Non-competitive inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by jaboticaba () peel ethanolic extracts.

Specific anthocyanins and phenolic compounds exhibit acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEi) activity. In this study, the AChEi activity of jaboticaba peel extracts were investigated based on their high phenol contents. Jaboticaba peel ethanolic extract (PEX) and aqueous extract (PAX) were prepared by extracting jaboticaba peel with 95% ethanol and boiling water, respectively.

The Association between Delayed Gut Microbiota Maturity in Pre-Term Infants and the Feeding Intolerance-A Pilot Study.

This study compared gut (fecal) microbiota profiles between pre-term and full-term infants, assuming that pre-term infants without feeding intolerance would have gut microbiota similar to those of full-term infants. A total of 13 pre-term infants (gestational age < 37 weeks, birthweight ≤ 2500 g) and 10 full-term infants were included. The pre-term infants were assigned to the feeding tolerance (FT) group (n = 7) if their daily intake exceeded 100 mL/kg/day at two weeks after birth, or the feeding intolerance (FI) group (n = 6).

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) Fruit Extract Suppressed Aberrant Crypt Formation in 1,2-Dimetylhydrazine-Induced Rats.

Early intervention can significantly improve the colorectal cancer survival rate. Foods rich in phenolic compounds, such as jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora), may prevent tumorigenesis. We investigated the effectivity of jaboticaba whole fruit ethanolic extract (FEX) in suppressing aberrant crypt foci (ACF), the earliest lesion of colorectal cancer (CRC), in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rats and the underlying mechanisms related to the gut microbiota composition and short chain fatty acid (SCFA).

Construction of Recombinant with Ethanol and Aldehydes Tolerance via Overexpression of Aldehyde Reductase.

Furfural and hydroxy-methyl-furfural (HMF) are produced by lignocellulosic biomass during heat or acid pretreatment and are toxic to yeast. Aldehyde reductase is the main enzyme to reduce furfural and HMF. To improve the conversion efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol, we constructed with overexpression of aldehyde reductase (encoded by ).

Effects of fermented red bean extract on nephropathy in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background: The antioxidant effects of -fermented red bean (natto-red bean) extract (NRBE) in young (6 weeks old) Sprague-Dawley rats and aged (12 months old) mice had been reported previously.

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of NRBE in the kidneys of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Design: Normal control rats and diabetic rats were orally gavaged with saline and low-dose NRBE (100 mg/kg body weight [BW]), medium-dose NRBE (200 mg/kg BW), and high-dose NRBE (500 mg/kg BW), for 12 weeks and then sacrificed.

Protective effect of medicinal fungus Xylaria nigripes mycelia extracts against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Xylaria nigripes ( XN) is a medicinal fungus that was used traditionally as a diuretic, nerve tonic, and for treating insomnia and trauma. In this study, we elucidated possible mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of XN mycelia extracts. XN mycelia were produced by fermentation.

Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for improvement in stresses tolerance.

Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive low-cost feedstock for bioethanol production. During bioethanol production, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the common used starter, faces several environmental stresses such as aldehydes, glucose, ethanol, high temperature, acid, alkaline and osmotic pressure. The aim of this study was to construct a genetic recombinant S.

Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for improvement in ethanol tolerance by accumulation of trehalose.

A genetic recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae starter with high ethanol tolerance capacities was constructed. In this study, the gene of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (encoded by tps1), which catalyzes the first step in trehalose synthesis, was cloned and overexpressed in S. cerevisiae.

A New Schiff Base Chemodosimeter: Selective Colorimetric and Fluorescent Detection of Fe (III) Ion.

A new efficient chemosensor 1 was prepared, for the detection of Fe(3+) in solutions as a colorimetric and fluorescent sensor. The visual and fluorescent behaviors of the receptor toward various metal ions were also explored. The receptor shows exclusive response toward Fe(3+) ions and also distinguishes Fe(3+) from other cations by color change and fluorescence enhancement in hydroalcoholic solution (MeOH/H2O = 9/1, v/v).

Characterization of a Chitosanase from Jelly Fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) Latex and Its Application in the Production of Water-Soluble Low Molecular Weight Chitosans.

A chitosanase was purified from jelly fig latex by ammonium sulfate fractionation (50-80% saturation) and three successive column chromatography steps. The purified enzyme was almost homogeneous, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and gel activity staining. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 20.

A New Schiff Base Chemodosimeter for Fluorescent Imaging of Ferric Ions in Living Cells.

A new and efficient chemodosimeter for ferric ions has been developed. The visual and fluorescent behaviors of the compound toward various metal ions were investigated: ferric ions are distinguished from other cations by selective color change and unusual fluorescence enhancement in mixed aqueous solution. Fluorescence microscopy experiments showed that this receptor is effective for detection of Fe(3+) in vitro, developing a good image of the biological organelles.

Red Bean Extract Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and H₂O₂-Induced Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

Red bean (Phaseolus radiatus L. var. Aurea) is a leguminous seed and mainly used as one of the popular ingredients in oriental desserts.

Characterization of an acidic chitinase from seeds of black soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr Tainan No. 3).

Using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-N,N',N″-triacetylchitotrioside (4-MU-GlcNAc3) as a substrate, an acidic chitinase was purified from seeds of black soybean (Glycine max Tainan no. 3) by ammonium sulfate fractionation and three successive steps of column chromatography. The purified chitinase was a monomeric enzyme with molecular mass of 20.

