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Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2024Yogurt is popular as a natural and healthy food, but its flavor greatly affects acceptability by consumers. Flavor compounds of yogurt is generally produced by the... (Review)
Review
Yogurt is popular as a natural and healthy food, but its flavor greatly affects acceptability by consumers. Flavor compounds of yogurt is generally produced by the metabolism of lactose, protein and fat, and the resulting flavors include carbonyls, acids, esters and alcohols, etc. Each flavor compounds could individually provide the corresponding flavor, or it can be combined with other compounds to form a new flavor. The flavor network was formed among the metabolites of milk components, and acetaldehyde, as the central compounds, played a role in connecting the whole network. The flavor compounds can be affected by many factors, such as the use of different raw milks, ways of homogenization, sterilization, fermentation, post ripening, storage condition and packaging materials, etc., which can affect the overall flavor of yogurt. This paper provides an overview of the volatile flavor compounds in yogurt, the pathways of production of the main flavor compounds during yogurt fermentation, and the factors that influence the flavor of yogurt including type of raw milk, processing, and storage. It also tries to provide theoretical guidance for the product of yogurt in ideal flavor, but further research is needed to provide a more comprehensive description of the flavor system of yogurt.
PubMed: 38945263
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24875 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB Jun 2024The phytohormones cytokinins are essential mediators of developmental and environmental signaling, primarily during cell division and endophytic interactions, among...
The phytohormones cytokinins are essential mediators of developmental and environmental signaling, primarily during cell division and endophytic interactions, among other processes. Considering the limited understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that affect the growth and bioactivity of the medicinal plant Nepeta nuda (Lamiaceae), our study aimed to explore how cytokinins influence the plant's metabolic status. Exogenous administration of active cytokinin forms on in vitro N. nuda internodes stimulated intensive callus formation and de novo shoot regeneration, leading to a marked increase in biomass. This process involved an accumulation of oxidants, which were scavenged by peroxidases using phenolics as substrates. The callus tissue formed upon the addition of the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) acted as a sink for sugars and phenolics during the allocation of nutrients between the culture medium and regenerated plants. In accordance, the cytokinin significantly enhanced the content of polar metabolites and their respective in vitro biological activities compared to untreated in vitro and wild-grown plants. The BAP-mediated accumulation of major phenolic metabolites, rosmarinic acid (RA) and caffeic acid (CA), corresponded with variations in the expression levels of genes involved in their biosynthesis. In contrast, the accumulation of iridoids and the expression of corresponding biosynthetic genes were not significantly affected. In conclusion, our study elucidated the mechanism of cytokinin action in N. nuda in vitro culture and demonstrated its potential in stimulating the production of bioactive compounds. This knowledge could serve as a basis for further investigations of the environmental impact on plant productivity.
PubMed: 38945096
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108884 -
Environment International Jun 2024Phthalates, or dieters of phthalic acid, are a ubiquitous type of plasticizer used in a variety of common consumer and industrial products. They act as endocrine...
INTRODUCTION
Phthalates, or dieters of phthalic acid, are a ubiquitous type of plasticizer used in a variety of common consumer and industrial products. They act as endocrine disruptors and are associated with increased risk for several diseases. Once in the body, phthalates are metabolized through partially known mechanisms, involving phase I and phase II enzymes.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we aimed to identify common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) associated with the metabolism of phthalate compounds in children through genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
METHODS
The study used data from 1,044 children with European ancestry from the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) cohort. Ten phthalate metabolites were assessed in a two-void pooled urine collected at the mean age of 8 years. Six ratios between secondary and primary phthalate metabolites were calculated. Genome-wide genotyping was done with the Infinium Global Screening Array (GSA) and imputation with the Haplotype Reference Consortium (HRC) panel. PennCNV was used to estimate copy number variants (CNVs) and CNVRanger to identify consensus regions. GWAS of SNPs and CNVs were conducted using PLINK and SNPassoc, respectively. Subsequently, functional annotation of suggestive SNPs (p-value < 1E-05) was done with the FUMA web-tool.
