Preparation of modified Jiuzao glutelin isolate with carboxymethyl chitosan by ultrasound-stirring assisted Maillard reaction and its protective effect of loading resveratrol/quercetin in nano-emulsion

Construction of resveratrol and quercetin nanoparticles based on folic acid targeted Maillard products between Jiuzao glutelin isolate and carboxymethyl chitosan: Improved stability and function

Advanced targeted nanoparticles (NPs) were designed to enhance the targeted delivery of resveratrol (RES) and quercetin (QUE) by utilizing carboxymethyl chitosan (CTS) and Jiuzao glutelin isolate (JGI) conjugates. Briefly, RES and QUE were encapsuled within CTS-JGI-2 (CTS/JGI, m/m, 2:1). The carrier's targeting properties were further improved through the incorporation of folic acid (FA) and polyethylenimine (PEI). Moreover, the stability against digestion was enhanced by incorporating baker yeast cell walls (BYCWs) to construct RES-QUE/FA-PEI/CTS-JGI-2/MAT/BYCW NPs. The results demonstrated that FA-PEI/CTS-JGI-2/MAT/BYCW NPs could improve cellular uptake and targeting property of RES and QUE through endocytosis of folic acid receptors (FOLRs). Additionally, RES-QUE successfully alleviated LPS- and DSS-induced inflammation by regulating NF-κB/IkBa/AP-1 and AMPK/SIRT1signaling pathways and reducing the secretion of inflammatory mediators and factors. These findings indicate FA-PEI/CTS-JGI-2/MAT/BYCW NPs hold promise as an oral drug delivery system with targeted delivery capacities for functional substances prone to instability in dietary supplements.

Investigation of interactions between Jiuzao glutelin with resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin, and azelaic and potential improvement on physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities

The interactions among small molecular functional components (FCTs) within a food matrix have become a focal point for enhancing their stability and bioactivities. Jiuzao glutelin (JG) is a mixed plant protein within Jiuzao (a protein-rich baijiu distillation by-product). This study aimed to explore the interactions between JG and selected FCTs, including resveratrol (RES), quercetin (QUE), curcumin (CUR), and azelaic acid (AZA), and the consequential impact on stability and antioxidant activity of the complexes. The findings conclusively demonstrated that the interactions between JG and the FCTs significantly enhanced the storage stability of the complexes. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the complexes exhibited improvement compared to their individual counterparts. This study underscores the notion that JG and FCTs mutually reinforce, exerting positive effects on stability and antioxidant activity. This symbiotic relationship can be strategically employed to augment the quality of proteins and enhance the functional properties of bioactive components through these interactions.

Collision of herbal medicine and nanotechnology: a bibliometric analysis of herbal nanoparticles from 2004 to 2023

BACKGROUND

Herbal nanoparticles are made from natural herbs/medicinal plants, their extracts, or a combination with other nanoparticle carriers. Compared to traditional herbs, herbal nanoparticles lead to improved bioavailability, enhanced stability, and reduced toxicity. Previous research indicates that herbal medicine nanomaterials are rapidly advancing and making significant progress; however, bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping for herbal nanoparticles are currently lacking. We performed a bibliometric analysis by retrieving publications related to herbal nanoparticles from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database spanning from 2004 to 2023. Data processing was performed using the R package Bibliometrix, VOSviewers, and CiteSpace.

RESULTS

In total, 1876 articles related to herbal nanoparticles were identified, originating from various countries, with China being the primary contributing country. The number of publications in this field increases annually. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Saveetha University in India are prominent research institutions in this domain. The Journal "International Journal of Nanomedicine" has the highest number of publications. The number of authors of these publications reached 8234, with Yan Zhao, Yue Zhang, and Huihua Qu being the most prolific authors and Yan Zhao being the most frequently cited author. "Traditional Chinese medicine," "drug delivery," and "green synthesis" are the main research focal points. Themes such as "green synthesis," "curcumin," "wound healing," "drug delivery," and "carbon dots" may represent emerging research areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings assist in identifying the latest research frontiers and hot topics, providing valuable references for scholars investigating the role of nanotechnology in herbal medicine.

