Carotenoids and their cleavage products (norisoprenoids) have excellent functional properties with diverse applications in foods, medicaments, cosmetics, etc. Carotenoids can be oxidatively cleaved ...through nonspecific reactions or by carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs), the product of which could further modify food flavor. This review provides comprehensive information on both carotenoid synthesis and cleavage processes with emphasis on enzyme characterization and biosynthetic pathway optimization. The use of interdisciplinary approaches of bioengineering and computer-aided experimental technology for key enzyme modification and systematic pathway design is beneficial to monitor metabolic pathways and assess pathway bottlenecks, which could efficiently lead to accumulation of carotenoids in microorganisms. The identification of CCOs spatial structures isolated from different species has made a significant contribution to the current state of knowledge. Current trends in carotenoid-related flavor modification are also discussed. In particular, we propose the carotenoid-synthesizing yeast Rhodotorula spp. for the production of food bioactive compounds. Understanding the behavior underlying the formation of norisoprenoids from carotenoids using interdisciplinary approaches may point toward other areas of investigation that could lead to better exploiting the potential use of autochthonous yeast in flavor enhancement.
Abstract
Background
Globally, the prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age is about 29.4%, and anemia impacts about 40% of pregnant women and more than 20% of non-pregnant women. We ...conducted a longitudinal observational study of anemia in pregnant and non-pregnant women, and analyzed the association between the prevalence of anemia and sociodemographic characteristics of women in southwest China.
Methods
This study was a longitudinal observational study which involved 640,672 women aged 18–49 years from 129 counties in southwest China. Data were from databases of National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP) and electronic medical records of local hospitals. We adjusted the diagnostic thresholds of anemia for altitude. The prevalence of anemia was expressed in percentages and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The association between the prevalence of anemia and sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant and non-pregnant women were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression method, expressed in crude odds ratio (cOR), adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95%CI.
Results
Of the 640,672 participants, 121,254 women suffered from anemia, with the prevalence of 18.9% (95%CI: 18.8–19.0%). From 2014 to 2018, the prevalence of anemia declines from 23.0–16.4%.The prevalence was 21.6% in the first trimester, higher than women in non-pregnancy (17.4%) and women in the third trimester (10.5%). Results from the multivariable logistic regression showed that women aged 18–20 (aOR = 1.28) or over 35 years old (aOR = 1.07), being farmers (aOR = 1.42), being ethnic minorities (aOR: 1.19 ~ 1.73), during the first trimester (aOR = 1.32) were more likely to be anemic.
Conclusions
Although the anemia prevalence of women of reproductive age has been decreasing in recent years, the prevalence of anemia is still high in pregnant and non-pregnant women in southwest China, especially during the first trimester. Women who were older or younger, being farmers, being ethnic minorities were at high risk of anemia. Anemia in women of reproductive age cannot be neglected.
•Profiles of terpene compounds in Meili grape and wine were revealed.•Bound terpene compounds were quantified as aglycone-pentosyl-glucopyranoside.•Contribution of terpene compounds to Meili wine ...aroma was explored.•A molecular rearrangement of terpene aglycones in Meili grape and wine was discussed.
The chemical profiles and aroma contribution of terpene compounds in Meili grapes and wine were analyzed. Bound terpene compounds were extracted using methanol, purified using Amberlite XAD-2 resin, concentrated in methanol/ethyl acetate, and enzymatically hydrolyzed to release aglycones. Free terpene compounds were identified using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Wine aroma characteristics were quantified by a trained sensory panel. Seventeen terpene glycosides were quantified in grapes and wines as pentosyl-glucopyranoside, the content of which ranged from 804 to 836 μg/kg, and from 155 to 192 μg/L, respectively. Eight free terpenes were present in wines with their content ranging from 40.1 to 59.7 μg/L. Linalool was abundant both in bound and free terpenes, and mathematical regression revealed that terpenes, especially linalool (contribution efficient > 0.4), contributed heavily to Meili wine aroma. Finally, a molecular rearrangement scheme based on linalool was proposed in Meili grape and wine.
•Importance of related enzymes and precursors on ester production was evaluated.•Fatty acid was added in alcoholic fermentation to lift fruity ester production.•Fine-tuning fatty acids contents is a ...good way in winemaking for aroma enhancement.
