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Frontiers in Microbiology 2023The organoleptic profile and quality of wine are affected by the presence of different non-s species and strains. Therefore, the identification and characterization of...
The organoleptic profile and quality of wine are affected by the presence of different non-s species and strains. Therefore, the identification and characterization of non-s yeasts are the first step to understand their function, and to develop a better strain selection program for winemaking. This study investigated the biodiversity of non- yeasts associated with spontaneous fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from five sub-regions (Shi Zuishan, Yinchuan, Yu Quanying, Qing Tongxia and Hong Sibu) in Ningxia, China. Yeast species were identified by sequencing the 26S rRNA D1/D2 region, and strains at the subspecies level were discriminated using tandem repeat-tRNA (TRtRNA) PCR analysis. A total of 524 yeast colonies were isolated, and 19 non- yeast species belonging to 10 genera were identified, including , , sp., , , , , , sp., , , , , , , and . , , and were the three most dominated species, while other non- species were only present in the early stage of spontaneous fermentations at different levels. Further, for the yeast discrimination at strain level, 34 profiles were obtained by amplification with primer pairs TtRNASC/5CAG, while 40 profiles were obtained with primer pairs TtRNASC/ISSR-MB. This study explored the diversity of non- species in Ningxia, China, and made an important contribution of genetic resources for further strain development.
PubMed: 37664125
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1253969 -
Journal of Functional Foods Aug 2023Humans have been consuming medicinal plants (as herbs/ spices) to combat illness for centuries while ascribing beneficial effects predominantly to the...
BACKGROUND
Humans have been consuming medicinal plants (as herbs/ spices) to combat illness for centuries while ascribing beneficial effects predominantly to the plant/phytochemical constituents, without recognizing the power of obligatory resident microorganism' communities (MOCs) (live/dead bacteria, fungus, yeast, molds etc.) which remain after industrial microbial reduction methods. Very little is known about the taxonomic identity of residual antigenic microbial associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) debris in our botanical over the counter (OTC) products, which if present would be recognized as foreign (non-self) antigenic matter by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) provoking a host immune response; this the basis of vaccine adjuvants. As of today, only few research groups have removed the herbal MAMP biomass from herbs, all suggesting that immune activation may not be from the plant but rather its microbial biomass; a hypothesis we corroborate.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this work was to conduct a high through put screening (HTPS) of over 2500 natural plants, OTC botanical supplements and phytochemicals to elucidate those with pro-inflammatory; toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) activating properties in macrophages.
STUDY DESIGN
The HTPS was conducted on RAW 264.7 cells vs. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 0111:B4, testing NOS / nitric oxide production as a perimeter endpoint. The data show not a single drug/chemical/ phytochemical and approximately 98 % of botanicals to be immune idle (not effective) with only 65 pro-inflammatory (hits) in a potency range of LPS. Method validation studies eliminated the possibility of false artifact or contamination, and results were cross verified through multiple vendors/ manufacturers/lot numbers by botanical species. Lead botanicals were evaluated for plant concentration of LPS, 1,3:1,6-β-glucan, 1,3:1,4-β-D-glucan and α-glucans; where the former paralleled strength . LPS was then removed from plants using high-capacity endotoxin poly lysine columns, where bioactivity of LPS null "plant" extracts were lost. The stability of 0111:B4 in an acid stomach mimetic model was confirmed. Last, we conducted a reverse culture on aerobic plate counts (APCs) from select hits, with subsequent isolation of gram-negative bacteria (MacConkey agar). Cultures were 1) heat destroyed (retested/ confirming bioactivity) and 2) subject to taxonomical identification by genetic sequencing 18S, ITS1, 5.8 s, ITS2 28S, and 16S.
CONCLUSION
The data show significant gram negative MAMP biomass dominance in A) (e.g. echinacea, yucca, burdock, stinging nettle, sarsaparilla, hydrangea, poke, madder, calamus, rhaponticum, pleurisy, aconite etc.) and B) (e.g. bladderwrack, chlorella, spirulina, kelp, and "OTC Seamoss-blends" (irish moss, bladderwrack, burdock root etc), as well as other random herbs (eg. corn silk, cleavers, watercress, cardamom seed, tribulus, duckweed, puffball, hordeum and pollen). The results show a dominance of gram negative microbes (e.g. , ), fungus (), with black walnut hull, echinacea and burdock root also containing gram positive microbial strains ( and various strains of ).
