Abstract The eutectic point and drying curve of food multicomponent materials are the key to improve the efficiency of freeze-drying.The eutectic point, co-melting point, pre-freezing time, heating temperature and freeze-drying curve of Tremella fuciformis containing sucrose were investigated. The eutectic point and co-melting point temperature of materials were - 15.49 °C and - 8.35 °C respectively measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). At the pre-freezing temperature of -25 °C for 3.5 h, the moisture of the sample was completely transformed into glassy ice. Different heating temperatures were set in sections during the drying process of multicomponent materials. The best heating temperature was 80°C for 3 hours, then 70 °C for 5 hours, then 60 °C for 12 hours, and finally 50 °C to constant dryness. Under the optimal operating conditions, Tremella fuciformis entered the desorption drying stage at the 8th hour, and the material could be dried to less than 5% moisture content at 25 h.

Abstract Hypsizygus marmoreus is a kind of edible fungus with high nutritional value. This investigation evaluated the influence of Hypsizygus marmoreus powder on the quality characteristics of noodles. The cooking time, cooked breaking ratio, cooking loss rate, color difference value, texture and sensory of noodles were measured. The addition of 4% to 20% mass fraction of mushroom powder had no significant effect on the cooking time and hardness of the noodles. The cooked breaking ratio of noodles increased from 0% to 13.27%, the cooking loss rate increased from 3.47% to 10.73%, the color difference value increased from 18.23 to 23.58, and the chewing hardness increased from 4569.66 g to 5888.68 g, with the mass fraction of mushroom powder increased from 0% to 20%. The sensory of noodles with 4% mushroom powder is the best. This study provides a certain theoretical basis for the further processing of Hypsizygus marmoreus.

Abstract To study the effect of okra aqueous extract on the intestinal flora of diabetic rats. Taking normal SD rats as CK group, diabetic rats induced by 40 mg/(kg•bw) streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally as M group, normal and diabetic rats gavaged with 500 mg/(kg•bw) okra aqueous extract were CKO and MO groups,respectively. The bacterial flora of the cecum contents of rats was analyzed with 16S rRNA V3-V4 sequencing after 8 weeks of the experiment. Compared with CK, M increased Firmicutes 14.00% and decreased Proteobacteria 19.32% (P <0.01). Compared with M, MO down-regulated Lachnospiraceae 2.64% (such as Blautia, Anaerostipes), up-regulated Peptostreptococcaceae 1.20% in Firmicutes, and down-regulated Desulfovibrioceae 3.78% (such as Desulfovibrio) and up-regulated Burkholderia 5.24% (such as Parasutterella) in Proteobacteria. It is worth noting that MO up-regulated Christensenellaceae (LDA>4), which was negatively correlated with body mass index, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. The okra aqueous extract reverses the changes of the intestinal flora of STZ-induced diabetic rats, which decreased Firmicutes and increased Proteobacteria by down-regulating Lachnospiraceae and Desulfovibrionaceae, up-regulating Burkholderiaceae, Christensenellaceae. The okra aqueous extract has the potential as a functional food with regulating intestinal microecology balance of diabetes.

Abstract Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), one kind of common oilseeds, has many biologically active compounds including α-linolenic acid (ALA), lignan and dietary fiber. At present, the research of flaxseed is focused on biological and clinical studies of its compounds. However, the studies of flaxseed protein obtained generally from flaxseed cake, are relatively limited. As many other kinds of plant proteins, flaxseed protein presents many excellent functionalities which can be used for food applications. Many evidence have showed that flaxseed protein hydrolysates can provide health benefits to our body, such as anti-bacterial activity, antioxidant capacity and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition ability. Therefore, in order to make better use of flaxseed protein in foods, the extraction, functionalities and applications of flaxseed protein were reviewed in this paper. In addition, the preparation of flaxseed protein hydrolysates was discussed.

Abstract Pickering emulsions stabilized by polysaccharide particles have attracted extensive research interest in the food, biopharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to their ability to edibility, protect bioactive substances, and control the release of bioactive substances. This paper reviewed research progress in using natural polysaccharides, modified polysaccharides by physical or chemical method and polysaccharide complexes as particles to form and stabilize Pickering emulsions. In particular, the application of Pickering emulsions stabilized polysaccharide particles in encapsulation and delivery of food bioactive ingredients, fat substitutes, and modulation of lipid digestion, was discussed. Finally, the future prospects of Pickering emulsions stabilized by polysaccharide particles were discussed.

