Moisture and caking resistant Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides microcapsules with hypoglycemic activity

The application of dietary fibre as microcapsule wall material in food processing

In the food industry, functional ingredients derived from active substances of natural sources and microbiological resources are gaining acceptance and demand due to their beneficial health properties. However, the inherent instability of these constituents poses a challenge in utilizing their functional properties. Microencapsulation with dietary fibre as wall material technology offers a promising solution, providing convenient manipulability and effective safeguarding of encapsulated substances. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on dietary fibre-based microcapsules in food processing. It examines their functional attributes, the preparation technology, and their applications within the food industry. Furthermore, the constraints associated with industrial production are discussed, as well as potential future developments. This article offers researchers a reference point and a theoretical basis for the selection of innovative food ingredients, the high-value utilisation of dietary fibre, and the design of conservation strategies for functional substances in food production.

Low molecular weight polysaccharide of Tremella fuciformis exhibits stronger antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities than high molecular weight polysaccharide

Low molecular weight polysaccharides had higher bio-activity and bioavailability compared to ultra-high molecular weight polysaccharides, this study aimed to obtain low molecular weight polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis (TFLP) by using high-temperature and high-pressure assisted hydrochloric acid method to degrade Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFP), and the structural characteristics, in vivo antioxidant and immune enhancing activities of TFP and TFLP was explored through Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and mice model. It was found that TFP and TFLP were acidic polysaccharides with molecular weights of 2238 kDa and 3 kDa, respectively. The glycosidic bonding of TFP and TFLP was mainly composed of different configurations of mannopyranose. TFP and TFLP had excellent in vivo antioxidant activity and stress resistance by regulating the mRNA transcription level and metabolites in C. elegans. Results also showed that TFP and TFLP could enhance the antioxidant capacity and immunity of serum, spleen and small intestine tissues in normal mice and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice through regulating the relative transcription and expression levels of anti-inflammatory related signaling factors, and it has found that TFLP showed better immune enhancement and antioxidant activity than TFP. In addition, Akkermansia, Bacteroides and Alloprevotella were characteristic bacteria at the genus level in immunosuppressed mice intervened with TFLP, with a significant increase in relative abundance. The content of SCFAs significantly increased in immunosuppressed mice by TFLP. These results indicated that TFP and TFLP had potential in vivo antioxidant and immune enhancing activities.

Effects of Cold Plasma Pretreatment on the Synthesis of Polysaccharide from Pleurotus ostreatus

Fungal polysaccharides have attracted wide attention because of their medical pharmaceutical and health care value. So far, many efforts have been made in strain improvement to produce polysaccharides on a large scale at low cost. Here, a novel cold plasma-induced strain improvement technology was employed to pretreat Pleurotus ostreatus CGMCC 5.374 by radio-frequency (RF) low-vacuum cold plasma (LVCP) for the purpose of obtaining a high-yield polysaccharide strain. The optimum pretreatment conditions including discharge power, treatment time, and working pressure were determined by single factor and orthogonal experiment in succession. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis was conducted to study the effects of RF-LVCP on cell metabolism and proliferation. Results showed that under the optimal condition of discharge power of 130 W, treatment time of 25 s and working pressure of 140 Pa, polysaccharide content in mycelium was increased by 3.16% after 6 days in comparison to the original strain. Transcriptome analysis showed that RF-LVCP is helpful for specific gene transcription profiles, Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways, of which the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly involve with the up-regulation of polysaccharide transport, physiology, synthesis and metabolism, as well as the down-regulation of polysaccharide hydrolysis and macromolecular degradation.

Characterization and application in yogurt of genipin-crosslinked chitosan microcapsules encapsulating with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DMDL 9010

Microcapsules could improve the protection of probiotics in the lyophilization and gastrointestinal digestion process. The purpose of this study was to prepare Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DMDL 9010 (LP9010) microcapsules by cross-linking chitosan with genipin and to determine the encapsulation efficiency, morphological characterization, storage stability and the application of the microcapsules in fermentation. The results showed that the LP9010 microcapsules embedded in 1.00 wt% genipin cross-linked chitosan were in a uniform spherical shape with a smooth surface and satisfying agglomeration. The LP9010 microcapsules demonstrated the reasonable thermal stability and persistence of biological activity in the range of -20 °C to 25 °C. Additionally, yogurt obtained from the ST + LB + ELP9010 strain formulation with the addition of microencapsulated LP9010 had smaller particles, better taste, and better stability compared with the yogurt obtained from other strain formulations. As detected by GC-MS, the yogurt formulated with ST + LB + ELP9010 as a strain retained more flavor substances and the content of flavor substances was greater than that of the yogurt obtained from other strain formulations. Therefore, genipin cross-link chitosan could be a suitable microencapsulated material for producing yogurt fermentation strains.

