Insight into the effect of osmosis agents on macro- and micro- texture, water distribution, and thermal stability of instant controlled pressure drop drying peach chips

To investigate the influence of sugar structure on the quality of peach chips produced using osmotic dehydration (OD) in combination with instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) drying, erythritol, glucose, maltose, and trehalose were selected as osmotic agents. The properties of the osmotic solutions, as well as the macro- and micro-texture, water distribution, and thermal stability of peach chips were investigated. Results showed that OD pretreatments inhibited the formation of large cavity structures. The highest hardness (101.34 N) and the lowest hydrophobicity (0°) were obtained in erythritol-OD samples. Trehalose-OD samples with the most homogeneous pore structure exhibited the highest crispness (1.05 mm) and the highest glass transition temperature (52.06 °C). Various absorption peaks of peach chips pretreated with different OD methods, characterized by Raman spectroscopy, suggested changes in composition and functional groups due to the diffusion of sugars into the cells of peach tissues, which also contributed to the higher Tg.

Strain improvement for enhanced erythritol production by Moniliella pollinis Mutant-58 using jaggery as a cost-effective substrate

Erythritol has been produced by various microorganisms including Yarrowia, Moniliella, Aureobasidium, and Candida strains. Due to its relatively high price, erythritol sweetener is used lesser than other polyols despite having many advantages. Therefore, in this study, Moniliella pollinis strain was improved for erythritol production by chemical mutagenesis and subsequently screening for cost-effective carbon sources for the enhanced erythritol yield. M. pollinis was subjected to N-methyl N-nitro N-nitroso guanidine (NTG), ethyl methyl sulfonate (EMS), and UV mutagenesis for improved erythritol production. The fmutant strains were evaluated for enhanced erythritol production medium optimization by using different carbon substrates at the shake flask level. To enhance the production of erythritol and statistical media, optimization was carried out using a central composite design (CCD). Among 198 isolated mutants, Mutant-58 strain generated by EMS mutagenesis was selected for further assessment. The Mutant-58 strain showed significant morphological changes as compared to the parent strain. Furthermore, statistically optimized media composition resulted in the higher production of erythritol (91.2 ± 3.4 g/L) with a yield of 40.7 ± 3.4 % in shake flask experiments. The optimized medium composition for erythritol production constitutes (g/L) 225 jaggery, 4.4 yeast extract (YE), 4.4 KH2PO4, 0.31 MgSO4, and pH 5.5. The present study demonstrated strain improvement, media, and process optimization resulting in a 30% increase in the erythritol production in the Mutant-58 as compared to the parent strain. This is also the first instance where jaggery has been used as a cost-effective carbon source alternative to glucose for industrial-scale erythritol production.

Effects of different proportions of erythritol and mannitol on the physicochemical properties of corn starch films prepared via the flow elongation method

In this study, corn films based on corn starch were fabricated through the casting method, and various plasticizers (namely, erythritol and d-mannitol) were incorporated. The study delved into the gelatinization and physicochemical characteristics of these corn starch-based films. Additionally, the impact of different ratios of plasticizers on reductive gelatinization was assessed using RVA analysis. The investigation also encompassed the effects of varying plasticizer ratios on starch granule expansion, amylose dissolution, and amylopectin melting. Interestingly, as the proportion of d-mannitol increased, there were gradual increases in film thickness, water content, and water contact angle, alongside decreases in water vapor permeability, crystallinity, and water solubility of the corn starch-based films. In essence, this research provides a fundamental basis for potential industrial applications of corn starch-based films.

Adaptive responses of erythritol-producing Yarrowia lipolytica to thermal stress after evolution

Elucidation of the thermotolerance mechanism of erythritol-producing Yarrowia lipolytica is of great significance to breed robust industrial strains and reduce cost. This study aimed to breed thermotolerant Y. lipolytica and investigate the mechanism underlying the thermotolerant phenotype. Yarrowia lipolytica HT34, Yarrowia lipolytica HT36, and Yarrowia lipolytica HT385 that were capable of growing at 34 °C, 36 °C, and 38.5 °C, respectively, were obtained within 150 days (352 generations) by adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) integrated with 60Co-γ radiation and ultraviolet ray radiation. Comparative genomics analysis showed that genes involved in signal transduction, transcription, and translation regulation were mutated during adaptive evolution. Further, we demonstrated that thermal stress increased the expression of genes related to DNA replication and repair, ceramide and steroid synthesis, and the degradation of branched amino acid (BCAA) and free fatty acid (FFA), while inhibiting the expression of genes involved in glycolysis and the citrate cycle. Erythritol production in thermotolerant strains was remarkably inhibited, which might result from the differential expression of genes involved in erythritol metabolism. Exogenous addition of BCAA and soybean oil promoted the growth of HT385, highlighting the importance of BCAA and FFA in thermal stress response. Additionally, overexpression of 11 out of the 18 upregulated genes individually enabled Yarrowia lipolytica CA20 to grow at 34 °C, of which genes A000121, A003183, and A005690 had a better effect. Collectively, this study provides novel insights into the adaptation mechanism of Y. lipolytica to thermal stress, which will be conducive to the construction of thermotolerant erythritol-producing strains. KEY POINTS: • ALE combined with mutagenesis is efficient for breeding thermotolerant Y. lipolytica • Genes encoding global regulators are mutated during thermal adaptive evolution • Ceramide and BCAA are critical molecules for cells to tolerate thermal stress.

Visualized sensing of erythritol using a simple enzyme-free catechol-based hydrogel film

Based on the versatile properties of bio-derived materials, non-enzymatic assays in combination with electronic devices have attracted increasing interest. Here, we report a novel enzyme-free visualization approach for the detection of erythritol, which is a zero-calorie natural sweetener and serves as an ideal sucrose substitute for diabetics or overweight people who need sugar control. The recognition element of the electrochemical biosensor was constructed by catechol modification on a chitosan-based hydrogel film. The signal transduction was achieved by the competitive binding assay of sweeteners. The results show that 2-fluorophenylboronic acid (FPBA) can form a cyclic boronate ester with the ortho-hydroxyls of both reduced catechol and oxidized quinone, impeding the electron transfer and leading to redox signal attenuation. The addition of sweeteners caused a competitive reaction resulting in bonding between the 1,2-diols and FPBA moieties, and in the recovery of the redox signals. Importantly, the pattern of redox signal changes of catechol can be detected optically, as the oxidized quinone state is darker in color than the reduced catechol state. Using a simple cell phone imaging application, we demonstrate that erythritol can be distinguished from other sweeteners in real samples using the oxidized catechol-Chit0/agarose hydrogel film. Thus, we envision that this method could allow diabetics and people who need to control their sugar intake to detect whether the product contains only erythritol in the field or at home. In addition, this work further illustrates the potential of bio-derived materials for performing redox-based functions and enzyme-free visualization assays.

