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In food processing, freezing is vital in food preservation, specifically in preserving food quality, nutrition contents, and shelf-life. This study investigated the effects of different freezing equipment [such as cells alive system freezer (CAS) equipped with a weakly oscillating magnetic field (OMF), liquid nitrogen freezers (LNF), Air blow freezer (AF), and home freezer (HF)] on the preservation of giant tiger grouper [hybridized with giant grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and tiger grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)] fillets with insight iaanto the changes in quality indexes and physicochemical properties of the fillets during the freezing process. This study showed that the CAS group could reduce the time it took for the sample to pass through the maximum icing crystal formation zone during freezing. It was determined by low-field pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that the water migration and the formation of numerous tiny, uniformly dispersed ice crystals in the CAS group, while also defined by the tissue sections, revealed less damage to the muscle tissue of the fillet. Moreover, it also provides the fillets with better freezing loss, thawing loss, water holding capacity (WHC), and several satisfactory quality indexes (such as total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), total plate count (TPC), color (L*, a* and b* values), hardness and elasticity, etc.) within 4 weeks. This study's findings were expected to contribute to developing more effective and efficient freezing strategies for hybrid giant tiger grouper fillet preservation, thus enabling the production of high-quality products that meet the demands of consumers.

ABSTRACTAtemoya (Annona squamosa x A. cherimola hybrid) is a typical climacteric fruit that has a high respiration rate after harvest, short storage life, and is highly susceptible to fruit cracking and rot. Therefore, this study was intended to apply D-limonene nanoemulsion coating on fruit to prolong the storage life, reduce spoilage, and facilitate the expansion of the market. Green mature atemoya fruit coated with different concentrations of D-limonene nanoemulsion (0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and control) was stored in a 14°C refrigerator for relevant analysis and investigation. The results showed that the use of 0.25% D-limonene nanoemulsion inhibited the browning on the fruit surface, and reduced physiological metabolisms. The browning phenomenon on the fruit surface increased as the D-limonene concentration ratio increases. Since the high concentration caused damage to the peel cells, 0.25% D-limonene was chosen as optimum for atemoya coating. The fruit of atemoya maintained green peel color (L × 28.6, a × 6.63, b × 12.3) after storage at 14°C for 21 days with 0.25% D-limonene nanoemulsion coating. At the same time, after 0.2% D-limonene nanoemulsion coating, the weight loss rate was about % less than that of the control group (0.25% treatment was 11.3%; control was 14.2%) and high pectin content (0.25% treatment was 16.9 mg AGA g−1AIS−1; control was 9.89 mg AGA g−1AIS−1). Coating of D-limonene nanoemulsion can reduce the physiological response of atemoya fruits after harvesting, prolong the storage time, and increase the feasibility of their export. From the experimental results, D-limonene showed the potential to be widely used in fruit preservation agents in the future.

Aquatic by-products during fish processing cause environmental pollution and increase disposal costs. Cuttlefish skin is one of the major by-products of cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) processing and is generally thrown as a by-product. It can cause severe environmental problems and odor. It has been discovered that cuttlefish skin can be an excellent resource for producing attractive amounts of collagen. This study optimized collagen extraction conditions using response surface methodology (RSM). In addition, SDS-PAGE, specific charge, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characteristics of extracted collagen were evaluated. The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions for cuttlefish skin collagen are pH 1.5, 20 mg/L (solid-liquid ratio), 15 U/mg (Pepsin), and the average extraction rate can be obtained as 8.79%. The results of LC/MS/MS analysis of the collagen samples extracted in this study showed that the main m/z signal of proline produced by mass spectrometry was between 2000–4000. Collagen extracted from the cuttlefish skin is type I collagen, which consists of 2 α chains and 1 β chain (α2, α1, β). SEM analysis of collagen confirmed the presence of collagen fibrils in the cuttlefish skin similar to previous reports. Using the response surface methodology, optimal collagen extraction conditions pH 1.5, 20 mg/L (solid-liquid ratio), and 15 U/mg (Pepsin) can be obtained to recycle and utilize by-products.

Fish bone fermented using Monascus purpureus (FBF) has total phenols and functional amino acids that contribute to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Colorectal cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers and the third largest cause of death worldwide, has become a serious threat to global health. This study investigates the anti-cancer effects of FBF (1, 2.5 or 5 mg/mL) on the cell growth and molecular mechanism of HCT-116 cells. The HCT-116 cell treatment with 2.5 or 5 mg/mL of FBF for 24 h significantly decreased cell viability (p < 0.05). The S and G2/M phases significantly increased by 88–105% and 25–43%, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, FBF increased the mRNA expression of caspase 8 (38–77%), protein expression of caspase 3 (34–94%), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (31–34%) and induced apoptosis (236–773%) of HCT-116 cells (p < 0.05). FBF also increased microtubule-associated protein 1B light chain 3 (LC3) (38–48%) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase class III (PI3K III) (32–53%) protein expression, thereby inducing autophagy (26–52%) of HCT-116 cells (p < 0.05). These results showed that FBF could inhibit HCT-116 cell growth by inducing S and G2/M phase arrest of the cell cycle, apoptosis and autophagy. Thus, FBF has the potential to treat colorectal cancer.

