Search Results (280)

Cultivation substrate critically affects the quality of Tremella fuciformis. Five substrates, including cottonseed hulls (MZKs), Machilus pauhoi Kanehira sawdust (BNM), lotus seed hulls (LZKs), Corethrodendron scoparium sawdust (HB), and palm fiber (ZL), were evaluated for their effects on agronomic traits, nutritional composition, texture, and taste characteristics. Untargeted metabolomics was applied to elucidate substrate-associated metabolic variations, and polysaccharide monosaccharide composition was quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that the BNM group exhibited the highest fresh weight, whereas the LZK group presented the highest dry weight and crude polysaccharide content. The ZL group displayed the greatest ear piece thickness and fruiting body elevation. Higher protein contents were observed in the ZL and LZK groups, with no differences in crude fiber content. Texture analysis indicated that hardness was highest in the LZK group, whereas the MZK group showed better springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness. Regarding taste characteristics, the MZK group exhibited the strongest sweetness, the LZK group showed a markedly higher bitterness, and umami levels were comparable across all groups. Metabolomic analysis revealed that substrate-induced variations in amino acids, saccharides, and taste-related metabolites were significantly associated with nutritional quality and taste attributes of T. fuciformis. Polysaccharides of fruiting bodies cultivated on the five substrates consisted of six monosaccharides, with composition ratios similar to those of spore extracellular polysaccharides; among them, differences in glucuronic acid (GlcA) proportion represented a key indicator distinguishing fruiting body polysaccharides from spore polysaccharides. This study revealed the metabolic basis and polysaccharide composition underlying substrate-dependent quality of T. fuciformis, supporting substrate optimization for high-quality production. Full article

This study developed an active packaging material by incorporating tea tree oil (TTO)-loaded lotus stalk biochar (BC@TTO) into a chitosan (CS) matrix. Biochar was prepared from lotus stalks via pyrolysis at 600 °C and characterized, revealing a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of 35.9 m²/g. Adsorption studies demonstrated that BC exhibited high affinity for TTO, following pseudo-first-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 295.6 mg/g. Chitosan-based composite membranes with varying BC@TTO contents (1–7 wt%) were fabricated by solution casting. The incorporation of BC@TTO significantly enhanced the tensile strength, elongation at break, barrier properties (water vapor and oxygen), and antioxidant/antibacterial activities of the membranes, with optimal performance observed at 3 wt% loading. However, higher loadings led to filler aggregation, reduced transparency, and compromised mechanical properties. In vitro release studies indicated that TTO release followed the Avrami model, suggesting a diffusion-controlled mechanism. Preservation tests on blueberries showed that the CS-3BC@TTO membrane effectively reduced weight loss and maintained fruit quality during storage. This work presents a promising strategy for designing bioactive packaging materials with sustained release functionality for food preservation applications. Full article

Lotus leaf provides unique nutritional properties to the traditional Chinese dish Jiao Hua Ji. However, its functional polysaccharides remain inadequately characterized. This study evaluates the physicochemical properties and hypoglycemic effects of lotus leaf polysaccharides in Jiao Hua Ji. Ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction significantly improved the yield of polysaccharides to 10.35 ± 0.39%. The yield of the polysaccharides as well as uronic acid content demonstrated a strong correlation with the bioactivity. FTIR analysis confirmed the characteristic infrared spectral features associated with glucans. Four polysaccharides were purified and characterized as 719 kDa (Glc/Gal/Ara 98.91:0.44:0.65), 1010 kDa (Glc/Gal/Ara 98.43:1.18:0.39), 447 kDa (Glc/Gal/Ara 97.17:2.02:0.82), and 327 kDa (Glc/Gal/Ara 97.54:2.06:0.4). The purified polysaccharides exhibited enhanced inhibition of α-amylase, positively correlating with molecular weight and glucose content. Molecular docking studies revealed that the polysaccharide successfully occupies the hydrophobic pocket of α-amylase through hydrogen bonds, with a low binding energy of −6.548 kcal/mol. Notably, the purified polysaccharide significantly improved glucose utilization by 157.5% without cytotoxicity. This study may provide a foundational basis for the application of Jiao Hua Ji in hypoglycemic dietary intervention. Full article