Impact of air-polishing using erythritol on surface roughness and substance loss in dental hard tissue: An ex vivo study

This ex vivo study aimed to investigate surface roughness and substance loss after treatment with different professional cleaning methods and to determine whether subsequent polishing with a rubber cup and polishing paste is necessary. Samples (flat and natural surfaces) of human enamel and dentin were prepared (baseline) and treated with either a curette, air-polishing with erythritol, a rubber cup and polishing paste, or a combination thereof (treatment). Subsequently, all samples were immersed in an ultrasonic bath (ultrasonic) to remove residues from the treatment procedures. The surface roughness values sRa and sRz as well as tissue loss were measured profilometrically. Linear regression models were used to compare group differences (roughness and loss) considering the corresponding baseline value. The significance level was set at p<0.05. sRa increased significantly after treatment with curettes or air-polishing with erythritol in both enamel (p<0.001) and dentin (p<0.001) of flat samples. The same effect was observed for sRz in dentin (p<0.001) but not for enamel compared to negative control. Polishing with a rubber cup and paste alone had no significant effect on roughness values. When combined with other treatments, the effect of curette or air-polishing with erythritol dominated the effect. In enamel, none of the tested methods led to measurable tissue loss. In dentin, air-polishing with erythritol caused ≤50% tissue loss compared to the curette. Conclusively, for enamel, treatment effects on roughness were measurable but of limited clinical relevance. For dentin, air-polishing resulted in a smaller but insignificant roughness increase and less tissue loss compared to the curette. Polishing with a rubber cup and paste did not affect surface roughness. Regarding the clinical application, the use of air-polishing seems to be a less invasive procedure than using a curette; polishing with rubber cup and paste offers no advantage in terms of reducing roughness as a final procedure.

The use of blackcurrant pomace and erythritol to optimise the functional properties of shortbread cookies

As a result of the production of blackcurrant juice, pomace is produced, which is a cheap, easy to further process raw material with high health benefits. The aim of the research was to develop a recipe for shortbread cookies based on blackcurrant pomace (0, 10, 30, 50%) and erythritol, and to assess their nutritional value (content of proteins, fats, sugars, dietary fibre, selected minerals and energy value), pro-health properties (antioxidant and anti-diabetic capacity) and sensory evaluation. The energy value of products with 50% of pomace sweetened with erythritol was nearly 30% lower compared to traditional cookies, while the content of dietary fibre was 10 times higher in products with the highest percentage of pomace. The antioxidant capacity and the total content of polyphenolic compounds increased with the increase in pomace content. The ability to inhibit α-amylase by shortbread cookies without pomace was about 400 times lower than those with 50% pomace. The results of the sensory evaluation showed that erythritol-sweetened cookies have more desirable characteristics compared to sucrose-sweetened cookies. Finally, it was proved that the proposed products are an excellent proposal for people struggling with food-dependent diseases, as well as being an opportunity to manage waste from the fruit industry.

Application of New Yarrowia lipolytica Transformants in Production of Citrates and Erythritol from Glycerol

Citric acid and erythritol are obtained on an industrial scale using biotechnological methods. Due to the growing market demand for these products, research is underway to improve the process economics by introducing new microorganisms, in particular of the species Yarrowia lipolytica. The aim of this study was to evaluate transformants of Y. lipolytica for growth and ability to overproduce citric acids and erythritol from glycerol. The transformants were constructed by overexpressing glycerol kinase, methylcitrate synthase and mitochondrial succinate-fumarate transporter in the mutant Wratislavia 1.31. Next, strains were assessed for biosynthesis of citrate (pH 5.5; nitrogen limitation) and erythritol (pH 3.0; high osmotic pressure) from glycerol. Regardless of culture conditions strains, 1.31.GUT1/6 and 1.31.GUT1/6.CIT1/3 exhibited high rates of substrate utilization. Under conditions favoring citrate biosynthesis, both strains produced several percent more citrates, accompanied by higher erythritol production compared to the parental strain. During erythritol biosynthesis, the strain 1.31.GUT1/6.CIT1/3.E34672g obtained as a result of co-expression of all three genes stood out, producing 84.0 g/L of erythritol with yield and productivity of 0.54 g/g and 0.72 g/Lh, respectively, which places it in the group of the highest-ranked producers of erythritol among Y. lipolytica species.

Effect of alternative sweetener and carbohydrate polymer mixtures on the physical properties, melting and crystallization behaviour of dark compound chocolate

This study aims to evaluate the effect of sucrose replacer mixtures (erythritol, mannitol, or tagatose in combination with inulin or polydextrose) on the crystal morphology, particle size distribution, rheology, melting properties, and fat polymorphism of dark compound chocolate. The result showed that the replacer mixture's hygroscopicity, particle size, and sugar crystal shape might significantly impact dark compound chocolate's rheological and textural properties but had no substantial impact on the melting properties and fat crystallization. Mannitol-containing samples exhibited the highest rheological value, likely related to their high moisture content, small particle size, and elongated crystal shape. Due to the similar specific surface area and comparable D90 value, the sample containing erythritol-polydextrose mixture resulted in a similar (P ≥ 0.05) Casson yield value (46.184 ± 2.45 Pa) compared to the sample containing sucrose (38.348 ± 1.68 Pa). It could be a potential sucrose replacer in the dark compound chocolate.

Simultaneous analysis of natural and artificial sweeteners in sugar-free drinks and urine samples by column-switching UHPLC-charged aerosol detection method

Sweeteners are considered an alternative to high-calorie foods or drinks and have been widely used globally. However, the simultaneous separation and detection of high-polarity natural and artificial sweeteners are challenging owing to their broad-spectrum physical and chemical properties. Herein, we developed a column-switching UHPLCCAD method and used it for detecting and quantitating 12 sweeteners, including natural sweeteners (erythritol, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol and stevioside) and artificial sweeteners (acesulfame potassium, saccharin sodium salt, sodium cyclamate, sucralose, aspartame, alitame and neotame). The LOD and LOQ were 0.932-6.25 μg/mL and 3.10-20.83 μg/mL, respectively, and the method demonstrated excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.9990), good precision (intraday and interday precision was 0.59-6.88 %), and high recovery (average recoveries were 85.16-108.64 %). This method was applied to determine the sweeteners in 15 sugar-free drinks purchased from the local Chinese supermarkets. What's more, natural sweetener erythritol and artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium were suspected over addition in sugar-free drinks. Meanwhile the method was applied to the sweeteners in various sugar-free drinks and the dynamic monitoring of transit and excretion in vivo after drinking. Those prove that the method can be used to the detection of sugar free drinks and quality control of the sweeteners. The study highlights the potential of UHPLC-charged aerosol detection technology in detection of multiple components in food industry.

Substitution of sucrose by erythritol in angel cake: Effect on protein foaming, baking performance and digestion properties

Sugars played an important role in the processing of products such as cakes, however, their high-calorie character often posed a health risk to consumers. Therefore, this paper aimed to better investigate the effect of sugar substitutes on the improvement of egg white foaming properties and angle cake digestibility characteristics. It was demonstrated that the addition of erythritol improved the surface properties of egg whites, thus enhancing their foaming properties. Particularly, when the erythritol substitution was 50 %, the sugar-egg white complex structure unfolded and had the best foaming capacity. On this basis, the baking performance of angel cakes with sucrose replaced by erythritol was analyzed. When the erythritol substitution was lower than 50 %, the specific volume and the baking loss rate of the cakes were basically unchanged, and the texture and sensory taste of the cakes were all excellent. Finally, the gastrointestinal digestive kinetic analysis suggested that erythritol substitution for sucrose was beneficial for reducing blood glucose levels in vivo. Furthermore, for the MgCl2-based samples, both the degree of protein destruction after digestion was weakened and the glucose-lowering effect was better exerted. Overall, this study provided a new theoretical basis for the low-calorie sugar-substituted health food products development in the future.

Construction of a xylose metabolic pathway in Trichosporonoides oedocephalis ATCC 16958 for the production of erythritol and xylitol

PURPOSE

Erythritol is a valuable compound as sweetener and chemical material however cannot be fermented from the abundant substrate xylose.

