Hydrolysis of cellobiose by β-glucosidase in the presence of soil minerals - Interactions at solid-liquid interfaces and effects on enzyme activity levels

Extracellular enzymatic activities in soils are essential for the cycling of organic matter. These activities take place in multiphase environments where solid phases profoundly affect biocatalytic activities. Aspergillus niger is ubiquitous in soils; its β-glucosidase plays an important role in the degradation of cellulose, and therefore in the global carbon cycle and in the turnover of soil organic matter. However, the information on the interactions of this protein with soil minerals is very limited, and even less is known about their consequences for the hydrolysis of the natural substrate cellobiose. We therefore characterised the sorptive interactions of this enzyme with the soil minerals montmorillonite, kaolinite and goethite and quantified the resulting changes in the hydrolysis rate of cellobiose. Fractions of adsorbed protein, and the resulting catalytic activity loss, were lower for montmorillonite than for kaolinite and goethite at given experimental conditions; adsorption was 9.7 ± 7.3% for montmorillonite, 70.3 ± 3.1% for kaolinite and 71.4 ± 1.8% for goethite, respectively. Adsorption of the protein to the minerals caused a total decrease in the catalytic activity of 18.8 ± 3.4% for kaolinite and 17.9 ± 4.7% for goethite whereas it was not significant for montmorillonite. The average catalytic activity lost by the pool of adsorbed molecules was 26.8% for kaolinite and 25.0% for goethite. Both the amount of adsorbed protein and the resulting loss of catalytic activity were found to be independent of the specific surface areas yet were influenced by the electrical properties of the mineral surfaces. Under the experimental conditions, montmorillonite and kaolinite are negatively charged whereas goethite is positively charged. However, because of the adsorption of phosphate anions from the buffer, a charge reversal took place at the surface of goethite. This was confirmed by zeta (ζ)-potential measurements in phosphate buffer, revealing negative values for all the tested minerals. Indeed goethite interacted with the enzyme as a negatively charged surface: the amount of adsorbed protein and the resulting catalytic activity loss were very similar to those of kaolinite. Our results show that, even if an important fraction of β-glucosidase is adsorbed to the minerals, the catalytic activity is largely retained. We suggest that this strong activity retention in presence of soil minerals results from a selective pressure on A. niger, which benefits from the activity of the adsorbed, and thus stabilized, enzyme pool.     

Role of type II innate lymphoid cells in browning of white adipose tissue

Type II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are widely distributed in the blood, intestines, trachea, lung, spleen, liver, animal fat and skin, and involved in the innate immune responses. ILC2s have attracted much attention for its important roles in the conversion of white adipose to beige adipose. Studies have shown that ILC2s are essential for the proliferation and differentiation of adipocyte precursor cells, and they also play a vital role in anti-parasitic infection and allergic inflammation. This review discusses the discovery, differentiation, development, distribution and function of ILC2s, and their relationships with the browning of white adipose tissue for providing valuable references on understanding the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of obesity and fat metabolism disorders.     

番茄再生体系的建立

以"田园6号"番茄子叶和下胚轴为试材,研究激素的种类和浓度对愈伤组织诱导、愈伤组织继代、不定芽分化及生根的影响,并研究了各因素对番茄愈伤组织褐变的影响。结果表明:MS+IBA0.8mg/L+6-BA2.0mg/L诱导所得愈伤最好,MS+IBA1.0mg/L+6-BA0.5mg/L最适于愈伤组织的继代,MS+IAA0.5mg/L+6-BA2.0mg/L和MS+IAA0.5mg/L+6-BA1.0mg/L分别在诱导外质体直接分化不定芽和愈伤组织分化不定芽上效果最佳,MS+IAA0.5mg/L是诱导不定芽生根的理想培养基。外植体种类和光照强度均对愈伤组织的褐化有一定的影响,10mg/L的VC和0.3%的活性炭则能减缓愈伤组织的褐化。     

Effect of antioxidants in controlling enzymatic browning of minimally processed persimmon ‘Rojo Brillante’

‘Rojo Brillante’ is an important variety of persimmon that after removal of the astringency with high levels of CO₂, maintains firmness and sweetness, making possible its commercialization as a fresh-cut commodity. However, the commercial success of the product is limited mainly by enzymatic browning. This work presents the effect of a wide range of antioxidants on enzymatic browning of ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon combining in vitro (extracts and precipitates) and in vivo (cut tissue) studies. Preliminary screening of the antioxidants, determined by absorbance and color measurements of persimmon extracts and pellets, showed that 4-hexylresorcinol (Hexyl), citric acid (CA) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) were effective at controlling browning at 10 mM; whereas, ascorbic acid (AA) required a higher concentration (25 mM). Peracetic acid, cyclodextrin, cysteine, and hexametaphosphate were not effective at controlling browning, even at a concentration of 50 mM. In in vivo studies, AA (1.12%) and CA (0.21%) were the most effective treatments to control enzymatic browning of fresh-cut material, reaching the limit of marketability in 5–7 days, whereas, Hexyl and CaCl₂ did not reach 1 day of storage. The results showed that optimum concentrations in cut tissue did not always correlate with the in vitro studies, indicating that antioxidants have an effect not only in browning reactions, but also in metabolic activity and cell wall changes during wound-induced reactions. The results provide relevant information for further development of minimally processed ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon during storage at 5 °C.     