RESULTS
We identified four genome-wide significant (p-value < 5E-08) loci at chromosome (chr) 3 (FECHP1 for oxo-MiNP_oh-MiNP ratio), chr6 (SLC17A1 for MECPP_MEHHP ratio), chr9 (RAPGEF1 for MBzP), and chr10 (CYP2C9 for MECPP_MEHHP ratio). Moreover, 115 additional loci were found at suggestive significance (p-value < 1E-05). Two CNVs located at chr11 (MRGPRX1 for oh-MiNP and SLC35F2 for MEP) were also identified. Functional annotation pointed to genes involved in phase I and phase II detoxification, molecular transfer across membranes, and renal excretion.
CONCLUSION
Through genome-wide screenings we identified known and novel loci implicated in phthalate metabolism in children. Genes annotated to these loci participate in detoxification, transmembrane transfer, and renal excretion.
PubMed: 38945087
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108845 -
Poultry Science Jun 2024Submerged cultivation using low-value agro-industrial side streams allows large-scale and efficient production of fungal mycelia, which has a high nutritional value. As...
Submerged cultivation using low-value agro-industrial side streams allows large-scale and efficient production of fungal mycelia, which has a high nutritional value. As the dietary properties of fungal mycelia in poultry are largely unknown, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of feeding a Pleurotus sapidus (PSA) mycelium as a feed supplement on growth performance, composition of the cecal microbiota and several physiological traits including gut integrity, nutrient digestibility, liver lipids, liver transcriptome and plasma metabolome in broilers. 72 males, 1-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to 3 different groups and fed 3 different adequate diets containing either 0% (PSA-0), 2.5% (PSA-2.5) and 5% (PSA-5.0) P. sapidus mycelium in a 3-phase feeding system for 35 d. Each group consisted of 6 cages (replicates) with 4 broilers/cage. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed:gain ratio and apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and amino acids were not different between groups. Metagenomic analysis of the cecal microbiota revealed no differences between groups, except that one α-diversity metric (Shannon index) and the abundance of 2 low-abundance bacterial taxa (Clostridia UCG 014, Eubacteriales) differed between groups (P < 0.05). Concentrations of total and individual short-chain fatty acids in the cecal digesta and concentrations of plasma lipopolysaccharide and mRNA levels of proinflammatory genes, tight-junction proteins, and mucins in the cecum mucosa did not differ between groups. None of the plasma metabolites analyzed using targeted-metabolomics differed across the groups. Hepatic transcript profiling revealed a total of 144 transcripts to be differentially expressed between group PSA-5.0 and group PSA-0 but none of these genes was regulated greater 2-fold. Considering either the lack of effects or the very weak effects of feeding the P. sapidus mycelium in the broilers it can be concluded that inclusion of a sustainably produced fungal mycelium in broiler diets at the expense of other feed components has no negative consequences on broilers´ performance and metabolism.
PubMed: 38945001
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103975 -
Gut Microbes 2024Polyphenols are phytochemicals commonly found in plant-based diets which have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the interplay...
Polyphenols are phytochemicals commonly found in plant-based diets which have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the interplay between polyphenols and pathogens at mucosal barrier surfaces has not yet been elucidated in detail. Here, we show that proanthocyanidin (PAC) polyphenols interact with gut parasites to influence immune function and gut microbial-derived metabolites in mice. PAC intake inhibited mastocytosis during infection with the small intestinal roundworm , and altered the host tissue transcriptome at the site of infection with the large intestinal whipworm , with a notable enhancement of type-1 inflammatory and interferon-driven gene pathways. In the absence of infection, PAC intake promoted the expansion of within the gut microbiota, increased fecal short chain fatty acids, and enriched phenolic metabolites such as phenyl-γ-valerolactones in the cecum. However, these putatively beneficial effects were reduced in PAC-fed mice infected with , suggesting concomitant parasite infection can attenuate gut microbial-mediated PAC catabolism. Collectively, our results suggest an inter-relationship between a phytonutrient and infection, whereby PAC may augment parasite-induced inflammation (most prominently with the cecum dwelling ), and infection may abrogate the beneficial effects of health-promoting phytochemicals.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Mice; Polyphenols; Trichuris; Trichuriasis; Nematospiroides dubius; Proanthocyanidins; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Strongylida Infections; Female; Bacteria; Feces
PubMed: 38944838
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2370917 -
NPJ Science of Food Jun 2024Inflammation acts as a dual role in disease initiation and progression, while Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) seeds, known for their abundance of anti-inflammatory...