Pichia fermentans Z9Y-3 and its intracellular enzymes were inoculated along with S. cerevisiae in synthetic grape must to modulate fruity ester production. The levels of ester-related enzymes, ester precursors, and fruity esters were monitored every 24 h during fermentation. Results showed that the levels of ethyl acetate, acetate higher alcohol esters (AHEs), short chain fatty acid ethyl esters (SFEs), and medium chain fatty acid ethyl esters (MFEs) were significantly enhanced in mixed fermentation. Pearson correlation analysis further revealed that higher alcohols and fatty acids played a more important role in fruity ester production than enzymes; Particularly, the correlation coefficient between fatty acids and MFEs was 0.940. In addition, supplementation of medium chain fatty acids (7.2 mg/L) at the metaphase of single S. cerevisiae fermentation improved ethyl acetate, AHE, SFE, and MFE production by 42.56%, 21.00%, 61.33%, and 90.04%, respectively, although the high level of ethyl acetate might result in off-flavors.
Mixed fermentation of Pichia fermentans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was designed to circumvent the problem of weak aroma in Chinese spine grape wines. Spine grape, “Xiang Pearl”, was used for wine ...production by red wine-making processes. Physicochemical indices were measured using titratable and spectroscopic methodologies. Volatiles were quantified by SPME-GC-MS, and aroma attributes were analyzed by trained panelists. Results showed mixed fermentation benefited color properties by improving total anthocyanin, polymeric anthocyanin, and total tannin contents. The content of varietal compounds, except those of thiols, were reduced, whereas fermentative compounds contents, especially those of higher alcohols, esters, and phenylethyls, were increased by mixed fermentation. Sensory analysis showed mixed fermentation enhanced fruity and floral traits in wine; this was confirmed by mathematical regression showing elevated levels of fermentative volatiles dominated the contribution to pleasant aroma, whereas reduced content of varietal compounds, with the exception of thiols, correlated negatively with favorable characteristics.
•Flavor of Spine grape wine was modified by mixed fermentation of P. fermentans/S. cerevisiae.•Color and phenolic indices of Spine grape wine were modulated by mixed fermentation.•Eelevated fermentative volatiles dominated the aroma contribution to Spine grape wine.
•Co-fermentation of high antagonistic S. cerevisiae enhanced fruity esters content.•Co-fermentation of high antagonistic S. cerevisiae improved polysaccharide content.•Spent yeast polysaccharides ...from co-fermentation retarded fruity esters hydrolysis.
Synthetic grape juice was fermented with Pichia fermentans Z9Y-3 and Pichia kluyveri PK-19, along with S. cerevisiae of different antagonistic abilities, to investigate their impact on aroma stability. During 12-month storage, wine was stored for 2 months with lees and for 10 months without lees. Levels of fruity esters and polysaccharides were monitored using gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-flame ionization detector, respectively, and wine aroma attributes were quantified by trained panelists. Results showed that co-fermentation elevated fruity ester content during fermentation and retarded fruity ester hydrolysis during storage, which increased the intensity of fruity traits, especially in the highly antagonistic group. Spent yeast from co-fermentation released more polysaccharides, which was predominantly composed of 50 % glucose, 30 % galacturonic acid, and 20 % mannose. During storage, the polysaccharide content decreased until it reached equilibrium at 6 months. Pearson analysis revealed that polysaccharide content correlated positively with fruity ester content and profile.
Cholera, a persistent global public health concern, continues to cause outbreaks in approximately 30 countries and territories this year. The imperative to safeguard water sources and food from ...Vibrio cholerae, the causative pathogen, remains urgent. The bacterium is mainly disseminated via ingestion of contaminated water or food. Despite the plate method’s gold standard status for detection, its time-consuming nature, taking several days to provide results, remains a challenge. The emergence of novel virulence serotypes raises public health concerns, potentially compromising existing detection methods. Hence, exploiting Vibrio cholerae toxin testing holds promise due to its inherent stability. Immunobiosensors, leveraging antibody specificity and sensitivity, present formidable tools for detecting diverse small molecules, encompassing drugs, hormones, toxins, and environmental pollutants. This review explores cholera toxin detection, highlighting phage display-based nano immunosensors’ potential. Engineered bacteriophages exhibit exceptional cholera toxin affinity, through specific antibody fragments or mimotopes, enabling precise quantification. This innovative approach promises to reshape cholera toxin detection, offering an alternative to animal-derived methods. Harnessing engineered bacteriophages aligns with ethical detection and emphasizes sensitivity and accuracy, a pivotal stride in the evolution of detection strategies. This review primarily introduces recent advancements in phage display-based nano immunosensors for cholera toxin, encompassing technical aspects, current challenges, and future prospects.