This review summarizes scientific advances about the sonochemical synthesis of starch nanoparticles (St-NPs) for the food industry, as well as nutraceutical and drug delivery applications. High-intensity ultrasonication (HIU) has been explored as a versatile and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods for synthesizing St-NPs with high yields (>90%), controlled size (~100 nm), and minimal effluent generation. Thus, HIU has been explored (pre- or post-treatment) to mitigate the inherent disadvantages (high-cost, low yields, and environmental impact) of hydrothermal gelatinization, acid/alkaline hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, enzyme branching, water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, non-solvent nanoprecipitation, extrusion, high-pressure homogenization, high-energy milling, and cold plasma. Conventional sources of starch (corn [normal, waxy, high-amylose] and potato) and other unconventional sources (tubers [cassava, yam, malanga], seeds and grains [sorghum, barley, quinoa, lotus], breadfruit, pinhao seed, Araucaria angustifolia) have been subjected to single or assisted sonochemical protocols to obtain St-NPS with unique structural, physicochemical, and technological properties. The physical–mechanical effects of ultrasonication (cavitation, heat, and pressure) directly promote surface functionalization (i.e., esterification, pore formation) and impact the St-NPS’s particle size, double-helix structure, enzymatic-resistance properties, crystallinity, and intra- and intermolecular arrangements. Pickering additives in food systems, colloids in beverages, nanocomposites in biofilms for food packaging, and nanocarriers for drug and nutraceutical delivery (oral and transdermal) have been the most reported applications. Full article

Browning is the major physiological cause of quality loss in lotus root. This study explored the effects of temperature (4 °C, 25 °C, 35 °C) or ethylene (ET) on quality, especially browning, as well as polyphenol and starch metabolism in lotus root. Low temperature (4 °C) reduced browning and color changes (L*, a*), while retaining water and vitamin C (Vc) content. ET maintained Vc and soluble protein, while high temperature (35 °C) promoted total soluble solids (TSS) and soluble sugar accumulation. ET or 35 °C upregulated polyphenol metabolism-related genes including NnPAL1/4, NnCHS1, NnF3H and NnANR, increased total phenolic and flavonoid content, and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Moreover, 35 °C increased PAL activity, and ET also upregulated NnUGT88B1. Furthermore, 4 °C downregulated NnGBE1-1/2, promoted starch accumulation, while ET upregulated NnSSI, downregulated NnGBE1-1/2, and delayed starch decline. Meanwhile, ET elevated NnETR and NnEBF1-2 and mediated ethylene signaling transduction. In conclusion, 4 °C storage was optimal for delaying browning and starch metabolism of lotus root. Meanwhile, ET treatment or 35 °C were more beneficial to obtain more phenolics and flavonoids. Full article

Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., an extremophyte shrub native to the Mediterranean basin, yields underexplored fruits as a source of therapeutic agents. This study combined in vitro and in silico approaches to evaluate the antioxidant potential of Z. lotus fruits and predict their potential to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO), a key enzyme in reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress-related pathologies. The ethyl acetate extract from the hydroalcoholic macerate was enriched in total phenolics (281.33 ± 1.5 μg GAE/mg) and flavonoids (127.26 ± 5.89 μg RE/mg) and displayed remarkable effects against the ABTS^•+ radical cation (IC₅₀ = 18.49 ± 1.47 μg/mL) and phenanthroline reducing power (A_0.5 = 8.38 ± 0.69 μg/mL), together with measurable xanthine oxidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 170.4 ± 5.90 μg/mL). The compounds tentatively identified by full-scan UHPLC-QtoF-HRMS were docked against XO (PDB ID: 3NVY), with phytosphingosine (−8.5 kcal/mol) and rutin (−8.3 kcal/mol) exhibiting the strongest binding affinities, forming favorable predicted interactions with critical catalytic residues, followed by 6‴-feruloylspinosin, 3′,5′-di-C-β-glucopyranosylphloretin and hexadecasphinganine (ranging from −7.8 to −7.6 kcal/mol). Predictive structure–activity relationships were also observed. These results provide insights into the antioxidant potential of Z. lotus phytochemicals and highlight the value of this extremophile plant as sustainable resource for phytotherapy and the management of oxidative stress-related diseases. Full article

