Search

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

Coix seed is recognized as a functional medicinal food due to its valuable biological activities, with polysaccharides being the primary active compounds. In this study, an ultrasonic‐assisted enzymatic extraction technique was employed, and response surface methodology was used to optimize the yield of polysaccharides to 9.55 ± 0.26%. A novel neutral polysaccharide, CSPsN‐1, was purified with a molecular weight of 7.75 kDa. CSPsN‐1 was composed of arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, and mannose in molar ratios of 0.48: 7.92: 86.39: 2.42: 2.79. Its backbone composed of →4)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→ and →3,4)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→ units, with terminal residues of α‐D‐Glcp. In vitro experiments, CSPsN‐1 enhanced glucose consumption in insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells and upregulated GLUT4 expression by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings suggest that CSPsN‐1 holds significant promise as a functional ingredient for treating insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New gambling products have been developed over time as technology permits. For example, early mechanical slot machines were later replaced by electronic gaming machines (EGMs), which enabled a faster speed of play and more immersive experience. EGMs have in the decades since their invention become one of the main drivers of gambling expenditure worldwide and are one of the gambling products most strongly associated with harm. This literature review considers research relevant to a new subcategory of EGM, 'skill-based' EGMs, termed 'SGMs' here. SGMs can be highly varied in content, with some representing a minimal departure from EGMs, where the typical bonus round is replaced by some skill-based activity, such as a simple video game, which could increase the machine's appeal. Other SGMs feature more radical departures from conventional EGMs, such as multiplayer games using intellectual property from popular TV shows or video games. These skill-based elements could tap into common gambling fallacies such as the illusion of control, and therefore facilitate harmful engagement. SGMs could also be less harmful than current EGMs, if skill-based elements break the dissociative states associated with EGM gambling. The intellectual property used in SGMs may increase their appeal among people who generally do not gamble, and the skill-based elements could increase their interest among gamblers who predominately prefer skill-based gambling formats such as sports betting. The novelty and varied content of SGMs present many open questions, which research should aim to address in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

BACKGROUND: High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) are unique emulsion systems that transform liquid oil into solid‐like fats, thus avoiding the use of saturated fat and leading to a healthier and more sustainable food system for consumers. HIPEs with oil volume fraction (ϕ) of 75–85% were fabricated with mung bean protein isolate (MPI) under different pH shift treatments at 1.0% concentration through the one‐step method. In the present study, we investigated the physical properties, microstructures, processing properties, storage stability and rheological properties of HIPEs. RESULTS: The results suggested that the properties of MPI under different pH shift treatments were improved to different degrees, stabilizing HIPEs (ϕ = 75–85%) with various processability to meet food processing needs. Under alkali shift treatment conditions, the particle size of MPI was significantly reduced with better solubility. Moreover, the exposure of hydrophobic groups increased the surface hydrophobicity of MPI, awarding MPI better emulsifying properties, which could stabilize the HIPEs with higher oil phase fraction. In addition, the MPI under pH 12 shift treatment (MPI‐12) had the best oil‐carrying ability to form the stable HIPEs with oil volume fraction (ϕ) up to 85%, which was the highest oil phase in preparing the HIPEs using plant protein solely at a low concentration under neutral conditions. CONCLUSION: A series of stable HIPEs with different processing properties was simply and feasibly fabricated and these are of great potential in applying edible HIPEs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Peanut peptides have good chelating ability with metal ions. However, there are few studies on the chelation mechanism of peanut peptides with calcium and absorption properties of peptide–calcium complex. RESULTS: Peptides with high calcium chelating rate were isolated and purified from peanut protein hydrolysate (PPH), and the chelation rate of component F21 was higher (81.4 ± 0.8%). Six peptides were identified from component F21 by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and the frequency of acidic amino acids and arginine in the amino acid sequence was higher in all six peptides. Peanut peptide–calcium complex (PPH21‐Ca) was prepared by selecting component F21 (PPH21). Ultraviolet analysis indicated that the chelate reaction occurred between peanut peptide and calcium ions. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that the chelating sites were carboxyl and amino groups on the amino acid residues of peptides. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the surface of peanut peptide had a smooth block structure, but the surface of the complex had a granular morphology. Caco‐2 cell model tests revealed that the bioavailability of PPH21‐Ca was 58.4 ± 0.5%, which was significantly higher than that of inorganic calcium at 37.0 ± 0.4%. CONCLUSION: Peanut peptides can chelate calcium ions by carboxyl and amino groups, and the peptide–calcium complex had higher bioavailability. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of new calcium supplement products that are absorbed easily. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides (EU) is a precious tree species native to China originating during the ice age. This species has important economic value and comprehensive development potential, particularly in medicinal applications. The medicinal parts of EU are its bark (Eucommiae cortex) and leaves (Eucommiae folium) which have been successively used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat diseases since the first century BC. During the last 2 decades, as natural polysaccharides have become of increasing interest in pharmacology, biomedicine, cosmetic and food applications, more and more scholars have begun to study polysaccharides derived from EU as well. EU polysaccharides have been found to have a variety of biological functions both in vivo and in vitro, including immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticomplementary, antifatigue, and hepatoprotective activities. This review aims to summarize these recent advances in extraction, purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities and applications in different fields of EU bark and leaf polysaccharides. It was found that both Eucommiae folium polysaccharides and Eucommiae cortex polysaccharides were suitable for medicinal use. Eucommiae folium may potentially be used to substitute for Eucommiae cortex in terms of immunomodulation and antioxidant activities. This study serves as a valuable reference for improving the comprehensive utilization of EU polysaccharides and further promoting the application of EU polysaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

