Isolation and Identification of a Novel Anti-protein Aggregation Activity of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complex From Chionanthus retusus Leaves

Protective effects of the bioactive peptide from maggots against skin flap ischemia‒reperfusion injury in rats

Ischemia‒reperfusion (I/R) injury is a frequently observed complication after flap surgery, and it affects skin flap survival and patient prognosis. Currently, there are no proven safe and effective treatment options to treat skin flap I/R injury. Herein, the potential efficacies of the bioactive peptide from maggots (BPM), as well as its underlying mechanisms, were explored in a rat model of skin flap I/R injury and LPS- or H2O2-elicited RAW 264.7 cells. We demonstrated that BPM significantly ameliorated the area of flap survival, and histological changes in skin tissue in vivo. Furthermore, BPM could markedly restore or enhance Nrf2 and HO-1 levels, and suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TLR4, p-IκB, NFκB p65, p-p65, IL-6, and TNF-α in I/R-injured skin flaps. In addition, BPM treatment exhibited excellent biocompatibility with an adequate safety profile, while it exhibited superior ROS-scavenging ability and the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes in vitro. Mechanistically, the above benefits related to BPM involved the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and suppression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Taken together, this study may provide a scientific basis for the potential therapeutic effect of BPM in the prevention of skin flap I/R injury and other related diseases.

Prediction of potential suitable habitats in the 21st century and GAP analysis of priority conservation areas of Chionanthus retusus based on the MaxEnt and Marxan models

Chionanthus retusus (C. retusus) has a high economic and medicinal value, but in recent years it has been included in the list of China's major protected plants and China's Red List of Biodiversity due to the serious destruction of its wild germplasm resources. Based on 131 sample points of C. retusus, this study simulated potential habitats and spatial changes of C. retusus in the 21st century using the Maxent model combined with the geographic information system ArcGIS, predicted prioritized protected areas by the Marxan model, and assessed current conservation status through GAP analysis. The results showed that (1) when the regularization multiplier was 1.5 and the feature combinations were linear, quadratic, and fragmented, the area under the curve of the subjects in the training and test sets were both above 0.9, the true skill statistic value was 0.80, and the maximum Kappa value was 0.62, meaning that the model had high accuracy; (2) Temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, min temperature for coldest month, and precipitation of wettest month had relatively strong influences on species' ranges. (3) The moderately and optimally suitable habitats of C. retusus were primly located in the areas of southwestern Shanxi, central Hebei, western Henan, Shandong, Shaanxi, Anhui and Hubei; (4) Under different future climate scenarios, the area of each class of suitable habitat will increase for varied amounts compared to the current period, with a general trend of expansion to the south; (5) The C. retusus priority protected areas were mainly located in most of Shandong, southern Liaoning, southwestern Shanxi, western Henan, and central Hebei, and its conservation vacancy area was relatively large compared to its protected area. These results will provide scientific strategies for implementing long-term conservation of C. retusus in China and similar regions under warming conditions in the 21st century.

Zebrafish as a Model Organism for Studying Pathologic Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases and other Neural Disorders

Zebrafish are widely considered an excellent vertebrate model for studying the pathogenesis of human diseases because of their transparency of embryonic development, easy breeding, high similarity with human genes, and easy gene manipulation. Previous studies have shown that zebrafish as a model organism provides an ideal operating platform for clarifying the pathological and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and related human diseases. This review mainly summarizes the achievements and prospects of zebrafish used as model organisms in the research of neurodegenerative diseases and other human diseases related to the nervous system in recent years. In the future study of human disease mechanisms, the application of the zebrafish model will continue to provide a valuable operating platform and technical support for investigating and finding better prevention and treatment of these diseases, which has broad application prospects and practical significance. Zebrafish models used in neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases related to the nervous system.

Extraction and purification of antioxidative flavonoids from Chionanthus retusa leaf

In this work, flavonoids from the leaves of Chionanthus retusa were extracted using alcohol, and the extraction yield was optimized by single-factor and orthogonal experiments. Then, the extracted solution with flavonoids was purified via macroporous resin by elution with different concentrations of ethanol. The antioxidative activity of total flavonoid in purified extracted solution was evaluated by detecting its ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals. The results demonstrated that ethanol with a concentration of 60%, ultrasonic power of 140 W, liquid-solid ratio of 25:1 ml g^-1, and water-bath temperature of 80°C were the optimal conditions for the extraction of total flavonoids from C. retusa leaf, achieving a yield of 121.28 mg g^-1. After purification by macroporous resin using different concentrations of ethanol, the highest content of total flavonoids (88.51%) in the extracted solution can be obtained with the 50% ethanol eluant. The results of scavenging DPPH free radicals suggest that the purified flavonoids in the 50% ethanol eluant had the best antioxidant capacity over the flavonoids in other ethanol eluants. In addition, it is confirmed the antioxidant capacity of the extractives was associated with the content of total flavonoids and kinds of flavonoids. These results may provide a feasible pathway to make full use of total flavonoids from C. retusa leaf.