Current situation, trend, and prospects of research on functional components from by-products of baijiu production: A review

In the present scenario marked by energy source shortages and escalating concerns regarding carbon dioxide emissions, there is a growing emphasis on the optimal utilization of biomass resources. Baijiu, as the Chinese national spirit, boasts remarkably high sales volumes annually. However, the production of baijiu yields various by-products, including solid residues (Jiuzao), liquid wastewater (Huangshui and waste alcohol), and gaseous waste. Recent years have witnessed dedicated research aimed at exploring the composition and potential applications of these by-products, seeking sustainable development and comprehensive resource utilization. This review systematically summarizes recent research, shedding light on both the baijiu brewing process and the bioactive compounds present baijiu production by-products (BPBPs). The primary focus lies in elucidating the potential extraction methods and applications of BPBPs, offering a practical approach to comprehensive utilization of by-products in functional food, medicine, cosmetic, and packaging fields. These applications not only contribute to enhancing production efficiency and mitigating environmental pollution, but also introduce innovative concepts for the sustainable advancement of associated industries. Future research avenues may include more in-depth compositional analysis, the development of utilization technologies, and the promotion of potential industrialization.

Fabrication of high-preformance emulsifier from conjugating maltodextrin onto myofibrillar protein peptide with microwave- ultrasound synergy

In this study, we systematically investigated the emulsifying capabilities of myofibrillar protein (MP)- and MP peptide (MPP)-based conjugates synthesized through intensification techniques: water bath (WB), microwave, ultrasound, and the combined ultrasound-microwave (UM) methods. Compared with WB, microwave, and ultrasound treatments, the combined UM treatment greatly promoted the glycation reaction because ultrasound and microwave mutually reinforced modification effects. The resultant conjugate structure tended to unfold with more flexible conformation and homogeneous morphology. Moreover, the emulsifying properties of conjugates developed with single and combined ultrasound-assisted glycation displayed substantial improvement, and pre-hydrolysis further enhanced these performances, as observed in the Principal Component Analysis as well. Remarkably, MPP grafted by maltodextrin with the assistance of a combined UM field produced the smallest and most uniform emulsion system, positioning it as the most efficient emulsifier among all the fabricated glycoconjugates. Our study highlighted the potential of synergistically applying ultrasound and microwave techniques to develop a well-performance glycation with an ideal conjugate structure, in which they would be associated into a strong film that provided the robust physical barrier, creaming stability, heat retention, and oxidation resistance. These findings offered a basis for better utilizing complex ultrasonic technology to develop novel and improved MP-based food products.

Physicochemical and functional characteristics of glycated collagen protein from giant salamander skin induced by ultrasound Maillard reaction

Chinese giant salamander skin collagen (CGSSC) was successfully conjugated with glucose (Glu)/xylose (Xy) by ultrasound Maillard reaction (MR) in nature deep eutectic solvents (NADES). The effects of ultrasound and reducing sugar types on the degree graft (DG) of MR products (MRPs), as well as the influence of DG on the structure and functional properties of MRPs were investigated. The results indicated that the ultrasound assisted could markedly enhance the MR of CGSSC, and low molecular weight reducing sugars were more reactive in MR. The ultrasound MR significantly changed the microstructure, secondary and tertiary structures of CGSSC. Moreover, the free sulfhydryl content of MRPs were increased, thus enhancing the surface hydrophobicity, emulsifying properties and antioxidant activity, which were positively correlated with DG. These findings provided theoretical insights into the effects of ultrasound assisted and different sugar types on the functional properties of collagen induced by MR.

Investigation of structural and physicochemical properties of microcapsules obtained from protein-polysaccharide conjugate via the Maillard reaction containing Satureja khuzestanica essential oil

In this study, some common proteins including, whey protein isolate (WPI), soy protein isolate (SPI), and gelatin (G) conjugated with maltodextrin (MD) via Maillard reaction and were then used to encapsulate Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO). The higher glycation degree was obtained at a pH of 9 and 3 h of heating at 60 °C for SPI and WPI, and 90 °C for G. The results of FTIR and intrinsic fluorescence test showed the possibility of covalent binding formation between proteins and maltodextrin. The encapsulation efficiencies were obtained about 83.84 %, 88.95 %, and 89.27 % for MD-SPI, MD-G, and MD-WPI, respectively. Moreover, the Maillard reaction-based microcapsules had higher antioxidant activity than the physical mixture of protein-polysaccharide. The addition of SKEO to microcapsules improved antimicrobial activity. The results of this study demonstrated that MD-WPI and MD-G, as encapsulating materials, can be used to enhance the physiochemical properties of microcapsules loaded with SKEO.

