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Since the couple of decades the demand for silk has been increasing day by day but the average silk production is not enough to meet its demand. In this study, we investigated the effect of with Maize extract in different concentration (0.5%,1.0 %,1.5 %,2.0%, 2.5 %)on the growth 5th stage silkworm larvae on the biological and commercial traits of Bombyx mori L. The silkworm larvae at 5th instar stage were taken and fed with fresh and healthy mulberry leaves coated with Maize extract in different concentration. Results of the current study revealed that the higher growth parameters of 5th stage silkworm larvae, the cocoon weight, shell weight, and shell ratio were increased, and thus improved the quality of silk as compared to the control. The commercial traits of larvae fed with Maize extract in different concentration leaves also improved significantly. The larvae fed with Maize extract in different concentration treated mulberry leaves showed the maximum cocoon weight, cocoon length, cocoon width, cocoon shell ratio and fibroin content as compared to the control group. It is evident from the results that the fed with Maize extract coated mulberry leaves have a positive effect on the commercial and biological traits of Bombyx mori (L.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamb meat has become very popular with consumers in recent years due to its nutritional benefits. As a lean red meat, lamb is an important natural source of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, which can be modified by adjustments in livestock feed. This study used proteomic and metabolic analyses to compare a basal ration supplemented with either mulberry silage or corn silage. Supplementation with mulberry silage led to a reduction in subcutaneous carcass fatness compared with corn silage. Additionally, changes in the proteome associated with fatty acid metabolism and oxidation resulted in decreased levels of saturated and trans fatty acids, while significantly increasing the levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA) and oleic acid and reducing linoleic acid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The phytochemicals of high nutritional and functional properties in Lepidium sativum L. (garden cress) seeds have nominated their seed powder (regardless of the concentration used) for enrichment of mulberry leaves in order to enhance Bombyx mori L. larval feeding, and consequently to gain ground in sericulture industry. As expected, B. mori larval feeding on L. sativum-enriched mulberry leaves showed not only a remarkable increase in mean values of certain economic parameters of B. mori, such as cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, pupal weight, and egg yield, compared with the control group, but also showed a phenomenal increase in egg counts (on average, ca. 958–1256 eggs laid per female moth) and a significant increase in egg size (measured as egg surface area and egg volume). Male or female moth larval diet has significantly influenced the reproductive performance or fitness of both sexes of B. mori in terms of large-sized moths (measured as forewing, hind femur, and hind tibia lengths) and highly fecund moths (i.e., increased fecundity and spermatophore counts per female moth, and large-sized eggs). On the basis of B. mori female moth reproductive index, the female moths from L. sativum-fed larvae proved to have a lower reproductive index compared to their corresponding value for females of the control group, indicating more efficient utilization of larval resources for B. mori reproduction. Quantification of the three main physiological resources viz., protein, lipid and carbohydrate in the internal reproductive tract of B. mori female moths at death has nominated the female moth abdomens, or simply their bodies, as being a reasonable natural source of protein, lipid, and carbohydrate, to be involved in certain manufactures (e.g., pet feed formulations) instead of discarding them as a source of environmental pollution. Evidently, the L. sativum seed powder is of considerable interest because it remarkably improves the performance of such an economically important insect, B. mori. This is the first study for evaluating the efficacy of L. sativum seed powder in sericulture field to enhance B. mori productivity parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry perishes easily due to its high water content and thin skin. It is important to extend the shelf life of mulberry by proper processing methods. In the present study, the influence of three drying techniques, including hot air drying (HAD), vacuum drying (VD), and vacuum freeze-drying (VFD) on the quality maintenance of mulberry was comprehensively evaluated. Bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and the sensory and volatile flavor compounds of mulberry have been researched. The results showed that VFD treatment maintained the highest anthocyanins (6.99 mg/g), total flavones (3.18 mg/g), and soluble sugars (2.94 mg/g), and exhibited the best DPPH· (81.2%) and ABTS+· (79.9%) scavenging ability. Mulberry also presented the lowest hardness and the greatest brittleness after VFD. Additionally, VFD maintained the optimal color and presented the best sensory attributes. Furthermore, 30, 20, and 32 kinds of volatile flavor compounds were detected in HAD, VD, and VFD, respectively, among which aldehydes, esters, and ketones were the most abundant compounds. This study indicated the potential application value of VFD for the drying of fruit and vegetable foodstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silkworm Bombyx mori L. converts plant protein into silk. In silk producing countries mulberry leaves are primarily used to feed silkworms, however, recent studies have shown that nutritional supplements in the diet improved the morphological parameters of larvae and cocoons. In the current paper we investigated the effects of whey protein dissolved in water on the larval development of B. mori, cocoon production, mechanical properties of silk threads, silk gland morphology, and mRNA expression of the L-fibroin and sericin-1 genes. The results showed that whey protein supplementation did not affect larval development, and the histological structure of the silk glands remained intact. The water group and whey protein 10% group yielded the highest efficiency of silk protein synthesis. Mechanical testing of silk threads demonstrated that supplementation with whey protein did not affect the quality. The groups fed with whey protein supplements showed similar expression of L-fibroin gene, and higher expression of the sericin-1 gene. Our findings suggest that whey protein does not adversely affect the silk glands and could serve as a basis to produce artificial food for the silkworm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study highlights the importance of intersexual differentiation in dioecious plant speciation and maintenance. Using Morus alba plants, we identified 1543 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between male and female individuals. Notably, 333 genes were exclusively expressed in male inflorescences, while 66 were unique to female inflorescences. Through comparative transcriptomics, 841 genes with significantly higher expression in males were linked to defense-related pathways, and 702 genes with female-biased expression were related to growth and development pathways. Signals of selection were detected in both male- and female-biased genes, indicating their role in evolution. These findings advance our understanding of the molecular basis of intersexual differentiation and shed light on sex evolution in M. alba plants. Intersexual differentiation is crucial for the speciation and maintenance of dioecious plants, but the underlying mechanisms, including the genes involved, are still poorly understood. Here, we focused on a typical dioicous plant Morus alba, to explore the molecular footprints relevant to sex evolution by revealing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two sexes and the testing signals of selection for these DEGs. From the results, we found a total of 1543 DEGs. Interestingly, 333 and 66 genes expression were detected only in male and female inflorescences, respectively. Using comparative transcriptomics, the expression of 841 genes were found to be significantly higher in male than in female inflorescences and were mainly enriched in defense-related pathways including the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, cutin, suberine