From gut to skin: exploring the potential of natural products targeting microorganisms for atopic dermatitis treatment

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Recent studies have revealed that interactions between pathogenic microorganisms, which have a tendency to parasitize the skin of AD patients, play a significant role in the progression of the disease. Furthermore, specific species of commensal bacteria in the human intestinal tract can have a profound impact on the immune system by promoting inflammation and pruritogenesis in AD, while also regulating adaptive immunity. Natural products (NPs) have emerged as promising agents for the treatment of various diseases. Consequently, there is growing interest in utilizing natural products as a novel therapeutic approach for managing AD, with a focus on modulating both skin and gut microbiota. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and interplay between the skin and gut microbiota in relation to AD. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent clinical and fundamental research on NPs targeting the skin and gut microbiota for AD treatment. We anticipate that our work will contribute to the future development of NPs and facilitate research on microbial mechanisms, based on the efficacy of NPs in treating AD.

Mushroom polysaccharides with potential in anti-diabetes: Biological mechanisms, extraction, and future perspectives: A review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health threat. Searching for anti-diabetic components from natural resources is of intense interest to scientists. Mushroom polysaccharides have received growing attention in anti-diabetes fields due to their advantages in broad resources, structure diversity, and multiple bioactivities, which are considered an unlimited source of healthy active components potentially applied in functional foods and nutraceuticals. In this review, the current knowledge about the roles of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of DM, the extraction method of mushroom polysaccharides, and their potential biological mechanisms associated with anti-diabetes, including antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota modulatory actions, were summarized based on a variety of in vitro and in vivo studies, with aiming at better understanding the roles of mushroom polysaccharides in the prevention and management of DM and its complications. Finally, future perspectives including bridging the gap between the intervention of mushroom polysaccharides and the modulation of insulin signaling pathway, revealing structure-bioactivity of mushroom polysaccharides, developing synergistic foods, conducting well-controlled clinical trials that may be very helpful in discovering valuable mushroom polysaccharides and better applications of mushroom polysaccharides in diabetic control were proposed.

Critical review on alterations in physiochemical properties and molecular structure of natural polysaccharides upon ultrasonication

Natural polymers, such as polysaccharides, cellulose, and starch, have been widely used in the chemical engineering, medicine, food, and cosmetics industries, which had a great many of biological activities. Natural polysaccharides origin from algae, fungi and plants were components of human diet since antique times. Ultrasonication achieved the breakage the polysaccharides reticulum in an ordered fashion. The factors of temperature, ratio of water/material, sonication frequency, time of exposure, pH of the sonication medium influenced the polysaccharide digestion. Sonication improved the enzyme catalysis over its substrate molecule. Positive health promoting slow digestive starch and resistant starch can be prepared quite easily by the sonication process. The aim of this review is to present the current status and scope of natural polymers as well as some emerging polymers with special characteristic. The physiochemical properties and molecular structure of natural carbohydrates under ultrasonic irradiation were also discussed. Moreover, Polysaccharide based films had industrial applications is formed by ultrasonication. Polysaccharide nanoparticles obtained by sonication had efficient water holding capacity. Sonication is an advanced method to improve the food quality. Hence, this review describes the effects of ultrasonication on physical, chemical, and molecular structure of natural polysaccharides.

Plant polysaccharides as novel biomaterials for microcapsule construction and therapeutics delivery

Natural polysaccharides derived from medicinal plants, that are Dendrobium (DPS), Lycium barbarum (LBP), Ginseng (GPS), and Poria Cocos (PCP) were firstly combined with sodium alginate (SA) to construct microcapsules and improved the morphology, encapsulation efficiency, Biocompatibility and protective capability in drug loading. Diverse typical therapeutics, including VO₂@ZIF67 nanoparticles, small molecule drugs salvianolic acid B (SaB)/ginsenoside (Rg1), probiotic Bacillus bifidus, and biomacromolecules SDF-1 were wrapped into 1.5 % GPS-0.5 % SA model microcapsules, respectively. Better mobility and formability were significantly observed, and showed 75 % survival rate of probiotics in simulated gastric juice and around 99 % encapsulation efficiency which is higher than single 2 % SA microcapsules. The microcapsules also obtained a delayed release and a higher cell index for SDF-1, which indicated better stability, biocompatibility and protective effect than single 2 % SA microcapsules. This study provides a strategy in developing plant derived polysaccharides as novel materials for the construction and improvement of traditional microcapsules.