The preparation technology and application of xylo-oligosaccharide as prebiotics in different fields: A review

Xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) is a class of functional oligosaccharides that have been demonstrated with prebiotic activity over several decades. XOS has several advantages relative to other oligosaccharide molecules, such as promoting root development as a plant regulator, a sugar supplement for people, and prebiotics to promote intestinal motility utilization health. Now, the preparation and extraction process of XOS is gradually mature, which can maximize the extraction and avoid waste. To fully understand the recent preparation and application of XOS in different areas, we summarized the various technologies for obtaining XOS (including acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, hydrothermal pretreatment, and alkaline extraction) and current applications of XOS, including in animal feed, human food additives, and medicine. It is hoped that this review will serve as an entry point for those looking into the prebiotic field of research, and perhaps begin to dedicate their work toward this exciting classification of bio-based molecules.

Carbon dots nanozyme for anti-inflammatory therapy via scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species

Developing an efficient antioxidant for anti-inflammatory therapy via scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) remains a great challenge owing to the insufficient activity and stability of traditional antioxidants. Herein, we explored and simply synthesized a biocompatible carbon dots (CDs) nanozyme with excellent scavenging activity of ROS for anti-inflammatory therapy. As expected, CDs nanozyme effectively eliminate many kinds of free radicals including •OH, O2•−, and ABTS+•. Benefiting from multienzyme activities against ROS, CDs nanozyme can decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in good anti-inflammatory effect. Taken together, this study not only sheds light on design of bioactive antioxidants but also broadens the biomedical application of CDs in the treatment of inflammation.

Synthesis, determination, and bio-application in cellular and biomass-bamboo imaging of natural cinnamaldehyde derivatives

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) is the main ingredient in the renewable biomass of cinnamon, which contains natural cinnamaldehyde. To valorize the value of cinnamaldehyde, two simple and useful compounds (1 and 2) from CEO were synthesized using a Schiff-base reaction and characterized by infrared spectra (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Compound 1 was used to confirm the presence of Fe³⁺ and ClO⁻ in solution, as well as compound 2. Using fluorescence enhancement phenomena, it offered practicable linear relationship of 1’s fluorescence intensity and Fe³⁺ concentrations: (0–8.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L), y = 36.232x + 45.054, R² = 0.9947, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.323 μM, as well as compound 2. With increasing fluorescence, F₄₀₄/F₄₂₆ of 1 and the ClO⁻ concentration (0–1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L) also had a linear relationship: y = 0.0392x + 0.5545, R² = 0.9931, LOD = 0.165 μM. However, the fluorescence intensity of 2 (596 nm) was quenched by a reduced concentration of ClO⁻, resulting in a linear. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 were used to image human astrocytoma MG (U-251), brain neuroblastoma (LN-229) cells, and bamboo tissue by adding Fe³⁺ or ClO⁻, with clear intracellular fluorescence. Thus, the two compounds based on CEO could be used to dye cells and bamboo tissues by fluorescence technology.

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes suppress SCA3 neurodegeneration via upregulating proteasomal activities

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) represent a group of macromolecules with diverse biological functions such as antioxidative properties. Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) comprise a set of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the formation of polyQ protein aggregates in patient neurons. LCCs have been reported to prevent such protein aggregation. In this study, we identified a potential mechanism underlying the above anti-protein aggregation activity. We isolated and characterized multiple LCC fractions from bamboo and poplar and found that lignin-rich LCCs (BM-LCC-AcOH and PR-LCC-AcOH) effectively eliminated both monomeric and aggregated mutant ataxin-3 (ATXN3polyQ) proteins in neuronal cells and a Drosophila melanogaster SCA3 disease model. In addition, treatment with BM-LCC-AcOH or PR-LCC-AcOH rescued photoreceptor degeneration in vivo. At the mechanistic level, we demonstrated that BM-LCC-AcOH and PR-LCC-AcOH upregulated proteasomal activity. When proteasomal function was impaired, the ability of the LCCs to suppress ATXN3polyQ aggregation was abolished. Thus, we identified a previously undescribed proteasome-inducing function of LCCs and showed that such activity is indispensable for the beneficial effects of LCCs on SCA3 neurotoxicity.

