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Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), is a widely available plant protein receiving great interest because of its nutritional and functional properties. It can be a valuable source of protein for vegetarians. However, it has not received commercial significance due to the lack of a streamlined extraction process at the industrial scale, including its potential health benefits. In this review, we have summarized the literature on the biochemical characteristics of RuBisCO and compared its nutritional value with other plant proteins, as well as highlighted its digestibility, allergic traits, and potential health benefits. Moreover, the existing literature on the extraction of RuBisCO, associated challenges in industrial-scale RuBisCO purification, and recent innovations that occurred in this context are compiled. We believe this review will provide insights into RuBisCO’s nutritional value and techno-functionality. Altogether, RuBisCO can be a sustainable source of protein in the future, especially for vegetarians.

Abstract Dahi is a very common and traditional fermented dairy product in Pakistan and its neighboring countries, it represents a rich source for the isolation of many new strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The major objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic potential of novel exopolysaccharide (EPS)‐producing strains of S. thermophilus isolated from Dahi, sold in the local markets of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. In this study, 32 isolates of S. thermophilus were initially isolated from Dahi and out of these, 10 identified strains were further screened for their EPS‐producing ability. Maximum EPS production was estimated for RIY strain (133.0 ± 0.06), followed by RIH4 strain (103.83 ± 0.76) and RIRT2 strain (95.77 ± 0.22), respectively. Thereafter, in vitro studies revealed that these newly identified EPS‐producing strains of S. thermophilus fulfilled the basic requirements for probiotic functions; including resistance to harsh conditions of GIT, good cell surface hydrophobicity, auto‐aggregation, and co‐aggregation, especially against L. monocytogenes. Finally, the safety assessment displayed that these strains were also sensitive to clinical antibiotics, including vancomycin. Thus, these selected EPS strains of S. thermophilus act as potential candidates for biostabilizers in the preparation of consumer‐friendly fermented probiotic milk products.

The effective and comprehensive utilization of forest resources has become the theme of the global "dual-carbon strategy". Forestry restructured wood is a kind of wood-based panel made of wood-based fiber composite material by high-temperature and high-pressure restructuring–molding, and has become an important material in the field of construction, furniture manufacturing, as well as derivative processing for its excellent physical and mechanical properties, decorative properties, and processing performance. Taking Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) as the recombinant material as the research object, an event-triggered synergetic control mechanism based on interventional three-way decision making is proposed for the viscoelastic multi-field coupling-distributed agile control of the "fixed thickness section" in the MDF continuous flat-pressing process, where some typical quality control problems of complex plate shape deviations including thickness, slope, depression, and bump tend to occur. Firstly, the idea of constructing the industrial event information of continuous hot pressing based on information granulation is proposed, and the information granulation model of the viscoelastic plate shape process mechanism is established by combining the multi-field coupling effect. Secondly, an FMEA-based cyber granular method for diagnosing and controlling the plate thickness diagnosis and control failure information expression of continuous flat pressing is proposed for the problems of plate thickness control failure and plate thickness deviation defect elimination that are prone to occur in the continuous flat-pressing process. The precise control of the plate thickness in the production process is realized based on event-triggered control to achieve the intelligent identification and processing of the various types of faults. The application test is conducted in the international mainstream production line of a certain type of continuous hot-pressing equipment for the production of 18 mm plate thickness; the synergistic effect is basically synchronized after 3 s, the control accuracy reaches 30%, and the average value of the internal bond strength is 1.40, which ensures the integrity of the slab. Practical tests show that the method in the actual production is feasible and effective, with detection and control accuracy of up to ±0.05 mm, indicating that in the production of E0- and E1-level products, the rate of superior products can reach more than 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) protein is a new plant protein alternative source with high nutrient content especially protein and phenolic compounds. The present study investigated physicochemical properties, phenolic content, antioxidant potential, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production during in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation of faba bean hydrolysates and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Results indicate that the enzymic hydrolysates of faba proteins exhibited higher protein solubility, increased electronegativity, and decreased surface hydrophobicity than native faba protein. O/W emulsions showed improved colloidal stability for the faba protein hydrolysates after ultra-high temperature processing (UHT). Furthermore, UHT processing preserved total phenolic content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities while decreasing total flavonoid content and ferric reducing power. Besides, the release of phenolic compounds in faba bean hydrolysates (FBH) and emulsions (FBE) improved after intestinal digestion by 0.44 mg GAE/g and 0.55 mg GAE/g, respectively. For colonic fermentation, FBH demonstrated an approximately 10 mg TE/g higher ABTS value than FBE (106.45 mg TE/g). Total SCFAs production of both FBH and FBE was only 0.03 mM. The treatment of FBH with 30 min enzymatic hydrolysis displayed relatively higher antioxidant capacities and SCFAs production, indicating its potential to bring more benefits to gut health. Overall, this study showed that enzymic hydrolysis of faba proteins not only improved the colloidal emulsion stability, but also released antioxidant capacity during in vitro digestibility and colonic fermentation. Colonic fermentation metabolites (SCFAs) were related to the degree of hydrolysis for both FBH and FBE. Additional studies are required to further elucidate and differentiate the role of phenolics during faba protein processing and digestion stages in comparison to contributions of peptides, amino acids and microelements to digestion rates, antioxidant capacities and colonial SCFA production.

