Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Lactobacillus casei Fermented Raspberry Juice In Vitro and In Vivo

The aim of this study was to investigate the modulation of gut microbiota by fermented raspberry juice (FRJ) both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of FRJ reached the highest after fermentation for 42 h. Seventeen phenolic compounds were contained in FRJ, mainly including ellagic acid (496.64 ± 2.91 μg/g) and anthocyanins (total concentration: 387.93 μg/g). FRJ modulated the gut microbiota into a healthy in vitro status, with increase of valeric and isovaleric acids production. In healthy mice, all FRJ treatments improved the production of acetic, butyric and isovaleric acids as well as the gene expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, Claudin-4, Ocdudin, E-cadherin and Muc-2. Moreover, variable gut microbial compositions were found among the groups fed diet-supplemented the different doses of FRJ, within low and median doses of FRJ may regulate the microbiota to a healthier state compared to the high dose supplementation. This study indicated that fermentation is a potential way to produce plant-based juices, which could reshape the gut microbiota and improve the host health.

Semantic function module pipeline generation

With modular automation, modular industrial plants use a functional engineering approach, and modules enable plug & produce plant engineering. However, plant configuration is still a largely manual process and often not optimized with respect to the available information. In this contribution, we propose a system and algorithm to support the automation engineer in the process of joining together modules into process pipelines and in their optimization. Our solution is built upon an abstract semantic data model that facilitates the automated matching of pre- and post-condition of modules and of the things that are processed by these modules. The pipeline generation engine is further extended by means of an optimization and ranking algorithm, and thus enables automated inter-module pipeline generation and plant optimization. We evaluate our system by means of a simple fictional use case scenario and prove feasibility, applicability as well as the huge potential for time and cost savings.

Handling Several Sugars at a Time: a Case Study of Xyloglucan Utilization by Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum

The study of the decomposition of recalcitrant plant biomass is of great interest as the limiting step of terrestrial carbon cycle and to produce plant-derived valuable chemicals and energy. While extracellular cellulose degradation and catabolism have been studied in detail, few publications describe the complete metabolism of hemicelluloses and, to date, the published models are limited to the extracellular degradation and sequential entry of simple sugars.

Synthesis of Vegan Leather Using Plant-Based Substrates: A Preliminary Study

Cow leather is a widely used material. Even though durable, it causes ethical, social, and environmental issues. The synthesis of vegan leather, using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), could be explored for an alternative to cow leather. Presently, there are limited studies on the different substrates used to produce vegan leather using this method. Hence, this study aimed to produce plant-based vegan leather, using various plant-based substrates such as black tea, green tea, black and green tea, coconut water, and fruit pulp with five replicates per substrate. All the substrates used in the experiments were able to produce cellulose upon inoculation. The overall results indicate that the substrate consisting of a mixture of black and green tea was the most effective in producing vegan leather in terms of yield and cost.

Improved functional properties of meat analogs by laccase catalyzed protein and pectin crosslinks

The gap between the current supply and future demand of meat has increased the need to produce plant-based meat analogs. Methylcellulose (MC) is used in most commercial products. Consumers and manufacturers require the development of other novel binding systems, as MC is not chemical-free. We aimed to develop a novel chemical-free binding system for meat analogs. First, we found that laccase (LC) synergistically crosslinks proteins and sugar beet pectin (SBP). To investigate the ability of these SBP-protein crosslinks, textured vegetable protein (TVP) was used. The presence of LC and SBP improved the moldability and binding ability of patties, regardless of the type, shape, and size of TVPs. The hardness of LC-treated patties with SBP reached 32.2 N, which was 1.7- and 7.9-fold higher than that of patties with MC and transglutaminase-treated patties. Additionally, the cooking loss and water/oil-holding capacity of LC-treated patties with SBP improved by up to 8.9–9.4% and 5.8–11.3%, compared with patties with MC. Moreover, after gastrointestinal digestion, free amino nitrogen released from LC-treated patties with SBP was 2.3-fold higher than that released from patties with MC. This is the first study to report protein-SBP crosslinks by LC as chemical-free novel binding systems for meat analogs.

Screening and selection of camptothecin producing endophytes from Nothapodytes nimmoniana

Endophytic fungi with the ability to produce plant based secondary metabolites are a potential alternative for producing the host plant metabolite and to prevent natural plants from extinction. To isolate a high metabolite yielding endophytic strain from plants, hundreds of endophytic strains are screened and tested for product yield separately under axenic state, before shortlisting the potential endophyte, which involves huge time consumption. In this study, strategies for screening and selection of high camptothecin yielding endophytes from their natural habitat were proposed. A correlation was built between the camptothecin yield in the explants and the endophytes isolated from them. In addition, camptothecin yield was compared between the endophytes isolated from young and matured plants. Further, camptothecin producers and non-producers strains were compared for their tolerance toward camptothecin. The study indicates that high camptothecin yielding endophytes were isolated from high yielding explants and younger plants and they were more tolerant to camptothecin in comparison to non-camptothecin yielding endophytes. Thus, choosing a young and high yielding explant for endophyte isolation, and use of camptothecin as a selective agent in the growth medium, can be instrumental in screening and selection of high camptothecin yielding endophytes from nature in relatively less time.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOME PHENOLIC ACIDS OF IN VITRO AND IN VIVO GROWN PLANT LEAVES OF SALVIA HISPANICA

Several plant species could be produce bioactive compounds, which play a key role in protecting human health, Chia is one of these plant species which has been gaining growing popularity among the traditional medicine groups. In order to sustainably produce plant biomass and its phytochemical content. Numerous biotechnological approaches need to be employed, and elicitation has proven to be a very effective method for increased secondary metabolite production in various in vitro culture. The current research involves the application of various concentrations of SA as an elicitor with 2,4-D and BAP in callus cultures, and the main aim was to stimulate the accumulation of biomass and phytochemical contents. The results showed that the highest concentration of keamferol and gallic acid compounds in callus of S. hispanica were occurred in the treatment with 2 mgl-1 2,4-D and 2mgl-1 SA in the presence of 0.5mgl-1 BA.

Application of aluminum sulfate in the treatment of papermaking white water

Physical chemical methods were used to treat papermaking white water used to produce plant fiber mulch sheet that contained fine fibers and inorganic fillers as suspended solids. The ordinary chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) was obviously reduced after the papermaking white water was treated by the flocculant. By comparing three different coagulants (aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3), poly-aluminum chloride (PAC), and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)) and flocculant (poly-acrylamide copolymer (PAM)) to process papermaking white water, it was found that Al2(SO4)3 had the best coagulation effect and the lowest cost. The best flocculation conditions were 2,733 mg/L of Al2(SO4)3 and 4.52 mg/L of PAM to treat the papermaking white water. Under the best flocculation conditions, the CODCr was less than 300 mg/L. The goal of closed recycling and zero discharge of white water in the production process of plant fiber mulch sheet was realized.