Characterization and stability investigation of rhein encapsulated microcapsules using different enteric biopolymers with pullulan and Jiuzao glutelin conjugates via Maillard reaction

The poor water solubility and rhein (RH) stability limit its application in the functional food industry. In the present study, the RH-loaded water-in-oil-in-water nano emulsion and microcapsules were prepared using the conjugates of pullulan-Jiuzao glutelin (JG) (m/m, 2:1, PJC-2) obtained by Maillard reaction and enteric-soluble materials (polymethlacrylic acid, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, cellulose acetate phthalate, and D-mannitol). The effects of different formulations on the microstructure, physicochemical properties, and storage stability of microcapsules were analyzed. The results showed that microcapsules exhibited stability against different external environments. The encapsulation efficiency of RH in the four enteric-soluble-PJC-2 double-deck microcapsules (70.03 ± 3.24%-91.08 ± 4.78%) was significantly improved than PJC-2 ones (61.84 ± 0.47%). The antioxidant activity and stability of RH in the microcapsules were improved (ABTS, 49.7%-113.93%; DPPH, 40.85%-101.82%; FRA, 62.32%-126.42%; and FCA, 70.58%-147.20%) after in vitro simulated digestion and extreme environmental conditions compared to free RH. This work provides a microcapsule based on PJC-2 with enteric-soluble materials for insoluble functional ingredients to improve solubility, stability, and bioactivity in the food industry.

Controlled synthesis of distiller's grains biochar for turbidity removal in Baijiu

Resource utilization of distiller's grains (DGs) is crucial for realizing sustainable development of Baijiu industry. In the prevent investigation, a low-cost activated biochar (DGABC) suitable for removing turbidity from low-alcohol Baijiu was prepared by the controlled pyrolysis of DGs, followed by steam activation. The as-prepared biochar featured a large specific surface area (320-480 m²/g) and pore volume (0.45-0.47 cm³/g). Importantly, the DGABC possessed remarkable exterior hydrophily and interior lipophilicity, which guaranteed its good dispersion in alcohol-water system as well as an efficient adsorption to the components with long lipophilic chain. As a result, the DGABC could efficiently remove the turbidity in low-alcohol Baijiu, which was mainly derived from the long lipophilic chain components, such as ethyl palmitate. Meanwhile, most of the flavor esters that had a shorter lipophilic chain and lower hydrophobicity were well kept in the low-alcohol Baijiu. Therefore, this work provided a promising strategy for DGs recycling in Baijiu industry.

Influence mechanism of polysaccharides induced Maillard reaction on plant proteins structure and functional properties: A review

Plant proteins have high nutritional value, a wide range of sources and low cost. However, it is easily affected by the environmental factors of processing and lead the problem of poor functionality. These problems of plant proteins can be improved by the polysaccharides induced Maillard reaction. The interaction between proteins and polysaccharides through Maillard reaction can change the structure of proteins as well as improve the functional properties and biological activity. The products of Maillard reaction, such as reductone intermediates, heterocyclic compounds and melanoidins have certain antioxidant, antibacterial and other biological activities. However, heterocyclic amines, acrylamide, and products generated in the advanced stage of the Maillard reaction also have a negative impact, which may increase cytotoxicity and be associated with chronic diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively control the process of Maillard reaction. This review focuses on the modification of plant proteins by polysaccharide-induced Maillard reaction and the effects of Maillard reaction on protein structure, functional properties and biological activity. It also points out how to accurately reflect the changes of protein structure in Maillard reaction. In addition, it also points out the application ways of plant protein-polysaccharide complexes in the food industry, for example, emulsifiers, delivery carriers of functional substances, and natural antioxidants due to their improved solubility, emulsifying, gelling and antioxidant properties. This review provides theoretical support for controlling Maillard reaction based on protein structure.

In Vitro Digestion and Storage Stability of β-Carotene-Loaded Nanoemulsion Stabilized by Soy Protein Isolate (SPI)-Citrus Pectin (CP) Complex/Conjugate Prepared with Ultrasound

In this study, we employed the ultrasound-prepared electrostatic complex and covalent conjugate of soy protein isolate (SPI) and citrus pectin (CP) to prepare β-carotene-loaded nanoemulsions. The in vitro digestion and storage stability of nanoemulsions stabilized by different types of emulsifiers were investigated and compared. Nanoemulsions stabilized by ultrasound-treated complex/conjugate showed the highest encapsulation efficiency; during gastric digestion, these nanoemulsions also demonstrated the smallest droplet sizes and the highest absolute values of zeta potential, indicating that both electrostatic complexation/covalent conjugation and ultrasound treatment could significantly improve the stability of the resulting nanoemulsions. In comparison, complexes were more beneficial for the controlled release of β-carotene; however, the conjugate-stabilized nanoemulsion showed an overall higher bioaccessibility. The results were also confirmed by optical micrographs. Furthermore, nanoemulsions stabilized by ultrasound-prepared complexes/conjugates exhibited the highest stability during 14-day storage at 25 °C. The results suggested that ultrasound-prepared SPI–CP complexes and conjugates had great application potential for the delivery of hydrophobic nutrients.