CONCLUSION
This work brings attention to the existence of a functional immune bioactive herbal microbiome, independent from the plant. There is need to further this avenue of research, which should be carried out with consideration as to both positive or negative consequences arising from daily consumption of botanicals highly laden with bioactive MAMPS.
PubMed: 37654434
DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105687 -
JAR Life 2023In this pilot study, we have evaluated the specific metabolic and immune-related benefits of the AFO-202 strain and N-163 strain of black yeast Aureobasidium...
Beta 1,3-1,6 Glucans Produced by Two Novel Strains of Aureobasidium Pullulans Exert Immune and Metabolic Beneficial Effects in Healthy Middle-aged Japanese Men: Results of an Exploratory Randomized Control Study.
OBJECTIVES
In this pilot study, we have evaluated the specific metabolic and immune-related benefits of the AFO-202 strain and N-163 strain of black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans-produced beta 1,3-1,6 glucan in healthy human subjects.
METHODS
Sixteen healthy Japanese male volunteers (aged 40 to 60 years) took part in this clinical trial. They were divided into four groups (n = 4 each): Group I consumed AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each per day), IA for 35 days and IB for 21 days; Group II consumed a combination of AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each) and N-163 beta-glucan (1 sachet of 15 g gel each per day), IIA for 35 days and IIB for 21 days.
RESULTS
Decrease in HbA1C and glycated albumin (GA), significant increase of eosinophils and monocytes and marginal decrease in D-dimer levels, decrease in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), with an increase in the lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio (LCR) and leukocyte-to-CRP ratio (LeCR) was observed in Group I between pre- and post-treatment. Decrease in total and LDL cholesterol, a decrease of CD11b, serum ferritin, galectin-3 and fibrinogen were profound in Group II between pre- and post-treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference between day 21 and day 35 among the groups.
CONCLUSION
This outcome warrants larger clinical trials to explore the potentials of these safe food supplements in the prevention and prophylaxis of diseases due to dysregulated metabolism, such as fatty liver disease, and infections such as COVID-19 in which balanced immunomodulation are of utmost importance, besides their administration as an adjunct to existing therapeutic approaches of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
PubMed: 37637272
DOI: 10.14283/jarlife.2023.11 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2023Biopolymers, such as pullulan, a natural exopolysaccharide from , and their nanocomposites are commonly used in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries due to...
Biopolymers, such as pullulan, a natural exopolysaccharide from , and their nanocomposites are commonly used in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Pullulan was synthesized by the ATCC 201253 strain. Nanocomposite films based on biosynthesized pullulan were prepared and loaded with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by the strain JTW1. AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Zeta potential measurements, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In turn, the produced films were subjected to physico-chemical analyses such as goniometry, UV shielding capacity, attenuated total reflection-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and their mechanical and degradation properties were assessed. The antibacterial assays of the nanoparticles and the nanocomposite films against both food-borne and reference pathogens, including , and , were performed using standard methods. AgNPs were small (mean 15.1 nm), spherical, and displayed good stability, being coated with protein biomolecules. When used in higher concentrations as an additive to pullulan films, they resulted in reduced hydrophilicity and light transmission for both UV-B and UV-A lights. Moreover, the produced films exhibited a smooth surface. Therefore, it can be concluded that the addition of biogenic AgNPs did not change the morphology and texture of the films compared to the control film. The nanoparticles and nanocomposite films demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity against both food-borne and reference bacteria. The highest activity of the prepared films was observed against . The obtained results suggest that the novel nanocomposite films prepared from biosynthesized pullulan and AgNPs can be considered for use in the development of medical products and food packaging. Moreover, this is the first report on pullulan-based nanocomposites with mycogenic AgNPs for such applications.