Iroquois Homeobox 4 (IRX4) belongs to a family of homeobox TFs having roles in embryogenesis, cell specification, and organ development. Recently, large scale genome‐wide association studies and epigenetic studies have highlighted the role of IRX4 and its associated variants in prostate cancer. No studies have investigated and characterized the structural aspect of the IRX4 homeodomain and its potential to bind to DNA. The current study uses sequence analysis, homology modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations to explore IRX4 homeodomain‐DNA recognition mechanisms and the role of somatic mutations affecting these interactions. Using publicly available databases, gene expression of IRX4 was found in different tissues, including prostate, heart, skin, vagina, and the protein expression was found in cancer cell lines (HCT166, HEK293), B cells, ascitic fluid, and brain. Sequence conservation of the homeodomain shed light on the importance of N‐ and C‐terminal residues involved in DNA binding. The specificity of IRX4 homodimer bound to consensus human DNA sequence was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations, representing the role of conserved amino acids including R145, A194, N195, S190, R198, and R199 in binding to DNA. Additional N‐terminal residues like T144 and G143 were also found to have specific interactions highlighting the importance of N‐terminus of the homeodomain in DNA recognition. Additionally, the effects of somatic mutations, including the conserved Arginine (R145, R198, and R199) residues on DNA binding elucidated the importance of these residues in stabilizing the protein‐DNA complex. Secondary structure and hydrogen bonding analysis showed the roles of specific residues (R145, T191, A194, N195, R198, and R199) in maintaining the homogeneity of the structure and its interaction with DNA. The differences in relative binding free energies of all the mutants shed light on the structural modularity of this protein and the dynamics behind protein‐DNA interaction. We also have predicted that the C‐terminal sequence of the IRX4 homeodomain could act as a potential cell‐penetrating peptide, emphasizing the role these small peptides could play in targeting homeobox TFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a worldwide cultivated oil crop that belongs to the family Pedaliaceae. Sesame seeds possess high nutritional value, enriching fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Various phytochemical constituents are found in sesame seeds and/or oil, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, phytosterols, tocopherols, phospholipids, and unique class of lignans such as sesamin and sesamolin, showing specific health potential to the human body (antioxidant, antimutagenic, estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and hypolipidemic). Bioavailability is composed of two components: bioactivity and bioaccessibility. However, because phytochemicals are treated by the body as xenobiotics, their bioavailability is poor, and their presence in the body is temporary. Although specific methods for determining phytochemical bioavailability in sesame are being established using both in vitro and in vivo approaches, the results are still inconclusive. Several factors will impact bioavailability in the human body, including molecular structure, transport mechanisms, and food-drug interactions. To improve the bioavailability of phytochemicals in sesame and thereby enhance the bioactivities, specific methods such as the application of sesamol solid lipid nanoparticles, the application of colloidal systems, and changing the solubility of phytosterols will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, a back swept impeller of centrifugal compressor is experimentally studied and numerically validated and modified to increase its pressure ratio and improve efficiency, as well as to analyse the effect of splitter blade location between two main blades. The back swept multi splitter blade impeller was designed with a big splitter positioned close to the main blade suction surface and a smaller splitter close to the pressure surface. Adding this multi splitter improves the overall performance of the modified impeller due to less intensive flow separation and smaller pressure loss. In particular, the total pressure ratio was observed to increase from 4.1 to 4.4, with one percent increase in efficiency.

The objective of this research was to develop a model faba bean drink with a high concentration of protein (>4% w/w). The protein molecular weights and frequency for both faba and soy were assessed using SDS-PAGE. Results showed similarities in the protein molecular weight of both faba and soy (mainly 11S globulin ~Glycinin and 7S globulin ~β-conglycinin). Thus, faba can be considered as a potential soy replica in plant-based milk beverages. Oil-in-water emulsions (5–8% w/w available protein) were prepared using faba bean protein concentrate (FPC), 1% sunflower oil, and 0.2% sunflower lecithin. These emulsions were used as model beverages and were further investigated for UHT processibility, stability, and physicochemical properties. The physicochemical properties of emulsions at various processing stages viz., coarse emulsification, homogenisation, and UHT, were measured. An increase in the protein concentration and thermal treatment resulted in an increased oil droplet size, coalescence and flocculation, and protein aggregation. Lower protein concentrations viz., 5–6%, showed greater negative ζ-potential, and thereby, high dispersibility through enhanced electrostatic repulsions than those of higher concentrations (7–8%). Furthermore, an increase in protein concentration and UHT treatment resulted in an increased creaming index. In total, 21 different volatile compounds were detected and quantified, representing different chemical classes, namely alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, furan, and acids. These volatiles have major consequences for the overall flavour chemistry of the model beverage product. Overall, this study showed the potential for application of faba bean as a protein source in UHT-treated legume-based beverages and identified areas for further development.