Seasonal patterns of preterm birth were identified in previous studies, but the effect of conception season on preterm birth has not been extensively studied. Based on the notion that the etiological ...roots of preterm birth lie in the beginning of pregnancy, we did a population-based retrospective cohort study in Southwest China to examine the effects of season of conception and month of conception on preterm birth.
We did a population-based retrospective cohort study in women (aged 18-49) who participated in the NFPHEP from 2010 to 2018, and had a singleton livebirth in southwest China. According to the time of the last menstruation reported by the participants, month of conception and season of conception were then ascertained. We used multivariate log-binomial model to adjust the potential risk factors for preterm birth and obtained adjusted risk ratio (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for conception season, conception month and preterm birth.
Among 194 028 participants, 15 034 women had preterm birth. Compared with pregnancies that were conceived in the summer, pregnancies that were conceived in the spring, autumn and winter had the higher risk of preterm birth (Spring: aRR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.15; Autumn: aRR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20; Winter: aRR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.22-1.34) and also had a higher risk of early preterm birth (Spring: aRR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18; Autumn: aRR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19; Winter: aRR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.08-1.25). Pregnancies in December, and January had a higher risk of preterm birth and early preterm birth than pregnancies that were conceived in July.
Our study found that preterm birth was significantly related to season of conception. Preterm and early preterm birth rates were the highest among pregnancies that were conceived in winter, and the lowest among pregnancies in summer.
Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) may make the performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with choledocholithiasis more difficult and may increase complication ...rates. The present study evaluated the effects of PAD on first-time ERCP in patients with choledocholithiasis.
Outcomes were compared in patients with and without PAD and in those with four types of PAD: papilla located completely inside the diverticulum (type I), papilla located in the inner (type II a) and outer (type II b) margins of the diverticulum; and papilla located outside the diverticulum (type III). Parameters compared included cannulation time and rates of difficult cannulation, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and perforation.
The median cannulation times in patients with types I, II a, II b, III PAD and in those without PAD were 2.0 min, 5.0 min, 0.67 min, 3.5 min, and 3.5 min, respectively, with difficult cannulation rates in these groups of 7.4%, 31.4%, 8.3%, 18.9%, and 23.2%, respectively. The rates of PEP in patients with and without PAD were 5.3% and 5.1%, respectively. Four patients with and one without PAD experienced perforation.
The division of PAD into four types may be more appropriate than the traditional division into three types. Cannulation of type I and II b PAD was easier than cannulation of patients without PAD, whereas cannulation of type II a PAD was more challenging. PAD may not increase the rates of PEP.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to examine the association between periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation and risk of preterm birth.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study in ...women aged 18–49 who participated in the NFPHEP from 2010 to 2018, and had a singleton livebirth in 129 counties in southwest China. Participants were divided into four groups according to the time period starting FA use: no use, after the last menstrual period, at least 1–2 months before the last menstrual period, at least 3 months before the last menstrual period. The outcomes were preterm birth (gestation < 37 weeks) and early preterm birth (gestation < 34 weeks).
Results
201,477 women were included and 191,809 (95.2%) had taken FA during periconception. Compared with women who did not take FA, women who started taking FA 1–2 months before their last menstrual period had a 15% lower risk of preterm birth (aOR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.79–0.92), and women who started taking FA at least 3 months before their last menstrual period had a 20% lower risk of preterm birth (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.75–0.87), but women who started taking FA after their last menstrual period did not appear to reduce the risk of preterm birth.
Conclusions
In this study of 200,000 Chinese women, periconceptional supplementation with FA was associated with a lower risk of preterm birth. Women who started taking FA at least 3 months before their last menstrual period were more likely to reduce the risk of preterm birth.
PDF