Carboxymethylation modification, characterization, antioxidant activity and anti-UVC ability of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide

Taking the degree of substitution (DS) as the index, the carboxymethylation conditions of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide (SFP) were studied. According to the single factor experiment results, the optimum experimental conditions were obtained: sodium hydroxide concentration, 15% (20 mL); alkalization temperature, 50 °C; dosage of chloroacetic acid 1.5 g; etherification time, 2 h, and the Carboxymethyl Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide (CSFP) with the highest DS (0.635) was obtained. And then, the physicochemical properties, structural information and bioactivity of SFP and CSFP were characterized. The SFP and CSFP were composed of four monosaccharides, with a small amount of protein, and their molecular weights to 780.2 kDa and 386.3 kDa respectively. The results of FTIR and NMR showed that the carboxymethyl was successfully grafted onto the C-4 and C-6 of sugar chain. The results of anti UVC experiment showed that SFP and CSFP had a certain negative effect on cell activity, and the degree of damage caused by UVC radiation was weakened, and the anti UVC performance of CSFP was better than that of SFP.

Osteogenesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles-Labeled Human Precartilaginous Stem Cells in Interpenetrating Network Printable Hydrogel

Smart biomaterials combined with stem cell-based therapeutic strategies have brought innovation in the field of bone tissue regeneration. However, little is known about precartilaginous stem cells (PCSCs), which can be used as seed cells and incorporated with bioactive scaffolds for reconstructive tissue therapy of bone defects. Herein, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were employed to modulate the fate of PCSCs, resulting in the enhanced osteogenic differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo. PCSCs were isolated from the ring of La-Croix extracted from polydactylism patient and identified through immunohistochemically staining using anti-FGFR-3 antibodies. Potential toxicity of IONPs toward PCSCs was assessed through cell viability, proliferation, and attachment assay, and the results demonstrated that IONPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility. After that, the effects of IONPs on osteogenic differentiation of PCSCs were evaluated and enhanced ALP activity, formation of mineralized nodule, and osteogenic-related genes expressions could be observed upon IONPs treatment. Moreover, in vivo bone regeneration assessment was performed using rabbit femur defects as a model. A novel methacrylated alginate and 4-arm poly (ethylene glycol)-acrylate (4A-PEGAcr)-based interpenetrating polymeric printable network (IPN) hydrogel was prepared for incorporation of IONPs-labeled PCSCs, where 4A-PEGAcr was the common component for three-dimensional (3D) printing. The implantation of IONPs-labeled PCSCs significantly accelerated the bone formation process, indicating that IONPs-labeled PCSCs could endow current scaffolds with excellent osteogenic ability. Together with the fact that the IONPs-labeled PCSCs-incorporated IPN hydrogel (PCSCs-hydrogels) was biosafety and printable, we believed that PCSCs-hydrogels with enhanced osteogenic bioactivity could enrich the stem cell-based therapeutic strategies for bone tissue regeneration.

Unveiling the structural properties of water-soluble lignin from gramineous biomass by autohydrolysis and its functionality as a bioactivator (anti-inflammatory and antioxidative)

Due to its low molecular weight and abundant functional groups, water-soluble lignin (WSL) is considered as a more potent antioxidant than traditional industrial lignin in biofields. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate its intracellular and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging ability, especially for the intervention of ROS-related disease in vivo. In this work, WSL in bamboo autohydrolysate (WSL-BM) and wheat stalk autohydrolysate (WSL-WS) were isolated and characterized to comparably analyze their bioactivities. The composition analysis and NMR characterization showed that both WSL-BM and WSL-WS contained relatively similar components and substructures, but WSL-BM contained higher contents of phenolic OH groups. Both WSL samples exhibited excellent biocompatibility with the concentration below 50 μg/mL, while WSL-BM exhibited superior ROS-scavenging ability and ROS-related ulcerative colitis treatment potential at same concentration. In addition, WSL-BM also showed better performance in ameliorating inflammation and oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells and colitis mice by activating Nrf2 and suppressing NFκB signaling, resulting in an overall improvement in both macroscopic and histological parameters. Overall, these results implied that WSL from gramineous biomass can be used as a novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent in the biomedical field.