During the operational process of an axial-flow compressor, the blade structure is simultaneously subjected to both aerodynamic loads and centrifugal loads, posing significant challenges to the safe and reliable operation of the blades. Considering both centrifugal loads and aerodynamic loads comprehensively, a bidirectional CFD-CSD coupling analysis method for blade structure was established. The Navier–Stokes governing equations were utilized to solve the internal flow field of the axial-flow compressor. The conservative interpolation method was utilized to couple and solve the blade's static equilibrium equation, and the deformation, stress distribution, and prestress modal behavior of compressor blades were mainly analyzed. The research results indicate that the maximum deformation of the blades occurred at the lead edge tip, while stress predominantly concentrated approximately 33% upward from the blade root, exhibiting a radial distribution that gradually decreased. As the rotational speed increased, the maximum deformation of the blades continuously increased. Furthermore, at a constant rotational speed, the maximum deformation of the blade exhibited a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase in mass flow. In contrast, the maximum stress showed a trend of first increasing, then decreasing, and finally increasing again as the rotational speed continuously increased. Centrifugal loads are the primary factor influencing blade stress and natural frequency. During operation, the blades exhibited two resonance points, approximately occurring at 62% and 98% of the design rotational speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely employed tumor therapy, yet its substantial toxic side effects pose a considerable challenge. Bletilla striata has demonstrated efficacy in preventing and treating these toxic side effects in clinical practice, with polysaccharides identified as the principal active component. In the present study, 16 fractions of B. striata polysaccharides (BsPs) were extracted using diverse methods, including hot-water extraction (HWE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), dilute acid-water extraction (ACWE), and dilute alkali-water extraction (ALWE). These extractions were subsequently precipitated at final ethanol concentrations of 80% and 95%, respectively. The investigation encompassed yields, total carbohydrate content (TCC), total protein content (TPC), preliminary structural properties, and anti-DOX myocardial cytotoxic activity. Results indicated that the extraction method significantly influenced the physicochemical properties, associated functional properties, and anti-DOX myocardial cytotoxic activity of BsPs. HWE and UAE yielded higher BsPs quantities. The relative molecular weight (RMW) distribution of BsPs differed notably between HWE or UAE, EAE, ACWE, and ALWE. The RMW of primary BsPs obtained from HWE and UAE (1.9 x 107-1.7 x 107 Da) exceeded that from EAE (7.5 x 10³-2.8 x 104 Da) and ALWE (5.1 x 104-1.7 x 104 Da), with smaller molecular weights primarily precipitated by higher ethanol concentrations. BsPs were composed of Man and Glu, with partial fractions containing small amounts of Gal or Ara, displaying varying molar ratios. Notably, BsPs from ACWE exhibited the most significant structural differences, lacking 1,4-α-D-Glcp and a triple-helical structure. Furthermore, BsPs obtained from HWE, UAE, and EAE demonstrated heightened anti-DOX myocardial cytotoxic activity compared to other methods. This study underscored the influence of extraction methods on BsPs' structure and myocardial protective activity, offering a foundation for exploring structural diversity and employing specific extraction methods to extract polysaccharides with robust myocardial protective properties efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the behavioral patterns of gelatin (Gel) and Agar in terms of composites and phase separation. As the pH (4.5–7.0) increased, the electrostatic interaction between the gel and the agar weakened, and a decrease in the degree of agglomeration of the microstructure was observed in the confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) plots. Specifically, When the ratio of Gel to Agar was 2:1 and the pH was 4.5 (pHopt), a large amount of complex coalescence appeared. The Absorption and fluorescence spectra demonstrated the impact of Agar interaction on the tertiary conformation of the Gel, while circular dichroism (CD) detected changes in its secondary structure. Furthermore, Fourier Transform Infrared Resonance spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated that the complexes were produced through electrostatic interactions between the -NH3+ groups of Gel and –COO- groups of Agar. The Gel-Agar coacervation process induced structural modifications, which enhanced the Gel's thermal stability. The findings of this study are expected to be an essential contribution to the potential application of Gel-Agar coacervates for encapsulating functional ingredients. [Display omitted] • The strongest complexation between Gel and Agar occurred at pH 4.5. • Electrostatic interaction was the main force in the complexation process. • Circular dichroism showed the structural changes of gel-agar coagulation process. • Coacervates exhibited a notable increase of thermal stability to natural gel. • Rheological data of the composite showed a gel-like network structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to focus on improving the unified F-expansion method and investigating the evolution phenomenon of solitary waves on periodic wave background. Based on the unified F-expansion method, the main innovation of this paper is to propose multiple unified F-expansion method and successfully construct a series of complexiton solutions for a (3+1) dimensional Burgers like equation, further enriching the types and quantities of exact solutions. In addition, compared with the multiple G'/G expansion method, the complexiton solutions composed of multiple Jacobian elliptic functions presented in this paper have new structural characteristics, which can explain two novel nonlinear phenomena: one type of complexiton solutions can describe the propagation process of solitary waves on periodic wave background; Another type of complexiton solution can exhibit the propagation process of solitary waves on composite periodic wave background. These novel findings and conclusions in this paper have greater value and significance than the propagation of solitary waves on zero background. Furthermore, the multiple unified F-expansion method can also solve variable coefficient nonlinear evolution equations, high-order nonlinear evolution equations, and coupled nonlinear complex systems. Therefore, the multiple unified F-expansion method provides an effective approach for the study of nonlinear theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset and propagation of fractures significantly impact the remaining operational lifespan of locomotive wheels and rail infrastructure, primarily influenced by contact stresses arising from their interaction. This study employs the nonlinear Newton-Raphson algorithm to comprehensively evaluate the structural characteristics and critical regions of the rail-wheel contact-zone. The rail wheel CAD model is developed in the ANSYS-Design_Modeler, and then it undergoes a static structural analysis using its system for this purpose. A comparative analysis between linear and nonlinear approaches through simulation indicates a consistent overestimation of contact parameters–penetration, and frictional stress. In particular, the linear performance analysis shows a penetration value 25 percent lower and frictional stress 6.38 percent less than that of the nonlinear response. This study highlights the importance of nonlinear analysis when it comes to capturing the subtle complexities inherent in actual wheel-rail interactions and reveals the shortcomings of linear analysis in giving correct predictions. The optimization process is conducted on a railway locomotive wheel using the optimal space-filling algorithm of the response surface optimization process. From the optimization process, the effect of each design variable is evaluated and for most of the structural evaluation parameters, tread_width shows a higher sensitivity percentage and therefore has a higher effect as compared to tread_depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polysaccharides were extracted at a rate of 87.5% ± 1.5% from native dandelion roots, and the dandelion root polysaccharides (DRPs) were then chemically modified to obtain sulfated polysaccharides (SDRPs) with a degree of substitution of 1.49 ± 0.07. The effects of modification conditions, physicochemical characterizations, structural characteristics, antioxidant properties, hypoglycemic activity, and proliferative effects on probiotics of DRP derivatives were further investigated. Results showed that the optimum conditions for sulfation of DRPs included esterification reagents (concentrated sulfuric acid: n-butanol) ratio of 3:1, a reaction temperature of 0 °C, a reaction time of 1.5 h, and the involvement of 0.154 g of ammonium sulfate. The DRPs and SDRPs were composed of six monosaccharides, including mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. Based on infrared spectra, the peaks of the characteristic absorption bands of S=O and C-O-S appeared at 1263 cm−1 and 836 cm−1. Compared with DRPs, SDRPs had a significantly lower relative molecular mass and a three-stranded helical structure. NMR analysis showed that sulfated modification mainly occurred on the hydroxyl group at C6. SDRPs underwent a chemical shift to higher field strength, with their characteristic signal peaking in the region of 1.00–1.62 ppm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that the surface morphology of SDRPs was significantly changed. The structure of SDRPs was finer and more fragmented than DRPs. Compared with DRPs, SDRPs showed better free radical scavenging ability, higher Fe2+chelating ability, and stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. In addition, SDRPs had an excellent promotional effect on the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum 10665 and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Therefore, this study could provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of DRPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

