Effects of non-thermal plasma treating wheat kernel on the physicochemical properties of wheat flour and the quality of fresh wet noodles

The effects of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on the physicochemical properties of wheat flour and the quality of fresh wet noodles ( FWN) were investigated. The results showed that NTP effectively decreased the total plate count (TPC), yeast and mould count (YMC) and Bacillus spp. in wheat flour. Wet gluten contents and the stability time reached the maximum when treated for 20 s. The viscosity of starch increased significantly after treatment due to the increased of damaged starch. The contents of secondary structure were altered to some extent, which was because that the ordered network structure of gluten protein broken. Furthermore, compared with the control, texture properties of FWN were enhanced significantly at 20 s, and the darkening rate of FWN was greatly inhibited due to the low polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Consequently, the most suitable treatment was 500 W for 20 s, providing a basis for the application of NTP in flour products.     

Cloning,sequencing and structural analysis of membrane-bound polyphenol oxidase from Granny Smith apples (Malus × domestica Borkh)

The gene sequence coding for the membrane-bound polyphenol oxidase (mPPO) with a length of 1761 bp was cloned by PCR method and shown to contain one highly conserved sequence encoding a di-copper-binding region. The predicted three-dimensional structure of mPPO indicated that the active site was located near two copper ions and composed of a typical bundle of four α-helices. Each of the two catalytic copper ions was coordinated with three histidine residues in the hydrophobic pocket, yielding His 180, His 201, His 210, His 332, His 336 and His 366. Docking studies showed that 4-methylcatechol and chlorogenic acid have different binding models due to different ligand sizes and binding sites in the active centre, and it was found that the smaller compound exhibited a higher affinity for mPPO. Molecular dynamic simulation results indicated that Phe 353 is important in controlling enzymatic activity through influencing substrate coordination in the active site.     

7-Amidocoumarins as Multitarget Agents against Neurodegenerative Diseases: Substitution Pattern Modulation

This study explores the potential of 7-amidocoumarins as multitarget agents against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, by modulating the substitution patterns within the scaffold. Sixteen compounds were synthesized via 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin acylation, and in vitro evaluation of the molecules against hMAO-A, hMAO-B, hAChE, hBuChE and hBACE1 was performed. Five compounds turned out to be potent and selective hMAO-B inhibitors in the nanomolar range, six displayed inhibitory activity of hMAO-A in the low micromolar range, one showed hAChE inhibitory activity and another one hBACE1 inhibitory activity. MAO-B reversibility profile of 7-(4’-chlorobenzamido)-4-methylcoumarin ( 10 ) was investigated, with this compound being a reversible inhibitor. Neurotoxicity on motor cortex neurons and neuroprotection against H₂O₂ were also studied, corroborating the safety profile of these molecules. Finally, theoretical ADME properties were also calculated, showing these molecules as good candidates for the optimization of a lead compound. Results suggest that by modulating the substitution pattern at position 7 of the scaffold, selective or multitarget molecules can be achieved.     

多铜氧化酶在大肠杆菌中的分泌表达

生物胺是存在于发酵食品中的一类有机物，过量摄入会危害人体健康。多铜氧化酶中的某些酶具有降解多种生物胺的活性，在减控发酵食品中的氨(胺)类危害物方面具有良好的应用前景。研究多铜氧化酶的分泌表达，对酶的特性改造和工业化生产与应用具有重要意义。本研究通过在解淀粉芽孢杆菌来源的多铜氧化酶N端融合信号肽PhoA实现了多铜氧化酶在大肠杆菌中的分泌表达，胞外酶活为69.8 U/L。通过优化诱导条件和酶的分泌确定了多铜氧化酶最优发酵条件为诱导温度25℃、IPTG浓度0.05 mmol/L、诱导时菌体OD600=1.0、诱导6 h后添加150 mmol/L甘氨酸；发酵40 h时胞外多铜氧化酶酶活达到238.1 U/L，是优化前的3.4倍。     

Alterations in phenolic compound levels and antioxidant activity in response to cooking technique effects: A meta-analytic investigation

The aim of this study was to review prior studies that have evaluated the effects of cooking techniques on polyphenol levels and antioxidant activity in vegetables and to release a meta-analysis of the findings. Meta-analysis with a random effect model was conducted using the weighted response ratios (R*) that were calculated for each experiment. Baking (R* = 0.51), blanching (R* = 0.94), boiling (R* = 0.62), microwaving (R* = 0.54) and pressure cooking (R* = 0.47) techniques precipitated significant reductions in the polyphenol levels. Significant decreases in the antioxidant activity levels were noted after baking (R* = 0.45) and boiling (R* = 0.76), while significant increases were observed after frying (R* = 2.26) and steaming (R* = 1.52).     

Significant population genetic structuring in Rhyzopertha dominica across Turkey: Biogeographic and practical implications

Rhyzopertha dominica is a key pest of stored grain. Understanding the movement of this beetle on broad geographic scales is crucial, particularly when developing strategies to prevent the spread of phosphine resistance. We assessed population genetic structuring in this pest across Turkey, using a combination of mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) and microsatellite markers. In addition, we screened samples for Wolbachia, as this endosymbiont has previously been suggested to be associated with low mitochondrial genetic diversity in this beetle. Mitochondrial genetic diversity was low, with only six haplotypes identified. The genetic diversity was, however, substantially higher than that previously found in Australia or India, suggesting that R. dominica may have originated in the Middle East. Wolbachia were detected only at a single site, indicating they are not impacting the mitochondrial genetic diversity of R. dominica across Turkey. Microsatellite markers indicated there is significant geographic genetic structuring across Turkey, even among sites less than 100 km apart, suggesting there is little movement of beetles across regions within the country. This contrasts with the significantly higher levels of gene-flow found in Australia and the United States. We suggest that the limited movement of beetles across Turkey may be due to a combination of the historically localised agricultural practices (which limits anthropogenic movement among regions), and the mountainous landscape (which limits active flight among regions). Our results demonstrate that the movement of stored product pests may differ significantly across studies conducted in different countries. As a consequence, phosphine resistance management strategies must incorporate region specific information on the extent of beetle movement.     

Substrate Flexibility of the Flavin-Dependent Dihydropyrrole Oxidases PigB and HapB Involved in Antibiotic Prodigiosin Biosynthesis

In the biosynthesis of the tripyrrolic pigment prodigiosin, PigB is a predicted flavin-dependent oxidase responsible for the formation of 2-methyl-3-amylpyrrole (MAP) from a dihydropyrrole. To prove which dihydropyrrole is the true intermediate, both possibilities, 5-methyl-4-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole ( 5 a , resulting from transamination of the aldehyde of 3-acetyloctanal) and 2-methyl-3-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole ( 6 , resulting from transamination of the ketone), were synthesised. Only 5 a restored pigment production in a strain of Serratia sp. ATCC 39006 blocked earlier in MAP biosynthesis. PigB is membrane-associated and inactive when its transmembrane domain was deleted, but HapB, its homologue in Hahella chejuensis, lacks the transmembrane domain and is active in solution. Two colourimetric assays for PigB and HapB were developed, and the HapB-catalysed reaction was kinetically characterised. Ten analogues of 5 a were synthesised, varying in the C2 and C3 side chains, and tested as substrates of HapB in vitro and for restoration of pigment production in Serratia ΔpigD in vivo. All lengths of side chain tested at C3 were accepted, but only short side chains at C2 were accepted. The knowledge that 5 a is an intermediate in prodigiosin biosynthesis and the ease of synthesis of analogues of 5 a makes a range of prodigiosin analogues readily available by mutasynthesis.