Abstract Ergothioneine and selenium are biologically active substances that maintain human health. In order to increase the content of ergothioneine and selenium in the submerged fermentation products of Pleurotus eryngii, the non-nutritive culture conditions of submerged fermentation were investigated. When the concentration of sodium selenite was 3 μg/mL, the selenum conversion efficiency (94.78%) was the highest and the dry weight was the highest. The pH value of culture medium, shaking speed, culture temperature, inoculation amount and culture time affected the dry weight of fermentation, the content of ergothionein and selenium. The optimal culture conditions were optimized by single factor experiment as follows: pH 5.5 (natural), rotation speed 180 r/min, culture temperature 26 °C, inoculation amount 10%, and culture time 7 d. Under these conditions, the dry weight of Pleurotus eryngii fermentation product was 38.97 g/L, the ergothioneine content was 39.42 mg/L, and the bioconversion efficiency of selenium reached 84.63%.

Abstract Polysaccharides and anthocyanins are one of the main components of many foods, and their interaction affects the texture and nutrition of foods. The anthocyanin-polysaccharide complex was prepared from anthocyanin of plum (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Furong) and polysaccharide of Tremella fuciformis. The structure changes of anthocyanin and polysaccharide before and after interaction were investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The absorption peak at 510 nm of anthocyanin-polysaccharide complex weakened at pH 5.0, and the intensity of absorption spectrum increased with the concentration of polysaccharide. The absorption peaks of anthocyanin-polysaccharide complexes were shifted in the infrared spectral curve of anthocyanin, and the formation of complex was caused by electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond interaction between anthocyanin and polysaccharide. From microstructural analysis, anthocyanin and polysaccharide were effectively bound together. This can provide theoretical guidance for the structural design of anthocyanin-polysaccharide food and the development and utilization of new food ingredients.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of the addition of passion fruit peel flour (PFPF) from two different species to biscuits. Each PFPF was added to biscuit flour in different amounts (wheat flour replacement rate: 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). The colour and textural properties of the doughs and biscuits were evaluated. The physical characteristics, sensory characteristics and dietary fibre content of the biscuits were tested. Both types of PFPF show a higher fat absorption capacity (2.44 g/g (yellow) and 2.38 g/g (purple)). The results showed that the PFPF could significantly improve the texture of the prepared biscuits but showed an adverse effect on the colour. This study has shown that incorporation of PFPF (5%) can produce fibre-rich (TDF, 2.05% and 2.08%) biscuits with low water content (2.20% and 2.28%), excellent texture characteristics (Firmness, 13.18 N and 15.68 N) and good sensory quality.

Abstract Okra (AbelmoschusesculentusL.Moench) is widely planted in subtropical and tropical areas, with good palatability and a variety of biological activities. However, the hypoglycemic activity of okra aqueous extract and its mechanism were still unclear. In this paper, the hypoglycemic effect of okra aqueous extract on type 1 diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) was investigated. The growth indicators, blood physiological and biochemical indicators (such as blood glucose, glucose tolerance, serum lipids, insulin, pyruvate kinase activity), histopathology of liver and pancreas were determined. Comparing with streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats group, the aqueous extract of okra treatment group exhibited decreasing blood glucose level (10.11%), glucose tolerance (12.00%), total triglyceride (41.59%), atherosclerosis index (49.20%), urine sugar (91.91%) and increasing insulin secretion (17.44%) and pyruvate kinase activity (57.41%). Okra aqueous extract significantly ameliorated STZ-induced steatosis of hepatocytes and islet cells. But, the feed intake, water intake, urine volume, and body weight of okra aqueous extract treated groups were not significantly different with those in normal rats groups or diabetic rats group, respectively. Therefore, the aqueous extract of okra was responsible for promoting insulin secretion, increasing pyruvate kinase activity and reducing blood glucose and lipid level.