METHODS

The strain Trichosporonoides oedocephalis ATCC 16958 was employed to produce polyols including xylitol and erythritol by metabolic engineering approaches.

RESULTS

The introduction of a substrate-specific ribose-5-phosphate isomerase endowed T. oedocephalis with xylose-assimilation activity to produce xylitol, and eliminated glycerol production simultaneously. A more value-added product, erythritol was produced by further introducing a homologous xylulose kinase. The carbon flux was redirected from xylitol to erythritol by adding high osmotic pressure. The production of erythritol was improved to 46.5 g/L in flasks by fermentation adjustment, and the process was scaled up in a 5-L fermentor, with a 40 g/L erythritol production after 120 h, and a time-space yield of 0.56 g/L/h.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the potential of T. oedocephalis in the synthesis of multiple useful products from xylose.

Erythritol sprays reduce Drosophila suzukii infestation without impacting honey bee visitation nor fruit quality

BACKGROUND

Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is an economic pest of small fruits and cherries. Insecticides primarily control this pest while alternative controls are in development. Laboratory studies show that erythritol is insecticidal to D. suzukii and other pests while approved for human consumption. Moreover, erythritol combined with sucrose or non-caloric sucralose can stimulate feeding and quicken mortality. Before growers can use erythritol, the impact on crop protection, non-target insects, and fruit quality need evaluation.

RESULTS

In three blueberry and cherry field cage trials, oviposition on fruit sprayed with erythritol:sucrose or erythritol:sucralose formulations was lowered by 59%-81% compared with unsprayed controls. Fly infestation (larval or adult counts from fruit) was 90% lower in a greenhouse blueberry trial, and 49% lower in an open field blueberry trial with 2 m erythritol : 0.5 m sucrose. Infestation was also 57% lower in an open field cherry trial with 1.5 m erythritol:0.5 m sucrose. Other field trials with very low pest pressure or frequent rains revealed no differences from controls. Field trials consistently revealed that honey bees did not preferentially visit plants sprayed with either erythritol formulation, although yellow jackets visited plants sprayed with erythritol:sucrose more frequently. Erythritol formulations consistently led to more leaf spotting, but there was no reduction in the quality of treated blueberries or cherries in terms of mold development, firmness, diameter, epidermal penetration force, and Brix° (total soluble solids) at harvest.

CONCLUSION

Eleven trials conducted over four years show that erythritol formulations can reduce D. suzukii pressure without attracting foraging honey bees nor negatively impacting fruit quality. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Effects of polyols with different hydroxyl numbers on the structure and properties of starch straws

To study the relationship between the number of hydroxyl groups of polyols and the plasticizing effect, the effects of different polyols including ethylene glycol, glycerol, erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol on the structure and properties of corn starch straws were analyzed and compared. The results showed that the addition of plasticizer significantly improved the performance of starch straws, which greatly improved the mechanical properties, water absorption rate (WAR) and thermal stability. However, there was no linear relationship between the plasticizing effect on starch straws and the number of hydroxyl groups in plasticizers. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results showed that erythritol formed the strongest intermolecular interaction with starch. Starch straws with erythritol (S-ERY) had the highest bending force (Fb = 25.78 N) and the lowest WAR. Starch straws with glycerol (S-GLY) showed the lowest relative crystallinity (RC = 12.87 %) and the highest temperature of the maximum degradation (Tdmax = 302.1 °C). In addition, after storing for 180 days, S-GLY showed higher modulus of elasticity in bending (Eb = 4.26 N/cm) and a uniform surface.

Carbohydrate-Templated Syntheses of Trifluoromethyl-Substituted MEP Analogues for the Study of the Methylerythritol Phosphate Pathway

Trifluoromethyl analogues of methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) and 2-C-methyl-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate (MEcPP), natural substrates of key enzymes from the MEP pathway, were prepared starting from d-glucose as the chiral template to secure absolute configurations. The obligate trifluoromethyl group was inserted with complete diastereoselectivity using the Ruppert-Prakash nucleophile. Target compounds were assayed against the corresponding enzymes showing that trifluoro-MEP did not disrupt IspD activity, whereas trifluoro-MEcPP induced 40% inhibition of IspG at 1 mM.

Evaluation of different debridement strategies for implant-abutment connections: An in vitro study

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Technical complications, including abutment fracture, are a clinical reality. After retrieving failed components, re-establishing a reliable implant-abutment connection is essential, but recommendations on how to clean the interface are lacking.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate different clinical debridement strategies for removing titanium powder from an implant-abutment interface with regard to their efficacy and associated risk of damaging the interface.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Specimens (n=5) were assembled from previously cut implant halves, which were then contaminated by placing titanium powder inside the implant-abutment connection. Activated rinsing, airflow, and an ultrasound scaler, as well as combinations thereof, were then used to clean the implant-abutment connections. Both parts of each specimen were rated under a light microscope with respect to contamination and damage. In addition, abutments were placed in intact implants (n=10), which had previously been contaminated and cleaned, to record torque curves and abutment stability. Statistical analysis of ratings was based on Kruskal-Wallis tests and the Nemenyi All Pairs test with single-step P value correction, while abutment stability and torque were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey HSD tests (α=.05).

RESULTS

Erythritol as an abrasive medium led to significantly greater contamination than the scaler (P=.002), activated rinsing (P=.021), and airflow with sodium bicarbonate combined with either conventional (P=.002) or activated rinsing (P=.007). Greater damage was also observed with erythritol because of accumulations of the abrasive media, while scratches were seen after scaler application. Airflow using sodium bicarbonate in combination with activated rinsing showed the lowest level of damage (versus scaler P=.030). Using conventional (P=.010) or activated (P=.029) rinsing, airflow treatment led to a significant reduction in contamination. The scaler led to a significant decrease in abutment stability (P=.048), while activated rinsing and the combination of airflow and activated rinsing did not significantly affect abutment stability. Abutments placed in implants previously contaminated and cleaned required greater torque as compared with original implants (versus activated rinsing, P=.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Activated rinsing constituted the best technique for cleaning implant-abutment connections. Cleaning efficiency can be enhanced with airflow using sodium bicarbonate as an abrasive medium.

Sucrose Intake Elevates Erythritol in Plasma and Urine in Male Mice

BACKGROUND

Elevated serum erythritol concentration is a predictive biomarker of diabetes and cardiovascular incidence and complications. Erythritol is synthesized endogenously from glucose, but little is known regarding the origin of elevated circulating erythritol in vivo.

OBJECTIVES

In vitro evidence indicates that intracellular erythritol is elevated by high-glucose cell culture conditions and that final step of erythritol synthesis is catalyzed by the enzymes sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) 1. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary intake and/or diet-induced obesity affect erythritol synthesis in mice and whether this relationship is modified by the loss of the enzymes SORD or ADH1.

METHODS

First, 8-wk-old male Sord+/+, Sord-/-, Adh1+/+, and Adh1-/- mice were fed either low-fat diet (LFD) with 10% fat-derived calories or diet-induced obesity high-fat diet (HFD) with 60% fat-derived calories for 8 wk. Plasma and tissue erythritol concentrations were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Second, male wild-type 8-wk-old C57BL/6J mice were fed LFD or HFD with plain drinking water or 30% sucrose water for 8 wk. Blood glucose and plasma and urinary erythritol concentrations were measured in nonfasted and fasted samples. Tissue erythritol was measured after killing. Finally, male Sord+/+ and Sord-/- mice were fed LFD with 30% sucrose water for 2 wk; then, nonfasted plasma, urine, and tissue erythritol concentrations were quantified.