The elderly population in developed countries has increased rapidly in recent years; the elderly may be at greater risk of protein deficiency due to dietary, socio-economic, dental, and physical restrictions. Therefore, to address the issue of protein deficiency in elderly people, the present study aimed to enhance the protein content of high-gluten flour noodles, an Asian staple food, by supplementing them with soybean protein isolate (SPI) powder. The effect of SPI addition (5–20%, w/w) on composition, quality, texture, physical and sensory properties, and glycemic index (GI) of high-gluten flour noodles was investigated. The noodles made only from high-gluten flour served as control. In comparison to control noodles, 20% SPI noodles showed a rise in protein and moisture content from 16.17% to 30.64% and 36.06 to 44.84%, respectively. The cooking yield and cooking loss increased with an increase in SPI concentration compared to control noodles. Color characteristics analysis revealed the decreasing trend in brightness and yellowness of SPI noodles with minimal L* and b* values at a 20% SPI concentration. The addition of SPI also resulted in a decrease in the hardness and tensile strength of the noodles. The sensory analysis showed that 5% SPI noodles were more similar to control noodles in terms of flavor, taste, and overall acceptability. Moreover, the addition of SPI to the noodles significantly decreased the GI of the noodles reaching the standard of low-GI food. The findings of the current study indicate that soy protein noodles, besides supplementing the desired nutrients, may also prevent the risk of diabetes in elderly people.

The rising climate change concerns over the excessive exploitation of non-renewable sources have necessitated the need for alternative renewable and eco-friendly resources for the production of innovative materials, achieving the targets of bioeconomy. Lignocellulosic biomass (LB) constituted by polymeric sugars and lignin is an abundantly available plant-based renewable material in the form of agro-industrial food waste and crop residues that can be exploited for the production of an array of value-added chemicals and bioproducts. Cellulose is the most abundant natural and biodegradable organic polymer on earth derived from LB, with wide scale applications in the lignocellulosic biorefineries and food industries. The negative effects of food waste from agro-industrial activities could be reduced through the recovery of cellulose from these wastes and converting it into valuable forms. However, the extraction of cellulose from LB is a difficult task owing to the recalcitrant nature of biomass that restricts the easy accessibility of cellulose for value addition. Therefore, a suitable cellulose extraction method through the fractionation of LB is necessary for a better cellulose yield. Furthermore, owing to the enormous potential of nanocellulose (NC), researchers are keenly interested in developing ecologically acceptable cellulose extraction methods. Cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals confer excellent mechanical properties, non-toxic characteristics and biodegradability, due to which they possess wide-scale applications in diverse industrial sectors. The current review emphasizes the potential role of cellulose extraction and NC production from agro-food waste. The different pretreatment methods for their extraction from LB are outlined. The applications of nanocellulose in different areas are also discussed. The review also highlights the recent trends, challenges and future directions in the development of cellulose and NC-based commercial products.

Abstract Macro- and microalgae-based foods are becoming popular due to their high nutritious value. The algal biomass is enriched with polysaccharides, protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamins and minerals. However, the most promising fraction is polysaccharides (PS) or their derivatives (as dietary fibers) which are not entirely fermented by colonic bacteria hence act as potential prebiotic. Primarily, algae become famous as prominent protein sources. Recently, these are widely adopted as functional food (e.g., desserts, dairy products, oil-derivatives, pastas etc.) or animal feed (for poultry, cattle, fish etc.). Besides prebiotic and balanced amino acids source, algae derived compounds implied as therapeutics due to comprising bioactive properties to elicit immunomodulatory, antioxidative, anticancerous, anticoagulant, hepato-protective, and antihypertensive responses. Despite the above potentials, broader research determinations are inevitable to explore these algal compounds until microalgae become a business reality for broader and specific applications in all health domains. However, scale up of algal bioprocess remains a major challenge until commercial affordability is accomplished which can be possible by discovering their hidden potentials and increasing their value and application prospects. This review provides an overview of the significance of algae consumption for several health benefits in humans and animals mainly as prebiotics, however their functional food and animal feed potential are briefly covered. Moreover, their potential to develop an algal-based food industry to meet the people's requirements not only as a sustainable food solution with several health benefits but also as therapeutics is inevitable.

Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine commonly used in clinical applications. This study examined the effects of the Panax notoginseng water extract (PNWE) on the immune responses and digestive enzyme activity of Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei). The PNWE (50, 100, and 200 μg (g shrimp)−1) was injected into L. vannamei to analyze the immune response parameters, including the total haemocyte count (THC), granular haemocytes (GC), semi-granular haemocytes (SGC), hialin haemocyte (HC), the respiratory burst (RB), the phagocytic ratio (PR), the phagocytic index (PI), and phenoloxidase (PO). We evaluated the activity of the intestinal digestive enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase), the histopathology, and the intestine Vibrio numbers. The results showed that different concentrations of the PNWE significantly increased THC, GC, SGC, PO and RB activity, the PR, and the PI of L. vannamei while reducing the HC. In addition, the PNWE also significantly increased the chymotrypsin, trypsin, and amylase activity of L. vannamei. Furthermore, 50 µg (g shrimp)−1 of PNWE regulated the lipase activity. Additionally, different concentrations of the PNWE significantly reduced the Vibrio numbers in the intestine without damaging the hepatopancreas and intestine tissues. These results indicate that the PNWE improves the immune responses of L. vannamei by increasing the haemocyte count and regulating intestinal digestive enzymes.

Context Gynura bicolour (Roxb. and Willd.) DC (Asteraceae) leaf is a common vegetable. Ethanol extracts of fresh G. bicolour leaves (GBEE) have several physiological effects, but studies on atherosclerosis are limited. Objective We investigated the oxidant scavenging ability and vascular adhesion molecule expression of these extracts. Materials and methods The antioxidant effects of 0.05–0.4 mg/mL GBEE were analyzed in vitro. Intracellular antioxidant capacity and adhesion molecule levels were detected in EA.hy926 cells pre-treated with 10–100 μg/mL GBEE for 8 h, then TNF-α for 3 h. The antioxidant capacity of red blood cells and the adhesion molecule levels in the thoracic aorta were detected in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed Sprague–Dawley rats treated with GBEE for 12 weeks. Results The in vitro EC50 values of GBEE based on its DPPH radical-scavenging ability, reducing power, and ferrous ion-chelating ability were 0.20, 3.21 and 0.49 mg/mL, respectively. In TNF-α-treated EA.hy926 cells, the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels were decreased after 10, 50, or 100 μg/mL GBEE treatments (IC50: 19.1 mg/mL). When HFD-fed rats were co-treated with GBEE, the GBEE-H group exhibited 25% higher glutathione levels than the HFD group (p

The byproducts of lemon juice have always constituted an environmental issue. In this study, the byproducts extracted to lemon water vapor extract (LWAE) by distilled, which was added to lemon fermented products (LFP) to evaluate its effect on its quality and bioactivity. Based on the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results, the main component of the LWAE was D-limonene (>41%). After added 5% LWAE the amount of D-limonene in non-sterilized lemon fermented product (NLFP) increased from 10.1% to 20.9%, while that in LFP increase from 10.5% to 19.9%. Besides, anti-browning test results showed that LWAE could delay browning. This study demonstrated that LWAE improved the antioxidant capacity, limonene content, anti-browning ability, and bioactive ingredients in a gastrointestinal simulation. These results may serve as the principal basis for byproduct reuse and improvement of product quality.

This study compares the antioxidant capacity of non-sterilized lemon product (NLFP) and sterilized lemon fermented product (LFP). After gastrointestinal simulation reaction, the antioxidant capacity decreased by 50% in lemon juice (LJ), 30%–40% in NLFP, and 40% in LFP respectively. For the bioactive ingredients, sterilized LFP had a polyphenol of 25.8 mg GAE/mL, ascorbic acid of 55.2 mg/mL, and flavonoids of 75.2 mg/L, which were higher than LJ. NLFP and LFP effectively increased the activity of Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. The results in this study indicate that LJ with lactic acid fermentation can increase biologically active ingredients and antioxidant capacity which is important for future development.

D-limonene (LIM) is a common monoterpene compound, principally found in citrus essential oils. This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of LIM on the 5′-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-calorie diet-induced obese rats and confirmed the optimally effective dose of LIM. The 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 0.05–0.4 mg/mL LIM for 10 days and oil red O and triglyceride (TG) content were used to determine the levels of lipid accumulation. The results showed that more than 0.05 mg/mL LIM inhibited lipid accumulation by reducing oil red O in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Masses of 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL LIM also decreased the TG contents in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. On the other hand, Wistar rats were given high-calorie diets, combined with LLIM (154 mg/kg) and HLIM (1000 mg/kg) treatments, for 16 weeks. The result shows that LLIM and HLIM decreased body weight, total fat tissue weight, and serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLc) levels. HLIM reduced serum TG and increased serum lipase and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLc) levels. Moreover, the anti-obesity metabolic pathway showed that LIM (>0.05 mg/mL) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and LIM (>154 mg/kg) in high-calorie diet-induced obese rats could activate the AMPK signaling pathway. The activated AMPK regulated the mRNA expression related to adipogenesis (PPARγ, C/EBPα, FABP4), lipogenesis (SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS), and lipolysis (ATGL, HSL) to inhibit obesity. This finding demonstrates that LIM has anti-obesity properties. Namely, it is seen that LIM acts by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-calorie diet-induced obese rats. In terms of dose–response, LIM (154 mg/kg) would be an optimal effective dose for anti-obesity induced by a high-calorie diet.

