Search Results (11,716)

Monacolin K (MK) in red yeast rice (RYR) is structurally identical to pharmaceutical lovastatin in its lactone form, making their origins difficult to distinguish. This study examined the δ¹³C value of hydrolysis-derived 2-methylbutyric acid (2-MBA) as a fragment-specific screening marker using liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC-IRMS). Within-day repeatability was 0.19‰ for RYR, interlaboratory standard deviations were 0.18–0.19‰, and a two-component expanded uncertainty estimate was ±0.58‰ (k = 2). Hydrolysis-derived 2-MBA ranged from −32.73‰ to −26.68‰ in 45 authentic RYR samples and from −10.17‰ to −6.87‰ in 23 pharmaceutical lovastatin batches. Controlled blends showed a linear relationship between δ¹³C and blend ratio (R² = 0.9997). A one-sided tolerance limit at 95% confidence and 99% population coverage gave an investigational screening threshold of −26.47‰ for the sampled Chinese authentic RYR population. Three of 20 commercial products exceeded this threshold and were classified as isotopically inconsistent with that population. Overall, this study developed and analytically evaluated a fragment-specific LC-IRMS approach for screening source-related isotope differences between RYR-derived MK and pharmaceutical lovastatin under the investigated conditions, providing a potential analytical tool for RYR authenticity assessment. Full article

Vineyard management and winemaking leave behind large residue streams that are still rarely used as fermentation feedstocks. This review considers how pomace, skins, seeds, stems, canes, pruning wood, leaves and wine lees can be directed toward microbial bioconversion, fermentation-assisted recovery of bioactive compounds, and circular biorefinery schemes. Their composition (phenolics, stilbenes, dietary fiber, lignocellulose, sugars, minerals and yeast-derived material) makes them workable in either solid-state or submerged fermentation. We describe the routes that lead to enzymes, organic acids, ethanol, microbial biomass, biosurfactants, pigments and functional ingredients, together with the mechanisms by which bound phenolics are released and transformed. Green extraction, downstream purification, analytical standardization and process intensification are treated next, since market-ready consistency depends on them. The remaining obstacles are then set out: feedstock variability, phenolic inhibition, strain safety, scale-up, product stability, regulatory demands and economics. The data show grapevine waste as a versatile and valuable fermentation substrate and identify the reasons why laboratory results have not yet reached industrial scale. Full article

The production of low-alcohol beer with acceptable sensory quality remains a technological challenge because limiting ethanol formation may affect fermentation performance and aroma development. This study evaluated the combined effects of yeast strain and fermentation temperature on fermentation performance, physicochemical properties, volatile compounds, and sensory characteristics of low-alcohol beers. Two conventional brewing strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae US-05 and Saccharomyces pastorianus W-34/70) were compared with the dedicated low-alcohol strain LA-01. Wort was fermented at 5, 10, and 15 °C, while LA-01 was fermented at its recommended temperature of 15 °C. Alcohol content, apparent degree of fermentation, residual sugars, pH, free amino nitrogen, volatile compounds, odor activity values, GC-O aroma intensity, and sensory attributes were determined. Fermentation temperature strongly affected yeast activity, sugar utilization, ethanol production, and volatile compound formation. US-05 fermented at 5 °C produced beer containing 0.33% alcohol by volume (ABV), compared with 2.53% ABV at 15 °C. W-34/70 produced 1.02–2.31% ABV, whereas LA-01 produced 0.54% ABV at 15 °C. Increasing fermentation temperature generally increased attenuation, ethanol production, and the formation of higher alcohols and esters, although the response was compound- and strain-dependent. Several esters and higher alcohols exceeded their odor thresholds, indicating their potential contribution to beer aroma. The results demonstrate that the combination of an appropriate conventional brewing yeast and low-temperature fermentation provides an effective strategy for producing non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers while achieving a favorable balance between low final alcohol content and aroma development. Controlled low-temperature fermentation with a conventional brewing strain may therefore provide an alternative approach to limiting ethanol formation while maintaining a diverse aroma profile. Full article

