Search Results (1,934)

Background/Objectives: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSW3805 was isolated from Korean kimchi samples to examine its effect in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model. Methods: To induce colitis, mice were treated with DSS for one week before sacrifice (n = 8 per group, total n = 40). Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (10⁹ CFU/day) or probiotics (L. plantarum DSW3805; 10⁸ or 10⁹ CFU/day) were administered for two weeks. To assess colitis damage, we evaluated the disease activity index, colon tissue, inflammatory factors, the microbiome, short-chain fatty acids, and intestine-related factors. Results: DSS induced colonic tissue damage (colon length, mucus thickness, and colonic crypts), and L. plantarum DSW3805 alleviated the tissue damage. Induced inflammation was reduced by inhibiting TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IgA, IgG, LTB4, PGE2, and NF-κB protein expression. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in the PC group (DSS-treated control) was lower than that in the NC (DSS-nontreated control); L. plantarum DSW3805 increased the ratio. Higher concentrations of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids were detected in probiotic groups. In addition, harmful factors, such as calprotectin and β-glucuronidase, were reduced in the probiotic groups. Conclusions: L. plantarum DSW3805 alleviates gut damage by colitis; therefore, it can be used as a functional food to improve gut health. Full article

This study examines the effect of inoculum (0.5–3 g/L) and substrate concentration (40–200 g/L) on butyric acid and biohydrogen production by batch dark fermentation at 37 °C. Clostridium pasteurianum DSM525 and Cheese Whey Powder (CWP) were used in the experiments. The results showed that biohydrogen and butyric acid production increased with a 1.5 g/L microorganism concentration and 80 g/L CWP. A Cumulative Hydrogen Formation (CHF) of 458 mL, butyric acid (BA) of 1.523 g/L, butyric acid to acetic acid (BA/AA) ratio of 3.07 g BA/g AA, hydrogen production yield (Y_H2/TS) of 1278.63 mL H₂/g TS, and butyric acid production yield (Y_BA/TS) of 0.37 g BA/g TS at 1.5 g/L inoculum concentration was achieved. The hydrogen (HPR) and butyric acid production rates (BAPR) were similarly the highest at 1.5 g/L. The maximum specific hydrogen (SHPR) and butyric acid rates (SBAPR) were obtained at 2 g/L and 1 g/L organism concentrations, respectively. In variations of substrate concentrations, 651.1 mL of CHF, 1.1 g/L of BA, 3.23 g BA/g AA of BA/AA ratio, 576 mL H2/g TS of YH2/TS, and 27.4 g BA/g TS of Y_BA/TS were accomplished. HPR and SHPR were the highest at 80 g/L CWP due to no substrate inhibition. The BAPR was at its maximum at 100 g/L, BA accumulation was faster, and the SBAPR was at maximum 40 g/L CWP. The results showed a good adaptation of C. pasteurianum to the butyric acid-derived hydrogen production pathway. This strategy could build a renewable and sustainable process with dual valuable outputs. Full article

Copper-containing catalysts supported on different commercial oxide supports (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and mixed oxide supports) were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method and investigated for the selective hydrogenation of methyl esters (methyl butyrate, methyl hexanoate, methyl stearate) to fatty alcohols. Characterization techniques, including transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, and the temperature-programmed hydrogen reduction (H₂-TPR) method, were utilized and revealed the relationship between catalyst properties and its structure. The best results of catalytic activity were obtained in the presence of the Cu catalyst supported on SiO₂ with co-precipitated Al₂O₃, where the conversion of esters was above 50% with a selectivity for the corresponding alcohols of 40–70%. This efficient and inexpensive Cu-based catalyst can be widely used in industrial production, which is conducive to promoting the development of non-precious metal catalysts in the biomass industry. Full article