Abstract Instant Tremella fuciformis is ready to eat after adding hot water and is a delicious edible mushroom food. However, the drying method affects the quality of product. The present work evaluated the effects of freeze drying (FD), microwave drying (MD), and hot air drying (HAD) on shrinkage ratio, rehydration ratio, microstructure, polysaccharide and free amino acids of instant Tremella fuciformis. These three drying methods significantly changed the color and reduced the total amount of amino acids of dried products. FD sample possessed a three-dimensional network with porous, loose and large voids, so it had a slighter shrinkage and a better rehydration effect compared with the MD and HAD one. The polysaccharide content, uronic acid content and soup’s viscosity of FD products were significantly higher than MD and HAD. Therefore, FD was more suitable for obtaining high-quality instant Tremella fuciformis products than MD and HAD.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the effects of diet on the inflammatory response in middle-aged and elderly people with hypertension. METHODS: Thirty overweight or obese patients with stage one hypertension (age range, 45-75 years) were allocated to either the intervention or control group (n=15 per group; age- and sex-matched). Patients in the intervention group consumed a food powder supplement (100 g) instead of a regular meal. The control group maintained their normal dietary habits. This study lasted for six weeks. Blood pressure, inflammatory marker levels, and energy intake were measured before and after the study. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the diet composition of the intervention group changed significantly (p<0.05). The intake of proteins, dietary fibre, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat increased significantly (p<0.05), while the total energy intake trended towards an increase (p>0.05). In the control group, the total energy intake decreased significantly (p<0.05). The levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) decreased, and adiponectin increased significantly in the intervention group (p<0.05); however, no significant changes were observed in the inflammatory marker levels of the control group. In the intervention group, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p<0.05), and diastolic blood pressure also exhibited a decreasing trend. No significant change in blood pressure was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: The consumption of a food powder supplement can improve diet composition, decrease blood pressure and reduce inflammation in middle-aged and elderly overweight or obese hypertensive patients. The food powder supplement may also have an anti-atherosclerotic effect in hypertensive patients.

Abstract The spin Hamiltonian parameters (SHPs) (g factors and zero-field splittings (ZFSs) D and E) and the local structure for Cr3+ in K2PdCl4 single crystal are theoretically investigated from the perturbation calculations of the SHPs for an orthorhombically distorted octahedral 3d3 cluster. The impurity Cr3+ is found not to occupy the conventional square planar Pd2+ site but to locate at the octahedral K+ site, associated with the relative axial compression ratio ρ( ≈ 11.1%) and the perpendicular bond length variation ratio τ( ≈ 11.7%). The impurity centre exhibits much smaller axial compression distortion and much larger perpendicular orthorhombic distortion than the host K+ site in K2PdCl4 ρ H ≈ 18.6% and τ H ≈ 0) and hence a more regular ligand octahedron, corresponding to the very small ZFSs. The contributions to g-shifts Δ g C T from the CT mechanism are opposite in sign and twenty-one times larger in magnitude compared with Δ g C F from the CF mechanism. For the ZFSs, the CT contributions DCT and ECT are opposite in sign and almost the same in magnitude with respect to the corresponding DCF and ECF.

Abstract Optimization of polyphenols extraction from plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) was evaluated using response surface methodology. The Box-Behnken experimental results showed the optimal conditions involved an extraction temperature of 59 °C, a sonication time of 47 min, and an ethanol concentration of 61% respectively. The maximum extraction yield of total polyphenols was 44.74 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried plum at optimal conditions. Polyphenol extracts exhibited stronger antioxidant activities than Vc by evaluating of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, polyphenol extracts (IC50 = 179 g/mL) showed obvious inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase. These findings suggest that polyphenol extracts from P. salicina can be potentially used as natural antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory agents.

The goat placental immunomodulatory peptides were produced by fermentation with Aspergillus Niger. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of fermentation parameters (carbon source content, pH, and time) on spleen lymphocyte proliferation for the highest immune activity of the fermentation broth using response surface methodology (RSM). According to the data analysis by the Design-Expert® software, the stimulation index value (23.51%), which is the maximum immune activity, was obtained under the following conditions: content of carbon source 1.97 g·L-1, initial pH 5.0, and 74.43 h of fermentation time. Under the optimized fermentation conditions, at a certain concentration range, the fermentation broth produced a significant effect on the proliferation of mouse spleen lymphocytes. Ultrafiltration technique was performed to separate the fermentation broth with different MW (molecular weight). It was found that peptides in the range of <10 KDa were the main bioactivity fractions for the immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities.

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.