Upon dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), namely ER stress, eukaryotic cells commonly change their gene expression profile, resulting in enhanced ER functions. This cytoprotective response is called the unfolded protein response (UPR), whose molecular mechanism was first elucidated in pioneering studies using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ire1 is a transmembrane endoribonuclease that acts as an ER stress sensor. While Ire1-dependent unconventional splicing of mRNA encoding Hac1, the transcription factor responsible for UPR, was discovered in the 1990s, the precise mechanisms regulating their production and activation remain under investigation. Studies on Ire1 and Hac1 in other ascomycetes have also advanced, partly from the perspectives of clinical science and industrial applications, thereby uncovering some significant functional differences from those in S. cerevisiae. For instance, many ascomycete species other than S. cerevisiae likely perform regulated Ire1-dependent decay (RIDD), in which mRNAs encoding ER-client proteins are digested to mitigate ER stress. In certain species, Ire1 may preferentially shift its output toward HAC1 mRNA splicing or RIDD, depending on the type of stimulus. This review article provides an overview of classic and recent findings on the regulation and function of Ire1 and its target mRNAs in various ascomycete species. Full article

Pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR-1) genes are involved in plant defense responses and abiotic stress responses. In this study, a total of 14 PfPR-1 family members were identified from the genome of Paulownia fortunei, and their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, promoter cis-acting elements, chromosomal localization, and syntenic relationships were systematically analyzed. The results showed that PfPR-1 family members exhibited considerable variation in protein physicochemical characteristics and structural composition, suggesting evolutionary and functional divergence among different members. Promoter analysis revealed the presence of numerous hormone-responsive, stress-responsive, and light-responsive cis-acting elements, indicating that PfPR-1 genes may be involved in multiple biological processes and signaling pathways. Transcriptome sequencing analysis demonstrated that most PfPR-1 genes significantly responded to Paulownia witches’ broom (PaWB) disease, salt stress, and drought stress. Under phytoplasma infection, five PfPR-1 genes were markedly upregulated (PR-1-1, PR-1-3, PR-1-4, PR-1-8, and PR-1-14), whereas four PfPR-1 genes (PfPR-1-6, PfPR-1-7, PfPR-1-12, and PfPR-1-13) were downregulated, suggesting their differential responses to phytoplasma infection. Under salt- and drought-stress conditions, different PfPR-1 genes exhibited diverse expression patterns, indicating their potential functional specialization in stress-responsive regulation. Subsequent qRT-PCR analysis further confirmed the reliability of the transcriptome data. Notably, the expression of PR-1-3 was significantly upregulated under both biotic and abiotic stresses. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that an ERF transcription factor (TF), PfERF1, could significantly activate the transcription of PfPR-1-3, suggesting that PfERF1 may participate in stress-responsive regulation in Paulownia fortunei through modulating PfPR-1 expression. Collectively, these findings provide a theoretical basis for further investigation of the biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms of the PfPR-1 gene family during stress responses in Paulownia fortunei. Full article

Background: Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive and often fatal invasive fungal infection caused by moulds in the order, Mucorales. Early diagnosis is essential for effective clinical management; however, conventional diagnostic approaches such as culture and histopathology are slow, insensitive, and require specialist mycological expertise. Although molecular methods are available for disease detection, they are not widely accessible. At present, no enzyme immunoassay (EIA) exists for the detection of mucormycosis. Methods: A murine IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), FH12, was generated against extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) produced by Mucorales pathogens during active growth. The antibody was characterised for specificity, epitope stability, and antigen localisation using ELISA, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence techniques. The mAb was incorporated into a sandwich ELISA and evaluated using culture filtrates, purified EPSs spiked into human serum, and tissue homogenates from a patient with cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Lichtheimia ramosa. Results: mAb FH12 demonstrated pan-Mucorales specificity and no cross-reactivity with other clinically relevant yeasts and moulds. The epitope recognised by FH12 is periodate-insensitive and moderately heat-stable. The sandwich ELISA detected EPS antigens in human serum with limits of detection ranging from pg/mL to low ng/mL levels, and successfully identified the EPS biomarker in patient tissue homogenates. Conclusion: The FH12-based sandwich ELISA shows high sensitivity and specificity, and has the potential to be used as a laboratory-based adjunct diagnostic test for the detection of mucormycosis in humans. Full article