Biology and cellular mechanics have benefited from recent technological advances in physics and materials science, allowing researchers to make quantitative nanoscale force measurements to explore aspects of biological systems that were previously inaccessible. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to acquire high-resolution topographical images of cell surfaces in vivo and possesses the ability to detect the local mechanical properties of single cells on the nanometer scale. Interactions between the tip and sample cause the cantilever to deflect, which is measured using an optical lever system composed of a laser, cantilever, and photodiode. Deflections on the order of tens of picometers can be detected, which correspond to forces of less than 10 pN when using an appropriate cantilever. Highly sensitive force detection with AFM has been used to measure differences in the surface brush of normal and cancerous cells and to determine the mechanical hardness of cellular cytoskeletal structures. The AFM probe has further been employed to perform surgical operations on cells, which enabled the injection of plasmid DNA into a living cell to modulate gene expression. The application of AFM for nanoscale force control and unique cellular surgery provides new methods for investigating cell properties for therapeutic purposes. Keywords: AFM, Mechanical property, Force curve, Extracellular matrix, Matrix stiffness

Panax notoginseng (PN) exerts cardiovascular-disease-protective effects, but the effect of PN on reducing vascular calcification (VC) is unknown. Under the VC process, however, endothelial bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) signals connect endothelial and smooth muscle cells. To investigate the effects of PN water extract (PNWE) on BMP-2 expression, human EA.hy926 endothelial cells were pretreated with PNWE for 48 h, and BMP-2 expression was then induced using warfarin/β-glycerophosphate (W/BGP) for another 24 h. The expression of BMP-2, the degrees of oxidative stress and inflammation, and the activation of noncanonical NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were analyzed. The results showed that the BMP-2 levels in EA.hy926 cells were reduced in the groups treated with 10, 50, or 100 μg/mL PNWE combined with W/BGP. PNWE combined with W/BGP significantly reduced thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substrate and reactive oxygen species levels as well as prostaglandin E2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. PNWE (10, 50, and 100 μg/mL) reduced the p52 levels and p52/p100 protein ratio. Wnt and β-catenin protein expression was decreased in the groups treated with PNWE combined with W/BGP. These results showed that PNWE reduced BMP-2 expression in EA.hy926 cells by inhibiting the noncanonical NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

In fish processing, reducing the waste rate and increasing the economic value of products is an important issue for global environmental protection and resource sustainability. It has been discovered that cuttlefish bones can be an excellent resource for producing attractive amounts of chitin and chitosan. Therefore, this study optimized chitosan extraction conditions using response surface methodology (RSM) to establish application conditions suitable for industrial production and reducing environmental impact. In addition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H NMR and scanning electron microscope (SEM) characteristics of extracted chitosan were evaluated. The optimum extraction conditions for chitosan from cuttlebone chitin were 12.5M NaOH, 6 h and 80 °C, and the highest average yield was 56.47%. FTIR spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and SEM identification proved that the chitosan prepared from cuttlefish bone has a unique molecular structure, and the degree of deacetylation of chitosan was about 81.3%. In addition, it was also confirmed that chitosan has significant anti-oxidation and oil-absorbing abilities. This research has successfully transformed the by-products of cuttlefish processing into value-added products. The process not only achieved the recycling and utilization of by-products but also enhanced industrial competitiveness and resource sustainability.

D-limonene (4-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclohexene) is an important compound in several citrus essential oils (such as orange, lemon, tangerine, lime, and grapefruit). It has been used as a flavoring agent and as a food preservative agent, with generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status. D-limonene has been well-studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antibacterial properties. The antibacterial activity of D-limonene against food-borne pathogens was investigated in this study by preparing a D-limonene nanoemulsion. The D-limonene solution and nanoemulsion have been prepared in six concentrations, 0.04%, 0.08%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8% (v/v), respectively, and the antibacterial activity was tested against four food-borne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli). The results showed that the D-limonene nanoemulsion had good nanoscale and overall particle size uniformity, and its particle size was about 3~5 nm. It has been found that the D-limonene solution and nanoemulsion have a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.336 mg/mL, and that they could inhibit the growth of microorganisms efficiently. The data indicate that the D-limonene nanoemulsion has more antibacterial ability against microorganisms than the D-limonene essential oil. After bananas are treated with 1.0% and 1.5% D-limonene nanoemulsion coatings, the water loss of the bananas during storage and the percentage of weight loss are reduced, which can inhibit the activity of pectinase. The application of a biocoating provides a good degree of antibacterial activity and air and moisture barrier properties, which help with extending the shelf life of bananas.