This study utilized network pharmacology, bioinformatics, along with machine learning to investigate the multi-target synergistic anti-cancer mechanisms of three edible medicinal plants (EMPs)—mulberry leaf, lotus leaf, and sea buckthorn—against oral and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and ESCC). We identified potential active constituents and their targets through mining Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and Swiss Target Prediction databases. Concurrently, integration with differential expression profiles and co-expression modules identified crucial intersection targets between the EMPs and these two cancers. Subsequent machine learning algorithms and cross-cancer analysis consistently identified Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) as a critical hub gene. Its overexpression is closely associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Molecular simulations revealed stable binding interactions between active constituents from three EMPs and hub proteins. Furthermore, research on immune cell infiltration suggested that the active components of three EMPs may impact the tumor immune microenvironment in both OSCC and ESCC through the regulation of pivotal gene expression. Collectively, this work systematically elucidates the molecular basis underlying the multi-target, multi-pathway synergistic anti-cancer effects of these EMPs, providing a theoretical foundation for developing natural drugs against these squamous cell carcinomas. Full article

Pollen is one of the main food sources for honeybees. The honeybee gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive function and host health during long-term coevolution. While the consumption and utilization of pollen have been extensively studied, there is limited information about the effects of pollen on the gut microbiota of Apis cerana. In this study, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to evaluate the effects of four natural pollens (oilseed rape pollen, camellia pollen, lotus pollen and buckwheat pollen) and two pollen substitutes (Diet 1 and Diet 2) on the hindgut microbiota of newly emerged A. cerana worker bees, following feeding periods of 5, 10 and 15 days. The results showed that Firmicutes and Proteobacteria are dominant in the gut microbiota of A. cerana. A. cerana workers fed with pollen diets had a higher diversity of gut microbiota than those fed with pollen substitutes. There have been significant differences in the gut microbiota structure and relative abundance of the core microbial community among A. cerana workers supplied with different diets. Our results confirm that gut bacterial communities of A. cerana can be influenced by pollen diets and may play an important role in host adaptation. Full article

Background/Objectives: The global rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA), continues to pose a major public health challenge, including in Hawaii. This underscores the need to discover new antimicrobial agents from natural sources. Guided by teachings from a Buddhist master regarding the medicinal value of lichens, we investigated the endemic Hawaiian lichen Cladonia skottsbergii. Methods: Specimens of C. skottsbergii were collected from the Lotus Buddhist Monastery in Mountain View, Hawaii. A methanolic extract was prepared and purified using chromatographic techniques, and compound structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial activity of the compounds was assessed against Gram-positive strains (MRSA, MSSA) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Cytotoxicity was assessed using A549 (non-small cell lung cancer) and Vero E6 (non-tumorigenic) cell lines. Results: Three compounds were isolated: clarosione (1), a newly identified trichlorinated xanthone, and two known metabolites, (S)-usnic acid (2) and perlatolic acid (3). Compounds 2 and 3 demonstrated strong inhibitory effects against MRSA and MSSA. Their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 2 to 4 µg/mL, compared with vancomycin (0.5–1 µg/mL). Cytotoxicity testing showed higher sensitivity in A549 cells than in Vero E6 cells, resulting in favorable selectivity indices for the active compounds. Conclusions: In the current study, a new compound, clarosione (1) was discovered. This enhances our understanding of the constituents of C. skottsbergii and its potential antibacterial properties. Lichen-derived compounds may serve as lead candidates for further development, and further study is warranted. Full article