Understanding the relationship between the structural properties of lignin and their biological activities

Due to the antioxidant properties of lignin, it has been demonstrated as an active substance for treating oxidation-related and inflammatory diseases. However, how the structural properties of lignin affect its biological activities is still ambiguous. In this study, Kraft lignin from wheat straw (KL-A) was used as the raw material to fractionate into three fractions (e.g., KL-B, KL-C, and KL-D) with different molecular weight by ultrafiltration, which possessed different physicochemical properties. The biocompatibility, in vivo and in vitro scavenging abilities for reactive oxygen species (ROS), and anti-apoptotic abilities of the lignin fractions were evaluated using SW1353 chondrocyte cell lines and were quantitatively fitted to their physicochemical properties. The results showed that lignin fractions with lower molecular weights, lower G/S ratios, and higher non-condensed phenolic OH contents endowed lignin with stronger ROS scavenging ability in vivo and in vitro, but was accompanied by increased cytotoxicity to cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of KL-A, KL-B, KL-C, and KL-D were separately determined as 44.02, 33.43, 32.41, and 18.40 μg/mL. Furthermore, KL-D, with the lowest molecular weight and highest number of functional groups, showed the best antioxidant ability, while it performed poorly in inhibiting cellular apoptosis of chondrocytes. Compared to KL-D, KL-C with inverse structural properties, performed better in anti-apoptosis of SW1353 cells, which is the optimum lignin as promising active substances to be applied in the treatment of osteoarthritis in biomedical engineering.

Water stable colloidal lignin-PVP particles prepared by electrospray

In this study, electrospray deposition has been used as a method to prepare lignin submicron spherical particles. Regularities of electrospraying of lignin solutions in DMSO were revealed. The influence of voltage, distance between electrodes, feed rate, temperature and concentration of lignin solution on the morphology, size and polydispersity of the obtained particles was determined. SEM, IR, TG-DSC, elemental analysis, dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential and nitrogen sorption were used to characterize the particles and to determine their properties. The aqueous colloidal solutions of the submicron particles of lignins from various plant sources were stabilized by preparing the lignin/polyvinylpyrrolidone polymeric complexes.

Preparation and Application in Water Treatment of Magnetic Biochar

This paper reviews the preparation of magnetic biochar and its application in wastewater treatment, and briefly discusses the adsorption mechanism of biochar to remove pollutants and the modification methods of biochar. Due to the good physical and chemical properties of biochar, including its rough porous structure, it has been widely used to absorb pollutants from water. Magnetic biochar is commonly prepared by combining biochar with magnetic material. The biochar is endowed with the characteristics of the magnetic material, which could effectively solve the problems of difficult recovery and easy loss of adsorbent in water treatment. Magnetic biochar with high carbon content, large specific surface area, magnetic separation, and other excellent properties, has become a hot research topic in recent years. The preparation methods and application properties of magnetic biochar are reviewed. The future research directions of magnetic biochar are put forward to provide directions for further research and application of magnetic biochar materials.

Insight in the Recent Application of Polyphenols From Biomass

Biomass polyphenols are bio-active macromolecules with distinct chemical structures in a variety of biomass. In recent years, the study of biomass polyphenols and their application in food and medicine fields has become a research hotspot, which predominantly focuses on the preparation, purification, structural identifications, and measurements of biological activities. Many studies describe methodologies for extraction and application of polyphenols, but comprehensive work to review its physiological activities like drugs and health products are lacking. This paper comprehensively unlocks the bioactivities of antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, anticancer, neuroprotection, control of blood sugar, regulation of blood fat, and promotion of gastrointestinal health functions of polyphenols from different biomass sources. This review will serve as an illuminating resource for the global scientific community, especially for those who are actively working to promote the advances of the polyphenols research field.

Lignin derived nano-biocarbon and its deposition on polyurethane foam for wastewater dye adsorption

Historically, lignin has been produced as a waste by-product in industrial processes. In this study, lignosulfonate nanoparticles were fabricated and freeze-dried for use as a precursor material for carbonization. The use of the carbonized lignins for the adsorption of textile effluent as a value-added application is demonstrated. Characterization of the as received lignin (LN) and the developed nano-based freeze-dried lignin (NFLN) were performed prior to and after carbonization at 600, 750, 900 and 1050 °C. Using probe sonication, lignosulfonates were broken down into nanoparticles with lower weight-average molecular weight as verified by dynamic and static light scattering techniques. The difference between the LN and the NFLN was determined to be primarily morphological as the sonication and freeze-drying process imparted a platelet-like shape to the NFLN biocarbons and an increased surface area, while the remaining functionality was similar. The adsorption behaviour of methylene blue (MB), a synthetic cationic dye, was investigated using adsorption isotherm and kinetic models, with the NFLN exhibiting a maximum adsorption capacity of 109.77 mg/g. Overall, electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding contribute significantly to the MB adsorption. Further preliminary work was also performed demonstrating the coating of polyurethane foam for the adsorption of MB. These renewable biocarbons show promising properties for use as additive in adsorbent, coating, pigment or as a filler in polymer composite applications.