Nostoc commune is an edible terrestrial blue-green alga. It has shown many beneficial effects on human health. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical assay of N. commune ethanol extract (NEE) and its anti-obesity effects. The effect of a high-calorie diet on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is investigated, and a Wistar rat model is used to demonstrate the anti-obesity effect of NEE and its mechanism. The results showed that the NEE has phytochemical compounds, such as total polyphenol, total flavonoids, and total terpenoids. NEE was also shown to suppress cell proliferation and lipid accumulation (26.9%) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, NEE reduced the body weight (13.5%), fat tissue weight (13.3%), and the serum FFA (19.4%), TG (14.2%), TC (11.8%), and LDL-C (16.4%) of rats. In histopathology, NEE was shown to diminish the size of adipocytes and hepatic lipid droplets. The NEE downregulated the mRNA expression of adipogenesis (PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c) and lipid lysis-related genes (ATGL, HSL) in epididymal adipose tissue. The NEE also upregulated the mRNA expression of β-oxidation related genes (AMPK, CPT-1, PPAR-α) in the liver. Overall, this study suggests NEE has the potential to be developed as a functional food for anti-obesity.

To assess the potential of by-products of the black bean fermented soybean sauce manufacturing process as new functional food materials, we prepared black bean steamed liquid lyophilized product (BBSLP) and analysed its antioxidant effects in vitro. RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured and treated with BBSLP for 24 h, and 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was then used for another 24 h to induce inflammation. The cellular antioxidant capacity and inflammatory response were then analysed. Activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in RAW264.7 macrophages was also analysed. Results showed BBSLP had 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium (ABTS+) radical-scavenging abilities and reducing power in vitro. The levels of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were reduced after RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with BBSLP after LPS induction. After RAW264.7 macrophage treatment with BBSLP and induction by LPS, the levels of inflammatory molecules, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α, decreased. NF-κB signaling activity was inhibited by reductions in IκB phosphorylation and NF-κB DNA-binding activity after RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with BBSLP after LPS induction. In conclusion, BBSLP has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities and can be a supplement material for functional food.

Lemon (Citrus limon) has antioxidant, immunoregulatory, and blood lipid-lowering properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of the lemon fermented product (LFP) which is lemon fermented with Lactobacillus OPC1 to prevent obesity. The inhibition of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is examined using a Wistar rat model fed a high-fat diet to verify the anti-obesity efficacy and mechanism of LFP. Here, it was observed that LFP reduced cell proliferation and inhibited the lipid accumulation (8.3%) of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, LFP reduced body weight (9.7%) and fat tissue weight (25.7%) of rats; reduced serum TG (17.0%), FFA (17.9%), glucose (29.3%) and ketone body (6.8%); and increased serum HDL-C (17.6%) and lipase activity (17.8%). LFP regulated the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism (PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, HSL, ATGL, FAS, and AMPK). Therefore, LFP reduces body weight and lipid accumulation by regulating the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism. Overall, our results implicate LFP as a potential dietary supplement for the prevention of obesity.

Fish bones (FBs) are aquatic by-products that are sources of antioxidant-active peptides, calcium dietary supplements, and biomedical materials. Usually, fermentation of these by-products via microorganisms brings desirable changes, enhancing their value. This study investigates the value addition of FB when fermented with Monascus purpureus (MP) for different time intervals, such as 3 days (F3) and 6 days (F6). The results indicate that the soluble protein, peptide, amino acid and total phenol content, as well as the antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, and relative reducing power), of F3 and F6 were significantly increased after fermentation. Furthermore, the ROS contents of F3 and F6 were reduced to a greater extent than that of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in Clone-9 cells. The MMP integrity, as well as the SOD, CAT, and GPx activity, of F3 and F6 were also increased significantly compared to the H2O2 in Clone-9 cells. Notably, F3 and F6 displayed significant reductions in ROS content, as well as elevate, SOD activity and MMP integrity in Clone-9 cells, when compared with the native FB. These results indicate that the FBs fermented with MP for 3 days (F3), and 6 days (F6) have antioxidant capacity, with possible applications as natural food supplements.

A pasteurized liquid egg leads to protein denaturation and degradation of processing properties, whereas non-pasteurized eggs may have food safety risks. If the negative impact of the pasteurization process on liquid eggs can be reduced, for example, the loss of stability and foamability, companies will be willing to purchase pasteurized eggs, thereby reducing food safety risks. Therefore, in this study, specific hydrolyzation conditions were used to produce egg white hydrolysate (EWH) with a lower molecular mass of amino acid and peptide fragments, and the effects of various concentration of EWH refilling on pasteurized liquid egg properties were investigated. The results showed that up to 30.1% of EWH was hydrolyzed by protease A and papain. Adding 1% (w/w) EWH can improve the negative charge potential value, surface tension, viscosity, and weight loss analysis of the sample. In addition, the cake structure and the appearance was acceptable to consumers. Therefore, to ensure its efficient use in the baking industry and considering the cost and stability, 1% (w/w) EWH was chosen as the best concentration.