RESULTS

Plasma and tissue erythritol concentrations were not affected by loss of Sord or Adh1 in mice fed LFD or HFD. In wild-type mice, consumption of 30% sucrose water significantly elevated plasma and urinary erythritol concentrations on both LFD-fed and HFD-fed mice compared with that of plain water. Sord genotype did not affect plasma or urinary erythritol concentration in response to sucrose feeding, but Sord-/- mice had reduced kidney erythritol content compared with wild-type littermates in response to sucrose.

CONCLUSIONS

Sucrose intake, not HFD, elevates erythritol synthesis and excretion in mice. Loss of ADH1 or SORD does not significantly affect erythritol concentration in mice.

Valorization of the pelagic Sargassum horneri for co-production of erythritol and alginate oligosaccharides

Pelagic Sargassum is invasive macroalgae with huge biomass. To produce bulk chemicals with profit from the biomass, innovative strategies need to be developed. In this study, maximum saccharification yield of Sargassum horneri biomass was obtained with the combined use of 3% alginate lyase and 3% cellulase, releasing 20.83 g/L glucose and 1.73 g/L mannitol at a 1:6 feed ratio. Subsequently, the crude S. horneri hydrolysate (pH 3.0) was proved most suitable for erythritol production of Yarrowia lipolytica strain. After 60 h fermentation in a 10-L fermenter, the erythritol concentration reached 18.42 g/L with a yield of 0.82 g/g; while the concentration of alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) was 37.56 g/L. Finally, AOS with a purity of 93.4% were obtained by ethanol precipitation, and erythritol was harvested via crystallization. This proposed strategy demonstrates the feasibility of transforming invasive Sargassum into two high-value chemicals for the first time.

Part II: effect on sub-gingival microbiome

OBJECTIVES

To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air-polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the health-related and periodontitis-related subgingival microbiome of air-polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stage III-IV periodontitis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients with stage III-IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5-9 mm and bleeding on probing were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air-polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air-polishing at experimental sites. Subgingival microbial samples were taken from the maxillary experimental site showing the deepest PD at baseline. Primary outcome of the first part of the present study was the 3-month change in the number of experimental sites. Additional analysis of periodontal pathogens and other sub-gingival plaque bacteria sampled at one experimental site at baseline and 3 months following treatment was performed through a real-time quantitative PCR microarray.

RESULTS

In the test group, a statistical increase of some health-related species was observed (Abiotropha defectiva, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Lautropia mirabilis), together with the decrease of pathogens such as of Actinomyces israelii, Catonella morbi, Filifactor alocis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Sele-nomonas sputigena, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Treponema socranskii. In the control group, statistical significance was found only in the decrease of Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema socranskii.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of erythritol-chlorhexidine powder seems to cause a shift of the periodontal micro-biome toward a more eubiotic condition compared to a conventional treatment. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Subgingival air-polishing could help re-establishing a eubiotic microbioma in deep bleeding periodontal pockets after initial non-surgical treatment.

Intestinal permeability in patients with IgA nephropathy and other glomerular diseases: an observational study

BACKGROUND

A dysregulated 'gut-kidney axis' may contribute to immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). We studied whether IgAN patients have disturbed intestinal permeability.

METHODS

In a prospective, cross sectional, pilot study we assessed intestinal permeability in 35 IgAN patients, 18 patients with non-IgAN glomerulonephritides (GNs) and 19 healthy controls. After an overnight fast, trial participants ingested a multi-sugar solution and samples were obtained from 0 to 2, 2 to 5- and 5 to 24-h urine portions. Urinary sugar concentrations were quantified using isocratic ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography. Indices of small intestinal permeability (0-2-h lactulose/L-rhamnose (L/R) ratio), distal small intestinal and proximal colonic permeability (2-5-h sucralose/erythritol (S/E) ratio) and colonic permeability (5-24-h sucralose/erythritol (S/E) ratio) were evaluated. Associations between groups and indices of intestinal permeability were investigated by a linear mixed model.

RESULTS

Small intestinal permeability (0-2 h L/R-ratio) was significantly increased in patients with glomerular diseases versus healthy controls. More precisely, increased small intestinal permeability was exclusively noted in non-IgAN GN patients, whereas IgAN patients exhibited a trend towards elevated small intestinal permeability. In total, 54% of patients with IgAN and 67% of non-IgAN GN patients had increased small intestinal permeability. Neither distal small intestinal and proximal colonic permeability nor colonic gut permeability indices (i.e., 2-5 h and 5-24 h S/E ratios) were significantly different between controls and any of the GN patient groups.

CONCLUSION

The present single center pilot study suggests that disturbed intestinal permeability is common in patients with glomerular diseases and is not specific for IgAN.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00021533, Date: 24.04.2020.

Tracing the biomass burning emissions over the Arabian Sea in winter season: Implications from the molecular distributions and relative abundances of sugar compounds

The widespread haze pollution over South Asia typically occurs in winter, affecting the abundance of organic aerosols (OA) over the Arabian Sea due to prevailing meteorology. We determined the concentrations of biomass burning (BB) derived anhydrosugars (levoglucosan: Lev, galactosan: Gal, and mannosan: Man), sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose, and trehalose) and sugar alcohols (arabitol, mannitol, erythritol, and inositol) over the Arabian Sea during a winter cruise (6-24 December 2018). Molecular distributions revealed predominance of levoglucosan or sucrose. Besides, levoglucosan strongly correlated with mannosan, galactosan, sugar alcohols and elemental carbon, emphasizing their BB-origin. Backward air mass trajectories intercepted by the satellite-based fire counts over the Indo-Gangetic Plain together with relationship between stable carbon isotopic composition of TC (δ¹³C_TC) and levoglucosan-C to organic carbon (%), confirmed the impact of BB-derived OA. A comparison of Lev/Man (av. 16.2) and Lev/K⁺ (av. 0.27) ratios over the Arabian Sea with the source-emissions revealed their origin from crop-residue burning. Rather high concentrations of Lev over the Arabian Sea compared to those documented over the Bay of Bengal, East China Sea, Sea of Japan and the western North Pacific further suggests a stronger impact of BB in the continental outflow over this marine basin. Besides, Lev/K⁺ ratios in marine aerosols exponentially decreased with an apparent increase in ambient relative humidity and temperature over the Arabian Sea during the South Asian outflow, implying a photochemical oxidation of BBOA. Such field-based relationship of Lev with the meteorological parameters can be useful for modelling the impact of BBOA on the surface Ocean. Besides, the aeolian input of sugar-C and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) accounted for 83 % and 92 % of that riverine supply to the Arabian Sea, respectively. This means atmospheric dry-deposition of sugars is an important external source of dissolved organic compounds to the surface water.

