Abstract The brewing of Chinese Baijiu is a microbial community fermentation system, in which there is a close and complex relationship between microorganisms and flavor quality, but the specific deep-seated mechanism still needs to be explored and interpreted continuously so far. In this review, Maotai flavor Baijiu was briefly introduced, and the microorganisms mainly affected by flavor substances, the main components of flavor substances, the factors affecting flavor formation and the application ways of functional microorganisms in Maotai flavor Baijiu were summarized. It provides a deeper understanding for the research of others flavor Baijiu.

Abstract The effect of Maillard reaction browning factors on the color enhancement of membrane clarification non-centrifugal cane sugar (M-NCS) in storage was explored. During storage, the color of M-NCS gradually browned and blackened. pH, the contents of glucose, fructose, protein, total amino acids and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) decreased significantly. Meanwhile, the moisture content, relative percentages of volatile Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and the content of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) increased during storage. The sucrose content remained stable. Correlation analysis shows all browning factors were significantly correlated with color. Multivariate data analysis results demonstrated that the compound effects of volatile MRPs, 3-DG, pH, glucose and total amino acids led to the color change of stored M-NCS. The order of effect on the color change of stored M-NCS was volatile MRPs > 3-DG > pH > glucose > total amino acids.

This article focuses on the educational quality of the newly emerged quasi-state schools for rural migrant children in urban China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 government officers, school leaders, teachers and migrant parents in Shanghai. Adopting a theoretical perspective of policy as a temporary settlement of interests, the article deconstructs the power relations that constructed the disadvantaged positionality of these schools in the local school system. What can be identified from the empirical data is the emergence of an "interim quasi-state school system" with three interrelated features: it belongs to the state sector, offers quasi-state education and has an interim nature. Under the local government's low-cost and inferior schooling approach, the whole system is treated as an emergency mechanism for solving the floating children's schooling problem, rather than as regular schools offering high quality education. While realising the children's right to education, this system does not guarantee them a "good" education.

Abstract The pericarp of Trapa natans L., an annual aquatic floating herb belonging to Lythraceae family, is used as a folk medicine in China. In this study, extracts of Trapa natans pericarp were tested both in vitro and in vivo through a high-fat diet with a single medium dosage streptozotocin injection induced type 2 diabetic mice. Different solvent extracts of Trapa natans pericarp showed α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. After four weeks administration, the ethyl acetate extract of Trapa natans pericarp (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w.) reduced fasting blood glucose level, ameliorated oral glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, improved serum lipids alterations in type 2 diabetic mice as well. Additionally, ethyl acetate extract significantly elevated the insulin receptor substrate 1 and Akt serine/threonine kinase phosphorylation compared to diabetic group. HPLC-MS and HPLC-DAD analysis showed that the ethyl acetate extract was rich in hydrolysable tannins. Results support the notion that Trapa natans pericarp extract has a potential hypoglycemic activity.

ABSTRACT Folium Eriobotryae, the dried leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica, (Thunb.) Lindl., Rosaceae), is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat cough with phlegm in China. Fallen and growing loquat leaves were tested for their effect on coughing and expectoration in mice. HPLC-ELSD and HPLC-MS analyses of aqueous and ethanol extracts of fallen or growing leaves were used to identify the chemical components responsible for this effect. Both the aqueous and ethanol extracts of growing and fallen leaves of loquat contained antitussive and expectorant activities. Moreover, an aqueous extract of growing loquat leaves with a higher flavonoid content displayed a stronger expectorant activity while the ethanol extract of fallen loquat leaves that contained a higher content of triterpenoid acids induced a stronger antitussive activity.

The genetic diversity of four protected indigenous chicken breeds was evaluated with 25 microsatellite markers. Polymorphism information content (PIC), heterozygosity with the estimator of genetic differentiation F ST and Nei's genetic distance were evaluated. The results showed that these four protected local chicken populations showed high levels of diversity. The proportion of inter-population subdivision among the four protected local chicken populations was 16.0%. The average heterozygosity was 0.514, 0.581, 0.567 and 0.589 in Dongan, Xuefeng black-bone, Xianghuang and Taoyuan chickens, respectively, while the average PIC estimates were 0.455, 0.581, 0.557 and 0.576. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using genetic distance and the neighbour-joining method. Its topology reflects the general pattern of genetic differentiation among the four chicken breeds. The results also showed high genetic diversity and genetic variation among all the breeds. The information about the four local breeds estimated by microsatellite analysis may be useful as an initial guide for the effective conservation of chicken genetic diversity and developing conservation strategies.

Neste trabalho é descrito um procedimento livre de solventes, limpo, simples e eficiente para a síntese de diidropirano[3,2-b]cromenodionas (onze derivados) a partir da reação de condensação de três componentes de ácido kójico, aldeídos aromáticos e dimedona, utilizando alume como catalisador reutilizável.

A simple, green and efficient solventless procedure for the synthesis of eleven dihydropyrano[3,2-b]chromenediones from the three-component condensation reaction of kojic acid, aromatic aldehydes, and dimedone using a reusable alum as catalyst is described.

A condensação de três componentes "one pot" de 3,4-metilenodioxifenol, aldeídos aromáticos, e ácido 1,3-dimetilbarbitúrico, eficientemente promovida na presença de Zr(HSO4)4, livre de solvente, produziu 10-aril-6,8-dimetil-6,10-diidro-5-oxa-6,8-diazaantra[2,3-d][1,3]dioxol-7,9-dionas. O método oferece diversas vantagens incluindo a simplicidade, facilidade e limpeza do procedimento extrativo, tempos de reação relativamente curtos e bons a altos rendimentos dos produtos.

A one-pot three-component condensation of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol, aromatic aldehydes, and 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid, efficiently promoted in the presence of Zr(HSO4)4 under solvent-free conditions, produced 10-aryl-6,8-dimethyl-6,10-dihydro-5-oxa-6,8-diazaanthra[2,3-d][1,3] dioxole-7,9-diones. The method offers several advantages including simple, easy and clean work-up procedure, relatively short reaction times and good to high yields of the products.