metagenomics analysis revealed a high abundance of these enzymes in the microorganisms of Daqu and Pu-erh tea, identifying 271 glucoamylases and 232 α-amylases with significant sequence identity to known enzymes. Functional studies indicated that these enzymes have broad optimal temperatures (30 °C to 70 °C) and acidic or neutral pH optima. Additionally, two novel low-temperature glucoamylases and one novel low-temperature α-amylases were characterized, demonstrating potential for use in industries operating under low temperature conditions. Further analysis suggested that fewer molecular interactions and more flexible coli regions may contribute to their high activity at low temperatures. In summary, this study not only highlights the feasibility of exploring enzymes through metagenomic approaches, but also presents a library of novel and diverse α-amylases and glucoamylases for potential industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of complexing conditions on the formation of amylose-lipid-protein complexes and relationships between structure and digestion of amylose-lipid and amylose-lipid-protein complexes were poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of complexing time (0, 0.5, 2, 4 and 6 h) and temperature (60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 °C) on the structure and in vitro amylolysis of amylose-lauric acid (AM-LA) and amylose-lauric acid-β-lactoglobulin (AM-LA-βLG) complexes, and to understand the relationships between structure and in vitro digestiblity of these complexes. Longer complexing time and higher complexing temperature promoted the formation of greater amounts of the more stable type II crystallites than type I crystallites in both AM-LA and AM-LA-βLG complexes, which in turn decreased the rate and extent of the complexes digestion to a greater extent. Correlation analyses between parameters for structure and digestion kinetics showed that both the quantity of AM-LA and AM-LA-βLG complexes and the quality of their arrangement into V-type crystallites influenced their rate and extent of digestion. This study demonstrates that AM-LA and AM-LA-βLG complexes can be prepared with designed structural and functional properties tailored for various applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different quantification methods for in vitro amylolysis were compared for individual chickpea and lentil cotyledon cells (ICC) as a relevant case study. For the first time, much-applied spectrophotometric methods relying on the quantification of certain functional groups (i.e., DNS, GOPOD) were compared to chromatographic quantification of starch metabolites (HPLC-ELSD). The estimated rate constant and linked initial rates of amylolysis were highly correlated for DNS, GOPOD, and HPLC-ELSD. However, absolute amylolysis levels depended on the applied method and sample-specific metabolite formation patterns. Multiresponse modelling was employed to further investigate HPLC-ELSD metabolite formation patterns. This delivered insight into the relative importance of different amylolysis reactions during in vitro digestion of pulse ICC, proving that maltotriose and maltose formation determined the overall amylolysis rate in this case. Multiresponse reaction rate constants of maltotriose and maltose formation were highly correlated to single response amylolysis rate constants (and initial rates) obtained for all three quantification methods. [Display omitted] • In vitro amylolysis quantification methods DNS, GOPOD and HPLC-ELSD were compared. • Quantification results were highly correlated, though extents were method-dependent. • HPLC-ELSD delivered in-depth insight into starch metabolite formation patterns. • Multiresponse modelling provided insight into amylolysis reactions. • Maltose and maltotriose formation are rate-determining for pulse cell amylolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of freezing rates using direct (LF: Liquid nitrogen) and indirect (RF: Cryogenic refrigerator and UF: ultra-freezer) methods at temperatures of (−20, −80, and − 196 °C) on the enzymatic susceptibility with α-amylase for microparticles. In vitro digestibility parameters and technological properties were also analyzed. Lower rates resulted in larger ice crystals, damaging the starch structure. Hydrolysis was more pronounced at slower rates RF: 0.07 °C/min and UF: 0.14 °C/min, yielding maximum values of RDS: 37.63% and SDS: 59.32% for RF. Type A crystallinity remained unchanged, with only a noted increase in crystallinity of up to 6.50% for FR. Starch pastes were classified as pseudoplastic, with RF exhibiting superior textural parameters and apparent viscosity. (RF: 7.18 J g−1 and UF: 7.34 J g−1) also showed lower values of gelatinization enthalpy. Freezing techniques were viable in facilitating the diffusion of α-amylase and reducing RS by up to 81%. • Lower freezing rates caused more damage to starch. • RF and UF were effective in modifying the in vitro digestibility of rice starch. • The combination of freezing with α-amylase generated pores and cracks on the surface. • RF showed higher crystallinity and particle size, as well as higher viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The flowers of Citharexylum spinosum L. was investigated phytochemically. • Verbascoside, apigenin and four rare flavone glucosides were isolated by preparative HPLC. • The isolated compounds exhibited a promising in vitro anti- α- amylase activity. • The in silico molecular docking of the isolated molecules validated the strong antidiabetic effects. • The drug-likeness properties of the studied compounds were predicted. Human concern for its public health has been a cornerstone since ancient times, with humans exploring natural resources in their environment for medicinal purposes. Plants have long served as the primary source of medicinal compounds, reflecting centuries of exploration and experimentation. Today, leveraging cognitive and technological advancements, researchers continue to deepen their studies towards achieving optimal health conditions. In pursuit of antihyperglycemic phyto-alternatives, a phytochemical investigation of EtOAc and n -BuOH flower extracts of Citharexylum spinosum L. yielded four rare flavone glucosides viz. cirsilineol 4′-glucoside, jaceoside, 5,4′-dihydroxy-7,3′-dimethoxyflavone 6-glucoside and pedaliin. Additionally, the flavone aglycone apigenin, and the phenylethanoid glycoside verbascoside were isolated. The flavonoid compounds were isolated for the first time from C. spinosum tree. The extracts underwent silica gel column chromatography for simplification, followed by compound purification using preparative HPLC. Molecular structures were elucidated through NMR spectroscopic experiments, spectrometric ESI-HRMS analysis, and comparisons with existing literature data. Subsequently, extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antihyperglycemic activities by assessing their ability to inhibit α-amylase enzymatic activity. EtOAc and n -BuOH extracts displayed important anti-α-amylase properties with IC 50 values of 52.5 ± 1.2 and 36.3 ± 1.1 µg/mL, respectively. The results demonstrated promising inhibitory properties of the α-amylase enzyme by the polyphenols isolated in this study. IC 50 values ranged from 12.8 ± 0.1 to 23.2 ± 0.1 µM for the isolated compounds, comparable to the reference standard acarbose (IC 50 = 12.3 ± 0.1 µM). Furthermore, a structure-activity relationship study was conducted, with all isolated molecules docked to the α-amylase enzyme (PDB: 7TAA) and their drug-likeness properties predicted. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]