A fast, single column high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection method for determination of saccharides in atmospheric aerosol samples

Saccharides, especially anhydro sugars present in atmospheric aerosols, can be used as tracers to track sources of atmospheric aerosol. High-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection is a commonly used technique for determining these saccharides, but the reported methods suffer from three drawbacks. One, to achieve separation of the complete set of atmospheric saccharides, run times are very long, typically longer than 60 minutes. Two, some methods require two columns to achieve the desired separation. Finally, in an era when electrolytic eluent preparation allows for excellent precision and accuracy, these methods require manually prepared eluents, which can lead to separation inconsistency for closely eluting analytes. These drawbacks make existing methods difficult to automate. To address this issue, we developed a fast method that uses only a single column for separation, and electrolytically generated eluent that resolves 12 key atmospheric aerosol saccharides in 20 minutes. The resolved saccharides include anhydro sugars (levoglucosan, galactosan, and mannosan), sugar alcohols (erythritol, xylitol, and mannitol), and mono-/disaccharides (arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose, fructose, and sucrose). To our knowledge this report is the first instance of achieving such significant reduction in run time with good resolution for this set of saccharides. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

In-vitro influence of the use of an erythritol powder through air polishing on the surface roughness and abrasiveness of various restorative materials

The aim of this in-vitro study is to compare the prophylaxis powder Airflow® Plus to a conventional prophylaxis paste with regards to surface abrasion and roughness on four different restorative materials. A total of 80 samples were fabricated, including 20 of each investigated material. Among those were a nanocomposite (Ceram X Spectra™ ST, Dentsply), a glass ionomer cement (Ketac Fill™, 3M™), a cast metal alloy (Bio Maingold SG®, Heraeus Kulzer) and a ceramic (HeraCeram® Saphir, Heraeus Kulzer). Of each material, all samples were equally divided into two groups. Samples in one group were treated with AirFlow® Plus using the AirFlow® Prophylaxis Master (EMS, Switzerland) (Group AF) and the ones in the other group with Prophy Paste (Cleanic™, Kerr, Austria) (Group CL) on a rubber cup. Applied force amounted to 1.5 N at 2000 rpm. Under controlled reproduceable conditions, a 10-year interval with 4 application per year, a total of 200 seconds, was simulated. Size of each sample amounted to 6 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height. Half side of each sample were treated. While comparing the treated and untreated area of each sample, surface abrasion and roughness were measured using an optical 3D system. Roughness was measured based on the arithmetic roughness average of the surface (Ra) and root mean square of the surface roughness (Rq). The statistical evaluation of the data was carried out using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney-U-test, Wilcoxon-test and the Kruskal-Wallis test for group comparisons. In conclusion, the use of the rubber cup with Prophy Paste caused a significantly higher abrasion on composite, ceramic and gold compared to the AirFlow® Plus powder (p < 0.05). In group AF, the significant highest values for Ra were determined on GIC, followed by composite, gold and then ceramic in intragroup comparison. Ra on GIC was significantly higher in group AF (p < 0.05).

One-pot fermentation for erythritol production from distillers grains by the co-cultivation of Yarrowia lipolytica and Trichoderma reesei

A co-fermentation process involving Yarrowia lipolytica and Trichoderma reesei was studied, using distillers grains (DGS) as feedstocks for erythritol production. DGS can be effectively hydrolyzed by cellulase in the single-strain culture of T. reesei. One-pot solid state fermentation for erythritol production was then established by co-cultivating Y. lipolytica M53-S with the 12 h delay inoculated T. reesei Rut C-30, in which efficient saccharification of DGS and improved production of erythritol were simultaneously achieved. The 10:1 inoculation proportion of Y. lipolytica and T. reesei contributed to the maximum erythritol production of 267.1 mg/gds under the optimal conditions including initial moisture of 55%, pH of 5.0, NaCl addition of 0.02 g/gds and DGS mass of 200 g in 144 h co-cultivation. Being compared with the attempts to produce erythritol from other raw materials, the one-pot SSF with DGS is proposed to be a potential strategy for efficient and economical erythritol production.

Effects of nonnutritional sugars on lipid and carbohydrate content, physiological uptake, and excretion in Drosophila suzukii

The nonnutritive sugar, erythritol, has the potential to be a human-safe management tool for the small fruits and cherry pest, Drosophila suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila. Feeding on erythritol decreases fly survival and oviposition by starving and creating an osmotic imbalance in the body. Recently, we demonstrated that erythritol combined with another nonnutritive sugar, sucralose, was fed upon more than erythritol alone and hastens D. suzukii mortality. This suggests that sucralose is a suitable nonnutritive phagostimulant alternative to sucrose. Although promising, the nutritional and physiological impacts of sucralose on D. suzukii are unknown. In this study, we investigated whether sucralose is metabolized or excreted by D. suzukii when fed various erythritol, sucrose, and sucralose formulations. We found that sucralose cannot be metabolized or converted into any nutritional substitutes or storage carbohydrates in D. suzukii. Instead, sucralose molecules were largely accumulated in the hemolymph and slowly excreted from the body, creating a significant osmotic imbalance in D. suzukii. To excrete unused sugars, flies will use their own body fluids to restore homeostasis, resulting in losing a substantial amount of body weight and becoming desiccated in the process. In summary, ingesting sucralose leads to starvation and hyperosmotic pressure in the body, causing a decrease in fitness. With confirmation of sucralose being non-metabolizable and phagostimulative to D. suzukii, the erythritol+sucralose formulation is a promising insecticide for growers to use.

Utilizing yeasts for the conversion of renewable feedstocks to sugar alcohols - a review

Sugar alcohols are widely marketed compounds. They are useful building block chemicals and of particular value as low- or non-calorigenic sweeteners, serving as sugar substitutes in the food industry. To date most sugar alcohols are produced by chemical routes using pure sugars, but a transition towards the use of renewable, non-edible feedstocks is anticipated. Several yeasts are naturally able to convert renewable feedstocks, such as lignocellulosic substrates, glycerol and molasses, into sugar alcohols. These bioconversions often face difficulties to obtain sufficiently high yields and productivities necessary for industrialization. This review provides insight into the most recent studies on utilizing yeasts for the conversion of renewable feedstocks to diverse sugar alcohols, including xylitol, erythritol, mannitol and arabitol. Moreover, metabolic approaches are highlighted that specifically target shortcomings of sugar alcohol production by yeasts from these renewable substrates.

Microbiological and clinical evaluation of ultrasonic debridement with/without erythritol air polishing during supportive periodontal therapy in arches with full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Implant-supported prostheses are often successfully used in edentulous patients. However, the incidences of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis increase over time. The accumulation of pathogenic bacteria adjacent to prostheses can induce peri-implant disease. Plaque removal is recommended to prevent and manage peri-implant diseases. The purpose of this study is to compare the plaque removal efficacy of ultrasonic debridement with/without erythritol air-polishing powder around implants and bridges in patients with full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses as well as the effects of these two methods on the rates of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, and the submucosal microbiota composition over 5 years in patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We plan to enrol 10 edentulous (maxilla and/or mandible) patients seeking full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses. The study will use a split-mouth model in which contralateral quadrants are randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1: one contralateral quadrant of full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses will undergo ultrasonic debridement combined with erythritol air-polishing powder. Group 2: a separate contralateral quadrant of full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses will undergo ultrasonic debridement. The 5-year trial will involve a total of 10 re-examinations per participant. The mucosal conditions around the implants will be recorded at 6-month intervals after restoration. Peri-implant submucosal plaque will be collected at each re-examination, and the bacterial flora will be analysed by 16s ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. X-ray examinations will be conducted at 12-month intervals to evaluate the marginal bone level around implants.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This prospective single-centre, randomised controlled trial (PKUSSIRB-202054045) has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Stomatology School and Hospital of Peking University. Data will be registered with the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Additionally, we will disseminate the results via publication in scientific journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-2000032431.

Infection Control in Adult Periodontal Patients Using Ultrasonic Debridement and Erythritol Powder: A Randomized, Controlled, Split-Mouth Clinical Study

Ten patients with a diagnosis of generalized chronic periodontitis underwent nonsurgical periodontal therapy performed with the exclusive use of ultrasonic instrumentation and air polishing with erythritol powder. For each patient, four pockets with probing depths (PDs) of 4 to 10 mm were selected as experimental sites, and air polishing was performed either before (Group A) or after (Group B) ultrasonic scaling. PDs and clinical attachment levels significantly improved over a 12-month observation period. No significant difference was observed between the use of air polishing before or after ultrasonic instrumentation. The present clinical protocols could represent a suitable treatment for cause-related periodontal therapy.