Application of Ethanol Extracts From Alnus sibirica Fisch. ex Turcz in Hair Growth Promotion

Alnus sibirica Fisch. ex Turcz (ASFT), belonging to the family of Betulaceae, grows naturally in Asia, Europe, and America. The aims of this study are determining the efficacy of various biomarkers related to hair loss, evaluated by extracting the branch with 60% alcohol, and purely separating diarylheptanoid oregonin, an indicator and active substance, from 60% alcohol extract of the tree. To determine the preventive effects on hair loss, we investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity on human hair dermal papilla cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and Western blotting analysis for proving of apoptosis-related marker alteration, respectively. Moreover, we examined the ameliorative effects of 60% alcohol extract of the tree and oregonin against changes of oxidative stress-induced cytokine and testosterone-induced dihydrotestosterone production as crucial pathways of the hair loss mechanism. These results suggest that 60% alcohol extract of the tree and oregonin were available as novel natural materials for maintaining hair health in mammals.

Preparation of Lignin-Based Magnetic Adsorbent From Kraft Lignin for Adsorbing the Congo Red

The utilization of lignin from different lignocellulosic biomass is the hot topic for the biorefinery of biomass. In this paper, magnetic lignin nanoparticles (MLN) were prepared by kraft lignin from bamboo residue and Fe3O4 with different ratios via Mannich reaction. The surface morphology and structure of magnetic lignin were characterized and analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, which confirmed that the MLN were successfully prepared. The performance of MLN adsorbents was evaluated by adsorbing Congo red solution at different initial concentrations and contact times. The results showed that Fe3O4@lignin (1:0.5) had the best adsorption effect on Congo red solution. When the concentration of Congo red reached 0.6 g/L, Fe3O4@lignin (1:0.5) had the best adsorption effect on Congo red, reaching 95.5% in only 30 min. As lignin is modified by Fe3O4, it can be recovered by magnetic substances after adsorption and has good reuse performance. The results of adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm showed that except for the adsorption process of Fe3O4@lignin (1:0.5), which is consistent with the chemical adsorption of the multimolecular layer, the adsorption process of other adsorbents is in accordance with the chemical adsorption of the monomolecular layer. In terms of environmental protection and adsorption efficiency, and MLN has become an ideal adsorbent for Congo red dyes due to its simple preparation, superior performance, and convenient recovery.

Isolating High Antimicrobial Ability Lignin From Bamboo Kraft Lignin by Organosolv Fractionation

Lignin from different biomasses possess biological antioxidation and antimicrobial activities, which depend on the number of functional groups and the molecular weight of lignin. In this work, organosolv fractionation was carried out to prepare the lignin fraction with a suitable structure to tailor excellent biological activities. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis showed that decreased molecular weight lignin fractions were obtained by sequentially organosolv fractionation with anhydrous acetone, 50% acetone and 37.5% hexanes. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results indicated that the lignin fractions with lower molecular weight had fewer substructures and a higher phenolic hydroxyl content, which was positively correlated with their antioxidation ability. Both of the original lignin and fractionated lignins possessed the ability to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella) and Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus) by destroying the cell wall of bacteria in vitro, in which the lignin fraction with the lowest molecular weight and highest phenolic hydroxyl content (L3) showed the best performance. Besides, the L3 lignin showed the ability to ameliorate Escherichia coli-induced diarrhea damages of mice to improve the formation of intestinal contents in vivo. These results imply that a lignin fraction with a tailored structure from bamboo lignin can be used as a novel antimicrobial agent in the biomedical field.