Mesh filters are frequently employed in water-saving irrigation fields. Studies addressing the method of cake formation and the characteristics of the cake during the mesh filter's growing phase are still missing. One-way and orthogonal experiments were carried out using mesh filters with 220 μm and 320 μm aperture sizes as the research objects, taking particle concentrations, inlet flow, and growth phases as experimental factors. According to the variation rule of seed pressure drop in the formation process of filter cake, the growth process of filter cake is divided into four stages, which are as follows: slow blockage first and second stages (M1, M2), fast blockage stage (M3), and filter cake filtration stage (M4). Moreover, the size distribution, porosity (ε), pore-to-particle ratio (KP), and median size (d50) of the filter cake were used to represent the structural characteristics. The results show that the growth of filter cake was a process that started with the filling of mesh pores by intercepted particles and progressed to the filling of large-particle skeleton pores by subsequently filtered particles. During this process, the proportion of intercepted particles gradually decreased, while the proportion of filtered particles increased incrementally, and the median size (d50) and porosity (ε) decreased. Meanwhile, the smaller the aperture size of the screen, the smaller the filter cake's median size (d50) was, but the larger the pore-to-particle ratio (KP) was. As the flow rate increased, the porosity (ε) was augmented in the M1 and M2 stages; however, it decreased in the M3 and M4 stages. The concentration had a minor influence on the filter cake's porosity. Lastly, the regression model for filter cake porosity under two aperture size conditions was established, based on factors such as flow rate, concentration, and growth stage. The coefficients of determination, R2, for the model were 90.33% and 80.73%, indicating a good fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural design is a prerequisite for the creation of mechanical equipment. This study focuses on the structural synthesis of epicyclic chains (ECs), and proposes a new topological model and synthesis method of ECs to address the existing research problems (i.e. synthesis dependence on multiple graphic transformations and the generation of pseudo-isomorphism). First, the structural characteristics of ECs are analyzed to explore the relation between their axles, gears, and planet carriers, and the corresponding topological model and the adjacency matrix expression of ECs are provided. Then, the topological elements corresponding to the axles, gears, and gear pairs are added sequentially to the topological graph corresponding to the planet carriers, and the constraints are established based on similarity to inhibit the generation of isomorphism. Finally, all the databases of feasible ECs are obtained through gear loop discrimination. All processes are carried out with computer assistance. The synthesis results of the ECs with 1–3 degrees of freedom and up to 10 components are presented. The logic of this paper is to simplify (or optimize) the synthesis process to improve efficiency of structural synthesis, which will break through the threshold of computing power and provide more possibilities for the design of mechanical equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This article systematically reviews the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, structure–activity relationship, and health benefits of C. speciosa polysaccharides, and their potential application in food, medicine, functional products, and feed, in order to provide a useful reference for future research. Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai. has attracted the attention of health consumers and medical researchers as a traditional Chinese medicine with edible, medicinal, and nutritional benefits. According to this study, C. speciosa polysaccharides have significant health benefits, such as anti-diaetic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects. Researchers determined the molecular weight, structural characteristics, and monosaccharide composition and ratio of C. speciosa polysaccharides by water extraction and alcohol precipitation. This study will lay a solid foundation for further optimization of the extraction process of C. speciosa polysaccharides and the development of their products. As an active ingredient with high value, C. speciosa polysaccharides are worthy of further study and full development. C. speciosa polysaccharides should be further explored in the future, to innovate their extraction methods, enrich their types and biological activities, and lay a solid foundation for further research and development of products containing polysaccharides that are beneficial to the human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines the relationship between the features of physical and social environments and neighborhood crime in a large Korean city. We utilized the 112 Crime Calls Data from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019, aggregated at the ¼-mile egohood level. We estimated a series of negative binomial regression models to test the effects of social and physical environmental features on crime rates. Furthermore, we examine potential moderating effects between the measures of physical and social environments. The results indicate that incorporating the physical and social environmental features based on the theoretical framework of criminal opportunities and social disorganization can be useful for understanding the spatial patterns of crime in Korean context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural characteristics of transportation networks (SCTN) under sustainable development goals are crucial for the development and construction of urban agglomerations (UAs). Evaluating the SCTN in UAs can be difficult due to the increasing diversity of UAs and the multiple interactive criteria involved. To address these challenges, this paper develops the G-DEMATEL model, a new data-driven model that integrates the λ-step gravity model and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method. This model is then applied to various scales of Chinese UAs. The results demonstrate that: (1) three types of SCTN have developed in UAs, including polycentric, two-centers, and monocentric networks; (2) the transportation networks in UAs exhibit an excess of independent-type cities and a lack of functional differentiation among cities. (3) SCTN are significantly influenced by natural and location conditions such as geography and distance from the central city, and the gravitational effects of provincial capitals are especially significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of the rib set-out repeat and single miss stitches on the structural properties and dimensional stability of double weft knitted fabrics compared with half Milano rib. Nine variations of double weft knitted fabrics were produced, each with a different number of inactive needles at the width repeat Rb. The fabrics were tested after 10 days of dry relaxation and five washings. The fabric's structural repeat at the height Rh consisted of a combination of two courses, rib and plain (variant 1), and rib set-out and single with miss (float) stitch, with stitch repeats varying at the width Rb (for variants 2–10). The miss stitch was made on the technical back of the knitted fabrics, and the number of inactive needles