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS)-derived bio-based polyurethane coatings typically exhibit poor hydrophobicity and short nutrient release durations, limiting their ability to satisfy long-term crop requirements. This study developed improved controlled-release urea by preparing water-repellent and compact bio-polymer coatings from recyclable SMS using non-toxic siloxane and nano-SiO₂ modifiers through simple processes. The dual modification markedly reduced water absorption (from 6.60% to 4.43%) and porosity (from 6.32% to 3.92%), creating a dense coating with lotus-leaf-like nanoscale surface protrusions and fewer intermembrane pores. As a result, the nitrogen (N) release period of the dual-modified bio-polymer-polyurethane-coated urea (SBPCU) with a 7% coating thickness was extended from 23 days to 42 days. Phytotoxicity assessments confirmed the excellent biosafety of the bio-polymer coating, revealing no adverse effects on maize growth and even promotional effects at low concentrations. This approach offers a sustainable, eco-friendly, and scalable strategy for producing bio-polymer-coated urea from agricultural waste, serving as a viable alternative to petrochemical coatings while improving nutrient use efficiency and biosafety. Full article

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are multifactorial disorders causing severe disability, rising with the increase in life expectancy. Currently, the identification of natural compounds useful against these disorders is becoming an urgent necessity. In this study, we used polyphenol-enriched extracts obtained from leaves of Mediterranean plants, which are important in animal feeding (Lotus ornithopodioides, Hedysarum coronarium, Medicago sativa) and in the human Mediterranean diet (Cichorium intybus). Objectives: The aims of this study were as follows: (i) tentative identification of the organic compounds present in the extracts; (ii) determination of their effect on the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A and MAO-B, key enzymes involved in the metabolism of aminergic neurotransmitters, as well as on protein expression level of these enzymes in cell lines expressing basal MAO-A and MAO-B. Methods: The ability of plant polyphenol extracts to inhibit MAO-A and MAO-B activity was assessed by in vitro enzyme assays. The protein expression level was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Our data demonstrate that all the extracts behaved as MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors, although to a different extent and enzyme inhibition mechanism; among them, the extract from L. ornithopodioides induced a decrease in MAO-A protein level in human AGS gastric adenocarcinoma and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines. Conclusions: These data reinforce the hypothesis that a plant-based diet and/or integrative supplementation of pharmacological treatments can be considered for preventing and relieving symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Superhydrophobic micropillar surfaces, inspired by the lotus leaf, have been extensively studied over the past two decades for their self-cleaning, anti-friction, anti-icing, and anti-corrosion properties. In this study, we introduce a simple and effective method for introducing porosity into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillar arrays using salt templating. We then evaluate the wetting behaviour of these surfaces before and after infusion with perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oil. Apparent contact angle and sliding angle were measured relative to a non-porous control surface. Across five porous variants, the contact angle decreased by approximately 5° (from 157° to 152° on average), while the sliding angle increased by about 3.5° (from 16.5° to 20° on average). Following PFPE infusion, the porous arrays exhibited reduced sliding angles while maintaining superhydrophobicity. These results indicate that introducing porosity slightly reduces water repellency and droplet mobility, whereas PFPE infusion restores mobility while preserving high water repellency. The change in wettability following PFPE infusion highlights the potential of these surfaces to function as robust, self-cleaning materials. Full article