Background/Objectives: Yeast-based probiotic candidates are increasingly investigated as potential modulators of gut ecology, although evidence in healthy individuals remains limited. This randomized, single-blind, crossover study primarily evaluated the tolerability of ATECREM Serius containing Saccharomyces uvarum SERIUS strain (>10¹⁰ CFU/g) and explored its effect on human gut microbiota. Methods: Forty-four volunteers completed the crossover intervention consisting of 2 months of ATECREM Serius (TRT1) and 2 months of placebo (PLT1), separated by 2 weeks of wash-out. Fecal microbiota was profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while fecal and urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were profiled by GC–MS. Fecal free amino acids (FAAs) were also measured. Results: ATECREM Serius was well tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse events. Differences were observed for three out of five α-diversity indices, while β-diversity differed between TRT1 and PLT1. The relative abundance and prevalence of Bifidobacteriaceae and Bacteroides were increased in TRT1, whereas Enterobacteriaceae and clostridia sensu stricto were limited compared to placebo. Fecal metabolomics indicated an enrichment of organic acids, particularly SCFAs, in TRT1, whereas propanoic acid was reduced in PLT1. Fecal tryptophan and histidine decreased in TRT1, and urinary metabolomics showed a clearer clustering between TRT0 and TRT1, including a significant decrease of 2,5-dimethylfuran. Conclusions: In adults, ATECREM Serius was well tolerated within the investigated population and intervention period. Secondary exploratory analyses identified treatment-associated differences in selected gut microbial taxa and metabolomic features, including the increase in Bifidobacterium abundance compared to placebo. These findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies. Full article

This study evaluated mango peel co-fermented with fresh yeast waste from the ethanol industry and urea (YUFMP) as a ruminant supplement using the in vitro gas-production technique. A 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design was used, with two roughage-to-concentrate (R:C) ratios (40:60 and 60:40; rice straw as roughage) and four YUFMP levels (0, 2%, 4%, and 6% of substrate dry matter, DM). Co-fermentation raised the crude protein of mango peel from 4.39% to 17.00% DM and reduced its total phenolic content from 100.30 to 73.49 mg GAE/g extract. The 40:60 ratio gave higher in vitro degradability of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre (IVNDFD), and true DM (IVTD) than the 60:40 ratio at 12 and 24 h (p < 0.01), and higher total volatile fatty acids (VFA) at 24 h (65.56 vs. 57.16 mmol/L; p < 0.01). YUFMP increased asymptotic gas production from 87.85 to 100.47–102.58 mL/0.5 g DM (p < 0.01) and cumulative gas production at 12–96 h (p < 0.05), with linear and quadratic trends. At 24 h, IVNDFD and IVTD were highest at 6% YUFMP (47.90 and 69.30%; p < 0.05). The protozoal population declined linearly with YUFMP (12.75 to 9.00 × 10⁵ cells/mL at 24 h; p < 0.01), as did CH₄ concentration at 12 h (18.99 to 13.08%) and 24 h (23.21 to 14.93%; both p < 0.01), whereas absolute CH₄ volume was unaffected (p > 0.05). YUFMP did not alter total VFA or VFA molar proportions at 24 h and reduced propionate linearly only at 12 h (p < 0.01), indicating that the lower CH₄ concentration reflected dilution of CH₄ within a larger volume of fermentation gas rather than a redirection of metabolic hydrogen towards propionate. Ruminal pH (6.87–7.04) and ammonia nitrogen were unaffected (p > 0.05). Inclusion at 2–4% DM is recommended for further in vivo evaluation. Full article

This work aims to characterize the bioactive metabolite profile and in vitro multifunctional properties of postbiotic cell-free supernatants (Postbiotic-CFSs) derived from three lactic acid bacteria (Levilactobacillus brevis S27, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus S42, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S62) isolated from fermented green olives. The postbiotic-CFSs were analyzed for their bioactive metabolites, emulsification index E24%, and antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. The bioactive metabolites identified in all postbiotics included organic acids (lactate, citrate, and oxalate), SCFAs (acetate), hydrogen peroxide, diacetyl, exopolysaccharides (EPSs), proteins, biosurfactants, polyphenols, and flavonoids. The postbiotic-CFSs exhibited emulsification index (E24%) values ranging from 21.5% to 38.2%. Furthermore, they demonstrated antimicrobial properties with inhibition diameters ranging from 14.10 to 16.9 mm against pathogenic bacteria and from 15.8 to 23.50 mm against yeast, while fungal mycelial growth was inhibited by 35.77 to 45.09%. All postbiotics demonstrated antioxidant activities of DPPH from 65.91 to 68.55% and FRAP values from 1707.31 to 1765 µg AAE/mL, as well as anti-inflammatory activity (11.83–12.88%) and antidiabetic activity (34.38–93.75%). These findings highlight the significant potential of postbiotic-CFSs as natural bio-preservative agents in food products and as a source of bioactive metabolites with multifunctional health benefits for consumers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges to the treatment of infectious diseases. Wounds occur as a result of damage to the skin caused by various factors and may become life-threatening with the development of infection. Plants can exhibit considerable microbiological activity due to their rich phytochemical composition. Thymus kotschyanus var. kotschyanus and the endemic species Thymus brachychilus collected from Adıyaman Province, Türkiye, have been widely used by local communities for their therapeutic properties and other purposes. Methods: In this study, ethanol extracts of these plants were prepared and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against nine Gram-negative bacteria, seven Gram-positive bacteria, one mycobacterial strain, and four yeast strains using agar well diffusion and microdilution methods. Their antibiofilm activity was assessed using a microplate-based assay, anti-quorum sensing activity was evaluated using Chromobacterium violaceum strains, anti-infective activity was investigated using the Caenorhabditis elegans model, and cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was determined by HPLC-DAD. Alginate film formulations containing the extracts were prepared using the solvent-casting method and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and light microscopy. Their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were subsequently evaluated. Results: Both extracts exhibited antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anti-quorum sensing, and anti-infective activities, while no cytotoxic effects were observed. Rosmarinic acid was identified as the major compound in both extracts. The extract-loaded alginate films exhibited antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities and showed no cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: These findings suggest that alginate film formulations may be a promising approach for the topical application of T. kotschyanus var. kotschyanus and T. brachychilus extracts. In particular, the alginate films containing both plant extracts may have potential as wound dressing materials for preventing wound infections or supporting the treatment of infected wounds. Full article