In vitro and in vivo safety evaluation of low molecular weight chitosans prepared by hydrolyzing crab shell chitosans with bamboo shoots chitosanase.

Our previous study demonstrated that the oral administration of low molecular weight chitosans (LMWC), prepared by hydrolyzing crab shell chitosans with bamboo shoots chitosanase in an appropriate dose, reduced aristolochic acid-induced renal lesions in mice. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety of LMWC using genetic and animal toxicity assays. Two assays for genotoxicity were performed: the chromosomal aberration of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1 cells) (in vitro) and micronucleus assays in mice (in vivo).

Improving antioxidant status in aged mice by 50% ethanol extract from red bean fermented by Bacillus subtilis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 50% ethanol extracts from red bean non-fermented (RBE) and fermented by Bacillus subtilis (RBNE) on the antioxidant status of aged ICR mouse.

Results: Compared to 2-month-old ICR mouse, the plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) in 12-month-old ICR mouse decreased about 57%, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and brain of 12-month-old ICR mouse increased 56% and 30%, respectively. Orally administration of RBE or RBNE could completely recover the changes of MDA and plasma TAS levels due to the aging process.

Characterisation of an acidic peroxidase from papaya (Carica papaya L. cv Tainung No. 2) latex and its application in the determination of micromolar hydrogen peroxide in milk.

An acidic peroxidase isoform, POD-A, with a molecular mass of 69.4 kDa and an isoelectric point of 3.5 was purified from papaya latex.

In vitro and in vivo safety of aqueous extracts of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther, a widely consumed vegetable in Taiwan, has many biological effects and has been used in folk medicine to alleviate hepatic disorders, exert diuretic effects, and relieve pain and infections. However, little data exist regarding its safety.

Purification and characterization of two chitosanase isoforms from the sheaths of bamboo shoots.

Two thermally stable chitosanase isoforms were purified from the sheaths of chitosan-treated bamboo shoots. Isoforms A and B had molecular masses of 24.5 and 16.

Production of bioactive human alpha-defensin 5 in Pichia pastoris.

Human alpha-defensin 5 (HD5), a small cationic peptide, is expressed in Paneth cell granules of small intestinal crypts. HD5 exhibits high antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic agents, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In this study, the constitutive expression of HD5 antimicrobial peptide was achieved using the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris (P.

In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of the stem extracts from Graptopetalum paraguayense.

This study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant abilities of water (SGWE), 50% ethanolic (SGE50) and 95% ethanolic (SGE95) extracts from the stem of Graptopetalum paraguayense, and the extract with the highest antioxidant activity was assayed for its inhibitory effect on proliferation of human hepatoma (Hep G2) cell line. Antioxidant abilities of extracts were assessed their radical-scavenging abilities and effects on Fe/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in a liposome model system. The results of this study showed that antioxidant activities were increased with the increase of the extracts concentrations, and the activities correlated with both the total phenol and anthocyanin contents.

Biochemical properties of genetic recombinant xylanase II.

The aim of this study was to overexpress the xylanase II gene of Trichoderma reesei in Escherichia coli and determine the characteristics of the recombinant enzyme. Recombinant xylanase II gene was constructed by ligating the cDNA of xylanase, obtained from reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and fused with NusA protein of pET-431b plasmid. An Ni2+-NTA affinity column was used to further purify the recombinant xylanase II.

Safety evaluation of water extracts of Toona sinensis Roemor leaf.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the safety of water extracts of Toona sinensis Roemor leaf (TSL-1). The mutagenic properties of TSL-1 was investigated using the Ames test, and no mutagenicity was found toward all tester strains (Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535). In the acute oral toxicity study, a single limit dose of 5000 mgTSL-1/kg bw was given to male and female ICR mice, then observed for a 14-day period.

Enzymatic saccharification and fermentation of xylose-optimized dilute acid-treated lignocellulosics.

The cellulose reactivity of two lignocellulosic feedstocks, switchgrass and poplar, was evaluated under straight saccharification (SS) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) conditions following dilute sulfuric acid pretreatments designed for optimum xylose yields. The optimum pretreatment conditions, within the constraints of the experimental system (Parr batch reactor), were 1.2% acid, 180 degrees C, and 0.

Xylooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides affect the intestinal microbiota and precancerous colonic lesion development in rats.

Certain nondigestible oligosaccharides can be selectively utilized by probiotics and reduce the risk of colon cancer. However, the inhibitory effects of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) on colon cancer are not well documented. This study evaluated the effects of xylooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the alteration of cecal microbiota, cecal pH, cecal weight, and serum lipid levels, and also their inhibitory effect on precancerous colon lesions in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Evaluation of antioxidative and mutagenic properties of 50% ethanolic extract from red beans fermented by Aspergillus oryzae.

Various bean products fermented by microorganisms are commonly consumed in Asian diets; however, the safety or functional properties of fermented beans can vary with different microbial species and with different processes being applied to different beans. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antioxidative and mutagenic properties of 50% ethanolic extracts from red beans fermented by Aspergillus oryzae. The extracts' antioxidative activities, including alpha,alpha;-diphenyl-beta-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging effects, Fe(2+)-chelating ability, and reducing power, were studied in vitro.