Inflammation acts as a dual role in disease initiation and progression, while Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) seeds, known for their abundance of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, present a promising food source. Additionally, fermentation may optimize the food matrix, thereby augmenting its developmental prospects. This study explores the anti-inflammatory potential of hemp seeds fermented with 10 different probiotic strains. Among these, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum fermented hemp seeds (FHS) demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory ability, accompanied by a reduction in the expression of critical inflammatory markers such as TLR4, NF-κBp65, and iNOS. Moreover, there is a noteworthy dose-dependent inhibition of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and NO within a concentration range of 50 to 500 µg/mL. Subsequently, metabolomics analysis using UHPLC-QTOF-MS highlighted significant metabolic alterations in FHS compared to raw hemp seeds (RHS). Through multivariate, univariate, and correlation analyses, indolelactic acid (IA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) emerged as the main anti-inflammatory metabolites in FHS. Validation via HPLC confirmed the concentration of IA and HVA in RHS and FHS and both organic acids demonstrated lower IC values for TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and NO inhibition, showcasing their potent anti-inflammatory abilities. Furthermore, in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion coupled with the Caco-2 cell monolayer model validates the uptake and bioaccessibility of FHS, further affirming IA and HVA as major anti-inflammatory compounds. Overall, this research sets the stage for the development of novel hemp seed-based products targeting inflammation-associated disorders.
PubMed: 38944646
DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00285-8 -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Jun 2024In eukaryotes, the D-enantiomer of arabinose (D-Ara) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of D-erythroascorbate in yeast and fungi and in the biosynthesis of the...
In eukaryotes, the D-enantiomer of arabinose (D-Ara) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of D-erythroascorbate in yeast and fungi and in the biosynthesis of the nucleotide sugar GDP-α-D-arabinopyranose (GDP-D-Arap) and complex α-D-Arap containing surface glycoconjugates in certain trypanosomatid parasites. Whereas the biosynthesis of D-Ara in prokaryotes is well understood, the route from D-glucose (D-Glc) to D-Ara in eukaryotes is unknown. In this paper, we study the conversion of D-Glc to D-Ara in the trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata using positionally labelled [C]-D-Glc and [C]-D-ribose ([C]-D-Rib) precursors and a novel derivatisation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry procedure applied to a terminal metabolite, lipoarabinogalactan. These data implicate the both arms of pentose phosphate pathway and a likely role for D-ribulose-5-phosphate (D-Ru-5P) isomerisation to D-Ara-5P. We tested all C. fasciculata putative sugar and polyol phosphate isomerase genes for their ability to complement a D-Ara-5P isomerase-deficient mutant of Escherichia coli and found that one, the glutamine fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (GFAT) of glucosamine biosynthesis, was able to rescue the E. coli mutant. We also found that GFAT genes of other trypanosomatid parasites, and those of yeast and human origin, could complement the E. coli mutant. Finally, we demonstrated biochemically that recombinant human GFAT can isomerise D-Ru-5P to D-Ara5P. From these data, we postulate a general eukaryotic pathway from D-Glc to D-Ara and discuss its possible significance. With respect to C. fasciculata, we propose that D-Ara is used not only for the synthesis of GDP-D-Arap and complex surface glycoconjugates but also in the synthesis of D-erythroascorbate.
PubMed: 38944124
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107500 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) might led to chronic and long-term effects on human organs due to its widespread use and bioaccumulation. Despite some cohorts...