during the production of the single and double stitches ranged from 1 to 3. The fabrics were manufactured using a 10-gauge flat bed-knitting machine from blended wool/PAN (60% wool, 40% PAN) 25×2tex×2 yarn. The results demonstrated that the width repeat of miss knit stitches Rb (different numbers of knit and miss loop stitches) plays a crucial role in determining the dimensional stability and structural properties of double knitted fabrics. The number of washing cycles did not significantly impact the structural properties (around ±5%). The research results demonstrated shrinkage in the length and width directions, specifically after the first two washing cycles. The rib set-out repeat and single miss stitches affect dimensional changes in both directions: an increase in the number of inactive needles increases shrinkage in the length and decreases shrinkage in the width direction. Overall, this study highlights the importance of the number and placement of miss stitches during the design process of double weft knitted fabrics, particularly when aiming to achieve specific structural and dimensional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the growing demand for human-edible protein sources, microalgae are recognized as an economically viable alternative source of proteins. The investigation into the structural characteristics and functional properties of microalgin is highly significant for its potential application in the food industry as an alternative source of protein. In this research, we extracted protein from Euglena gracilis by using alkaline extraction and acid precipitation and investigated its structural characteristics and functional properties in different acidic and alkaline environments. The molecular weight distribution of Euglena gracilis protein (EGP), as revealed by the size exclusion chromatography results, ranges from 152 to 5.7 kDa. EGP was found to be rich in hydrophobic amino acids and essential amino acids. Fourier infrared analysis revealed that EGP exhibited higher α-helix structure content and lower β-sheet structure content in alkaline environments compared with acidic ones. EGP exhibited higher foaming properties, emulsifying activity index, solubility, free sulfhydryl, and total sulfhydryl in pH environments far from its isoelectric point, and lower fluorescence intensity (2325 A.U.), lower surface hydrophobicity, larger average particle size (25.13 µm), higher emulsifying stability index, and water-holding capacity in pH environments near its isoelectric point. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that different acidic and alkaline environments lead to reductions in the crystal size and crystallinity of EGP. EGP exhibited high denaturation temperature (Td; 99.32 °C) and high enthalpy (ΔH; 146.33 J/g) at pH 11.0, as shown by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results. The findings from our studies on EGP in different acidic and alkaline environments provide a data basis for its potential commercial utilization as a food ingredient in products such as emulsions, gels, and foams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. is rich in polysaccharides, and the polysaccharides in Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (LRPS) have various bioactivities, such as antioxidant activity, anti-tumor activity, neuroprotective activity, and immunomodulatory activity. It has broad prospects in the development of functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Researchers have found that the structural characteristics of LRPS, such as molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, primary structure, etc., have a significant impact on their bioactivities. Therefore, studying the structure of LRPS is of great significance in revealing their bioactivities and mechanisms. This study, based on introducing the preparation methods of LRPS, focuses on reviewing the research progress on the main structural characteristics, various bioactivities, and mechanisms of action of LRPS. In addition, the study provides prospects for the development of LRPS in the fields of food and medicine, aiming to provide theoretical support for its deep processing and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging non-thermal technologies are widely applied in storage and processing of aquatic products, especially ultrasound-assisted technology. Frequency is an important component of ultrasound, and the effects of different ultrasound frequencies are obviously different. This research evaluated the effects of single-frequency (28 kHz, 40 kHz) and dual-frequency (28/40 kHz) ultrasound-assisted thawing (UAT) treatment on physicochemical quality, myofibril characteristics, and microstructure of large yellow croaker during frozen to refrigeration. The results revealed that UAT treatment retained a better performance, such as water-holding capacity (WHC), color, texture, and water distribution, and relieved disruption of microstructure, especially DUAT-28/40 treatment. The total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) obtained the most desirable freshness property under the DUAT-28/40 treatment, as well as the free amino acids analysis. In addition, it reduced the myofibril denaturation during frozen to refrigeration, as shown in protein primary structure, infrared detection, and fluorescence intensity analysis. Therefore, DUAT-28/40 treatment could be a possible thawing method for relieving the quality deterioration of large yellow croaker during frozen to refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This study investigated the structure and functional properties including in vitro hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and immunoenhancing activities of water-soluble mulberry leaf polysaccharides (MLP) from Morus abla L. cv. Longsang 1. The results showed that the yield of MLP was (16.16 ± 0.30) mg/g with sugar content of (57.16 ± 4.00)% and uronic acid content of (30.97 ± 2.06)%. The molecular mass distribution of MLP, as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), was mainly concentrated at 21.74 kDa. Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that MLP mainly contained glucose, rhamnose, galactose, xylose, uronic acid (including glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid and mannuronic acid), and mannose, with a molar ratio of 59.17:22.31:10.44:2.65:2.28:1.07. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated that MLP was a pyranose with intertwined branches and helical aggregation. MLP inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase with concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC50) of 1.81 mg/mL and 2.91 mg/mL, respectively, and its inhibitory activities were 49.17% and 37.80% as high as those of acarbose, respectively. MLP scavenged 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2, 2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical, and hydroxyl radical with EC50 of 0.54, 0.60 and 1.77 mg/mL, respectively, and the radical scavenging capacities were 4.77%, 38.03%, and 19.94% as high as those of ascorbic acid, respectively. When applied to RAW264.7 mouse macrophages, MLP increased the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines NO, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β and enhanced macrophage proliferation and phagocytosis, thereby exerting an immunoenhancing effect. The research results can provide experimental data for the application and functional evaluation of mulberry leaves grown in cold regions.