Background: The skin microbiota-derived metabolite butyrate plays a pivotal role in maintaining skin health. Unfortunately, unpleasant sensorial properties and unfavorable physicochemical properties strongly limit the butyrate use in dermatology clinical practice. This study investigates the effects of N-(1-carbamoyl-2-phenyl-ethyl) butyramide (FBA), a butyric acid releaser with neutral sensorial properties on skin keratinocyte function. Methods: Immortalized human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells) was treated with FBA at various concentrations (0.001–1 mM) and time points (6–48 h). Cellular proliferation was assessed using MTT assays, while barrier integrity was evaluated by measuring tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1). Oxidative stress was analyzed using ROS assays and Western blot for Nrf2 and NF-κB expression. Markers of differentiation and extracellular matrix proteins were measured via quantitative PCR and wound-healing capability was assessed using a scratch assay. Results: FBA significantly enhanced keratinocyte proliferation at an optimal concentration of 0.1 mM. Tight junction protein expression increased, indicating improved barrier function. FBA reduced oxidative stress by upregulating Nrf2 and suppressing NF-κB activity. It also promoted the expression of differentiation markers (e.g., keratin-1, filaggrin) and extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagen type I and elastin). Furthermore, FBA accelerated wound closure, demonstrating its efficacy in enhancing the mechanisms of skin repair. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that FBA enhances human keratinocyte cell differentiation, proliferation, and skin repair while protecting against oxidative stress. Its potential in cosmetics lies in delivering butyric acid benefits without organoleptic limitations, with possible applications in several skin condition characterized by deficient butyrate production and inflammation, such as atopic dermatitis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary fibre promotes health, partly by mediating gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Pregnancy alters the relationship between dietary composition and the gut microbiota, and it is unclear if fibre intake during late pregnancy alters the abundance of SCFA bacteria and circulating SFCA concentrations. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of dietary fibre on faecal microbiome composition and circulating concentrations of SCFA acetate, butyrate, and propionate in late pregnancy. We also aimed to assess the impact of propionate treatment on placental function using cultured placental explants. Methods: 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed on faecal DNA collected at 28 weeks of gestation from participants enrolled in the SPRING cohort study consuming a low or adequate fibre diet. Circualting SCFA were assessed. Placental explants were treated with sodium propionate. Results: Fibre intake did not impact microbial diversity or richness but did impact the abundance of specific bacterial genera. Pregnant participants with low-fibre diets had a greater abundance of Bacteroides and Sutterella, and dietary fibre intake (mg/day) negatively correlated with genera, including Sutterella, Bilophila, and Bacteroides. SCFA concentrations did not differ between groups but circulating concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate did correlate with the abundance of key bacterial genera. Propionate treatment of placental explants did not alter mRNA expression of fatty acid receptors, antioxidants, or markers of apoptosis, nor did it impact pAMPK levels. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the impact of dietary fibre on SCFA concentrations in pregnant women is modest, although this relationship may be difficult to discern given that other dietary factors differed between groups. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that propionate does not impact key pathways in placental tissue, suggesting that previous associations between this SCFA and placental dysfunction may be due to other maternal factors. Full article

The production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) through the acidogenic fermentation of wastewater has garnered significant attention in recent years. This study examines the kinetics of VFA production in batch reactors using cassava wastewater as a substrate under previously identified conditions (initial pH of 5.7, S/M ratio of 4 gCOD/gVS, and temperature of 34 ± 1 °C). Additionally, this study identifies the best-fit models for estimating kinetic parameters related to the consumption of soluble organic matter and VFA production. VFA production yields ranged from 0.15 to 0.44 gCOD_VFA/gCOD over the 12-day fermentation period, with the highest yield observed on day 9. The acids produced consisted of 29.7% acetic acid, 43.3% propionic acid, and 27.0% butyric acid. The modified Gompertz and first-order with residual models effectively described the consumption of soluble organic matter, while the first-order and BPK models accurately represented the VFA production. These models showed the highest R² values and the lowest RMSE and AIC values. Cassava wastewater is a low-cost substrate with potential for VFA recovery. Its kinetic modeling provides valuable insights for the design, control, and scale-up of acidogenic reactors. Full article