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) might led to chronic and long-term effects on human organs due to its widespread use and bioaccumulation. Despite some cohorts reporting an association between DEHP exposure and BPH, its underlying mechanisms have not been investigated. Our findings indicate that exposure to DEHP or MEHP (main metabolites of DEHP in the human body) leads to increased prostate weights, elevated prostate index, and notable epithelial thickening in rats. It has been observed to promote BPH-1 cell proliferation with effects ranging from low to high concentrations. Transcriptome sequencing analysis of rat prostate tissues identified KIF11 as the key hub gene. KIF11 is highly expressed after DEHP/MEHP exposure, and knocking down of KIF11 inhibits the MEHP-induced promotion of cell proliferation. Exposure to MEHP has been observed to increase the expression of p-GSK-3β and elevate the levels of β-catenin, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Knocking down of KIF11 significantly inhibits these effects. Histone H3 at Lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) is implicated in the upregulation of KIF11 expression, as evidenced by the addition of the acetylation inhibitor C646. In summary, our findings established that DEHP exposure could promote BPH through H3K27ac regulated KIF11/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
PubMed: 38944010
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116602 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024This study aimed to investigate the mechanism that Lactobacillus murinus (L. murinus) alleviated lung inflammation induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the mechanism that Lactobacillus murinus (L. murinus) alleviated lung inflammation induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure based on metabolomics.
METHODS
Female mice were administrated with PAHs mix, L. murinus and indoleacrylic acid (IA) or indolealdehyde (IAId). Microbial diversity in feces was detected by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis in urine samples and targeted analysis of tryptophan metabolites in serum by UPLC-Orbitrap-MS and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in feces by GC-MS were performed, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to determine T helper immune cell differentiation in gut and lung tissues. The levels of IgE, IL-4 and IL-17A in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or serum were detected by ELISA. The expressions of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1a1) and forkheadbox protein 3 (Foxp3) genes and the histone deacetylation activity were detected by qPCR and by ELISA in lung tissues, respectively.
RESULTS
PAHs exposure induced lung inflammation and microbial composition shifts and tryptophan metabolism disturbance in mice. L. murinus alleviated PAHs-induced lung inflammation and inhibited T helper cell 17 (Th17) cell differentiation and promoted regulatory T cells (Treg) cell differentiation. L. murinus increased the levels of IA and IAId in the serum and regulated Th17/Treg imbalance by activating AhR. Additionally, L. murinus restored PAHs-induced decrease of butyric acid and valeric acid which can reduce the histone deacetylase (HDAC) level in the lung tissues, enhancing the expression of the Foxp3 gene and promoting Treg cell differentiation.
CONCLUSION
our study illustrated that L. murinus alleviated PAHs-induced lung inflammation and regulated Th17/Treg cell differentiation by regulating host tryptophan metabolism and SCFA levels. The study provided new insights into the reciprocal influence between gut microbiota, host metabolism and the immune system, suggesting that L. murinus might have the potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for lung diseases caused by environmental pollution in the future.
PubMed: 38944008
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116662 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Since we rely entirely on plastics or their products in our daily lives, plastics are the invention of the hour. Polyester plastics, such as Polyethylene Terephthalate...
Since we rely entirely on plastics or their products in our daily lives, plastics are the invention of the hour. Polyester plastics, such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), are among the most often used types of plastics. PET plastics have a high ratio of aromatic components, which makes them very resistant to microbial attack and highly persistent. As a result, massive amounts of plastic trash accumulate in the environment, where they eventually transform into microplastic (<5 mm). Rather than macroplastics, microplastics are starting to pose a serious hazard to the environment. It is imperative that these polymer microplastics be broken down. Through the use of enrichment culture, the PET microplastic-degrading bacterium was isolated from solid waste management yards. Bacterial strain was identified as Gordonia sp. CN2K by 16 S rDNA sequence analysis and biochemical characterization. It is able to use polyethylene terephthalate as its only energy and carbon source. In 45 days, 40.43 % of the PET microplastic was degraded. By using mass spectral analysis and HPLC to characterize the metabolites produced during PET breakdown, the degradation of PET is verified. The metabolites identified in the spent medium included dimer compound, bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), mono (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET), and terephthalate. Furthermore, the PET sheet exposed to the culture showed considerable surface alterations in the scanning electron microscope images. This illustrates how new the current work is.
PubMed: 38944007
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116635