Using the Major Components (Cellulose, Hemicellulose, and Lignin) of Phyllostachys praecox Bamboo Shoot as Dietary Fiber

Bamboo shoots are a renewable and abundant biomass containing cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Although many studies have explored the applications of each of these components in the preparation of biochemicals and biopolymers, few studies have evaluated the utility of these components as a dietary fiber supplement. In this study, a powder consisting of the main components of bamboo shoots (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) was prepared from fresh Phyllostachys praecox shoots and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. To evaluate the potential utility of these components as a dietary fiber supplement, we conducted an experiment in which this powder was supplemented in the diet of mice for 7 weeks. The experiment included three diet groups (n = 10/group): a low-fat control diet (LFC), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet with bamboo shoot powder (HFBSP). Compared with HFD mice, the body weights of LFC and HFBSP mice were lower, indicating that the addition of bamboo shoot powder could reduce the weight gain associated with the HFD. Bamboo shoot powder supplementation could also reduce the levels of triglycerides (TG), blood glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in HFD mice. The fat histology images indicated that obesity was alleviated in HFBSP mice, and the liver histology images indicated that the addition of bamboo shoot powder to the HFD could reduce the risk of fatty liver disease. The addition of bamboo shoot powder to the HFD might also improve the gut microbiota of mice. Thus, the major components of bamboo shoot powder (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) could be used as beneficial natural additives in the food industry.

Valorization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis Residues from Corncob into Lignin-Containing Cellulose Nanofibrils and Lignin Nanoparticles

As a kind of biomass waste, enzymatic hydrolysis residues (EHRs) are conventionally burned or just discarded, resulting in environmental pollution and low economic benefits. In this study, EHRs of corncob residues (CCR) were used to produce high lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) and lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) through a facile approach. The LCNFs and LNPs with controllable chemical compositions and properties were produced by tuning the enzymolysis time of CCR and the followed homogenization. The morphology, thermal stability, chemical and crystalline structure, and dispersibility of the resultant LCNFs and LNPs were further comprehensively investigated. This work not only promotes the production of lignocellulose-based nanomaterials but also provides a promising utilization pathway for EHRs.

Antioxidant and UV-Blocking Properties of a Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Lignin Composite Film Produced from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) pulp with the highest cellulose content of 83.42% was obtained from an optimized process of acid pretreatment (0.5% v/v H2SO4), alkaline extraction (15% w/w NaOH), and hydrogen peroxide bleaching (10% w/v H2O2), respectively. The EFB cellulose was carboxymethylated, and the obtained carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was readily water-soluble (81.32%). The EFB CMC was blended with glycerol and cast into a composite film. Lignin that precipitated from the EFB black liquor was also incorporated into the film at different concentrations, and its effect on the UV-blocking properties of the film was determined. Interestingly, the EFB CMC film without lignin addition completely blocked UV-B transmittance. The incorporation of lignin at all concentrations significantly enhanced the UV-A blocking and other physical properties of the film, including the surface roughness, thickness, and thermal stability, although the tensile strength and water vapor permeability were not significantly affected. Complete UV-A and UV-B blocking were observed when lignin was added at 0.2% (w/v), and the film also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals with an half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 3.87 mg mL-1.

The in vitro and in vivo Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activity of Incomplete Degradation Products of Hemicellulosic Polysaccharide (Galactomannan) From Sesbania cannabina

As known, the nutritional status affects antioxidant capacity and immunity, ultimately affecting the body’s health. Recently, hemicellulosic polysaccharides of galactomannan in different biomass and their degradation products are gaining more attention due to excellent antioxidant enhancement and immunomodulatory activity. Herein, incomplete degradation products of galactomannan (IDPG) were prepared from the enzymatic hydrolysis of Sesbania cannabina seeds, followed by the in vitro and in vivo experiments. Using an H₂O₂-injured RAW264.7 cells model, IDPG was demonstrated to have antioxidant capacity, as indicated by superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. While in the evaluation in laying hens (68-weeks-old), diets were supplemented with 0, 0.01, 0.025, and 0.05% IDPG for 8 weeks, respectively. Our results showed that IDPG can improve antioxidant capacity by increasing antioxidants contents and reducing MDA content. Furthermore, IDPG can increase immunoglobulins and cytokines secretion, thereby enhancing the immunity of laying hens. This result was further demonstrated by in vitro experiment, in which IDPG significantly increased the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05). Overall, IDPG can improve antioxidant function and modulate immunological response, thereby the concept of using IDPG for health may gain a little more credibility.