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have attracted considerable attention in recent years because of their cost-effectiveness, safety, and sustainability. In this study, we developed 19 DESs for the extraction of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds from lotus leaves, utilizing ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Among the DESs examined, choline chloride (ChCl) and lactic acid (ChCl: lactic acid) exhibited the highest extraction efficiency. The optimal conditions were established as follows: molar ratio of 1:2.6, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:20 g/mL, water content of 8%, and ultrasound time of 65 min, which proved to be more efficient than conventional extraction methods such as water and ethanol. Under the optimal conditions, the total phenolic content (TPC) was 187.23 ± 14.67 mg GAE/g DW, and the extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀: 0.92 ± 0.23 mg/mL; FRAP: 21.56 ± 3.05 mg Trolox/g DW). This superiority arises from the formation of robust hydrogen bonds between ChCl and lactic acid, in conjunction with improved mass transfer efficiency. This study provides a green alternative method for polyphenol extraction from lotus leaves. Full article

In COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), multi-organ complications depend on the immune system’s activity. α1-Acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a highly glycosylated positive acute-phase protein having multifaceted immunomodulatory and protective effects. We were interested in changes in serum AGP concentrations, expression of its glycans, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) between severe COVID-19 patients, convalescents, and healthy controls, and whether any of the analyzed parameters could serve as an additional diagnostic biomarker of severe COVID-19 and/or help monitor recovery. We were also interested in associations between the examined parameters. AGP concentrations were measured using an immunoturbidimetric method. The profile and degree of AGP glycosylation were analyzed using lectin-ELISA with lectins: sialo-specific from Sambucus nigra (SNA) and Maackia amurensis (MAA), fucose-specific from Lotus tetragonolobus (LTA) and Aleuria aurantia (AAL). The static and capacitive ORP (sORP and cORP, respectively) were measured using MiOXSYS C+^® device (Caerus Biotechnologies, Vilnius, Lithuania). Statistica13.3PL software was used for statistical analysis. AGP concentrations increased in COVID-19 patients, showing high clinical usefulness in distinguishing them from convalescents and controls. AGP α2,6-sialylation (reactivity with SNA) was reduced in COVID-19 vs. other study groups, while α2,3-sialylation (reactivity with MAA) was reduced in convalescents vs. controls. The expression of LTA-reactive fucose (Lewis^x structures, Le^x) was reduced in COVID-19 patients compared to controls and convalescents, but AGP reactivity with AAL did not differ between the study groups. The sORP was reduced, and the cORP was increased in COVID-19. The observed negative correlations between sORP and AGP levels may suggest the antioxidant effect of AGP during severe COVID-19. Higher levels of serum AGP in severe COVID-19, together with low expression of sialic acid α2,6-linked and Le^x structures, accompanied by reduced sORP, constitute a characteristic pattern of biomarker expression during severe COVID-19. The increased expression of SNA-reactive sialic acid and Le^x structures may reflect the recovery process after SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection. The observed negative correlations between AGP and sORP levels may suggest that serum AGP in COVID-19 also plays a role as an antioxidative molecule. Full article

Biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces have become a focal point of recent research, driven by their promise in diverse applications. Among these, the lotus and rose effects are of particular interest due to their contrasting adhesion characteristics. Given that superhydrophobicity is closely related to the hierarchical structures of these surfaces, investigating the effects of two-level roughness on superhydrophobicity is crucial. In our previous work, we introduced a wetting parameter (W_Roughness), strongly correlated with the geometric characteristics of surface roughness, to elucidate the superhydrophobic behavior of solid surfaces. This parameter predicts the existence of a critical wetting parameter (W_Roughness,c) during the Wenzel–Cassie transition. For two-level surface roughness composed of primary and secondary roughness, the W_Roughness of the two-level surface is influenced by the geometric characteristics of both primary and secondary roughness. Furthermore, when secondary roughness is added to a primary roughness surface in the Wenzel state, the resulting two-level roughness can exhibit various superhydrophobic states, such as the Wenzel state, Wenzel–Cassie transition, or Cassie state, depending on the characteristics of the secondary roughness. To further investigate the influence of two-level roughness on superhydrophobicity, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also conducted. Full article