PubMed: 37609118
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1241739 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2023The effect of three independent variables (i.e., tyrosine, sucrose, and incubation time) on melanin production by Aureobasidium pullulans AKW was unraveled by two...
The effect of three independent variables (i.e., tyrosine, sucrose, and incubation time) on melanin production by Aureobasidium pullulans AKW was unraveled by two distinctive approaches: response surface methodology (i.e. Box Behnken design (BBD)) and artificial neural network (ANN) in this study for the first time ever using a simple medium. Regarding BBD, sucrose and incubation intervals did impose a significant influence on the output (melanin levels), however, tyrosine did not. The validation process exhibited a high consistency of BBD and ANN paradigms with the experimental melanin production. Concerning ANN, the predicted values of melanin were highly comparable to the experimental values, with minor errors competing with BBD. Highly comparable experimental values of melanin were achieved upon using BBD (9.295 ± 0.556 g/L) and ANN (10.192 ± 0.782 g/L). ANN accurately predicted melanin production and showed more improvement in melanin production by about 9.7% higher than BBD. The purified melanin structure was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results verified the hierarchical architecture of the particles as small compasses by SEM analysis, inter-layer spacing in the XRD analysis, maximal atomic % for carbon, and oxygen atoms in the EDX analysis, and the great thermal stability in the TGA analysis of the purified melanin. Interestingly, the current novel endophytic strain was tyrosine-independent, and the uniquely applied ANN paradigm was more efficient in modeling the melanin production with appreciate amount on a simple medium in a relatively short time (168 h), suggesting additional optimization studies for further maximization of melanin production.
Topics: Melanins; Tyrosine; Neural Networks, Computer; Sucrose
PubMed: 37598271
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40549-z -
IBRO Neuroscience Reports Dec 2023
Corrigendum to "Beneficial immune-modulatory effects of the N-163 strain of Aureobasidium pullulans-produced 1,3-1,6 Beta glucans in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Results of an open-label, prospective, exploratory case-control clinical study" [IBRO Neurosci. Rep. 15 (2023), pp. 90-99].
PubMed: 37593322
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.08.001 -
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology Sep 2023Occupational exposure to microbially contaminated metal working fluids (MWF) can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). An important step in the diagnosis of HP is to...
Occupational exposure to microbially contaminated metal working fluids (MWF) can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). An important step in the diagnosis of HP is to identify the triggering antigen by detection of corresponding specific IgG antibodies (sIgG). As commercial sIgG tests are currently not available, protein antigens were prepared from MWF-workplace samples and from MWF-typical bacterial isolates. In 57 % of suspected HP-cases (n = 30) elevated sIgG concentrations were measured to at least one MWF-relevant antigen, of which Mycobacterium immunogenum was most prominent (88 %), followed by Pseudomonas oleovorans and Pseudomonas spec (82 % each), MWF-antigen mix and Pseudomonas alcaliphila (65 % each). Elevated sIgG concentrations to other microorganisms were measured to Micropolyspora faeni (82 %) and Aureobasidium pullulans (77 %). Correlation of sIgG values of all tested microbial antigens showed a significant relationship of MWF-antigen mixture to Pseudomonas antigens, but a low correlation to moulds. These newly prepared MWF-antigens are useful tools for the diagnosis of patients with suspected MWF-HP and are available for further investigations.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Diseases; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Occupational Exposure; Immunoglobulin G
PubMed: 37451418
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104107 -
Bioresource Technology Oct 2023Pullulan is an exopolysaccharide produced by Aureobasidium pullulans, with interesting characteristics which lead to its application in industries such as... (Review)
Review
Pullulan is an exopolysaccharide produced by Aureobasidium pullulans, with interesting characteristics which lead to its application in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and others. To reduce production costs for industrial applications, cheaper raw materials such as lignocellulosic biomass can be utilized as a carbon and nutrient source for the microbial process. In this study, a comprehensive and critical review was conducted, encompassing the pullulan production process and the key influential variables. The main properties of the biopolymer were presented, and different applications were discussed. Subsequently, the utilization of lignocellulosics for pullulan production within the framework of a biorefinery concept was explored, considering the main published works that deal with materials such as sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, corn straw, and corn cob. Next, the main challenges and future prospects in this research area were highlighted, indicating the key strategies to favor the industrial production of pullulan from lignocellulosic biomasses.