A randomized controlled trial on the plaque-removing efficacy of a low-abrasive air-polishing system to improve oral health care

OBJECTIVES

While air polishing with abrasive powders has been proved efficient for sub- and supragingival application, only few studies concerning the quality of supragingival biofilm removal using the low-abrasive erythritol powder (EP) exist. The aim of the present randomized controlled trial was to clinically compare the efficacy of supragingival air polishing using EP in comparison with the rubber cup method, and to juxtapose the corresponding biofilm regrowth rates.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Thirty-two young adults, suspending oral hygiene for 48 hours, were enrolled in the present double-blind short-term investigation. Using a split-mouth design, tooth polishing was conducted by means of either air polishing or rubber cups with prophylaxis paste (control). While 16 participants received air polishing in the second and fourth quadrants (and rubber cup prophylaxis in the first and third ones), the reverse sequence was applied with the remaining 16 subjects. Biofilms were assessed using the modified Quigley-Hein index (QHI), and QHI sum scores achieved both prior to and immediately after the polishing procedure, as well as 24 hours later, were assessed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's HSD to test multiple pairwise comparisons.

RESULTS

Both methods revealed a significant reduction of QHI scores (P < .001). Compared to the rubber cup method, air polishing resulted in significantly lower scores, both after tooth cleaning and after 24 hours (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Supragingival biofilm removal by means of air polishing combined with low-abrasive erythritol seems to be more efficacious than the traditional polishing method, and should improve oral health care.

Chronic Dietary Erythritol Exposure Elevates Plasma Erythritol Concentration in Mice but Does Not Cause Weight Gain or Modify Glucose Homeostasis

BACKGROUND

Erythritol is both a common nonnutritive sweetener and an endogenous product of glucose metabolism. Recent reports suggest that elevated plasma erythritol is a predictive biomarker of cardiometabolic disease onset and complications.

OBJECTIVES

Although short-term erythritol consumption has been evaluated, the effect of chronically elevated circulating erythritol on adiposity and glucose metabolism has not. This study investigated the effect of longer-term erythritol consumption on weight gain and glucose tolerance in young/adolescent mice.

METHODS

Four erythritol supplementation experiments were completed and analyzed separately in male C57BL/6J mice. In experiments 1 and 2, mice aged 8 wk or 20 wk, respectively, were randomly allocated to consume 16% fat diet (LFD) or LFD with 40 g/kg erythritol. In experiments 3 and 4, mice aged 8 wk or 20 wk were fed 45% fat diet (HFD) or HFD with 40 g/kg erythritol (HFD + ERY). In each experiment, we compared the effect of erythritol consumption on plasma erythritol, body weight and composition, glucose tolerance, and brown adipose tissue (BAT) uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression. We also investigated relative endogenous tissue erythritol concentrations in a subset of control (LFD or HFD) mice in experiments 1 and 3.

RESULTS

There was no effect of erythritol supplementation on body weight or glucose tolerance in experiments 1-3. In experiment 4, in the 20-wk-old mice fed HFD or HFD + ERY, there was a significant interaction of time and erythritol on body weight (P < 0.0001), but the main effect of diet was not significant. Plasma erythritol was elevated 40-fold in mice consuming erythritol-supplemented diets relative to mice consuming LFD or HFD controls. We found no effect of chronic erythritol consumption on BAT UCP1 protein concentrations. Liver and kidney tissue contained significantly higher endogenous erythritol than quadriceps and visceral adipose (P < 0.001) in young mice fed LFD and HFD.

CONCLUSIONS

In young/adolescent mice, prolonged erythritol consumption did not significantly affect body weight, composition, or glucose tolerance.

Erythritol, an Artificial Sweetener, Is Acaricidal Against Pest Mites and Minimally Harmful to a Predatory Mite

Erythritol, an artificial sweetener, has shown promise as an organic, human-safe insecticide. Recently, erythritol applications were shown to be successful at controlling pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster)) (Hempitera: Psyllidae), the most important pest of pear in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) and pear rust mite (Epitrimerus pyri (Nalepa)) (Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae) can also be highly damaging pear pests. Their common natural enemy, Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), can provide biological control if selective pesticides are used for managing other pests. Through a series of bioassays, we sought to determine whether erythritol could also be used for controlling either species of pest mite. We also examined whether erythritol had acute or sublethal impacts on G. occidentalis, through a variety of exposure methods. Effects examined included mortality, fecundity, prey consumption, and locomotion. We determined that a high concentration of erythritol (30%) had efficacy against both pest mite species and caused arresting behavior in twospotted spider mite. Erythritol caused little acute mortality in G. occidentalis, but did reduce fecundity and prey consumption through some exposure methods. Through motion-capture software, we determined that this is primarily due to reduced movement, likely caused by difficulty walking on residues and excessive grooming behavior. Because the predatory mite non-target effects were less acute than those for the two pest mites, we concluded that erythritol could likely be integrated into pear IPM with little or no disruption of mite biological control.

Gastric emptying of solutions containing the natural sweetener erythritol and effects on gut hormone secretion in humans: A pilot dose-ranging study

AIM

To determine whether a dose-dependent effect in the stimulation of gut hormone release (plasma cholecystokinin [CCK], active glucagon-like peptide-1 [aGLP-1] and peptide tyrosine tyrosine [PYY]) is found for the natural sweetener erythritol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve healthy, lean volunteers received solutions with 10, 25 or 50 g erythritol, or tap water enriched with ¹³ C-sodium acetate on four study days via a nasogastric tube in this randomized (active treatments), placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial. Blood samples and breath samples (¹³ C-sodium acetate method for measurement of gastric emptying [GE]) were taken at regular intervals, and sensations of appetite and gastrointestinal symptoms were rated.

RESULTS

We found (a) a dose-dependent stimulation of CCK, aGLP-1 and PYY, and slowing of GE, (b) no effect on blood glucose, insulin, motilin, glucagon or glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, (c) no effect on blood lipids and uric acid, and (d) no abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.

CONCLUSIONS

Solutions with 10 and 50 g of erythritol stimulated gut hormone release. Emptying of erythritol-containing solutions from the stomach was slower compared with placebo. There was no effect on plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, blood lipids or uric acid. All doses were well tolerated.

The Artificial Sweetener, Erythritol, Has Insecticidal Properties Against Pear Psylla (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

Erythritol is a dietary sweetener that is used for low-calorie or diabetic diets. Although safe for human consumption, erythritol is lethal to certain Dipteran pests, but insecticidal effects of erythritol on phloem-feeding insects have yet to be examined. Our goal was to determine whether erythritol has insecticidal activity against pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). We first demonstrated that ingestion of erythritol solutions compared with water by pear psylla caused reduced feeding, impaired motor functions, and reduced survival time of adults. We then tested whether foliar treatment of pear leaves with erythritol was also lethal to pear psylla. Foliar treatment of erythritol led to reduced 3-d survival of pear psylla nymphs and adults, and reduced rates of oviposition by pear psylla adults. Psylla adults also preferred to settle on untreated leaves than on erythritol-treated leaves in preference assays. Finally, we conducted field experiments to test whether applications of erythritol provided pear trees with protection against pear psylla under natural field conditions. Those experiments showed a reduction in pear psylla nymphs on erythritol-treated trees compared with untreated trees, but only if the erythritol was completely dissolved into solution by heating. Laboratory trials confirmed the importance of heating. Results of our experiments demonstrate that erythritol is insecticidal to pear psylla nymphs and adults and provide the first report that erythritol is lethal to a phloem-feeding insect. These findings suggest that erythritol may provide a new safe and effective tool for the management of pear psylla.