The purpose of this study was to use agar as a multifunctional encapsulating material to allow drug and ferromagnetism to be jointly delivered in one nanoparticle. We successfully encapsulated both Fe3O4 and doxorubicin (DOX) with agar as the drug carrier to obtain DOX-Fe3O4@agar. The iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in the carrier maintained good saturation of magnetization (41.9 emu/g) and had superparamagnetism. The heating capacity test showed that the specific absorption rate (SAR) value was 18.9 ± 0.5 W/g, indicating that the ferromagnetic nanoparticles encapsulated in the gel still maintained good heating capacity. Moreover, the magnetocaloric temperature could reach 43 °C in a short period of five minutes. In addition, DOX-Fe3O4@agar reached a maximum release rate of 85% ± 3% in 56 min under a neutral pH 7.0 to simulate the intestinal environment. We found using fluorescent microscopy that DOX entered HT-29 human colon cancer cells and reduced cell viability by 66%. When hyperthermia was induced with an auxiliary external magnetic field, cancer cells could be further killed, with a viability of only 15.4%. These results show that agar is an efficient multiple-drug carrier, and allows controlled drug release. Thus, this synergic treatment has potential application value for biopharmaceutical carrier materials.

The development of polydopamine (PDA) coatings with a nanometer-scale thickness on surfaces is highly desirable for exploiting the novel features arising from the specific structure on the molecular level. Exploring the mechanisms of thin-film growth is helpful for attaining desirable control over the useful properties of materials. We present a systematic study demonstrating the growth of a PDA thin film on the surface of mica in consecutive short deposition time intervals. Film growth at each deposition time was monitored through instrumental techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle (WCA) analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Film growth was initiated by adsorption of the PDA molecules on mica, with subsequent island-like aggregation, and finally, a complete molecular level PDA film was formed on the surface due to further molecular adsorption. A duration of 60−300 s was sufficient for complete formation of the PDA layer within the thickness range of 0.5−1.1 nm. An outstanding feature of PDA ultrathin films is their ability to act as a molecular adhesive, providing a foundation for constructing functional surfaces. We also explored antimicrobial applications by incorporating Ag nanoparticles into a PDA film. The Ag NPs/PDA film was formed on a surgical blade and then characterized and confirmed by SEM-EDS and XPS. The modified film inhibited bacterial growth by up to 42% on the blade after cutting through a pork meat sample.

Tempeh is traditionally produced by fermenting soybean with the fungus Rhizopus oligosporus found in banana leafs. We wanted to investigate if Taiwan’s flavorful red bean could be used as a healthy substitute for soybeans in tempeh. One bioactive component of tempeh is γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). We measured GABA content and shelf-life-related antimicrobial activity in red-bean tempeh made with four strains of Rhizopus, one purchased strain of Rhizopus, and an experimental co-cultured group (Rhizopus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus BCRC16000) as well as cortisol in red-bean-tempeh-treated zebrafish. GABA was highest in the co-culture group (19.028 ± 1.831 g kg−1), followed by screened Strain 1, the purchased strain, and screened Strain 4. All strains had antibacterial activity on S. aureus and B. cereus. The extract significantly reduced cortisol in zebrafish. However, Strain 1, with less GABA than some of the other strains, had the best effect on cortisol level, suggesting that other components in red-bean tempeh may also affect stress-related cortisol. We found the benefits of red-bean tempeh to be similar to those reported for soybean-produced tempeh, suggesting that it could be produced as an alternative product. Considering the Taiwanese appreciation of the red-bean flavor, it might find a welcoming market.

Fucoidans possess multiple biological functions including anti-cancer activity. Moreover, low-molecular-weight fucoidans are reported to possess more bioactivities than native fucoidans. In the present study, a native fucoidan (SC) was extracted from Sargassum crassifolium pretreated by single-screw extrusion, and three degraded fucoidans, namely, SCA (degradation of SC by ascorbic acid), SCH (degradation of SC by hydrogen peroxide), and SCAH (degradation of SC by ascorbic acid + hydrogen peroxide), were produced. The extrusion pretreatment can increase the extraction yield of fucoidan by approximately 4.2-fold as compared to the non-extruded sample. Among SC, SCA, SCH, and SCAH, the chemical compositions varied but structural features were similar. SC, SCA, SCH, and SCAH showed apoptotic effects on human lung carcinoma A-549 cells, as illustrated by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), decreased B-cell leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) expression, increased cytochrome c release, increased active caspase-9 and -3, and increased late apoptosis of A-549 cells. In general, SCA was found to exhibit high cytotoxicity to A-549 cells and a strong ability to suppress Bcl-2 expression. SCA also showed high efficacy to induce cytochrome c release, activate caspase-9 and -3, and promote late apoptosis of A-549 cells. Therefore, our data suggest that SCA could have an adjuvant therapeutic potential in the treatment of lung cancer. Additionally, we explored that the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is involved in SC-, SCA-, SCH-, and SCAH-induced apoptosis of A-549 cells.