The aim of this research was to provide a comparative analysis of the major parameters of the blood lipid spectrum found both in the case of brain tumors and in atherosclerosis, as well as to assess the correlation of these indicators with the proliferative activity index Ki-67 in cells. Blood analyses were conducted on samples from 50 patients with brain tumors and 50 patients with cerebral atherosclerosis. Blood plasma from 50 essentially healthy people was used for controls. Significant differences were found in the parameter values between the atherosclerosis sufferers and the control group only for their ratios of neutral lipids to cholesterol. Of the short-chain fatty acids, butyric acid is of greatest interest due to the significant differences of its levels from the control group in the blood of both patients with meningiomas and of those with gliomas. Statistically significant correlation coefficients between the levels of the Ki-67 cell proliferation marker and, in particular, butyric acid were found when compared with the neutral lipids to cholesterol ratios. These identified parameters of the blood plasma lipid spectrum can be used for preoperative diagnostics of brain tumors. However, these ratios cannot be used as preoperative noninvasive predictors of the level of the Ki-67 mitotic index, as no significant differences corresponding to this were found for low-grade or for high-grade anaplasia of brain tumors. Full article

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are inevitable intermediates of biogas production during the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. The excessive accumulation of VFAs leads to a pH drop and the strong inhibition of methanogenesis. On the other hand, VFAs are useful commodities with different applications, and their fermentative production may compete with traditional production methods based on oil derivatives. The fermentation methods have commonalities with the biorefinery concept. The present review considers the methods of VFA fermentative production together with competitive simultaneous biogas and hydrogen production. Methods of the enhanced production of volatile fatty acids are presented, showing the option of integrated processes of product removal and energy production from the obtained biogas. On the basis of the present review, the following conclusion can be drawn. Volatile fatty acids (formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric ones) are useful commodities with various applications. That is why their targeted production with their desired production rate may shift the aims of the anaerobic digestion toward volatile fatty acids instead of biogas release. On the other hand, VFA production combined with biogas release can make the overall process self-consistent, with energy production sufficient to maintain the target processes using biogas for heating the digestor. The maintenance of optimum VFA concentrations can be accomplished by simultaneous VFA removal from the fermentation broth, thus integrating the product recovery with the maintenance of optimum operation conditions in the digester. The substrate preparation and the operating conditions (organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time) are of crucial importance for the successful fermentation process. Full article

γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter whose deficiency has been associated with various neurological disorders. However, its low liposolubility limits its use as a supplement. Thus, multiple investigations have focused on searching for lipophilic GABA analogs that can modulate the activity of the GABA_B receptor, which could be associated with the etiology of some central nervous system disorders. The GABA analogs available on the market are Vigabatrin, Gabapentin as well as Pregabalin and Baclofen. In this work, we report on the synthesis of GABA analogs, taking the scaffold of GABA, Pregabalin, and Baclofen as a starting point. The analogs include structural features that could favor the affinity of the molecules for the GABA_B receptor, such as heterocyclic rings in the γ-position and alkyl or p-Cl-phenyl substituents (in analogy to Pregabalin and Baclofen, respectively). These analogs were synthesized by a sequence of reactions involving an N-alkylation, a 1,4-conjugated addition of dialkyl and diarylcuprates and a basic hydrolysis. Furthermore, a computational molecular docking over the GABA_B receptor was performed to evaluate the interaction of each compound in the Baclofen binding site. With this information, we evaluated our compounds as GABA_B agonists through a QSAR analysis. Finally, by means of molecular similarity analysis, and in silico ADME prediction, we support our three best compounds (8a–b, 8d) as potential GABA_B receptor agonists. Full article