and waxes. Meanwhile, the expression of 702 genes was female-biased and largely enriched in pathways related to growth and development, such as carbohydrate metabolism, auxin signaling and cellular responses. In addition, 16.7% and 17.6% signals of selection were significantly detected in female- and male-biased genes, respectively, suggesting their non-negligible role in evolution. Our findings expanded the understanding of the molecular basis of intersexual differentiation and contribute to further research on sex evolution in dioecious plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide a scientific basis for controlling mulberry bacterial blight in Bazhong, Sichuan, China (BSC), this study aimed to isolate and purify pathogenic bacteria from diseased branches of mulberry trees in the region and to clarify their taxonomic status using morphological observation, physiological and biochemical detection, molecular-level identification, and the construction of a phylogenetic tree. A total of 218 bacterial strains were isolated from samples of diseased mulberry branches. Of these, 7 strains were identified as pathogenic bacteria based on pathogenicity tests conducted in accordance with Koch's postulates. Preliminary findings from the analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence indicated that the 7 pathogenic bacteria are members of Klebsiella spp. Morphological observation revealed that the pathogenic bacteria were oval-shaped and had capsules but no spores. They could secrete pectinase, cellulase, and protease and were able to utilize D-glucose, D-mannose, D-maltose, and D-Cellobiose. The 7 strains of pathogenic bacteria exhibited the highest homology with Klebsiella oxytoca. This study identifies Klebsiella oxytoca as the causative agent of mulberry bacterial blight in BSC, laying the foundation for the prevention and control of this pathogen and further investigation into its pathogenic mechanism. Supplementary Material Supplementary Material File [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three kinds of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were prepared via green route based on pomegranate (PG), green tea (GT), and mulberry (ML) extracts under ambient conditions. The obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The experimental results show that FeNPs were in the form of amorphous iron (II, III)-polyphenol complex with different dispersity and morphologies. GT-Fe has the smallest size range of 25–35 nm, PG-Fe has a moderate size-distribution of 30–40 nm, while ML-Fe formed a tuberous net-type with a sheeting structure. PG-Fe displays the highest removal efficiency of 90.2% in 20 min towards cationic dye of malachite green (16.6% by ML-Fe and 69.3% by GT-Fe), which is attributed to its highest polyphenol content, lowest zeta potential, as well as the most Fe2+ on the surface of FeNPs. The removal mechanism was mainly induced by electrostatic adsorption based on pH and zeta potential tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Considering that sericulture is an important branch of animal husbandry, not only for the production of silk but also as a valuable source of protein, it is necessary to constantly study the possibilities for its improvement as a branch of this domain. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the nutritional value and digestibility of mulberry leaves from the Kokuso 21 and Eforie varieties, as consumed by silkworms (Bombyx mori L., Bombicidae Family, Lepidoptera Order) during a summer study, in 2021. The Japanese variety (Kokuso 21) and the Romanian variety (Eforie) were used as food sources for the Triumf hybrid, developed in Romania; the larvae were divided in two batches of 300 larvae and each set was subdivided into six groups of 50 larvae, which were raised in paper trays based on their age and size. The research indicated that mulberry leaves have an average digestibility value of 54.46%; the aging process of the leaves altered their chemical composition, with most nutrients showing a decreasing trend in digestibility throughout the larval growth period, except for crude fiber, which remained unchanged in the early larval stages and increased to 26.78% towards the end of the experiment. Overall, the Kokuso 21 variety demonstrated superior nutrient digestibility compared to Eforie. An important finding from this study is the need for future research to determine the degree of nutrient metabolism and conversion into silk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mulberry (Morus alba L.) plants are rich in 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which is a potential α-glucosidase inhibitor exhibiting various physiological activities. Compared to other tissues, Morus alba L. seeds contain the highest DNJ content, however, the DNJ biosynthesis mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we examined fruits of 27 mulberry varieties and found that variety MS02 had the highest DNJ levels (22.28 mg/g), whereas variety MS15 contained the lowest DNJ levels (0.37 mg/g). Through comparative transcriptomics, 1,719 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, 1,170 of which were upregulated, and 549 were downregulated in MS02 compared to MS15. DEGs were associated with cellular processes, metabolic processes, and catalytic activity. Specifically, nine DEGs were identified to be involved in alkaloid biosynthesis pathways, according to Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, and four enzymes, i.e. polyphenol oxidase, tyrosine aminotransferase, aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase, and tropinone reductase, are proposed to play important roles in DNJ biosynthesis. In conclusion, DNJ biosynthesis in mulberry seeds appears to be mediated by upregulation of polyphenol oxidase, tyrosine aminotransferase, aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase, and tropinone reductase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Mulberry leaf (ML) is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, historically documented in "Shen Nong's Materia Medica". This study aimed to investigate the effects of ML on enterovirus 71 (EV71) using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments. Methods: We successfully pinpointed shared targets between mulberry leaves (ML) and the EV71 virus by leveraging online databases. Our investigation delved into the interaction among these identified targets, leading to the identification of pivotal components within ML that possess potent anti-EV71 properties. The ability of these components to bind to the targets was verified by molecular docking. Moreover, bioinformatics predictions were used to identify the signaling pathways involved. Finally, the mechanism behind its anti-EV71 action was confirmed through in vitro experiments. Results: Our investigation uncovered 25 active components in ML that targeted 231 specific genes. Of these genes, 29 correlated with the targets of EV71. Quercetin, a major ingredient in ML, was associated with 25 of these genes. According to the molecular docking results, Quercetin has a high binding affinity to the targets of ML and EV71. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, the antiviral effect of Quercetin against EV71 was found to be closely related to the NF-κB signaling pathway. The results of immunofluorescence and Western blotting showed that Quercetin significantly reduced the expression levels of VP1, TNF-α, and IL-1β in EV71-infected human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. The phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 was reduced, and the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway was suppressed by Quercetin. Furthermore, our results showed that Quercetin downregulated the expression of JNK, ERK, and p38 and their phosphorylation levels dueto EV71 infection. Conclusion: With these findings in mind, we can conclude that inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway is a critical mechanism through which Quercetin exerts its anti-EV71 effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the findings of a study on the regulation of silkworm development and cocooning through the ingestion of mulberry microRNAs (miRNAs). The researchers discovered that mulberry miRNAs are present in the silkworm's hemolymph and that silkworms fed with an artificial diet had lower levels of mulberry miRNAs. The study also found that feeding silkworms with an artificial diet supplemented with synthetic miRNA from mulberry leaves resulted in improved growth, development, and cocoon characteristics. Additionally, the researchers identified several upregulated genes with putative target sites for mulberry miRNAs, suggesting their role in regulating silk protein synthesis. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of plant-animal interactions and horizontal miRNA transfer. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The high virulence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has triggered global health and economic concerns. The absence of specific antiviral treatments and the side effects of repurposed drugs present persistent challenges. This study explored a promising antiviral herbal extract against SARS-CoV-2 from selected Thai medicinal plants based on in vitro efficacy and evaluated its antiviral lead compounds by molecular docking. Methods: Twenty-two different ethanolic-aqueous crude extracts (CEs) were rapidly screened for their potential activity against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) as a surrogate using a plaque reduction assay. Extracts achieving ≥ 70% anti-PEDV efficacy proceeded to the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity test using a 50% tissue culture infectious dose method in Vero E6 cells. Molnupiravir and extract-free media served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Potent CEs underwent water/ethyl acetate fractionation to enhance antiviral efficacy, and the fractions were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 performance. The fraction with the highest antiviral potency was identified using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Molecular docking analyses of these compounds against the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 (6LU7) were performed to identify antiviral lead molecules. The top three hits were further evaluated for their conformational stability in the docked complex using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Results: The water fraction of mulberry (Morus alba Linn.) leaf CE (WF-MLCE) exhibited the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy with low cytotoxicity profile (CC50 of ~ 0.7 mg/mL), achieving 99.92% in pre-entry mode and 99.88% in postinfection treatment mode at 0.25 mg/mL. Flavonoids and conjugates were the predominant compounds identified in WF-MLCE. Molecular docking scores of several flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro demonstrated their superior antiviral potency compared to molnupiravir. Remarkably, myricetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, maragrol B, and quercetin 3-O-robinobioside exhibited binding energies of ~ − 9 kcal/mol. The stability of each ligand–protein complex of these compounds with the Mpro system showed stability during MD simulation. These three molecules were pronounced as antiviral leads of WF-MLCE. Given the low cytotoxicity and high antiviral potency of WF-MLCE, it holds promise as a candidate for future therapeutic development for COVID-19 treatment, especially considering its economic and pharmacological advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between mulberry wine and mulberry fruit in terms of the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in mulberry fruit, dry wine and liqueur were performed with HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. It was found that, anthocyanin-3-glucoside and anthocyanin-3-rutinoside were detected in mulberry fruit, dry wine and liqueur. Pelargonidin-3-rutinoside and 4-pyruvate-anthocyanidin-3-glucoside were detected only in mulberry dry wine and liqueur. The content of anthocyanin-3-glucoside and anthocyanin-3-rutinoside in both mulberry dry wine and mulberry liqueur was significantly lower than that in mulberry fruit. In addition, of the eight non-anthocyanidin phenolic compounds identified in mulberry fruit, only four were present in dry wine and liqueur. Compared to the mulberry fruit, mulberry dry wine and liqueur showed significantly higher contents of protocatechin, taxfolin and quercetin. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of mulberry fruit was between mulberry dry wine and liqueur. In conclusion, there are significant differences between phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in mulberry fruit and mulberry wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Most research on the therapeutic effects of wild pistachio species has focused on bacteria and fungi. This study investigated the flavonoid and phenolic contents of different leaves and hulls of Pistacia atlantica (P. atlantica) subsp. Kurdica (P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica) extracts and their effect on herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1). Methods: In this study, aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts of the leaf and hull of P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica were prepared by the percolation method. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in different extracts were measured by UV/Vis spectrophotometry using the Folin-Ciocâlteu reagent and the colorimetric method of aluminum chloride, respectively. On African green monkey kidney cells (VERO), the ethanolic extract of P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica was tested for toxicity. Furthermore, 50% cytotoxic and inhibitory concentrations (CC50 and IC50) were identified. Results: Compared with aqueous and methanolic extracts, the ethanolic extract of the leaf and hull of P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica had the highest phenolic and flavonoid concentrations. In addition, our study showed that CC50 values were 661.81 and 795.21 μg/mL. Also, IC50 values were 97.51 and 110.82 μg/mL for leaf and hull extracts, respectively. The selectivity index for the ethanolic leaf and hull extracts were 6.79 and 7.18, respectively. Conclusion: Our results showed that P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica had an anti-HSV1 effect in a dose-dependent manner but at a higher dose than acyclovir. Ethanolic extract of P. atlantica subsp. Kurdica is probably a suitable herbal medicine with anti-herpetic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the product quality, manufacturers of dried fruits are dedicated to developing reliable methods for assessing ripeness. In this study, a densimetric flotation method was employed to categorize mulberries into five distinct ripening stages (D1–D5, 0.905–1.055 g/cm³). The influence of ripening on mulberry water status, distribution, microstructure, drying characteristics, and product quality was examined. Heat pump drying, utilizing a temperature of 60 °C, relative humidity of 15%, and air velocity of 2 m/s, was employed as the drying technique for mulberries. As ripening progressed, the water binding capability initially decreased and then increased. Simultaneously, water distribution and cell microstructure shifted, resulting in an initial reduction followed by an extension in drying time. The drying time initially decreased and then increased with increasing maturity, with D4 fruits displaying the shortest drying time (13.9 h). This was 35.05%, 24.04%, 20.14%, and 6.47% shorter than the drying times observed in stages D1, D2, D3, and D5, respectively. Ripeness significantly affected the volatile composition, color, texture, and sensory attributes of dried fruits. D1 fruits were not suitable for drying due to their intact cellular structure, lengthy drying time, and poor sensory quality of the resulting product. Conversely, D4 and D5 fruits exhibited shorter drying times and their products possessed a robust fruity aroma, improved palatability, and overall acceptance. This rendered them ideal candidates for the drying process. The findings of this research have practical implications for effective identification and drying procedures during mulberry ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stress, especially drought stress, poses a significant threat to terrestrial plant growth, development, and productivity. Although mulberry has great genetic diversity and extensive stress-tolerant traits in agroforestry systems, only a few reports offer preliminary insight into the biochemical responses of mulberry leaves under drought conditions. In this study, we performed a comparative metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis on the "drooping mulberry" (Morus alba var. pendula Dippel) under PEG-6000-simulated drought stress. Our research revealed that drought stress significantly enhanced flavonoid accumulation and