MgO Nanoparticles-Incorporated PCL/Gelatin-Derived Coaxial Electrospinning Nanocellulose Membranes for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration

Electrospinning technique has attracted considerable attention in fabrication of cellulose nanofibrils or nanocellulose membranes, in which polycaprolactone (PCL) could be used as a promising precursor to prepare various cellulose nanofibril membranes for periodontal tissue regeneration. Conventional bio-membranes and cellulose films used in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) can prevent the downgrowth of epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and connective tissue in the area of tooth root but have limitations related to osteogenic and antimicrobial properties. Cellulose nanofibrils can be used as an ideal drug delivery material to encapsulate and carry some drugs. In this study, magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles-incorporated PCL/gelatin core-shell nanocellulose periodontal membranes were fabricated using coaxial electrospinning technique, which was termed as Coaxial-MgO. The membranes using single-nozzle electrospinning technique, namely Blending-MgO and Blending-Blank, were used as control. The morphology and physicochemical property of these nanocellulose membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrum of X-ray (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the incorporation of MgO nanoparticles barely affected the morphology and mechanical property of nanocellulose membranes. Coaxial-MgO with core-shell fiber structure had better hydrophilic property and sustainable release of magnesium ion (Mg²⁺). CCK-8 cell proliferation and EdU staining demonstrated that Coaxial-MgO membranes showed better human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) proliferation rates compared with the other group due to its gelatin shell with great biocompatibility and hydrophilicity. SEM and immunofluorescence assay results illustrated that the Coaxial-MgO scaffold significantly enhanced hPDLSCs adhesion. In vitro osteogenic and antibacterial properties showed that Coaxial-MgO membrane enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, formation of mineralized nodules, osteogenic-related genes [ALP, collagen type 1 (COL1), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2)], and high antibacterial properties toward Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A. a) when compared with controls. Our findings suggested that MgO nanoparticles-incorporated coaxial electrospinning PCL-derived nanocellulose periodontal membranes might have great prospects for periodontal tissue regeneration.

Characterization of a lignin from Crataeva tapia leaves and potential applications in medicinal and cosmetic formulations

Lignins are phenolic macromolecules that have several applications. In this work, we examine some biological activities of a lignin-like macromolecule isolated from the Crataeva tapia leaves, not yet studied to evaluate its potential applications in medicinal and cosmetic formulations. Lignin was obtained by alkaline delignification and its physical-chemical characterization was made by means of FT-IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectroscopy, elementary analysis, molecular mass determination and thermal analysis. Lignin is of the GSH type, with levels of hydrogen (5.10%), oxygen (27.18%), carbon (67.60%), nitrogen (0.12%) and phenolic content of 189.6 ± 9.6 mg GAE/g. In addition, it is a thermally stable macromolecule with low antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity and cytokine production were assessed by flow cytometry. The photoprotective activity was evaluated by adding different concentrations of lignin to a commercial cream. Lignin was not cytotoxic, it stimulated the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 and did not promote a significant change in nitric oxide levels. In addition, this macromolecule was able to promote increased absorption of ultraviolet light from a commercial cream. These results reinforce the ethnopharmacological use of C. tapia leaves and suggest the need for further studies to determine the potential medicinal and cosmetic applications (sunscreen) of lignin from C. tapia leaves.

Extraction and Application of Natural Rutin From Sophora japonica to Prepare the Novel Fluorescent Sensor for Detection of Copper Ions

Rutin (R), a representative flavonoid found in various biomasses, can be used to prepare different fluorescent sensors for environmental, biological and medical fields. In this work, the natural R in Sophora japonica was extracted and purified to prepare fluorescent-responding sensor systems intended to recognize copper ions with both strong selectivity as well as appropriate sensitivity. Results showed that neat R had no obvious fluorescent emission peak in PBS buffer solution. However, when R and (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (CD) were introduced within buffer solution, fluorescent emission intensity was significantly increased due to the resultant R-CD inclusion complex. In addition, the formed R-CD inclusion complex was shown to behave as the aforementioned fluorescent sensor for copper ions through a mechanism of quenched fluorescent emission intensity when R-CD became bound with copper ions. The binding constant value for R-CD with copper ions was 1.33 × 10⁶, allowing for quantification of copper ions between the concentration range of 1.0 × 10^–7–4.2 × 10^–6mol⋅L^–1. Furthermore, the minimum detection limit was found to be 3.5 × 10^–8mol⋅L^–1. This work showed the prepared R-CD inclusion complex was both highly selective and strongly sensitive toward copper ions, indicating that this system could be applied into various fields where copper ions are of concern.