This study investigates the impact of light conditions on the growth, rooting, and photosynthetic performance of in vitro cultivated Cistus creticus L. explants. Initially, different plant growth regulators were tested for multiple shoot growth [5 and 10 μM 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA), 5 and 10 μM meta-Topolin (mT), and 0.5 and 1 μM melatonin (Mel)] and rooting [5 and 10 μM mT, 0.5 and 1 μM Mel, and 0.5 and 1 μM Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)]. The media with the best results were Murashige and Skoog (MS) with 5 μM BA or 5 μM mT for shoot formation and 0.5 μM Mel or 1 μM IBA for rooting. Also, the explants were cultured under red (R), blue (B), or white (W) LED lights or fluorescent (FL) lamps. After four weeks, the photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll concentration, fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and shoot/root measurements were recorded. The optimal plant regulator for shoot generation was 5 μM mT under a W LED. For rooting, 1 μM IBA combined with a R LED resulted in 100% rooting, 3.53 roots/explant, and a 1.25 cm root length. The B LED led to the highest photosynthetic rate, while the chlorophyll concentration was highest with 5 μM BA under a FL lamp (CCI = 3.03). During acclimatization, a R LED and 1 μM IBA yielded the highest survival rate (70%). The current findings could reinforce the in vitro cultivation of the species for use in the floriculture industry, as well as for medicinal and other industrial purposes. Growth rooms equipped with automated LED lighting systems could optimize the micro-environment and create suitable climatic conditions to enhance in vitro plant growth. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neuroinflammation, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory signaling molecules, including cytokines and eicosanoids, as well as increased microglial reactivity, and is augmented by gut microbiota dysbiosis via the gut–brain axis. We conducted a pilot experiment to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effects of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on the gut microbiota and neuroinflammation. Methods: Female APP/PS1 mice (TG) and non-transgenic littermates (WT), 13–14 months old, were fed a diet supplemented with 0.3% EPA or control chow for 3 weeks. The gut microbiota composition, hippocampal and plasma eicosanoids levels, platelet activation, and microglial phagocytosis, as well as the brain and retinal genes and protein expression, were analyzed. Results: EPA supplementation decreased the percentage of Bacteroidetes and increased bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes in APP/PS1 and WT mice. Inflammatory lipid mediators were elevated in the hippocampus of the TG mice, accompanied by a reduction in the endocannabinoid docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide (DHEA). Dietary EPA did not affect hippocampal lipid mediators, but reduced the levels of arachidonic-derived 5-HETE and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) in WT plasma. Moreover, EPA supplementation decreased major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) gene expression in the retina in both genotypes, and MHCII+ cells in the hippocampus of TG mice. Conclusions: This pilot study showed that short-term EPA supplementation shaped the gut microbiota by increasing butyrate-producing bacteria of the Firmicutes phylum and decreasing Gram-negative LPS-producing bacteria of the Bacteroidetes phylum, and downregulated the inflammatory microglial marker MHCII in two distinct regions of the central nervous system (CNS). Further investigation is needed to determine whether EPA-mediated effects on the microbiome and microglial MHCII have beneficial long-term effects on AD pathology and cognition. Full article

This research examined the influences of electric field strength and pulse frequency of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment, along with the combined effects of dissolved oxygen and ferrous iron ions on the aroma and components of strong-flavor baijiu. PEF treatment improved fruity aromas and decreased the pit mud odor. Electric field strength promoted the production of short-chain fatty acid esters, while pulse frequency facilitated the formation of acetal oxidation products. The most notable changes were observed at an electric field strength of 25 kV, and a pulse frequency of 350 Hz. Increasing dissolved oxygen significantly improves fruity and mellow aromas and promotes the generation of 17 compounds including ethyl lactate, ethyl butyrate, hexan-1-ol, octanoic acid, and 3-methylbutanal, while Fe²⁺ treatment reduces the fruity aroma of baijiu and significantly suppresses the production of 15 esters including ethyl hexanoate, hexyl hexanoate, and ethyl lactate. Dissolved oxygen may contribute to the generation of hydroxyl radicals and regulated oxidation reactions partially in baijiu. And, Fe²⁺ may react with organic acids to promote the hydrolysis of ester compounds. This study aims to offer valuable insights into the practical application of PEF in the flavor regulation of baijiu. Full article