upregulated the expression of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were elevated. In vitro enzyme assays and fermentation tests indicated the involvement of flavonol synthase/flavanone 3-hydroxylase (XM_010098126.2) and anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase 5 (XM_010101521.2) in the biosynthesis of flavonol aglycones and glycosides, respectively. The recombinant MaF3GT5 protein was found to recognize kaempferol, quercetin, and UDP-glucose as substrates but not 3-/7-O-glucosylated flavonols and UDP-rhamnose. MaF3GT5 is capable of forming 3-O- and 7-O-monoglucoside, but not di-O-glucosides, from kaempferol. This implies its role as a flavonol 3, 7-O-glucosyltransferase. The findings from this study provided insights into the biosynthesis of flavonoids and could have substantial implications for the future diversified utilization of mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of oak chips is one of the basic techniques for artificial aging of brandy, but its effect on mulberry brandy flavor is unknown. In this study, the effect of oak chips addition on the aging of mulberry brandy and the evolution of volatile compounds during the aging process were investigated using flavoromics techniques. The results showed that the 15 g/l oak chips had the highest ethyl acetate content and the highest sensory scores at 30 °C aging conditions, with the tannin and total phenol contents at 233.7 ± 6.4 mg/l and 15.83 ± 1.18 mg/l, respectively. Through Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and correlation analysis, 12 essential compounds during aging were identified, among which Ethyl acetate, Whiskey lactone, Furfural, and Vanillin also showed a positive correlation with aroma intensity, positively influencing the quality of mulberry brandy, resulting in a richer brandy flavor. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis and reference for the artificial aging technology of mulberry brandy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a crucial oxidoreductase enzyme that plays a significant role in plant defense mechanisms. In this study, a specific cytochrome P450 gene (MnCYP710A11) was discovered in mulberry (Morus notabilis). Bioinformatic analysis and expression pattern analysis were conducted to elucidate the involvement of MnCYP710A11 in combating Botrytis cinerea infection. After the infection of B. cinerea, there was a notable increase in the expression of MnCYP710A11. MnCYP710A11 is overexpressed in Arabidopsis and mulberry and strongly reacts to B. cinerea. The overexpression of the MnCYP710A11 gene in Arabidopsis and mulberry led to a substantial enhancement in resistance against B. cinerea, elevated catalase (CAT) activity, increased proline content, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. At the same time, H2O2 and O2− levels in MnCYP710A11 transgenic Arabidopsis were decreased, which reduced the damage of ROS accumulation to plants. Furthermore, our research indicates the potential involvement of MnCYP710A11 in B. cinerea resistance through the modulation of other resistance-related genes. These findings establish a crucial foundation for gaining deeper insights into the role of cytochrome P450 in mulberry plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis are the characteristics of the initial stage of nonalcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can be reversed by lifestyle intervention, including dietary supplementation. However, such commercial dietary supplements with solid scientific evidence and in particular clear mechanistic elucidation are scarce. Here, the health benefits of MHP, a commercial mulberry and Hippophae‐based solid beverage, were evaluated in NAFLD rat model and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. Histopathologic examination of liver and white adipose tissue found that MHP supplementation reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy. Serum biochemical results confirmed that MHP effectively ameliorated dyslipidemia and decreased circulation‐free fatty acid level. RNA‐Seq‐based transcriptomic analysis showed that MHP‐regulated genes are involved in the inhibition of lipolysis of adipose tissue and thus may contribute to the reduction of hepatic ectopic lipid deposition. Furthermore, MHP upregulated ACSL1–CPT1a–CPT2 pathway, a canonical pathway that regulated mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism, and promoted liver and adipose tissue fatty acid β‐oxidation. These results suggest that adipose tissue–liver crosstalk may play a key role in maintaining glucose and lipid metabolic hemostasis. In addition, MHP can also ameliorate chronic inflammation through regulating the secretion of adipokines. Our study demonstrates that MHP is able to improve dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis through crosstalk between adipose tissue and liver and also presents transcriptomic evidence to support the underlying mechanisms of action, providing solid evidence for its health claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is the determination some quality parameters of grape and mulberry pestils (leathers) sold in Elazig. For this purpose, a total of 45 fruit pestil samples, of which 23 were grape pestils and 22 were mulberry pestils, were analyzed for their physical properties, chemical properties, and microbiological characteristics. In grape and mulberry pestils, the average L* (lightness/darkness) values were 42.72 and 44.81, a* (redness) values were 10.29 and 9.07, and b* (yellow) values were 20.90 and 20.90, respectively. In grape and mulberry fruit pestil samples, the thickness values were 1.62 and 1.34, pH values were 3.82 and 4.75, acidity values (as citric acid) were 0.63 and 0.22%, aw values were 0.602 and 0.627, dry matter values were 68.78% and 72.99 %, ash values were 2.25% and 0.64%, insoluble ash values in 10% HCl were 0.20 and 0.29, and Brix values were 18.83 and 19.36, respectively. TMAB, coliform, Staphylococcus-Micrococcus, and yeast-mold counts were found to be 4.72 and 4.48, 1.30 and 1.89, 2.11 and 2.12, and 2.04 and 2.11 log10 cfu/g, respectively, in all samples examined. In 14 of the samples (31.11%), the total number of mesophilic aerobic microorganisms was found to be >5 log10 cfu/g. Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were not found in any of the samples. However, the samples were found to contain significant levels of yeast-mold. There was no difference between the groups in microbiological terms in statistical analysis (P > 0.05). According to the current study, there was no standard production and not enough hygiene rules were observed in the pestil production process in family businesses in Elazig. On the other hand, essential information was obtained on some physical, chemical and microbiological quality parameters of grape and blackberry pulps sold in markets and stores in Elazig. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Green tea, mulberry leaf and corn silk are traditional herbs used in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in China for a long time, but their synergistic hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: The effective components of green tea, mulberry leaf and corn silk were extracted and enriched. Mixture design of experiments was used to study the influences of different combinations on the cell viability and glucose uptake level of L6 myoblasts, so as to determine the optimal synergistic hypoglycemic combination. The possible hypoglycemic mechanism of the optimal synergistic combination was explored by cytotoxicity assay, glucose uptake assay, and western blot. Results: Three polyphenol enrichment fractions of the herbs, 30% ethanol elution fraction of green tea (GT), 50% ethanol elution fraction of mulberry leaf (ML) and 60% ethanol elution fraction of corn silk (CS) were obtained. The antioxidant activities of GT-30%, ML-50% and CS-60% were superior to those of crude extracts, and showed strong potential in a-amylase and a-glucosidase inhibition activities. The optimal synergistic combination of crude extracts G7 (crude extract of green tea:crude extract of mulberry leaf:crude extract of corn silk = 1:5:3), polyphenol enrichment fractions R3 (GT-30%:ML-50%:CS-60% = 1:7:1) and monomers X2 (epigallocatechin gallate:morusin:formononetin = 3:1:2) were selected, respectively. G7, R3, and X2 showed promoting effects on the cell viability and glucose uptake of L6 myoblasts within the detected concentration range. In addition, G7, R3, and X2 could increase the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in