Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino (Gp) was once used as a sweetener in Japan and is now widely consumed as an herbal tea worldwide for lowering cholesterol levels. Two taste variants, bitter and sweet, of Gp exist in the commercial market, but they cannot be differentiated morphologically nor by existing chemical analytical methods. This has been creating a problem in quality control of Gp products. In the present study, using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS analysis, we found that the Gp saponins, not flavonoids, from the sweet and bitter variants have distinctly different profiles. In addition, the two variants share only 69.01% homology in the ribosomal ITS-1 region, suggesting a phylogenic gap between these two variants. The combinations of chemical profiling and phylogenic analysis clearly confirm, for the first time, the distinction between these two taste variants. This information has direct application in the authentication and quality assessment of the various Gynostemma tea products.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.02.078 | DOI Listing |
Heliyon
January 2025
Paediatric Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Background: Cystic fibrosis is a heterogeneous disease whose severity and symptoms largely depend on the functional impact of mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. Other genes may also modulate the clinical manifestations and complications associated with cystic fibrosis. Genetic variants of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 have been shown to contribute to the susceptibility and severity of chronic rhinosinusitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
January 2025
The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China.
Fatty acids (FAs) are a group of organic compounds that are regulated by polygenic and environmental factors and affect the taste, nutritional value, and quality of meat. Lamb meat is rich in FAs required by the human body, which has directed more attention to sheep research and meat production. The fatty acid-binding protein 4 () gene is considered a candidate gene that can affect FA composition in livestock.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
December 2024
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
Cigarette brand variant names and characteristics such as the taste and feel of the smoke can mislead consumers into believing some products are less harmful. We assessed the characteristics of three common cigarette variants sold in Australia, "gold", "blue" and "red", to determine which characteristics differed by color, and which affected tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) yields. TNCO yields, physical parameters, expanded tobacco and filter ventilation were measured in cigarette color variants from eight brands.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Genomics
January 2025
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China.
Background: The relict gull (Larus relictus, Charadriiformes, Laridae) classified as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List is defined as a first-class national protected bird in China. However, our knowledge of the evolutionary history of L. relictus is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Food Sci
January 2025
Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
This research explores consumer preferences and emotional reactions to beverages made from roasted barley and examines the possibility of launching a new product line featuring Streaker barley grown in the Pacific Northwest. Utilizing hedonic scales, just-about-right scales, and check-all-that-apply questions, a sensory evaluation was conducted. The study reveals two distinct consumer clusters, each exhibiting contrasting preferences and responses to novel beverages incorporating Streaker barley.
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