Silver nanoparticle-deposited whey protein isolate amyloid fibrils as catalysts for the reduction of methylene blue.

The unique structural characteristics and superior biocompatibility make the protein nanofibers promising immobilization platforms/substrates for catalysts/enzymes. Metal nanoparticles have been employed as the catalysts in industries due to their excellent catalytic activity and stability, whereas their high surface energy leads to nanoparticle aggregation, thereby hampering their catalytic performance. Here, amyloid fibril (AF) derived from whey protein isolate (WPI) was chosen as the support of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and utilized for the catalytic reduction of methylene blue (MB).

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticle/gelatin/protein nanogels with enhanced bioluminescence/biofluorescence.

Here we report the green synthesis of gelatin/protein hybrid nanogels containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that collectively exhibit metal-enhanced luminescence/fluorescence (MEL/MEF). The gelatin/protein nanogels, prepared by genipin cross-linking of preformed gelatin/protein polyion complexes (PICs), exhibited sizes ranging between 50 and 200 nm, depending on the weight ratio of gelatin and protein. These nanogels serve as reducing and stabilizing agents for the AuNPs, allowing for nucleation in a gel network that exhibits colloidal stability and MEL/MEF.

Exploring the effects of methylene blue on amyloid fibrillogenesis of lysozyme.

The 129-residue lysozyme has been shown to form amyloid fibrils in vitro. While methylene blue (MB), a compound in the phenothiazinium family, has been shown to dissemble tau fibril formation, its anti-fibrillogenic effect has not been thoroughly characterized in other proteins/peptides. This study examines the effects of MB on the in vitro fibrillogenesis of lysozyme at pH 2.

An efficient Photobioreactors/Raceway circulating system combined with alkaline-CO capturing medium for microalgal cultivation.

High efficiency of microalgal growth and CO fixation in a Photobioreactors (PBRs)/Raceway circulating (PsRC) system combined with alkaline-CO capturing medium and operation was established and investigated. Compared with a pH 6 medium, the average biomass productivity of Chlorella sp. AT1 cultured in a pH 11 medium at 2 L min circulation rate for 7 days increased by about 2-fold to 0.

Characterization of an extracellular β-glucosidase from Dekkera bruxellensis for resveratrol production.

Polygonum cuspidatum is a widely grown crop with a rich source of polydatin (also called piceid) for resveratrol production. Resveratrol is produced from piceid via enzymatic cleavage of the sugar moiety of piceid. In this study, Dekkera bruxellensis mutants were selected based on their high p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside and piceid conversion activities.

Ability of an alkali-tolerant mutant strain of the microalga Chlorella sp. AT1 to capture carbon dioxide for increasing carbon dioxide utilization efficiency.

An alkali-tolerant Chlorella sp. AT1 mutant strain was screened by NTG mutagenesis. The strain grew well in pH 6-11 media, and the optimal pH for growth was 10.

Pilot scale repeated fed-batch fermentation processes of the wine yeast Dekkera bruxellensis for mass production of resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum.

Resveratrol has long been used as an ingredient in functional foods. Currently, Polygonum cuspidatum extract is the greatest natural source for resveratrol because of high concentrations of glycosidic-linked resveratrol. Thus, developing a cost-effective procedure to hydrolyze glucoside could substantially enhance resveratrol production from P.

Simultaneous microalgal biomass production and CO fixation by cultivating Chlorella sp. GD with aquaculture wastewater and boiler flue gas.

A microalgal strain, Chlorella sp. GD, cultivated in aquaculture wastewater (AW) aerated with boiler flue gas, was investigated. When AW from a grouper fish farm was supplemented with additional nutrients, the microalgal biomass productivity after 7days of culture was 0.

Cultivation of Chlorella sp. GD using piggery wastewater for biomass and lipid production.

The development of a culture system for Chlorella sp. GD to efficiently produce biomass and oil for biodiesel production was investigated. Chlorella sp.

Deactivation of isoamylase and β-amylase in the agitated reactor under supercritical carbon dioxide.

The current research examines the impact of agitation on deactivation of isoamylase and β-amylase under supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). Our experimental results showed that the activity of either enzyme decreased with increasing pressure or speed of agitation. The degree of enzymatic deactivation caused by pressure became more prominent in the presence of agitation, suggesting that the agitation plays an important role in enzymatic deactivation in SC-CO2 environment.

The protective effects of a fermented substance from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a fermented substance from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (FSSC) on the liver fibrosis induced by chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) administration in rats.

Methods: Rats were divided randomly into four groups: control, CCl(4), and two FSSC groups. Except for rats in the control group, all rats were orally administered CCl(4) twice a week for 8 weeks.

Protective effect of a fermented substance from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on liver injury in mice caused by acetaminophen.

The protective effect of a fermented substance from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (FSSC) on liver injury caused by acetaminophen (AAP) was studied in mice. Mice were pretreated with FSSC (0.5-2.

Inhibitory effect of olive oil on fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rat liver.

Background & Aims: In this study, the inhibitory effect of olive oil on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) has been investigated in rats.

Methods: Rats were divided randomly into four groups: control, CCl(4), and two olive oil groups. Except for rats in the control group, all rats were orally administered CCl(4) twice a week for 8 weeks.

Maleimide and maleic anhydride derivatives from the mycelia of Antrodia cinnamomea and their nitric oxide inhibitory activities in macrophages.

On cultivation of the fungus Antrodia cinnamomea (BCRC 36799) on a medium, the mycelium was extracted and evaluated for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity. Bioactivity-directed fractionation led to the isolation of two new maleimide derivatives, antrocinnamomins A (1) and B (2), and two new maleic anhydride derivatives, antrocinnamomins C (3) and D (4), along with three known compounds, 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]furan-2,5-dione (5), 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (6), and 3-isobutyl-4-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ol-2,5-dione (7). Structural elucidation of compounds 1-4 was carried out by spectroscopic data.