Bioactive polysaccharides and their potential health benefits in reducing the risks of atherosclerosis: A review

Atherosclerosis is a kind of lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease of arteries and is the principal pathological basis of life-threatening cardiovascular disease events, such as strokes and heart attacks. Clinically, statins are the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis, but prolonged use of these drugs exhibit many adverse reactions and have limited efficacy. Polysaccharides are important natural biomacromolecules widely existing in plants, animals, microorganisms and algae. They have drawn considerable attention worldwide due to their multiple healthy functions, along with their non-toxic property. Importantly, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that bioactive polysaccharides exhibit prominent efficiency in controlling atherosclerotic risk factors like hyperlipemia, hypertension, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In recent decades, various bioactive polysaccharides with different structural features and anti-atherosclerotic potential from natural sources have been isolated, purified, and characterized. The aim of this review is to focus on the research progress of natural polysaccharides in reducing the risks of atherosclerosis based on evidence of in vitro and in vivo studies from 1966 to 2022. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the future, it is still necessary to strengthen the research on the development and mechanism of polysaccharides with anti-atherosclerotic potential. These anti-atherosclerotic polysaccharides with different structural characteristics and physiochemical properties from different sources will constitute a huge source of materials for future applications, especially in functional foods and drugs. The information summarized here may serve as useful reference materials for further investigation, production, and application of these polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents.

Extraction, isolation, purification, derivatization, bioactivity, structure-activity relationship and application of polysaccharides from white jellyfungus

White jellyfungus is one of the most popular nutritional supplements. The polysaccharide (WJP) is an important active component of white jellyfungus, it not only has a variety of biological activities but also is non-toxic to humans. So, many scholars have carried out different researches on WJP. However, the lack of a detailed summary of WJP limits the scale of industrial development of WJP. Herein, the research progress of WJP in extraction, isolation, structure, derivatization and structure-activity relationship was reviewed. Different extraction methods were compared, the activity and application of WJP were summarized, and the structure-activity relationship of WJP was emphasized in order to provide effective theoretical support for improving the utilization of WJP and promoting the application of related industries. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Fabrication and characterization of core-shell gliadin/tremella polysaccharide nanoparticles for curcumin delivery: Encapsulation efficiency, physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility

The objectives of the present study were to synthesize gliadin/tremella polysaccharide nanoparticles (Gli/TP NPs) as well as curcumin-loaded gliadin/tremella polysaccharide nanoparticles (Cur-Gli/TP NPs) and evaluate the encapsulation efficiency (EE), physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility of Cur-Gli/TP NPs. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles depended on the mass ratio of Gli to TP and pH values. The characterization of the Gli/TP NPs indicated that the prepared nanoparticles were the most stable when the Gli/TP mass ratio was 1:1 and pH was at 4.0-7.0. Afterward, prepared Cur-Gli/TP NPs at different pH values were studied. Compared with the EE of Cur (58.2%) in Cur-Gli NPs at pH 5.0, the EE of Cur (90.6%) in Cur-Gli/TP NPs at pH 5.0 was increased by 32.4%. Besides, the Cur-Gli/TP NPs possessed excellent physical stability, photostability, thermal stability and re-dispersibility than Cur-Gli NPs. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of Cur reached 83.5% after encapsulation of Cur into Gli/TP NPs after in vitro digestion, indicating that Cur-Gli/TP NPs could improve curcumin bioaccessibility significantly. In summary, this study demonstrates that the new food-grade Gli/TP NPs possess high encapsulation efficiency, excellent stability and prominent nutraceutical bioaccessibility. Meanwhile, it contributes to expanding the application of TP in food-grade delivery systems.

Sensory Features Introduced by Brewery Spent Grain with Impact on Consumers' Motivations and Emotions for Fibre-Enriched Products

The aim of this work was both to formulate three different fibre-enriched products by the addition of Brewery Spent Grain (BSG), and to evaluate the impact of this fibre enrichment on sensory quality, acceptability, and purchase intention under blind conditions. BSG was incorporated into bread, pasta, and chocolate milk at levels of 8.3%, 2.8%, and 0.35% (w/w), respectively. The fibre-enriched products and their regular counterparts were evaluated together by consumers through a CATA questionnaire, the EsSense 25 Profile, an overall acceptability rating, and a purchase intention ranking. Although fibre-enriched bread and chocolate milk ranked lower in overall acceptability compared with their counterparts, no significant difference was found for fibre-enriched pasta (p > 0.05). Purchase intention did not differ significantly for both bread and pasta (p > 0.05), yet the reasons for purchasing them differed significantly (p < 0.05). Consumers recognised the fibre enrichment in these two products and, therefore, were willing to partially compromise on sensory attributes. The fibre-enriched chocolate milk, nonetheless, scored significantly (p < 0.05) lower in purchase intention than the control. This work demonstrates that the effect of BSG addition is product-specific, and that fibre perception makes consumers feel more confident.