To investigate the effect of mountain-basin system on wine quality, four different regions were selected according to altitude and latitude. This work analyzed the differences in physicochemical properties, organic acids, monomeric phenols, antioxidant activity and volatile compounds of Cabernet Sauvignon wine between four regions. Comparative analysis revealed that there were significant differences in alcohol content and pH, respectively. Malic acid in organic acids was the main acid to distinguish the four regions. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between physicochemical properties and climatic conditions in the four regions. There were significant differences in most of the monomeric phenols, and the antioxidant capacity was also significantly different. A total of 60 volatile compounds were detected, including 11 key volatile compounds, and there were significant differences in the composition of wines in the four regions. Methyl salicylate, ethyl caprate and ethyl hexanoate were the characteristic aromas in mountain front (MF) and intermontane basin (IB) regions, decanal was the characteristic aroma in sloping field (SF) region, and ethyl butyrate was the characteristic aroma in near desert (ND) region. This study further clarified the influence of climate and terrain on wine quality, and provided a better theoretical basis for the fine management of small producing areas. Full article

Precision probiotics have shown great promise as novel therapies but have not been fully realized. One major obstacle is that different strains of the same gut microbiota species can induce markedly variable phenotypic outcomes. Here, we aimed to optimize and validate in a preclinical model, a six-species precision probiotic therapy for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), an autoimmune complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We had identified these six species as associated with protection against GVHD in a prior clinical study. We isolated strains of three of the targeted taxa (B. longum, C. bolteae, and Blautia spp.) from human stem cell transplant patients and characterized their SCFA production in vitro. We observed significant strain-to-strain variability among these gut microbiota taxa in their capacity to produce short-chain fatty acids, a microbiota-derived metabolite shown to be important for mitigating gut GVHD and inflammatory bowel disease, in vitro. We found that B. longum was able to augment butyrate production by C. bolteae and Blautia when co-cultured in vitro. “Optimized” precision probiotics mitigated GVHD and significantly increased survival (p = 0.013, log-rank test) in mice compared to a “standard” probiotic consortium of the same bacterial species obtained from a commercial repository. Importantly, the optimized probiotics resulted in significant increases in intestinal short-chain fatty acid concentrations compared to standard probiotics (p < 0.001, Mann–Whitney test). Our findings highlight the promising potential of utilizing an optimized precision probiotic approach to maximize therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Bacteriophage therapy is a promising approach for targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria and modulating gut microbiota in metabolic diseases such as obesity. This study evaluated the impact of a two-phage cocktail on an ex vivo colonic simulation model of gut microbiota derived from obese individuals, both in its normalized state and after enrichment with Enterobacter cloacae, an obesity-related bacteria. Microbiological analyses confirmed that the phage cocktail remained active throughout the colonic regions over three digestion cycles and effectively reduced enterobacterial populations in the enriched microbiota. Metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that phage therapy did not significantly alter the abundance of dominant genera, but selectively reduced E. cloacae across all colonic regions. Alpha diversity was significantly affected only in the enriched microbiota, while beta diversity analysis indicated significant compositional shifts during therapy, with reduced dispersion in the final treatment stage. Short-chain fatty acid profiling demonstrated region- and group-specific metabolic responses, with increased lactic and butyric acid concentrations in the ascending colon of the enriched microbiota following phage treatment. This study provides the first ex vivo evidence that a two-phage cocktail can selectively eliminate E. cloacae while preserving overall microbiota structure and functionality. These findings establish a foundation for future in vivo studies exploring the role of phage therapy in reshaping gut microbial communities and metabolic profiles, highlighting its potential as a precision tool for managing gut dysbiosis in metabolic disorders. Full article