Melanin-Inspired Design: Preparing Sustainable Photothermal Materials from Lignin for Energy Generation

Interaction of the conjugated structure in melanin contributed to photothermal conversion. Inspired by this, here, we first demonstrated that lignin nanoparticles (L-NPs) can carry out photothermal conversion, which was attributed to π-π stacking of lignin molecules. Lignin can be readily converted into L-NPs, using the self-assembly method at room temperature. L-NPs showed a stable photothermal effect (22%). The L-NPs were successfully used to power a thermoelectric generator and drive a solar steam generation device under standard 1 sun irradiation (100 mW/cm²). Because thermoelectric generators and solar steam generation technologies have huge potential for energy generation and water purification, the as-prepared L-NPs are expected to provide an important contribution to sustainable energy and clean water production.

A fine balance between Prpf19 and Exoc7 in achieving degradation of aggregated protein and suppression of cell death in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3

Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases comprise Huntington's disease and several subtypes of spinocerebellar ataxia, including spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). The genomic expansion of coding CAG trinucleotide sequence in disease genes leads to the production and accumulation of misfolded polyQ domain-containing disease proteins, which cause cellular dysfunction and neuronal death. As one of the principal cellular protein clearance pathways, the activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is tightly regulated to ensure efficient clearance of damaged and toxic proteins. Emerging evidence demonstrates that UPS plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of polyQ diseases. Ubiquitin (Ub) E3 ligases catalyze the transfer of a Ub tag to label proteins destined for proteasomal clearance. In this study, we identified an E3 ligase, pre-mRNA processing factor 19 (Prpf19/prp19), that modulates expanded ataxin-3 (ATXN3-polyQ), disease protein of SCA3, induced neurodegeneration in both mammalian and Drosophila disease models. We further showed that Prpf19/prp19 promotes poly-ubiquitination and degradation of mutant ATXN3-polyQ protein. Our data further demonstrated the nuclear localization of Prpf19/prp19 is essential for eliciting its modulatory function towards toxic ATXN3-polyQ protein. Intriguingly, we found that exocyst complex component 7 (Exoc7/exo70), a Prpf19/prp19 interacting partner, modulates expanded ATXN3-polyQ protein levels and toxicity in an opposite manner to Prpf19/prp19. Our data suggest that Exoc7/exo70 exerts its ATXN3-polyQ-modifying effect through regulating the E3 ligase function of Prpf19/prp19. In summary, this study allows us to better define the mechanistic role of Exoc7/exo70-regulated Prpf19/prp19-associated protein ubiquitination pathway in SCA3 pathogenesis.

Green solvent pretreatment for enhanced production of sugars and antioxidative lignin from poplar

A promising pretreatment mediated by biomass-derived deep eutectic solvent (DES) with choline chloride to lactic acid was implemented to overcome the recalcitrant structure of poplar sawdust for effective enzymatic hydrolysis and valorized lignin. Results showed the DES applied was strongly selective towards removal of lignin and xylan while preserving cellulose. Under the optimal pretreatment condition (DES ratio: 1:2, temperature: 130 °C, time:1.5 h), the glucose yield from enzymatic hydrolysis was 75.8%. Chemical and structure changes of recovered lignin were evaluated to gauge its valorization potential. It indicated that the recovered lignin possessed molecular weight (4000-6000 g/mol), low polydispersity (PDI < 2.0), low quantity of β-aryl-ethers with no recondensation, and an abundance of phenolic OH groups. The excellent antioxidant capacity of lignin demonstrated its great value as a polyphenolic antioxidant. Overall, this work demonstrated an emerging biorefinery technology method for effective fractionation and valorization of lignocellulosic biomass.

Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots: A Review on the Preparation of γ-Valerolactone from Lignocellulose and Its Application in the Conversion of Lignocellulose

γ-Valerolactone (GVL), derived from renewable lignocellulosic biomass, has been considered as a cost-competitive and green platform chemical. With the increasingly prominent environmental problems, a deep understanding of the preparation and transformation of GVL is highly needed. Based on the latest progress made with GVL, preparation and applications of GVL are summarized and discussed in this Review. In particular, the state-of-the-art in catalytic production of GVL is described based on the use of noble-metal and non-noble-metal catalysts. The application of GVL for the valorization of lignocellulose would improve the yield of target products such as sugar monomers and furfural. Thus, GVL can be produced from lignocellulose and simultaneously it can also be used for the valorization of lignocellulose, just as in the sustainable and renewable cycle, "the falling leaves returns to their roots". This Review is expected to provide valuable reference and new proposal for the further development and better utilization of GVL.