Potential for Use of Erythritol as a Socially Transferrable Ingested Insecticide for Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Ants are significant structural and agricultural pests, generating a need for human-safe and effective insecticides for ant control. Erythritol, a sugar alcohol used in many commercial food products, reduces survival in diverse insect taxa including fruit flies, termites, and mosquitos. Erythritol also decreases longevity in red imported fire ants; however, its effects on other ant species and its ability to be transferred to naïve colony members at toxic doses have not been explored. Here, we show that erythritol decreases survival in Tetramorium immigrans Santschi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a concentration-dependent manner. Access to ad-libitum water reduced the toxic effects of erythritol, but worker mortality was still increased over controls with ad-lib water. Foraging T. immigrans workers transferred erythritol at lethal levels to nest mates that had not directly ingested erythritol. Similar patterns of mortality following erythritol ingestion were observed in Formica glacialis Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Camponotus subarbatus Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and Camponotus chromaiodes Bolton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). These findings suggest that erythritol may be a highly effective insecticide for several genera of ants. Erythritol's potential effectiveness in social insect control is augmented by its spread at lethal levels through ant colonies via social transfer (trophallaxis) between workers.

Erythritol Ingestion Causes Concentration-Dependent Mortality in Eastern Subterranean Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Damage from termite infestations is economically significant and control can be costly when requiring the widespread use of conventional insecticides. Erythritol, a polyalcohol sweetener that is safe for human consumption, causes increased mortality when ingested by some insects, indicating potential as a safe alternative insecticide. Here, we investigated the applicability of erythritol as a novel toxicant method of termite control. Eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), were fed paper foods treated with increasing concentrations of erythritol and were assessed for mortality and bait consumption. Termite survival to 8 d (the duration of the experiment) significantly decreased as erythritol treatment concentration increased, indicating that the lethal effects of erythritol were concentration-dependent. Termites consumed erythritol-treated paper at all concentrations and did not display avoidance in choice assays, suggesting that erythritol may be practical for use as an ingestible bait. These results provide a basis for further development of erythritol as a safe alternative method of termite control.

Oil crop wastes as substrate candidates for enhancing erythritol production by modified Yarrowia lipolytica via one-step solid state fermentation

Oil crop wastes are attractive feedstocks in microbial processes due to their low cost. However, the product yields can be limited by their undesirable nitrogen surplus. Present study proposed a one-step solid state fermentation (SSF) method for producing erythritol from unrefined oil crop wastes using a modified strain Y. lipolytica M53-S. Enhanced erythritol production (185.4 mg/gds) was obtained from peanut press cake mixed with 40% sesame meal and 10% waste cooking oil. The process was performed at pH 4.0 in 5 L flasks, with initial moisture content, NaCl addition, and inoculum size of 70%, 0.02 g/gds, and 7.5 × 10⁴ cells/gds, respectively. This procedure showed advantages in terms of lower material cost than that of submerged fermentation and shorter culture cycle (96 h) than other SSF processes. In repeated-batch fermentation, erythritol was continuously produced for seven cycles. This study presents a feasible approach in developing an efficient erythritol cultivation from nitrogen-rich wastes.

[Antibacterial activity of erythritol on periodontal pathogen]

PURPOSE

To explore the effect of erythritol on the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans(Aa), Actinomices viscosus (Av), and to explore how Porphyromonas gingivalis affected by erythritol influence mRNA expression level of inflammatory in periodontal cells.

METHODS

Pg, Aa, Av were anaerobically cultured (80%N₂, 10%CO₂, 10%H₂) at 37℃ in 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 g/L erythritol- BHI mixture groups (experimental groups) and BHI groups (control group). The lowest erythritol concentration without turbidity or precipitation was the minimum inhibitory concentration. Pg was cultured in MIC, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 MIC erythritol- BHI mixture groups (experimental groups) and BHI groups (control group). Each kind of bacteria in each concentration group was centrifugalled and cleaned before added into DMEM. The mixed suspension was co-cultured with the periodontal ligament cells in four generations for 24 hours, the supernatan was removed , then the total RNA in cracking cells was extracted and reversing transcription. At last, the relative expression of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-a was detected real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The data were analyzed with SPSS19.0 software package.

RESULTS

The minimum inhibitory by concentrations of erythritol on three bacteria were as followed: Pg: 64 g/L，Aa: 128 g/L，Av: 128 g/L. The ability of stimulating periodontal ligament cells to produce IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was different when Pg was cultured under different concentrations of erythritol. There was no significant difference between 0 g/L of control group and 8 g/L of experimental group. As the concentration reached 16 g/L, the relative expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α was reduced, and the higher concentration was, the less inflammatory factors was. However, the inflammatory factors in all the experimental groups were always significantly higher than that in the blank control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Erythritol has an inhibitory effect on the growth of Pg, Aa and Av. In a certain range, higher concentration of erythritol delivers better inhibition effect. Erythritol can also reduce the periodontal pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria in a way inhibiting the virulence of these bacteria, reducing the production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-a in periodontal cells.

Effect of Erythritol on Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the Presence of Naturally-Occurring Sugar Sources, and on the Survival of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Previous studies have demonstrated various combinations of non-nutritive erythritol and sucrose having detrimental effects on Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). Fly mortality is likely caused by 1) starvation from feeding on non-metabolizable erythritol; and 2) physiological imbalance with abnormally high osmotic pressure in the hemolymph. While erythritol kills D. suzukii in controlled environments, flies in the field can access naturally-occurring sugar sources. We evaluated fly mortality in the presence or absence of wounded fruits, and an erythritol mixture of 2.0 M erythritol:0.5 M sucrose (E+S), or erythritol- and sucrose-only controls. When provided E+S, survival was consistently lower than sucrose controls with/out wounded fruit, suggesting that this mixture still has a detrimental effect in the presence of competing sugar sources. Our second study examined the effects of diet on fecundity and egg load of female D. suzukii. Females laid fewer eggs on blueberries when fed E+S or erythritol-only than sucrose. Unexpectedly, females fed E+S had more ovarial eggs than sucrose-fed females, suggesting that erythritol might inhibit D. suzukii laying eggs. Lastly, we evaluated honey bee survivorship by enclosing bees with one of four diets in a cage. The erythritol mixture had no discernible impact on adult survivorship during 7 d.

Novel two-stage solid-state fermentation for erythritol production on okara-buckwheat husk medium

An economical model of two-stage solid state fermentation (SSF) (prefermentation stage with Mucor flavus and in situ erythritol fermentation stage with Yarrowia lipolytica) for enhancing erythritol production was investigated. Buckwheat husk (BH) was utilized as inert support for the first time and okara as the substrate. Morphological properties suggested yeast cells were exposed in adequate oxygen leading to high erythritol yield, and enzyme activities analysis indicated M. flavus and Y. lipolytica grew and cooperated well during the two ferment stages. Maximum erythritol production (143.3 mg/gds) was obtained from okara-BH mixture (5:2, w/w) supplemented with 0.01 g/gds NaCl, with an initial moisture content of 60% and pH of 4.0 for 192 h, while undesired mannitol and citric acid were suppressed. Compared with submerged fermentation, two-stage SSF was short period, energy conserving and operable for erythritol production from insoluble wastes, and this is the first report on erythritol production via SSF.