This study comparatively analyzed the effects of water bath (WB) and ultrasonic-assisted water bath (UWB) extraction at different pH conditions on the extraction kinetics, gelling properties, rheological properties, and structural properties of grass carp fish scale gelatin. Results indicated that the gel strength of fish scale gelatin extracted by UWB was greater than that obtained by WB at pH more than 7.0. The rheological results demonstrated that UWB elevated the apparent viscosity of fish scale gelatin, but decreased the gelling and melt points. The results of structural analysis indicated that UWB resulted in a reduction in the content of α-helix and β-sheet in fish scale gelatin. Furthermore, both pH and UWB were found to alter the tertiary structure of fish scale gelatin. This study may provide novel ideas for the high-value comprehensive utilization of fish scale waste.

In order to investigate the effect of ultrasound on the structure and physical stability of chicken myofibrillar protein (MP) under low-salt conditions (0.15 mol/L NaCl), as well as the oxidizing effect of free radicals generated by ultrasound on MP, this study investigated the changes in the structure and oxidative properties of MP under low-salt conditions after ultrasound treatments (20 kHz, 450 W for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 min). The results showed that compared with the control group, the solubility, physical stability, and absolute ζ-potential of MP under low-salt conditions increased significantly (P < 0.05) with ultrasonic treatment time, whereas the turbidity and particle size decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The solubility was increased to 58.5% after 12 min of ultrasonic treatment. After ultrasonic treatment, the surface hydrophobicity and molecular flexibility were significantly increased, indicating that ultrasonic treatment caused the highly aggregated structure of myofibrillar protein to unfold and the internal hydrophobic groups to be exposed under low-salt conditions. After ultrasonic treatment for more than 6 min, the free sulfhydryl content of MP began to gradually decrease, whereas the content of disulfide bonds increased. After ultrasonic treatment for 12 min, the contents of free radicals, carbonyl groups and dimerized tyrosine (by 20.55%) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the free amino group content was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ultrasonic treatment changed the structural properties of MP under low-salt conditions and increased its physical stability, thereby contributing to the formation of emulsions. Ultrasonic treatment can generate free radicals; ultrasonic treatment time for 6 min can exacerbate the oxidation of MP. So, attention should be paid to the oxidizing effect of free radicals generated by ultrasound on MP when applying ultrasonic treatment to improve the functional properties of MP.

In order to clarify the phylogenetic relationship between the chloroplast genome characteristics of three medicinal plants, Panax japonicus var. major, P. japonicus var. bipinnatifidus, P. pseudoginseng var. elegantior in Qinba Mountains, we analysed the chloroplast genome characteristics and codon usage preferences by using bioinformatics techniques. The results were as follows: (1) The chloroplast genomes of three species of Panax were typical tetrad structure, the genome full size was between 156 071 to 156 104 bp, and the total GC-content was 38.10% with a high degree of genome size similarity. (2) A total of 133 coding genes were annotated, including 88 protein coding genes (PCGs), 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes with a high degree of genome size similarity. (3) The chloroplast codon usage preferences of the three medicinal plants were comparable, with the third base of codon predominantly ending in A/U. Despite being affected by mutations, the codon usage patterns of the three medicinal plants were found to be mainly influenced by natural selection. (4) The phylogenetic results showed that the three Panax species were closely related, and P. pseudoginseng var. elegantior was more closely related to P. japonicus var. bipinnatifidus. In conclusion, this study presents a significant relationship between P. pseudoginseng var. elegantior and the original pharmacopeial plants of P. japonicus var. major. This finding has great importance for the development, utilization, and molecular identification of traditional Chinese medicinal material resources from P. japonicus var. major, and provides an important basis for further studies on the classification, phylogeny and evolutionary mechanisms of Panax species.