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common congenital valve disorder that has been linked to defects in primary cilia during cardiac development, yet the mechanisms connecting ciliary regulation to valvulogenesis remain incompletely understood. As DZIP1 is required for ciliogenesis and has been shown to be involved in MVP pathogenesis, we sought to identify interacting partners that may regulate its localization and function. Using an unbiased yeast two-hybrid screen of a human heart cDNA library, we identified BRD10, a previously uncharacterized bromodomain-containing protein, as a DZIP1-interacting partner. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the DZIP1–BRD10 interaction and mapped the binding region to a conserved domain containing a putative nuclear localization sequence. RNAscope and immunofluorescence demonstrated that BRD10 and DZIP1 are co-expressed in developing murine valve cells, with BRD10 localizing near the basal body and transition zone of the primary cilium. BRD10 also interacted with acetylated α-tubulin, supporting a relationship with ciliary microtubule structures. Nuclear–cytoplasmic fractionation further showed that BRD10 promotes cytoplasmic enrichment of DZIP1. Together, these findings identify BRD10 as a novel regulator of DZIP1 subcellular localization and suggest that bromodomain-mediated recruitment at the primary cilium may contribute to normal valvulogenesis and developmental mechanisms relevant to MVP. Full article

Objectives: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) can impair muscle function and subsequent athletic performance. This study examined whether an isonitrogenous yeast protein–whey protein composite (YP) modifies recovery from EIMD compared with whey protein (WP) and a water-only control (C) in well-trained athletes. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, three-arm trial, 54 athletes were allocated to YP, WP, or C; 48 completed all follow-up procedures. YP and WP provided 0.9 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of actual protein, whereas C received water only and was not energy or sensory matched to the protein interventions. After 7 days of supplementation, participants completed a bilateral isokinetic EIMD protocol; supplementation continued through the 48 h assessment. Outcomes were assessed before EIMD, immediately afterward, and at 24, 48, and 72 h and were organized into muscle damage and soreness, inflammatory responses, and muscle function and performance. Female and male athletes were analyzed separately using linear mixed-effects models with multiplicity-adjusted contrasts. The study was not powered to formally compare intervention effects between sexes. Results: EIMD produced time-dependent biochemical, perceptual, and functional changes. Holm-adjusted comparisons showed lower CK in YP than C at 24 h in females and 48 h in males. The female 24 h CK finding was considered exploratory because the corresponding group × time interaction did not remain significant after damage-domain BH-FDR correction; the immediate male YP–C difference was significant only in the log-scale analysis. In males, YP was associated with lower soreness averaged across assessments and a lower immediate post-EIMD IL-6 value than C. Selected male CMJ comparisons favored YP but were exploratory after broader multiplicity correction. Acute-decline analyses showed smaller losses with YP in bilateral MVC and right-leg eccentric peak torque in males; only the right-leg eccentric YP–C comparison remained significant after BH-FDR correction. Conclusions: Compared with water alone, YP favorably influenced selected biochemical, perceptual, and muscle-function responses following EIMD, with the clearest pattern observed in the male analysis. Its overall response pattern was broadly aligned with WP, supporting the recovery-related potential and practical value of incorporating yeast-derived protein into a whey-based formulation. Full article