L6 myoblasts, and promote the translocation of Glut4, but G7 and R3 showed more significant effects. Conclusion: The synergistic hypoglycemic effects of green tea, mulberry leaf and corn silk had the characteristics of multiple-components and multiple-targets with p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and the translocation of Glut4 signal pathways involved. The three traditional herbs might have the potential to be combined used for the prevention and treatment of diabetes based on the synergistic hypoglycemic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out at Department of Sericulture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru to know the effect of foliar application of different volumes of nano nitrogen on growth and yield of mulberry and its subsequent effect on silkworm Bombyx mori L. (FC1 X FC2). The study resulted in significant improvement in silkworm (FC1 x FC2), when fed with mulberry leaves raised with different volumes of nano nitrogen fertilizer. Significantly shorter fifth instar larval duration (8.67 days), higher fifth instar larval weight (36.65 g/10 larvae) and better ERR (100 %) were observed from the silkworm batches fed with leaves harvested from mulberry plants raised with foliar application of 0.4% nano nitrogen fertilizer @ 225 ltr per acre on 25th day after pruning + 50% soil application of N, which was on par with silkworm batches fed with leaves harvested from mulberry plants raised with foliar application of 0.4% nano nitrogen fertilizer @ 200 ltr per acre on 25th day after pruning + 50% soil application of N showing shorter fifth instar larval duration (8.67 days), higher fifth instar larval weight (36.07 g/10 larvae) and better ERR (100 %). The cocoon parameters of silkworm (FC1 x FC2) viz., cocoon yield by weight (22.62 kg/10,000 worms), cocoon yield by number (10,000 / 10,000 worms), cocoon weight (2.26 g), cocoon shell weight (0.50 g), pupal weight (1.77 g), cocoon shell ratio (21.90 %) and reeling parameters viz., average filament length (1280.46 m) and non-breakable filament length (1251.01 m) were significantly superior in the silkworm groups fed with leaves harvested from mulberry plants raised with foliar application of 0.4% nano nitrogen fertilizer @ 225 ltr per acre on 25th day after pruning + 50% soil application of N, which was on par with the silkworm batches fed with leaves harvested from mulberry plants raised with foliar application of 0.4% nano nitrogen fertilizer @ 200 ltr per acre on 25th day after pruning + 50% soil application of N showing cocoon yield by weight (22.50 kg/10,000 worms), cocoon yield by number (10,000 / 10,000 worms), cocoon weight (2.25 g), cocoon shell weight (0.48 g), pupal weight (1.77 g), cocoon shell ratio (21.45 %) and reeling parameters viz., average filament length (1232.10 m) and non-breakable filament length (1197.60 m). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to study the impact on mulberry leaf quality and silkworm growth performance by the application of growth promoter. In the irrigated mulberry field experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design layout with four replications and five treatments. Result showed that higher quality of mulberry leaves was obtained on Effective Microorganisms (EM) treated plots compared to others because beneficial microorganism in the EM enhanced the plant growth metabolism to increase their growth. As for correlation analysis, all leaf quality traits were highly significantly positive correlated with silkworm cocoon traits. In simple linear regression analysis, the mulberry leaf quality traits were significantly influenced the silkworm cocoon traits except leaf protein with cocoon weight (Adj R² = - 0.30337) which has negative relationship between them. Highly close relationship was noticed on total carbohydrate content on larval weight (Adj R² = 0.93655) followed by total chlorophyll content on shell weight (Adj R² = 0.90569), silk gland weight (Adj R² = 0.87275), ERR (Adj R² = 0.84312) and total carbohydrate content on shell weight (Adj R² = 0.84606). Thus, the total chlorophyll and carbohydrate content might be a good trait and mostly responsible for producing good quality cocoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the effective method of the enrichment and purification of anthocyanin in black wolfberry and mulberry, and identify the structure of anthocyanin, the black wolfberry and mulberry extracts were purified by macroporous resins. The adsorption and desorption abilities of different types of the resins for anthocyanins were compared. LX-20SS was optimized as the resin for the purification of anthocyanins from black wolfberry. The purification conditions were as follows: The mass ratio of resin to crude anthocyanin powder of black wolfberry was at 10:1, and the elution concentration of ethanol was 70%, and the flow rate was 3 mL/min. After the purification, the content of anthocyanin reached 144.18±3.40 mg/g. DM-21 was optimized as the resin for the purification of mulberry anthocyanin. The purification conditions were as follows: The mass ratio of resin to crude anthocyanin powder of mulberry was at 20:3, and the elution concentration of ethanol was 30%, and the flow rate was 1 mL/min. The content of anthocyanin reached 112.44±2.24 mg/g after purification. High performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis for anthocyanin structures in black wolfberry and mulberry showed that the main anthocyanin in black wolfberry was petunidin-3-O-rutinose (p-coumaroyl)-5-O-glucoside, which accounted for more than 95% of the total anthocyanin. In addition, there are two main types of anthocyanins in mulberry, corresponding to cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3- rutinoside, which accounted for 63.58% and 36.42% of the total anthocyanins respectively. The results provided references for the development of black wolfberry and mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To improve the contents of various hypoglycemic components in natural mulberry leaves, different fermentation-promoting substances were added to mulberry leaf shoots during their fermentation by means of that drawn on the experience of traditional black tea fermentation process. Method: Based on the single factor experiments, orthogonal optimization test was carried out to determine the optimal addition amount using cellulase, pectinase and tea polyphenols as influencing factors, and the contents of total alkaloids, total flavonoids and total polysaccharides in mulberry leaves as comprehensive evaluation indicators. Results: Compared with natural fermentation, the contents of total alkaloids, total flavonoids and total polysaccharides in mulberry leaves fermented by additives were increased by 61.84%, 45.02% and 28.68%, when the addition amounts of cellulase, pectinase and tea polyphenols were 0.6%, 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively. And their contents were 115.12%, 80.19% and 54.81% higher than those in natural mulberry leaves, respectively. Conclusion: The contents of hypoglycemic components in natural mulberry leaves can be improved by adding substances that promote fermentation, which lays a foundation for its subsequent effective utilization in hypoglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry sclerotiniose is a devastating fungal disease of mulberry fruit and has been a limitation for the utility of mulberry fruits and the diversified development of sericulture. In the present study, we presented a workflow for screening candidate sclerotiniose-resistance genes and small secreted peptides (SSPs) based on a genome-wide annotation of SSPs and comparative transcriptome analysis of different mulberry varieties. A total of 1088 SSPs with expression evidence were identified and annotated in mulberry. A comprehensive analysis of the sclerotiniose-related RNA sequencing datasets showed that photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and metabolic pathways were the main pathways involved in the response to sclerotiniose. Fifty-two candidate sclerotiniose-response genes (SRGs), including 15 SSPs, were identified based on comparative transcriptome analysis. These SRGs are mainly involved in the hormone signaling pathway and cell wall biogenesis. Transient overexpression in tobacco and the knock-down of five SRGs affected the resistance against Ciboria shiraiana. MaMYB29, MaMES17, and MaSSP15 were primarily determined as negative regulators of plant resistance to C. shiraiana infection. Our results