油豆角保鲜试验研究

对油豆角的贮藏技术进行了初步研究，结果表明，油豆角在１０℃下，使用ＴＸＺ熏蒸处理后进行限气贮藏，在贮藏第３０天，商品率为８０．５％，而１０℃对照的商品率仅为３９．７％；１０℃ＴＸＺ的锈斑指数为３６．５％，而１０℃时照为５９．１％，利用ＭＡ贮藏能够有效地延缓油豆角的衰老。     

Effects of sewage sludge amendment on humic acids and microbiological properties of a semiarid Mediterranean soil

The residual effects of adding 40 t ha^–1 sewage sludge (SL) to a degraded soil cropped with barley were investigated after 9 and 36 months in a field experiment under semiarid conditions. The principal soil properties were apparently still affected by SL amendment 9 months after application but the effects disappeared after 36 months. With respect to control soil humic acids (HAs), the SL-HA was characterized by higher contents of S- and N-containing groups, smaller contents of acidic groups, a prevalent aliphaticity, extended molecular heterogeneity, and smaller degrees of aromatic polycondensation and humification. Amendment with SL caused an increase in N, H, S and aliphaticity contents and a decrease in C/N ratios and O and acidic functional group contents in soil HAs isolated 9 months after SL application. These effects tended to decrease after 36 months, most probably because the slightly humified SL-HA was mineralised over time through extended microbial oxidation, while only the most recalcitrant components such as S-containing and aromatic structures were partially accumulated by incorporation into soil HA. Microbial biomass, basal respiration, metabolic quotient and enzymatic activities increased in soil 9 months after SL application, possibly because of increased soil microbial metabolism and enhanced mineralisation processes. After 36 months these properties returned to values similar to those of the unamended soil, presumably due to the loss of energy sources.     

Combined effects of sodium chlorite dip treatment and chitosan coatings on the quality of fresh-cut d’Anjou pears

This study evaluated the effects of sodium chlorite (SC) alone and its sequential treatment with edible coatings on browning inhibition and quality maintenance of fresh-cut d’Anjou pears. Edible coatings were prepared from chitosan (CH) and its water-soluble derivative carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH), separately. Pear wedges were immersed in SC solution, followed by coating with CH or CMCH solutions. The samples were packed in unsealed bags and stored at 4 °C for subsequent color, firmness, and weight loss measurement. The effects of the SC and coating treatments on polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inhibition and microbial inactivation were also evaluated. Results indicated that SC exhibited significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of browning and PPO activity. The SC treatment was also strongly effective in inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 on pear slices. Coating SC-treated pear slices with CH adversely affected the quality of pear slices by accelerating the discoloration of cut surfaces and increasing the PPO activity. On the contrary, coating SC-treated samples with CMCH significantly prevented the browning reaction and inhibited PPO activity. In addition, SC and CH/CMCH coatings maintained tissue firmness and did not affect weight loss. Our study may provide a scientific basis for the use of SC + CMCH treatment as an alternative preservation treatment for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.     

A multispectral vision system to evaluate enzymatic browning in fresh-cut apple slices

Increased regulation of chemical fumigants has forced the almond industry to seek alternatives for postharvest control of insect pests in raw almonds. This paper reports developments of non-chemical treatment for postharvest disinfestation of almonds using radio frequency (RF) energy. A pilot-scale 27 MHz RF unit was used to evaluate effects of a RF treatment protocol on quality attributes in treated in-shell and shelled almond samples. The RF treatment protocol used 0.75 kW RF power, a forced hot air at 63 °C, back and forth movements on the conveyor at 0.56 m/min, and single mixing, which all improved the final heating uniformity. RF treatments sharply reduced the heating time from 86 and 137 min for hot air heating to only 6.4 and 8.8 min for the center of 1.5 kg in-shell and 2.4 kg shelled almond samples to reach 63 °C, respectively. Almond quality was not affected by the RF treatments because peroxide values, fatty acid and kernel color of treated almonds were better than or similar to untreated controls after 20 d at 35 °C, simulating 2 years of storage at 4 °C. RF treatments did not significantly affect the kernel moisture content of both types of almonds but reduced the moisture content in the shell. RF treatments may hold great potential to replace chemical fumigation for disinfesting almonds.     

1-MCP对青脆李亚低温贮藏期间生理生化及品质的影响

以四川茂县青脆李为试材,研究1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP)对亚低温(8±0.5℃)条件下青脆李的生理生化及其贮藏期间果实品质变化的影响。结果表明:1-MCP处理可显著抑制青脆李果实的呼吸作用和乙烯的释放速率,并降低两者的峰值;可保持果实细胞膜的完整性,降低PPO活性和酚类物质的消耗,减少褐变。其中以1.0μL.L-1浓度的1-MCP处理能够更有效地保持果实的质地与风味,亚低温条件下贮藏28 d,褐变指数为0,腐烂指数为5.3,显著好于对照和其他浓度的1-MCP处理,延长果实保鲜期达到20 d。     

乙烯与1-甲基环丙烯对荔枝采后果皮褐变的影响

乙烯处理虽然诱导了荔枝果皮多酚氧化酶（PPO）及过氧化物酶（POD）活性的提高，在一定程度上提高了荔枝果实的乙烯释放量和呼吸速率，但对果皮褐变指数和果实营养成分没有显著影响；1－甲基环丙烯（1－MCP）处理对荔枝果实的呼吸、乙烯、PPO、POD及营养成分均无显著影响，也不能延缓果皮褐变，表明荔枝果皮褐变是一个对乙烯不敏感的生理过程，也表明了果皮褐变不能简单地归结为PPO及POD催化的酶促褐变。