DHA/EPA ethyl ester is mainly used in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and hyperlipidemia. In this study, DHA+EPA ethyl ester was synthesized via lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of ethyl acetate (EA) with DHA+EPA concentrate in n-hexane using Novozym® 435. The DHA+EPA concentrate (in free fatty acid form), contained 54.4% DHA and 16.8% EPA, was used as raw material. A central composite design combined with response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the relationship between substrate concentrations and initial rate of DHA+EPA ethyl ester production. The results indicated that the reaction followed the ordered mechanism and as such, the ordered mechanism model was used to estimate the maximum reaction rate (Vmax) and kinetic constants. The ordered mechanism model was also combined with the batch reaction equation to simulate and predict the conversion of DHA+EPA ethyl ester in lipase-catalyzed acidolysis. The integral equation showed a good predictive relationship between the simulated and experimental results. 88–94% conversion yields were obtained from 100–400 mM DHA+EPA concentrate at a constant enzyme activity of 200 U, substrate ratio of 1:1 (DHA+EPA: EA), and reaction time of 300 min.

Fucoidans constitute a family of fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharides, which possess multiple characteristics, including antioxidant, antitumor, antivirus, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the incidence of colon cancer has risen rapidly worldwide. In the present study, fucoidan extracts were extracted from the Sargassum glaucescens (SG) pretreated by compressional-puffing, and four fucoidans (SG1-SG4) were obtained with different puffing conditions. It was found that SG4 possessed the highest extraction yield, relatively high cytotoxicity against human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells, and relatively low cytotoxicity to normal cells, as compared to the other extracted fucoidans. Moreover, SG4 caused cell cycle arrest of HT-29 cells at sub-G1, S, and G2/M phases. SG4 also induced HT-29 cellular apoptosis, as evidenced by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increased cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-9 and -3, increased DNA fragmentation, and increased early and late apoptotic cells visualized by annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay. Additional biological experiments revealed that the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/S6 pathway is involved in SG4-induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells. These results clearly indicate that SG4 showed anti-colon cancer potential via the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and thus may have a possible application as an adjuvant therapeutic agent in colon cancer treatment.

Antrodia camphorata is a fungus that is endemic to Taiwan, and its fruiting body has been used as a folk medicine for the prevention or treatment of diverse diseases. The present study is aimed at investigating the antimelanogenesis and antioxidation effect of the ethanolic extract of Antrodia camphorata fruiting body (EE-AC), as well as its antiproliferation effects in B16-F0 melanoma cells. Regarding antimelanogenic effects, EE-AC had effective cupric ions reducing capacity and expressed more potent inhibitory effect than kojic acid on mushroom tyrosinase activity. Moreover, EE-AC significantly inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity and the melanin content in B16-F0 cells at 12.5 μg/mL concentration without cell toxicities. Regarding antioxidant effects, EE-AC exhibited potent DPPH radical- and SOD-like-scavenging activities. Regarding antiproliferative effects, EE-AC exhibited a selective cytotoxic effect and markedly inhibited the migration ability of B16-F0 cells. EE-AC increased the population of B16-F0 cells at sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle. EE-AC also caused the increase of early apoptotic cells and chromatin condensation, which indicated the apoptotic effects in B16-F0 cells. We demonstrated that EE-AC possessed antimelanogenic, antioxidant and anti-skin cancer actions. The results would contribute to the development and application of cosmetics, healthy food and pharmaceuticals.

This study investigated effects of the Gynura bicolor (Roxb. and Willd.) DC. ether extract (GBEE) on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG)E2 production on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. A composition analysis of GBEE showed that the major compounds were b-carotene, chlorophyll, and quercetin, respectively. Furthermore, NO and PGE2 levels of 120 μg/ml GBEE-treated cells were 70% and 9.8%, respectively, than those of cells treated with LPS alone. Immunoblots assays showed that the GBEE dose-dependently suppressed LPS-induced inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein levels. The GBEE significantly decreased cytosolic phosphorylated (p)-IκBa and nuclear p65 protein expressions. Electrophoresis mobility shift assays indicated that the GBEE effectively inhibited nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation induced by LPS. These results support a role of the GBEE in suppressing activation of NF-κB to inhibit NO and PGE2 production in the LPS-induced inflammatory response by RAW 264.7 cells.