provide a foundation for controlling sclerotiniose in mulberry using genetic engineering and biological approaches such as spraying antifungal peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment, we explored the chemical composition and community structure of Mulberry "Wuhedashi" (Morus alba L., hereinafter referred to as WHDS) in different stages and obtained data support for its resource utilisation. Five ripening stages were established: S1, deep-red stage; S2, red with black stage; S3, black with red stage; S4, black stage; S5, overripe stage. The results showed that there were significant differences in the indicators of WHDS in the different stages. Immature WHDS contains high levels of amino acids (2.14 ± 0.15 mg/g), organic acids (43.10 ± 0.75 mg/g), K (3019.52 ± 78.00 mg/L), and Ca (1617.86 ± 24.45 mg/L) and is an important source of amino acid and mineral supplementation for the body. Total phenolic compounds (26.15 ± 0.43 g/L), total flavonoids (2.46 ± 0.03 g/L), total anthocyanins (587.60 ± 7.38 mg/L), the ABTS radical scavenging rate (94.20 ± 2.18%), the DPPH radical scavenging rate (95.13 ± 1.44%), and total flavour compounds (1279.09 ± 33.50 mg/L) peaked at S4, which is the optimal stage for the consumption and processing of WHDS. High-throughput sequencing identified 10 dominant genera, including Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Pseudomonas, and Tatumella. Nesterenkonia was the most highly associated micro-organism. Bacterial genera such as Pantoea and Pseudomonas were significantly positively correlated with esters, enhancing the floral and fruity flavours of wine. The results of the study revealed the characteristics of WHDS in different stages, which can help to target the development of nutritious mulberry derivatives and provide a reference for enhancing the added value of mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk farming is an agro based industry which involves production of silk from silkworm. The different varieties of leaf of Morus alba L. are the solo source of the food for silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). The nutritional enrichment of mulberry leaves plays a very important role in yielding good quality cocoons. In recent years, chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) have become one of the world's most recognizable foods to have good protein content and its higher proportion of á-linolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acids making it a good nutritional supplement. In the present investigation the effect of different chia seeds concentrations (1, 1.50 and 2.0% w/v) were used along with the mulberry leaves fed ad libitum to know its effect on food utilization and growth in the silkworm double hybrid FC1 x FC2 race from I to V instar larvae at 25±2°C with relative humidity of 75±5% and control were taken for comparing the experimental work. The food utilization parameters like food intake, faeces defecation, assimilation, food converted, oxidation, feeding rate, assimilation rate, conversion rate, metabolic rate, assimilation efficiency and conversion efficiency (K1 and K2) were studied. Results showed that the mulberry leaves supplemented with chia seeds as a feed to B. mori has direct effect on enhancing the growth of the larva, reduced larval period and food intake compared to control group. It has been observed that the 2.0% chia seeds treated group plays a significant role with an increase in growth and better food intake which averaged 6171.519 mg/mg/day compared to control group i.e., 3831.965 mg/mg/day and followed by other two chia seeds treated groups i.e., 1.50 and 2.0% concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The high virulence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has triggered global health and economic concerns. The absence of specific antiviral treatments and the side effects of repurposed drugs present persistent challenges. This study explored a promising antiviral herbal extract against SARS-CoV-2 from selected Thai medicinal plants based on in vitro efficacy and evaluated its antiviral lead compounds by molecular docking. Methods Twenty-two different ethanolic-aqueous crude extracts (CEs) were rapidly screened for their potential activity against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) as a surrogate using a plaque reduction assay. Extracts achieving ≥ 70% anti-PEDV efficacy proceeded to the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity test using a 50% tissue culture infectious dose method in Vero E6 cells. Molnupiravir and extract-free media served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Potent CEs underwent water/ethyl acetate fractionation to enhance antiviral efficacy, and the fractions were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 performance. The fraction with the highest antiviral potency was identified using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Molecular docking analyses of these compounds against the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 (6LU7) were performed to identify antiviral lead molecules. The top three hits were further evaluated for their conformational stability in the docked complex using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Results The water fraction of mulberry (Morus alba Linn.) leaf CE (WF-MLCE) exhibited the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy with low cytotoxicity profile (CC50 of ~ 0.7 mg/mL), achieving 99.92% in pre-entry mode and 99.88% in postinfection treatment mode at 0.25 mg/mL. Flavonoids and conjugates were the predominant compounds identified in WF-MLCE. Molecular docking scores of several flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro demonstrated their superior antiviral potency compared to molnupiravir. Remarkably, myricetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, maragrol B, and quercetin 3-O-robinobioside exhibited binding energies of ~ − 9 kcal/mol. The stability of each ligand–protein complex of these compounds with the Mpro system showed stability during MD simulation. These three molecules were pronounced as antiviral leads of WF-MLCE. Given the low cytotoxicity and high antiviral potency of WF-MLCE, it holds promise as a candidate for future therapeutic development for COVID-19 treatment, especially considering its economic and pharmacological advantages.

Abstract ARs plays a crucial role in plant morphogenesis and development. The limited and inefficient rooting of scions poses a significant challenge to the efficiency and quality of clonal propagation of forest trees in silvicultural practices. Building on previous research conducted by our team, we found that applying IBA at a concentration of 1000 mg/L significantly enhanced mulberry rooting. This study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect by analyzing RNA sequencing data from mulberry phloem before and after treatment with IBA over time intervals of 10, 20, 30, and 40 days. We identified 5226 DEGs, which were then classified into GO terms and KEGG pathways, showing significant enrichment in hormone signaling processes. Using WGCNA, we identified eight co-expression modules, two of which were significantly correlated with the IBA treatment. Additionally, 18 transcription factors that potentially facilitate ARs formation in mulberry were identified, and an exploratory analysis on the cis-regulatory elements associated with these transcription factors was conducted. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of ARs in mulberry and offer theoretical support for the discovery and utilization of exceptional genetic resources within the species.

In order to study the effective method of the enrichment and purification of anthocyanin in black wolfberry and mulberry, and identify the structure of anthocyanin, the black wolfberry and mulberry extracts were purified by macroporous resins. The adsorption and desorption abilities of different types of the resins for anthocyanins were compared. LX-20SS was optimized as the resin for the purification of anthocyanins from black wolfberry. The purification conditions were as follows: The mass ratio of resin to crude anthocyanin powder of black wolfberry was at 10:1, and the elution concentration of ethanol was 70%, and the flow rate was 3 mL/min. After the purification, the content of anthocyanin reached 144.18±3.40 mg/g. DM-21 was optimized as the resin for the purification of mulberry anthocyanin. The purification conditions were as follows: The mass ratio of resin to crude anthocyanin powder of mulberry was at 20:3, and the elution concentration of ethanol was 30%, and the flow rate was 1 mL/min. The content of anthocyanin reached 112.44±2.24 mg/g after purification. High performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis for anthocyanin structures in black wolfberry and mulberry showed that the main anthocyanin in black wolfberry was petunidin-3-O-rutinose (p-coumaroyl)-5-O-glucoside, which accounted for more than 95% of the total anthocyanin. In addition, there are two main types of anthocyanins in mulberry, corresponding to cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, which accounted for 63.58% and 36.42% of the total anthocyanins respectively. The results provided references for the development of black wolfberry and mulberry.

