Dynamics and Stability Mechanism of Lactoferrin-EPA During Emulsification Process: Insights from Macroscopic and Molecular Perspectives.

Although eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as a functional fatty acid has shown significant benefits for human health, its susceptibility to oxidation significantly limits its application. In this study, we developed a nanoemulsion of the lactoferrin (LTF)-EPA complex and conducted a thorough investigation of its macro- and molecular properties. By characterizing the emulsion with different LTF concentrations, we found that 1.

Cryoprotective effect of wheat starch granular surface proteins on frozen HMW and LMW glutenins: Structure, property and functionality across length scales.

Although frozen dough technology has demonstrated significant benefits, the mechanisms underlying dough deterioration during freezing remain unclear. To overcome this obstacle, the effect of freezing-induced deteriorations of wheat starch granular surface proteins (SGSPs)-high/low molecular weight (HMW/LMW) glutenins complexes were analyzed from the molecular to macroscopic scales. After 7 cycles of freezing/thawing treatment, SGSPs-LMW complex showed a higher antifreeze stability than SGSPs-HMW complex.

The Characterization of a Low-Calorie and Lactose-Free Brown Fermented Milk by the Hydrolysis of Different Enzymatic Lactose.

The adoption of brown fermented milk in the normal diet and daily beverages is accompanied by significant sugar intake and a high public health burden. To reduce the sugar content in dairy products while maintaining optimal nutritional properties, a novel low-calorie, lactose-free brown fermented milk was developed through enzymatic hydrolysis and the Maillard reaction. The optimal product was achieved using low-temperature lactase, where the lactose and glucose content were reduced 33-fold and 2.

How specific ion effects influence the mechanical behaviors of amide macromolecules? A cross-scale study.

The mechanisms of specific ion effects on the properties of amide macromolecules is essential to understanding the evolution of life. Because most biological macromolecules contain both complex hydrophilic and hydrophobic structures, it is challenging to accurately identify the contributions of molecular structure to macroscopic behaviors. Herein, we investigated the influence of specific ion effects on the mechanical behaviors of poly(-isopropylacrylamide) and neutral polyacrylamide (, PNIPAM and NPAM), through a cross-scale study that includes single-molecule force spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulation and macro mechanical method.

The Effect of Type 2 Resistant Starch and Indole-3-Propionic Acid on Ameliorating High-Fat-Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis and Gut Dysbiosis.

Owing to the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, obesity has emerged as a significant global public health concern. To gain enhanced control over obesity, we examined the effects of type 2 resistant starch (RS2) and its promoted microbial-derived metabolite, indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), on hepatic steatosis, antioxidant activity, and gut microbiota in obese mice. Neither RS2 nor low-dose IPA (20 mg kg) exhibited a reduction in body weight or improved glucose and lipid metabolism in post-obesity state mice continuously fed the high-fat diet (HFD).

Retrogradation behaviors of damaged wheat starch with different water contents.

The retrogradation behaviors of five damaged wheat starches (DS) after milling 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min with different water contents (33, 50, 60 %) were evaluated. Milling treatment increased DS content and developed an agglomeration of small particles. After 7 days of storage, the recrystallinity and long-range ordered structure of starch pastes were increased with the contents of DS and water.

Insight into the promoted recrystallization and water distribution of bread by removing starch granule - surface and - associated proteins during storage.

The influence of starch granule surface proteins (SGSPs) and starch granule-associated proteins (SGAPs) on bread retrogradation was investigated in a reconstituted dough system. The removal of both SGSPs and SGAPs resulted in poor bread qualities, decreasing specific volume and crumb porosity, leading to more baking loss and compact crumb structure. Particularly, removing SGSPs was effective in promoting the bread retrogradation.

Anisotropic Friction in a Ligand-Protein Complex.

The effect of an externally applied directional force on molecular friction is so far poorly understood. Here, we study the force-driven dissociation of the ligand-protein complex biotin-streptavidin and identify anisotropic friction as a not yet described type of molecular friction. Using AFM-based stereographic single molecule force spectroscopy and targeted molecular dynamics simulations, we find that the rupture force and friction for biotin-streptavidin vary with the pulling angle.

Emulating Titin by a Multidomain DNA Structure.

Titin, a giant protein containing multiple tandem domains, is essential in maintaining the superior mechanical performance of muscle. The consecutive and reversible unfolding and refolding of the domains are crucial for titin to serve as a modular spring. Since the discovery of the mechanical features of a single titin molecule, the exploration of biomimetic materials with titin-emulating modular structures has been an active field.

Angle-dependent strength of a single chemical bond by stereographic force spectroscopy.

A wealth of chemical bonds and polymers have been studied with single-molecule force spectroscopy, usually by applying a force perpendicular to the anchoring surface. However, the direction-dependence of the bond strength lacks fundamental understanding. Here we establish stereographic force spectroscopy to study the single-bond strength for various pulling angles.

Sulfur-Mediated Polycarbonate Polyurethane for Potential Application of Blood-Contacting Materials.

In this study, a sulfur-mediated polycarbonate polyurethane (PCU-SS) is developed by mimicking the catalyzing ability of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) on nitric oxide (NO) in the human body. The PCU-SS is endowed with the capability to produce NO based on disulfide bonds, which could strongly improve the biocompatibility of the materials. The characterization results indicate that PCU-SS could not only decrease the adhesion of platelets but also enhance the capability of anti-thrombus.

Multivalent non-covalent interactions lead to strongest polymer adhesion.

Multivalent interactions play a leading role in biological processes such as the inhibition of inflammation or virus internalization. The multivalent interactions show enhanced strength and better selectivity compared to monovalent interactions, but they are much less understood due to their complexity. Here, we detect molecular interactions in the range of a few piconewtons to several nanonewtons and correlate them with the formation and subsequent breaking of one or several bonds and assign these bonds.

Preparation of phospholipid-based polycarbonate urethanes for potential applications of blood-contacting implants.

Polyurethanes are widely used in interventional devices due to the excellent physicochemical property. However, non-specific adhesion and severe inflammatory response of ordinary polyurethanes may lead to severe complications of intravenous devices. Herein, a novel phospholipid-based polycarbonate urethanes (PCUs) were developed two-step solution polymerization by direct synthesis based on functional raw materials.

Phospholipid-based multifunctional coating via layer-by-layer self-assembly for biomedical applications.

As an important class of biomaterials，bionics inspired materials has been widely used in creating extracorporeal and implantable medical devices. However, specific service environment is often faced with multiple requirements rather than single function. Herein, we designed a phospholipid-based multifunctional coating with phospholipids-based polymers, type I collagen (Col-I) and Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV) peptide, via layer-by-layer assembly.

Force-Induced Transition of π-π Stacking in a Single Polystyrene Chain.

Although π-π interactions have been studied for several decades, the quantification of the strength of π-π interactions in a macromolecule remains a big challenge. Herein, we utilize single-molecule atomic force microscopy and steered molecular dynamics simulations to study the π-π interactions in polystyrene (PS). It is found that in high vacuum, the single-chain mechanics of PS differs largely from that of polyethylene (PE).