Mortality of the House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) After Exposure to Combinations of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) With the Polyol Sweeteners Erythritol and Xylitol

Documented resistance to traditional insecticides in the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), has expedited a need for alternative forms of control. One such method is the use of biological control organisms, such as the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo - Crivelli) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae). Administering B. bassiana with a calorically rich phagostimulant such as sucrose may have the unintended effect of increasing fly vitality and thus reproduction before mortality sets in. Therefore, finding a phagostimulant with lower caloric value that can replace sucrose is valuable. Here B. bassiana was combined with the sweeteners erythritol and xylitol as potential low-calorie substitutes for sucrose. Female flies consumed as much xylitol alone as they did sucrose alone, but less erythritol than both. After 24 h of exposure, B. bassiana administered at 1 mg in erythritol and in sucrose were equally effective at reducing survival and better than xylitol. B. bassiana administered at 10 mg worked equally well at reducing survival in all three sweeteners. When exposed to 10 mg of B. bassiana in sweetener for 1 h, sucrose reduced survival more than in erythritol or xylitol, but mortality was still in excess of 97% after 8 d in all three sweeteners. Each sweetener mixed with B. bassiana worked as well in an environment with additional food sources and stimuli as they did in an environment lacking these additions. Erythritol and xylitol appear to be strong candidates to replace sucrose in baits formulated around B. bassiana.

Erythritol production by Yarrowia lipolytica from okara pretreated with the in-house enzyme pools of fungi

Okara (soybean residue) is an ideal erythritol feedstock due to its low price and high-nutrient content. Fungal-fermentations were carried out in okara using in-house enzyme pools generated by Mucor flavus or Trichoderma reesei to make okara more accessibility in the subsequent erythritol production using Yarrowia lipolytica. Mucor-fermented okara produced a high erythritol yield because of its special component and micromorphology. Five days is the optimal period for Mucor fermentation. Different fermentation modes were compared in terms of erythritol production and yield. The concentration of Mucor-fermented okara in erythritol fermentation medium was optimal at 30.0g/L. Moreover, 40.0g/L NaCl was added as the osmotic regulator. No extra ingredient was needed during this process. Results of 5-L fermentations showed that an erythritol titer of 14.7g/L, with a yield of 0.49g/g okara was obtained. These findings indicated that Mucor-fermented okara was an economically alternative feedstock for low-cost erythritol production.

Polyol production from waste materials by genetically modified Yarrowia lipolytica

Sugar alcohols (polyols) are sweeteners with many industrial applications. In this study, a fermentation process of polyol production based on waste substrates - raw industrial molasses and crude glycerol - was tested. The yeast strain Yarrowia lipolytica Wratislavia K1 was genetically modified by overexpression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUC2 gene and overexpression of the native GUT1 gene. This process allowed for sucrose utilization and rapid glycerol assimilation by the engineered strain. In this study, the obtained strain AIB pAD-UTGut1 produced 100.65±3.75g/l of polyols, with productivity of 1.09±0.9g/lh and yield of 0.67±0.2g/g. This is the first study describing efficient polyol production by the modified Y. lipolytica strain from industrial raw molasses and crude glycerol. By process optimization, we established conditions for abundant polyol synthesis from low-value substrates.

Insecticidal Potential of Two Sugar Alcohols to Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

Pest management plans for house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), often include insecticides. Because of resistance and environmental concerns with traditional insecticides, safe new pesticides and pesticide formulations are needed. The insecticidal potential of two sugar alcohols, xylitol and erythritol, against adult house flies was assessed. Flies consumed both xylitol and erythritol. The proportion of flies that exhibited the proboscis extension reflex, which is associated with feeding, did not differ significantly between the sugar alcohols and sucrose in an experiment with 20% solutions and older flies, but was less for the sugar alcohols in an experiment with 2M solutions and younger flies. When presented alone or mixed with sucrose, both sugar alcohols significantly decreased fly survival relative to just sucrose. There was a strong negative relationship with concentration and mean days survived for xylitol, but no significant relationship for erythritol or sucrose. Relative to sucrose alone, a temporary exposure to xylitol, but not to erythritol, decreased survival when sucrose was subsequently available. Although xylitol and erythritol can both decrease survival of house flies and would meet the criteria for organic farming, deaths were often not very immediate. However, continued investigation of a variety of sweeteners as feeding-stimulant alternatives to sucrose is still useful, to minimize the risk of house flies evolving resistance to the sugar in baits. Our analysis of already published data on house flies that had been repeatedly exposed to a sucrose-based bait is consistent with the evolution of sucrose-feeding avoidance.

The amino-terminal conserved domain of 4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase is critical for its function in oxygen-evolving photosynthetic organisms

4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase (HDR), also known as isoprenoid synthesis H (IspH) or lysis-tolerant B (LytB), catalyzes the last step of the methylerythritol phosphate pathway to synthesize isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. The structure and reaction mechanism of IspH have been actively investigated in Escherichia coli but little is known in plants. Compared with the bacterial IspH, cyanobacterial and plant HDRs all contain an extra N-terminal conserved domain (NCD) that is essential for their function. Tyr72 in the NCD and several plant-specific residues around the central active site are critical for Arabidopsis HDR function. These results suggest that the structure and reaction mechanism of HDR/IspH may be different between plants and bacteria. The E. coli IspH is an iron-sulfur protein that is sensitive to oxygen. It is possible that the cyanobacterial HDR may independently evolve from the common ancestor of prokaryotes to obtain the NCD, which may protect the enzyme from high concentration of oxygen during photosynthesis.

[Study on the mechanism of erythritol effecting on Streptococcus mutans]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of erythritol on cell wall structure of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and explore its potential mechanism.

METHODS

Enzyme activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in bacterial solution were detected under respective condition of sucrose and erythritol. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the change of S. mutans' cell wall under the condition of sucrose and erythritol.

RESULTS

Enzyme activities of LDH in erythritol culture medium were different from that in sucrose, but the difference was slight. SEM observation showed the integrity of cell wall was not destroyed and no content leaked out.

CONCLUSION

It's suggested that erythritol has an antibacterial effect on S. mutans through no affecting on the normal structure of the cell wall of S. mutans.

[Contrasting study of erythritol and xylitol on Streptococcus mutans]

OBJECTIVE

To study the inhibitory effect of erythritol by contrast to xylitol on growth and acid production of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans).

METHODS

S. mutans were incubated respectively in 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% erythritol or xylitol culture medium under anaerobic conditions. The A and pH value of the mediums were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24 hours, following the profile plots by SPSS.

RESULTS

The data of A were higher in 0.5%, 1%, 2% erythritol culture medium than in xylitol culture medium at the same concentration, while lower in 8%, 12%, 16% erythritol culture medium than in xylitol culture medium at the same concentration. The data of pH were lower in 0.5%, 1%, 2% erythritol culture medium than in xylitol culture medium at the same concentration, while higer in 8%, 12%, 16% erythritol culture medium than in xylitol culture medium at the same concentration. It indicated that the growth and acid production of S. mutans were higer in 0.5%, 1%, 2% erythritol culture medium than in xylitol culture medium at the same concentration, while lower in 8%, 12%, 16% erythritol culture medium than in xylitol culture medium at the same concentration.

CONCLUSION

Compared with xylitol, erythritol in low concentration has weaker effort on the growth and acid production of S. mutans, while having stronger effort in high concentration.