In this study, lotus seed starch was used as the raw material for preparing RS3 resistant starch (EHP-LRS3) through thermoacidophilic type Ⅲ pullulan hydrolase synergistic high-pressure heat treatments. The parameters for this preparation process were optimized using a single-factor experimental design and response surface methodology. The morphological and crystal structures of EHP-LRS3 were observed and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively, and its pro-proliferative effect on Bifidobacterium longum was investigated. According to the results, the optimal conditions for preparing EHP-LRS3 with TK-PUL enzymatic hydrolysis temperature of 80 ℃ were as follows: Treatment of 35.32% lotus seed starch slurry (pH5.00) with 25.00 U/g (lotus seed starch) TK-PUL at 80 ℃ for 12.70 h, followed by high-pressure heat treatment of the mixture at 121 ℃ for 10 min and retrogradation at 4 ℃ for 24 h. An EHP-LRS3 yield of 58.46% was achieved under these optimal conditions. The SEM analysis revealed that the prepared EHP-LRS3 possessed an irregular ravine-like structure. The XRD analysis showed that the resistant starch had a B-type crystal structure, which differed from the A-type crystal structure of lotus seed starch. The pro-proliferative effect of EHP-LRS3 on B. longum was superior to that of RS3 resistant starch prepared using high-pressure heating alone (HP-LRS3). In summary, a high EHP-LRS3 yield was obtained using both TK-PUL and high-pressure heat treatments. The superior pro-proliferative effect of EHP-LRS3 on B. longum was verified. The results provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of lotus seed starch.

Abstract Oreomecon nudicaulis, commonly known as mountain poppy, is a significant perennial herb. In 2022, the species O. nudicaulis, which was previously classified under the genus Papaver, was reclassified within the genus Oreomecon. Nevertheless, the phylogenetic status and chloroplast genome within the genus Oreomecon have not yet been reported. This study elucidates the chloroplast genome sequence and structural features of O. nudicaulis and explores its evolutionary relationships within Papaveraceae. Using Illumina sequencing technology, the chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis was sequenced, assembled, and annotated. The results indicate that the chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis exhibits a typical circular quadripartite structure. The chloroplast genome is 153,903 bp in length, with a GC content of 38.87%, containing 84 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 2 pseudogenes. The genome encodes 25,815 codons, with leucine (Leu) being the most abundant codon, and the most frequently used codon is AUU. Additionally, 129 microsatellite markers were identified, with mononucleotide repeats being the most abundant (53.49%). Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. nudicaulis has a relatively close relationship with the genus Meconopsis within the Papaveraceae family. The phylogenetic analysis supported the taxonomic status of O. nudicaulis, as it did not form a clade with other Papaver species, consistent with the revised taxonomy of Papaveraceae. This is the first report of a phylogenomic study of the complete chloroplast genome in the genus Oreomecon, which is a significant genus worldwide. This analysis of the O. nudicaulis chloroplast genome provides a theoretical basis for research on genetic diversity, molecular marker development, and species identification, enriching genetic information and supporting the evolutionary relationships among Papaveraceae.

The functional property is an important factor to measure the quality of fish gelatin, which directly relates to the practical application range and value of fish gelatin. In order to explore the effect of extraction temperature on the functional properties of mullet scale gelatin, this study used a hot water extraction method. Different temperatures (60, 70, 80, 90, 100 ℃) were examined to assess their impact on the surface morphology of fish scales, fish scale gelatin yield, and functional properties (foaming capacity, emulsifying activity, gel strength, gel temperature, and melting temperature). Furthermore, the structural characteristics of fish scale gelatin were investigated using SDS-PAGE, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that as the extraction temperature increased from 60 ℃ to 100 ℃, the damage to the surface of mullet scales became increasingly severe. The fish scale gelatin yield increased from 31.72% to 50.97%, foaming capacity improved from 23.33% to 73.33%, and emulsifying activity increased from 15.13 m2/g to 17.27 m2/g. However, gel strength, gel temperature, and melting temperature decreased from 677.82 g, 20.80 ℃, and 28.70 ℃ to 372.91 g, 15.80 ℃, and 23.90 ℃, respectively. Additionally, with the increase in extraction temperature, the characteristic bands of mullet scale gelatin α1, α2, and β chains on the electrophoresis pattern became increasingly blurred. The infrared spectroscopy results showed that the fish scale gelatin had characteristic absorption peaks (amide A, amide Ⅰ, amide Ⅱ, and amide Ⅲ), with the wavenumber of amide A first increasing and then decreasing. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that the tightness of the porous grid structure of the fish scale gelatin decreased. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the industrialization of mullet scale gelatin.

Objective: This study aimed to develop antioxidant products and anti-diabetes drugs of wampee. The study aimed to research the structural characteristics, anti-oxidation and hypoglycemic properties in vitro of polysaccharides from different parts of wampee. Methods: The structural properties, in vitro antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of polysaccharides from the fruit, peel and seeds of wampee (CWP-F, CWP-P, and CWP-S) were analyzed and compared from the aspects of chemical composition, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, appearance, DPPH free radical scavenging rate and α-amylase inhibition rate. Results: CWP-F had the highest molecular weight and was mainly composed of galactose and arabinose, CWP-P was mainly composed of galacturonic acid and arabinose, and CWP-S was mainly composed of glucose. The absorption peaks of the carboxylic acid structure were found in the Fourier transform infrared spectra of the three polysaccharides. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the surface structure of the three polysaccharides was fluffy. CWP-P had the strongest antioxidant capacity, and its DPPH free radical scavenging rate, OH free radical scavenging rate, and total reducing power all were higher than those of CWP-F and CWP-S. CWP-P had the strongest hypoglycemic ability, followed by CWP-F, and CWP-S had no hypoglycemic ability. Conclusion: In vitro, CWP-F, CWP-P, and CWP-S exhibited varying compositions, structures, and antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity. Notably, CWP-P has shown the most robust antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties.