Identifying essential proteins lays a foundation for dissecting disease mechanisms and mining therapeutic targets. Existing algorithms mostly adopt unimodal inputs and struggle to capture multi-level biological interactions from genomics, subcellular localization and proteomics. We present FusionEP, which is an adaptive cross-modal deep fusion network built upon contrastive learning to predict essential proteins. FusionEP integrates gene expression profiles, subcellular localization features, and protein interaction map structures. For gene expression information, we design a six-layer Transformer with 12 attention heads and learnable positional encodings for feature extraction. For subcellular features, a multi-scale convolutional neural network (CNN) with four kernel sizes and a channel spatial attention mechanism is designed for feature extraction. A four-layer Graph Attention Network (GAT) with dynamic attention, residual connections, and target node readout functionality is designed to extract feature from protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks. FusionEP employs an adaptive fusion gate for dynamic feature aggregation and supervised contrastive learning for cross-modal alignment. Furthermore, prototype-based classification with focal loss optimization is used to address class imbalance. We evaluated the model’s performance on the yeast biological dataset. The results showed that FusionEP achieved an AUC-ROC of 0.9523 ± 0.003 in five independent experiments. FusionEP provides an end-to-end solution for multimodal protein analysis. This work sets a new method for integrating heterogeneous biological data in precision medicine applications. Full article

The microbial stability and sensory quality of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) depend largely on its oil-borne yeast biota during storage. Virgin olive oil (VOO) harbors a low-abundance yeast biota in its aqueous microphase, whereas bacteria and molds are generally inhibited by low water activity and high phenol content. The genera Candida (6 species), Yamadazyma (5 species), Brettanomyces (2 species), Kuraishia (2 species), Nakazawaea (2 species), and Ogataea (2 species) dominate, representing 70% of reported yeast diversity. Yeast survival is strongly shaped by water content, oxygen, and phenolic concentration, with populations declining over time unless free water is available. Yeast metabolic activity can be detrimental or beneficial: lipolytic species (e.g., Candida adriatica, Yamadazyma terventina) increase free acidity and oxidative susceptibility, causing sensory defects, whereas oleuropeinolytic yeasts reduce bitterness via β-glucosidase and esterase-mediated hydrolysis of oleuropein. Since additives and starter cultures are prohibited by EU regulations, controlling process parameters (like blending and decantation) remains the only sound strategy. As demonstrated in trials with Don Carlo and Coratina cultivars, selective management of endogenous yeasts successfully mitigates bitterness while keeping quality parameters within EVOO legal limits, thus balancing sensory profile, shelf life, and commercial value. Full article

The reduction in alcohol content in Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) ‘Jerez-Xérès-Sherry’ biologically aged wines represents a major regulatory and commercial milestone to align these historic products with modern global health trends. This study validates the feasibility of reducing the ethanol content from the traditional 15% v/v to 14% v/v through comprehensive industrial-scale monitoring under the traditional dynamic ‘Solera y Criaderas’ aging system the majority method in the region in two distinct wineries, followed by consumer preference testing and a 36-month bottle stability study. Industrial monitoring revealed that a 14% v/v ethanol environment promotes active flor yeast metabolic activity, as evidenced by sustained ethanol consumption and higher acetaldehyde accumulation, successfully maintaining active biological aging. Furthermore, volatile acidity remained consistently low, confirming the absence of significant microbiological alterations during the process. Hedonic consumer tests (N = 557) demonstrated that the 14% v/v wine is sensorially comparable to the 15% v/v control but significantly preferred, whereas a further reduction to 13% v/v reduced sensory balance and overall consumer acceptance. Over 36 months of bottle storage at 20 °C, the 14% v/v wine maintained high physical stability, preserving its characteristic pale gold color, clarity, and essential biological aging profile (including ’yeast’ and ‘nuts’ descriptors). Minor differences in browning (absorbance at 420 nm) emerged at 24 and 36 months (p = 0.0066) but did not impact overall quality. Crucially, the official tasting panel of the OECCA Foundation formally declared all 14% v/v samples as compliant with P.D.O. organoleptic specifications throughout the entire 3-year study. These findings demonstrate that reducing the alcoholic strength of Fino-style wines to 14% v/v is technically and commercially viable under traditional dynamic aging conditions, preserving enological heritage while satisfying modern consumer demands. Full article