This study characterizes oak (sessile and pedunculate oak) and alternative wood (black locust, Myrobalan plum, wild cherry, and mulberry) species as important sources of volatile compounds of aged spirits. Nowadays, their fragments are used to hasten the brandies' aging process. The ATR-FTIR spectra of analyzed wood samples are similar, only the mulberry FTIR spectrum contains unique peaks primarily due to its highest lignin content (40.93%). Using the untargeted GC-MS approach, a total of forty-one volatile compounds were identified in the wood extracts in a model spirit solution. The volatile profiles of alternative wood extracts in a model spirit solution were significantly different, both quantitatively and qualitatively, compared to those of oak. Coniferyl (23.14 µg/g--26.6 µg/g) and sinapyl (23.56 µg/g--25.82 µg/g) alcohols were the most abundant volatile compounds in investigated oak extracts. Resorcinol and coniferyl alcohol were the most abundant volatile compounds in black locust, sakuranin in wild cherry, while resorcinol and ß-resorcinaldehyde in mulberry wood. To the best of our knowledge, sakuranin has not been detected in wild cherry wood until now. Besides wood chemical characteristics, the technology used during the aging process strongly influences on volatile profiles of aged brandies, thus, these compounds are potential chemical markers for discrimination between wood species as well as aging technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 50‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of mulberry leaf powder water extract (MLE) on the growth performance, immunity, antioxidant, meat quality and intestinal microbiota of yellow feather broilers. A total of 720 birds (initial body weight 40.07 ± 0.05 g) were randomly distributed into four groups with six replicates per group and 30 birds per replicate. Four diets were formulated with 0% (CON), 200 mg/kg MLE (MLE200), 400 mg/kg MLE (MLE400) and 600 mg/kg MLE (MLE600) supplementation. Results showed that the addition of 200–600 mg/kg MLE to the diet significantly increased the body weight (BW) and average daily weight gain (ADG), but feed to gain ratio (F/G) were linearly decreased (p = 0.045) as dietary MLE increased. Birds fed MLE400 had higher (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), interleukin‐10 (Il‐10), secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and complement 3 (C3) contents than those fed CON, whereas MLE400 had lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content than CON (p < 0.05). Analysis of 16 S rDNA indicated that supplementation with 200 mg/kg MLE increased the Shannon indices in the caecum (p < 0.05). Supplementation with MLE decreased the abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria and genus Helicobacter, and increased the abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes in the caecum in broiler chickens (p < 0.05). The drip loss rate in the MLE600 was significantly diminished (p < 0.05), whereas the shear force was significantly elevated (p < 0.05). In summary, dietary supplementation with MLE can effectively improve growth performance, intestinal immunity, serum antioxidant capacity, meat quality and intestinal microbiota of yellow feather broilers. The most appropriate MLE supplementation level was 400 mg/kg. This study provides a practical strategy for the dietary application of MLE in yellow feather broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry has also been regarded as a valuable source of forage for ruminants. This study was developed to investigate the impact of four additives and combinations thereof on fermentation quality and bacterial communities associated with whole-plant mulberry silage. Control fresh material (FM) was left untreated, while other groups were treated with glucose (G, 20 g/kg FM), a mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum and L. buchneri (L, 106 CFU/g FM), formic acid (A, 5 mL/kg FM), salts including sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (S, 1.5 g/kg FM), a combination of G and L (GL), a combination of G and A (GA), or a combination of G and S (GS), followed by ensiling for 90 days. Dry matter content in the A, S, GA, and GS groups was elevated relative to the other groups (p < 0.01). Relative to the C group, all additives and combinations thereof were associated with reductions in pH and NH3-N content (p < 0.01). The A groups exhibited the lowest pH and NH3-N content at 4.23 and 3.27 g/kg DM, respectively (p < 0.01), whereas the C groups demonstrated the highest values at 4.43 and 4.44 g/kg DM, respectively (p < 0.01). The highest levels of lactic acid were observed in the GA and A groups (70.99 and 69.14 g/kg DM, respectively; p < 0.01), followed by the GL, L, and GS groups (66.88, 64.17 and 63.68 g/kg DM, respectively), with all of these values being higher than those for the C group (53.27 g/kg DM; p < 0.01). Lactobacillus were the predominant bacteria associated with each of these samples, but the overall composition of the bacterial community was significantly impacted by different additives. For example, Lactobacillus levels were higher in the G, A, and GA groups (p < 0.01), while those of Weissella levels were raised in the L, GL, and GS groups (p < 0.01), Pediococcus levels were higher in the A and GA groups (p < 0.01), Enterococcus levels were higher in the G and S groups (p < 0.01), and Lactococcus levels were raised in the S group (p < 0.01). Relative to the C group, a reduction in the levels of undesirable Enterobacter was evident in all groups treated with additives (p < 0.01), with the greatest reductions being evident in the A, S, GA, and GS groups. The additives utilized in this study can thus improve the quality of whole-plant mulberry silage to varying extents through the modification of the associated bacterial community, with A and GA addition achieving the most efficient reductions in pH together with increases in lactic acid content and the suppression of undesirable bacterial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Manganese (Mn) plays a pivotal role in plant growth and development. Aside aiding in plant growth and development, Mn as heavy metal (HM) can be toxic in soil when applied in excess. Morus alba is an economically significant plant, capable of adapting to a range of environmental conditions and possessing the potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soil by HMs. The mechanism by which M. alba tolerates Mn stresses remains obscure. Methods: In this study, Mn concentrations comprising sufficiency (0.15 mM), higher regimes (1.5 mM and 3 mM), and deficiency (0 mM and 0.03 mM), were applied to M. alba in pot treatment for 21 days to understand M. alba Mn tolerance. Mn stress effects on the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), chlorophyll content, plant morphological traits, enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters were analyzed as well as metabolome signatures via non-targeted LC-MS technique. Results: Mn deficiency and toxicity decrease plant biomass, Pn, Ci, Gs, Tr, and chlorophyll content. Mn stresses induced a decline in the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while peroxidase (POD) activity, and leaf Mn content, increased. Soluble sugars, soluble proteins, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline exhibited an elevation in Mn deficiency and toxicity concentrations. Metabolomic analysis indicates that Mn concentrations induced 1031 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), particularly amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, benzene and derivatives and secondary metabolites. The DEMs are significantly enriched in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, galactose metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, pentose phosphate pathway, carbon metabolism, etc. Discussion and conclusion: The upregulation of Galactinol, Myo-inositol, Jasmonic acid, L-aspartic acid, Coproporphyrin I, Trigonelline, Pantothenol, and Pantothenate and their significance in the metabolic pathways makes them Mn stress tolerance metabolites in M. alba. Our findings reveal the fundamental understanding of DEMs in M. alba’s response to Mn nutrition and the metabolic mechanisms involved, which may hold potential significance for the advancement of M. alba genetic improvement initiatives and phytoremediation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lyophilized products have been limited to the formula options of a single product. It is also lacking in diversity in nutrition and taste. Alternatively, both mulberry and purple potato have been renowned for their sweet taste and rich content of anthocyanins and bioactive compounds. Specifically, the high starch content of purple potatoes can contribute significantly to the texture, color, nutrition, flavor, and overall quality of food products. In this study, the mulberry and purple potato were combined to increase the diversity of compound freeze-dried fruit and vegetable products on the market. The taste and nutritional value of freeze-dried products were also improved under the unique combination. Firstly, the mulberry and purple potato were mixed at a ratio of 3:7. The compound freeze-dried fruit block was prepared by vacuum freeze-drying. Furthermore, an initial single-factor test was conducted to determine the optimal quantities of five additives: pectin, maltodextrin, gum arabic, fructose syrup, and citric acid, in order to ensure the high quality, excellent taste, and robust nutrition of the mulberry and purple potato compound freeze-dried fruit block. A composite scoring system was established with the influencing factors, such as color difference, hardness, brittleness, and hygroscopic property. The composite score was optimized to enhance the quality of the compound freeze-dried fruit block. Consequently, the experimental factors were narrowed down to the specific ranges: pectin supplementation (0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.25%), maltodextrin supplementation (7.00%, 8.00%, and 9.00%), fructose syrup supplementation (3.00%, 4.00%, and 5.00%), and citric acid supplementation (0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.25%). Subsequently, a response surface optimization test was conducted with the composite score as the key response value. The results indicated that the optimal combination of parameters was obtained to prepare the compound freeze-dried fruit block: 0.20% pectin, 8% maltodextrin, 4% fructose syrup, 0.24% citric acid, and 0.2% gum arabic. This optimal formula was achieved in a composite score of 0.87. The sensory evaluation demonstrated that the overall sensory acceptability of products scored 8.90 points, which was 25.35% higher than that of the control group. The finished product also shared a significantly higher level of market appeal and consumer acceptance. In addition, the optimal products then exhibited remarkable improvements in the various qualities. Specifically, the fracturability was enhanced by 80.5%. The microstructure of the product was much smoother, denser, and more organized. In the contents of bioactive ingredients, the ascorbic acid, total phenol, total flavone, and total anthocyanin increased by 2.91%, 3.53%, 23.10%, and 11.36%, respectively. The antioxidant capacities were measured using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP tests, which were elevated by 26.92%, 11.27%, and 39.95%, respectively. A higher quality was obtained than before. In summary, supplementary materials were added to effectively enhance the product quality of the compound freeze-dried fruit block. The findings enriched the taste and nutritional value of these products, particularly in the diversity of compound freeze-dried fruit and vegetable products on the market. The novel insights were then offered to develop the freeze-dried products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the aroma effects of key volatile compounds in a new type of mulberry leaf Fu brick teas (MTs) and traditional Fu brick teas (FTs). Headspace solid–phase microextraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), sensory evaluation, and chemometrics were used to determine the differences in key flavour qualities between the two. The results showed that a total of 139 volatile components were identified, with aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols dominating. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) combined with the odour activity value (OAV) showed that seven aroma compounds had an OAV > 10, including 2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl) propan-2-ol with floral and fruity aroma and green attributes, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-2-one, (3E,5E)-octa-3,5-dien-2-one, Benzaldehyde, and (E)-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol, which were more abundant in MTs than FTs; Cedrol with sweet aroma attributes was more consistent in MTs than FTs, and we suggest that these odour compounds are important aroma contributors to MTs. Taken together, these findings will provide new insights into the mechanism of formation of the characteristic attributes of aroma in MTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy, nutritious, and delicious mulberry wine is loved by everyone, but there is no specific yeast for mulberry wine. To screen for yeasts with low-yield higher alcohols for the fermentation of mulberry wine, we tested five commonly used commercial yeasts available on the market to ferment mulberry wine. All five yeasts were able to meet the requirements in terms of yeast fermentation capacity, speed, and physical and chemical markers of mulberry wine. The national standards were met by the fermentation requirements and the fermented mulberry wine. We identified yeast DV10 as a yeast with low-yield higher alcohols suitable for mulberry wine fermentation. The total higher alcohol content in fermented mulberry wine was 298 mg/L, which was 41.9% lower than that of fermented mulberry wine with yeast EC118. The contents of 17 free amino acids and five sugars in mulberry juice and five yeast-fermented mulberry wines were tested. The results showed that the higher the amino acid and sugar content in yeast-fermented mulberry wine, the higher the content of higher alcohols produced by fermentation. A correlation analysis performed on each higher alcohol produced when yeast DV10 fermented the mulberry wine indicated decreased sugar and related amino acids. The findings demonstrated a substantial negative correlation among the levels of increased alcohol, decreased sugar, and matching amino acid content. Considering the correlation values among increased alcohol, decreased sugar, and related amino acids, the very slight difference suggests that both sugar anabolism and amino acid catabolism pathways have an equivalent impact on the synthesis of higher alcohols during the fermentation of mulberry wine. These results provide a theoretical basis for reducing the content of higher alcohols in mulberry wines, given the history and foundation for producing mulberry wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a key enzyme involved in nitrogen metabolism. GS can be divided into cytosolic and plastidic subtypes and has been reported to respond to various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little research has been reported on the function of GS in mulberry. In this study, the full length of MaGS2 was cloned, resulting in 1302 bp encoding 433 amino acid residues. MaGS2 carried the typical GS2 motifs and clustered with plastidic-subtype GSs in the phylogenetic analysis. MaGS2 localized in chloroplasts, demonstrating that MaGS2 is a plastidic GS. The expression profile showed that MaGS2 is highly expressed in sclerotiniose pathogen-infected fruit and sclerotiniose-resistant fruit, demonstrating that MaGS2 is associated with the response to sclerotiniose in mulberry. Furthermore, the overexpression of MaGS2 in tobacco decreased the resistance against Ciboria shiraiana, and the knockdown of MaGS2 in mulberry by VIGS increased the resistance against C. shiraiana, demonstrating the role of MaGS2 as a negative regulator of mulberry resistance to C. shiraiana infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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