In this study, crude polysaccharides from soybean and natto were prepared by water extraction followed by ethanol precipitation. The chemical compositions, structural characteristics, water solubility, water-holding capacity (WHC) and fat-binding capacity (FBC) of soybean and natto polysaccharides were analyzed. Their in vitro antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering activities were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the content of uronic acid was significantly higher in natto polysaccharide than in soybean polysaccharide (P < 0.05). The molecular masses of soybean and natto polysaccharides were 5.256 and 33.532 ku, respectively, and the monosaccharide compositions of soybean and natto polysaccharides were similar in the types but different in the proportions of monosaccharide. The surface of soybean polysaccharide was rough, whereas the surface of natto polysaccharide was smooth and dense. The water solubility of natto polysaccharide was 2.04 times as high as that of soybean polysaccharide, and the FBC was 2.99 times as high as that of natto polysaccharide. Natto polysaccharide exhibited better antioxidant activity, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of (0.049 ± 0.015) and (2.640 ± 0.072) mg/mL for scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical, respectively. The IC50 for the inhibition of α-amylase activity by natto polysaccharide was (3.297 ± 0.395) mg/mL. Natto polysaccharide had significantly higher in vitro hypoglycemic activity (P < 0.05), stronger cholate binding capacity and in vitro hypolipidemic activity than soybean polysaccharide. This study has provided an important theoretical basis for the structural analysis and biological activity evaluation of natto polysaccharide.

In this study, the structural evolution of mung bean globular amyloid fibrils (MBGFs) during the formation process was investigated with different acid-heat treatment times, and the emulsification properties of MBGFs were also explored at each stage of the formation process. The results showed that the subunits of mung bean globulin (MBG) were gradually degraded and hydrolyzed into fibrous structure units mainly composed of small peptides during 0–12 h of heating. And a large number of β-sheet structures were produced, and its relative content increased from an initial level of (18.28 ± 0.75)% to (53.61 ± 1.15)% over the 12 heating period. Enhanced fluorescence intensity was recorded after combination with thioflavin-T. Morphologically, MBGFs gradually became elongated and pliable, and oriented fibril aggregation occurred in the heating process. Between 16 and 24 h, the structure of mature MBGFs gradually was dissociated and the structural characteristics of the fibers were destroyed. The emulsification activity, emulsion stability, protein adsorption rate and interfacial protein content of MBGF were significantly improved compared with those of MBG. MBGFs formed by acid-heat treatment for 4 h had the best emulsification properties. Oil droplets in the MBGF emulsion were small in size, uniformly and orderly distributed, and the emulsion had the highest apparent viscosity and showed an elastic gel structure. In conclusion, different acid-heat treatment times had significant effects on the structure and emulsification properties of MBGFs, and MBGFs had better emulsification properties than MBG. This study will provide theoretical support for clarifying the formation of MBGFs and ideas for the development of highly efficient food-grade emulsifiers.

In order to study the structural properties and biological activities of the polysaccharides of Phlebopus portentosus, water-soluble polysaccharides from the fruiting body of P. portentosus were extracted by hot water extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, deproteinized using Sevag reagent, decolorized using macroporous adsorption resin, and purified to homogeneity by successive chromatography on DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephacryl S-400HR columns. The molecular mass of the purified polysaccharides was determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), and the monosaccharide composition by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) following pre-column derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). Ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy was used to examine whether the polysaccharide samples contained proteins or nucleic acids, and the types of functional groups, structure and morphology were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The polysaccharide with high α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was selected to evaluate its inhibition kinetics on α-glucosidase. Furthermore, its in vitro hypoglycemic mechanism and inhibitory type were clarified. The results showed that among four macroporous resins (HP 2MGL, HP 20, SP 850 and SP 825) tested, SP 825 macroporous resin had the best decolorization efficiency. The fraction PPP-0 had a weight average molecular weight (mw) of 31 059 Da. Moreover, it was a heteropolysaccharide mainly composed of galactose, glucose, fucose and mannose that were linked by α- and β-glycosidic bonds. In vitro hypoglycemic experiments showed that the crude polysaccharide and the three purified polysaccharide fractions all exhibited inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase, among which PPP-2 had the highest inhibitory rate, followed by PPP-0. The inhibition was competitive and reversible. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the development of functional foods with hypoglycemic activity and hypoglycemic agents from P. portentosus polysaccharides.