Cell migration influences many normal and pathological processes and is one of key issues addressed in cancer research studies. In this report, a plasma patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate was used to selectively position hepatocarcinoma cells in order to characterize their migration behavior. We observed that cell mobility was directly related to the differentiation stage of the cells, with poorly-differentiated (SK-Hep-1) cells exhibiting higher mobility that well-differentiated (Hep-G2) cells. We propose that this difference occurs due to a loss of adhesion molecules presented at the apical membranes of the poorly-differentiated SK-Hep-1 cells, thereby reducing their adhesion to the surface. Our results provide new insight into the relationship between carcinoma cell differentiation grade and mobility. Further this experimental process may provide a simple and effective model for universal cell biology studies and applications in microsystems technology.

Gelatin has been broadly utilized in the food, pharmaceutical, photographic, cosmetic and packaging industries, and there is also huge potential for novel applications of gelatin in the fields of biotechnology and biomedicine. In the present study, we extracted gelatin from fish processing waste, i.e., scale of tilapia, by a combined method of extrusion-pretreatment and hot water extraction. The extrusion-pretreatment process increases the extraction yield of gelatin. Three gelatins (FS2: preconditioning with double-distilled water (ddH2O) before extrusion; FS12: preconditioning with citric acid solution before extrusion; FS14: preconditioning with acetic acid solution before extrusion) were obtained and all of them enhanced cell adhesion, cell growth, and wound healing in HaCaT cells and protected HaCaT cells from H2O2-induced cellular damage. Among FS2, FS12, and FS14, FS12 exhibited the most pronounced enhancement of cell adhesion, cell growth, and wound healing in HaCaT cells, and thus it may have potential as an effective natural raw material in cell therapies for cutaneous wounds and for reducing H2O2-induced oxidative damage of cells. In additional experiments, it was found that phosphorylations of Akt and mTOR are involved in the signaling pathway activated by FS2, FS12, and FS14 in HaCaT cells.

Fish gelatin hydrolysates have been shown to possess various biological activities due to their unique Gly-Pro-Y and Gly-X-Hyp sequences. In the current study, fish gelatin was extracted from non-extruded milkfish scale (FSG1) or extrusion-pretreated milkfish scale (FSG2); extracted gelatins were hydrolyzed with different combinations of Flavourzyme and Alcalase to give four different hydrolysates, namely: FSGH1 (FSG1 hydrolyzed with Flavourzyme), FSGH2 (FSG1 hydrolyzed with Alcalase + Flavourzyme), FSGH3 (FSG2 hydrolyzed with Flavourzyme), and FSGH4 (FSG2 hydrolyzed with Alcalase + Flavourzyme). The extrusion-pretreatment process enhanced the extraction yield of gelatin from fish scale. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses showed the extracts FSG1 and FSG2 possessed characteristics of gelatin. Moreover, the physicochemical characteristics of FSGH1–FSGH4 were examined by analyses of their degree of hydrolysis, amino acid composition, UV spectrum, FTIR spectrum, molecular weight, and RP-HPLC profile. Additional biological functional analyses showed that all of the studied gelatin hydrolysates FSGH1–FSGH4 possessed antioxidant activity dose-dependently as revealed by DPPH scavenging, ABTS scavenging, and reducing power analyses. In addition, FSGH2 and FSGH4 showed higher angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity as compared to FSGH1 and FSGH3. Taken together, FSGH2 and FSGH4 showed high antioxidant activity and potent anti-ACE activity. Due to the potential antioxidant and antihypertensive properties of FSGH2 and FSGH4, further research is needed to explore their possible use as natural supplementary raw materials in food and nutraceutical products.

Efficient maintenance of glucose homeostasis is a major challenge in diabetes therapy, where accurate and reliable glucose level detection is required. Though several methods are currently used, these suffer from impaired response and often unpredictable drift, making them unsuitable for long-term therapeutic practice. In this study, we demonstrate a method that uses a functionalized atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever as the sensor for reliable glucose detection with sufficient sensitivity and selectivity for clinical use. We first modified the AFM tip with aminopropylsilatrane (APS) and then adsorbed glucose-specific lectin concanavalin A (Con A) onto the surface. The Con A/APS-modified probes were then used to detect glucose by monitoring shifts in the cantilever resonance frequency. To confirm the molecule-specific interaction, AFM topographical images were acquired of identically treated silicon substrates which indicated a specific attachment for glucose-Con A and not for galactose-Con A. These results demonstrate that by monitoring the frequency shift of the AFM cantilever, this sensing system can detect the interaction between Con A and glucose, one of the biomolecule recognition processes, and may assist in the detection and mass quantification of glucose for clinical applications with very high sensitivity.