Topics: Cellulose; Biomass; Fermentation; Saccharum
PubMed: 37423546
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129460 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023Although intestinal microbiota play crucial roles in fish digestion and health, little is known about intestinal fungi in fish. This study investigated the intestinal...
Although intestinal microbiota play crucial roles in fish digestion and health, little is known about intestinal fungi in fish. This study investigated the intestinal fungal diversity of three coral reef fish (, , and ) from the South China Sea using a culturable method. A total of 387 isolates were recovered and identified by sequencing their internal transcribed spacer sequences, belonging to 29 known fungal species. The similarity of fungal communities in the intestines of the three fish verified that the fungal colonization might be influenced by their surrounding environments. Furthermore, the fungal communities in different intestines of some fish were significantly different, and the number of yeasts in the hindgut was less than that in fore- and mid-intestines, suggesting that the distribution of fungi in fishes' intestines may be related to the physiological functions of various intestinal segments. In addition, 51.4% of tested fungal isolates exhibited antimicrobial activity against at least one marine pathogenic microorganism. Notably, isolate SCAU243 exhibited strong antifungal activity against , and isolate SCAU255 displayed extensive antimicrobial activity against four marine pathogenic microorganisms. This study contributed to our understanding of intestinal fungi in coral reef fish and further increased the library of fungi available for natural bioactive product screening.
PubMed: 37367549
DOI: 10.3390/jof9060613 -
Food & Function Jul 2023: Previous studies suggest that when combined with exercise, -derived β-glucan (APβG) may enhance muscle health and fitness profiles because of its ability to improve... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Combined effect of polycan, a β-glucan from , and regular resistance exercise on muscle strength, biomarkers, and fitness profiles in adults with relatively low skeletal muscle mass: a randomised controlled trial.
: Previous studies suggest that when combined with exercise, -derived β-glucan (APβG) may enhance muscle health and fitness profiles because of its ability to improve exercise-induced fatigue and preserve muscle mass. : The objective was to examine the combined effects and safety of APβG consumption and regular resistance exercise for 12 weeks on muscle strength, biomarkers, and fitness profiles in adults with relatively low skeletal muscle mass. : We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in adults aged ≥50 years with <110% of the standard lean mass. Eighty participants randomly received either 1000 mg of APβG per day or a placebo for 12 weeks. All participants underwent resistance training three times per week. At baseline and 12 weeks after treatment, we assessed their knee extension/flexion strength, handgrip strength, body composition, and biomarkers. We also evaluated Euro-QoL-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire, food intake, and physical activity at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment. : The combination of APβG and regular resistance exercise over 12 weeks resulted in a higher right knee flexion strength by 4.49 Nm (95% CI; -0.12-8.86 Nm; = 0.044) than the placebo according to the intention-to-treat analysis. The combination intervention also led to a higher right knee flexion strength of 5.60 Nm (0.18-11.02 Nm; = 0.043) and left knee flexion strength of 7.25 Nm (0.22-14.28 Nm; = 0.043) than the placebo according to the per-protocol (PP) analysis. In addition, compared to the placebo, the combined intervention enhanced right-hand grip strength by 1.40 kg (0.19-2.61 kg; = 0.024) and left-hand grip strength by 1.33 kg (0.01-2.65 kg; = 0.048) according to PP analysis. The combined intervention also resulted in a more significant reduction in the time required for the 400 m walk test than the placebo. None of the participants experienced adverse events. : APβG, in addition to regular resistance exercise, may enhance skeletal muscle strength and fitness in adults with relatively low skeletal muscle mass.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Hand Strength; Resistance Training; Glucans; beta-Glucans; Quality of Life; Muscle Strength; Exercise; Muscle, Skeletal; Body Composition; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37350091
DOI: 10.1039/d3fo00589e