Nanosuspended branched chain amino acids: the influence of stabilizers on their solubility and colloidal stability

Recent advances in the synthesis and application of graphene aerogel and silica aerogel for environment and energy storage: A review

Aerogel materials have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their promising applications in environmental and energy storage fields, owing to their exceptional properties, including high porosity, ultra-low thermal conductivity, low density, and high specific surface area. This review begins by examining novel synthesis techniques, including sol-gel processing, chemical crosslinking, and templating, that enhance both the microstructural and functional properties of aerogels. Next, we explore the applications of graphene and silica aerogels in environmental and energy conservation technologies. Graphene aerogels, in particular, demonstrate significant potential in water purification by effectively removing antibiotics, offering a new approach to water treatment. The combination of silica aerogels with phase change materials, along with their use in supercapacitors, demonstrates their potential for energy conservation. Additionally, we discuss the synergistic effects of silica and graphene aerogels, which further broaden their applications. Finally, the paper concludes by summarizing the potential of graphene and silica aerogels as functional materials for environmental applications and outlining the challenges and future directions for their development and industrial use.

Bioactive Milk Peptides as a Nutraceutical Opportunity and Challenges

The biotechnology field has witnessed rapid advancements, leading to the development of numerous proteins and peptides (PPs) for disease management. The production and isolation of bioactive milk peptides (BAPs) involve enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, followed by purification through various techniques such as ultrafiltration and chromatography. The nutraceutical potential of bioactive milk peptides has gained significant attention in nutritional research, as these peptides may regulate blood sugar levels, mitigate oxidative stress, improve cardiovascular health, gut health, bone health, and immune responses, and exhibit anticancer properties. However, to enhance BAP bioavailability, the encapsulation method can be used to offer protection against protease degradation and controlled release. This article provides insights into the composition, types, production, isolation, bioavailability, and health benefits of BAPs.

Branched-chain amino acids: physico-chemical properties, industrial synthesis and role in signaling, metabolism and energy production

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)-leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), and valine (Val)-are essential nutrients with significant roles in protein synthesis, metabolic regulation, and energy production. This review paper offers a detailed examination of the physico-chemical properties of BCAAs, their industrial synthesis, and their critical functions in various biological processes. The unique isomerism of BCAAs is presented, focusing on analytical challenges in their separation and quantification as well as their solubility characteristics, which are crucial for formulation and purification applications. The industrial synthesis of BCAAs, particularly using bacterial strains like Corynebacterium glutamicum, is explored, alongside methods such as genetic engineering aimed at enhancing production, detailing the enzymatic processes and specific precursors. The dietary uptake, distribution, and catabolism of BCAAs are reviewed as fundamental components of their physiological functions. Ultimately, their multifaceted impact on signaling pathways, immune function, and disease progression is discussed, providing insights into their profound influence on muscle protein synthesis and metabolic health. This comprehensive analysis serves as a resource for understanding both the basic and complex roles of BCAAs in biological systems and their industrial application.

BCAA insufficiency leads to premature ovarian insufficiency via ceramide-induced elevation of ROS

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a disease featured by early menopause before 40 years of age, accompanied by an elevation of follicle-stimulating hormone. Though POI affects many aspects of women's health, its major causes remain unknown. Many clinical studies have shown that POI patients are generally underweight, indicating a potential correlation between POI and metabolic disorders. To understand the pathogenesis of POI, we performed metabolomics analysis on serum and identified branch-chain amino acid (BCAA) insufficiency-related metabolic disorders in two independent cohorts from two clinics. A low BCAA diet phenotypically reproduced the metabolic, endocrine, ovarian, and reproductive changes of POI in young C57BL/6J mice. A mechanism study revealed that the BCAA insufficiency-induced POI is associated with abnormal activation of the ceramide-reactive oxygen species (ROS) axis and consequent impairment of ovarian granulosa cell function. Significantly, the dietary supplement of BCAA prevented the development of ROS-induced POI in female mice. The results of this pathogenic study will lead to the development of specific therapies for POI.

Application of stabilizer improves stability of nanosuspended branched-chain amino acids and anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells

This study investigated the use of polyglyceryl esters (PGE) as stabilizer in improving stability and anti-inflammatory activity of nanosuspended branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs nanosuspended with stabilizer (BS) exhibited improved stability at concentration of 5% saturation level during storage as compared to BCAAs nanosuspended with aqueous solution (BA). Additionally, anti-inflammatory activity of BS was found to be greater than that of BA. Nitric oxide scavenging activity was found to be dose-dependent, with activity of BS in sodium nitroprusside system being significantly higher than that of BA (p < 0.05) at 2.5-20 mg/mL. BS also possesses greater inhibitory activity on production of pro-inflammatory factors including inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells through suppressed phosphorylation of p65 subunit of NF-κB at 0.5, 2, 8 mg/mL. These results suggest that PGE used as stabilizer improves solubility and biological activity of nanosuspended BCAAs.