Intestinal tract is one of the largest organs in human body that is continuously exposed to the external environment, and it plays an important role as a physical and chemical barrier to protect the human body from pathogens. As an important part of the intestinal tract, the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier plays a key role in maintaining the intestinal microecological balance. The destruction of the intestinal mucosal barrier can lead to the imbalance and translocation of intestinal flora, which is related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) is one of the fatty acid-binding protein family, which exhibits specificity towards intestinal injury and will be released into the blood circulation rapidly when intestinal injury, ischemia, intestinal mucosal barrier damage and permeability increase occur. The elevated level of I-FABP is an important marker of intestinal injury, and intestinal dysfunction is often associated with many clinical diseases. This article mainly reviews the structural characteristics and function of I-FABP and its relationship with intestinal mucosal barrier related diseases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of hybrid nanoparticles instead of nano solid-particles is one of the most serious tasks to improve the heat transport of fluids in drilling to recovery oil. This article is to analyze the heat transport of MHD radiative Carreau hybrid nanofluid, consisting of SiO2–Fe3O4 in an equal ratio base fluid of polyethylene glycol-H2O with heat source and a viscosity variation. The PDEs system that controls the problem was resolved by a numerical method after transformation into ODEs. [PEG + H2O/SiO2]m and [PEG + H2O/SiO2+Fe3O4]h thin films are fabricated by using spin coating technique with a thickener of 150 ± 5 nm/25°C. The most notable findings of this analysis include the influence of the velocity, temperature outlines, drag force factor, and local Nusselt number of different variable parameters. The results specifically determine that $ \mathrm{\Delta }E_g^{Opt} $ Δ E g Opt amount declines from 4.894 eV for [PEG + H2O/SiO2]m mono nanofluid to 1.969 eV for [PEG + H2O/SiO2+Fe3O4]h hybrid nanofluid utilizing DFT calculations HOMO and LUMO calculation. The results decide that the [PEG + H2O/SiO2]m is transmuted from semi-conductor to [PEG + H2O/SiO2+ Fe3O4]h as a super-conductor with adding [Fe3O4]NPs. The hybrid nanoparticles have a higher influence than nanoparticles on the velocity distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional production mode of the sericulture industry is no longer suitable for the development requirements of modern agriculture; to facilitate the sustainable development of the sericulture industry, factory all-age artificial diet feeding came into being. Understanding the structural characteristics and properties of silk fibers obtained from factory all-age artificial diet feeding is an important prerequisite for application in the fields of textiles, clothing, biomedicine, and others. However, there have been no reports so far. In this paper, by feeding silkworms with factory all-age artificial diets (AD group) and mulberry leaves (ML group), silk fibers were obtained via two different feeding methods. The structure, mechanical properties, hygroscopic properties, and degradation properties were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Structurally, no new functional groups appeared in the AD group. Compared with the ML group, the structure of the two groups was similar, and there was no significant difference in mechanical properties and moisture absorption. The structure of degummed silk fibers is dominated by crystalline regions, but α-chymotrypsin hydrolyzes the amorphous regions of silk proteins, so that after 28 d of degradation, the weight loss of both is very small. This provides further justification for the feasibility of factory all-age artificial diets for silkworms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the phylogenetic relationship between the chloroplast genome characteristics of three medicinal plants, Panax japonicus var. major, P. japonicus var. bipinnatifidus, P. pseudoginseng var. elegantior in Qinba Mountains, we analysed the chloroplast genome characteristics and codon usage preferences by using bioinformatics techniques. The results were as follows:(1)The chloroplast genomes of three species of Panax were typical tetrad structure, the genome full size was between 156 071 to 156 104 bp, and the total GC-content was 38.10% with a high degree of genome size similarity.(2)A total of 133 coding genes were annotated, including 88 protein coding genes(PCGs), 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes with a high degree of genome size similarity.(3)The chloroplast codon usage preferences of the three medicinal plants were comparable, with the third base of codon predominantly ending in A/U. Despite being affected by mutations, the codon usage patterns of the three medicinal plants were found to be mainly influenced by natural selection.(4)The phylogenetic results showed that the three Panax species were closely related, and P. pseudoginseng var. elegantior was more closely related to P. japonicus var. bipinnatifidus. In conclusion, this study presents a significant relationship between P. pseudoginseng var. elegantior and the original pharmacopeial plants of P. japonicus var. major. This finding has great importance for the development, utilization, and molecular identification of traditional Chinese medicinal material resources from P. japonicus var. major, and provides an important basis for further studies on the classification, phylogeny and evolutionary mechanisms of Panax species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of Fe/TiO2 nanocomposite soft magnetic materials, incorporating Cu, Fe2O3, and Cu/Fe2O3;, was achieved using the mechanical alloying technique. Advanced characterization methods, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), were employed for a comprehensive investigation of structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of the nanocomposite at different synthesis stages. The crystallite size reaches its minimum value, while the lattice strain (ε) attains its maximum value in the FeCu/TiO2 nanocomposite, measuring 26.85 nm and 0.35%, respectively. Coercivity, magnetic remanence, and squareness ratio of Fe/TiO2 showed an upward trend with increasing milling time, reaching peak values after 5 h of milling. The FeTiO2 nanocomposite achieved maximum values for coercivity, magnetic remanence, and saturation magnetization. Notably, the squareness ratio demonstrated notable values for both FeTiO2 and FeCuTiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

In this study, lotus seed starch was used as the raw material for preparing RS3 resistant starch (EHP-LRS3) through thermoacidophilic type III pullulan hydrolase synergistic high-pressure heat treatments. The parameters for this preparation process were optimized using a single-factor experimental design and response surface methodology. The morphological and crystal structures of EHP-LRS3 were observed and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively, and its pro-proliferative effect on Bifidobacterium longum was investigated. According to the results, the optimal conditions for preparing EHP-LRS3 with TK-PUL enzymatic hydrolysis temperature of 80 °C were as follows: Treatment of 35.32% lotus seed starch slurry (pH5.00) with 25.00 U/g (lotus seed starch) TK-PUL at 80 °C for 12.70 h, followed by high-pressure heat treatment of the mixture at 121 °C for 10 min and retrogradation at 4 °C for 24 h. An EHP-LRS3 yield of 58.46% was achieved under these optimal conditions. The SEM analysis revealed that the prepared EHP-LRS3 possessed an irregular ravine-like structure. The XRD analysis showed that the resistant starch had a B-type crystal structure, which differed from the A-type crystal structure of lotus seed starch. The pro-proliferative effect of EHP-LRS3 on B. longum was superior to that of RS3 resistant starch prepared using high-pressure heating alone (HP-LRS3). In summary, a high EHP-LRS3 yield was obtained using both TK-PUL and high-pressure heat treatments. The superior pro-proliferative effect of EHP-LRS3 on B. longum was verified. The results provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of lotus seed starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]