Search Results (419)

This study investigated the valorization of chicken feet, an underutilized poultry by-product, through enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain a protein hydrolysate with improved functional properties. Enzymatic treatment was carried out using Enzy-Mix U100 and collagenase from Streptomyces lavendulae, with cheese whey applied as a process medium. The resulting protein hydrolysate contained 59.1% protein and was characterized by high levels of glycine (31.64 g/100 g protein), hydroxyproline (10.91 g/100 g protein), and alanine (10.58 g/100 g protein). The hydrolysate exhibited strong techno-functional performance, with a water-binding capacity of 580%, an emulsifying activity index of 166 m²/g, and an emulsion stability index of 31 min. Microstructural analysis revealed irregular porous particles typical of freeze-dried protein hydrolysates, reflecting structural modification of collagen during enzymatic treatment. Mineral analysis showed notable levels of sodium (463.1 mg/100 g) and magnesium (351.8 mg/100 g). Microbiological evaluation demonstrated high sanitary quality, with a total viable count of 100 CFU/g and absence of coliforms, Escherichia coli, yeasts, and molds in 1 g of product. The technological process reduced the characteristic odor of chicken feet while maintaining a light color and good dispersibility. These findings confirm the potential of enzymatic hydrolysis as a sustainable strategy for converting poultry by-products into safe, value-added functional protein ingredients for food applications. Full article

Corn glutelin is the main protein component of corn processing by-products, with a wide range of sources and low cost. However, its hydrophobic molecular structure, poor solubility, foaming and emulsifying properties limit its application in the food industry. Enzymatic hydrolysis can effectively improve its solubility, but the functional properties of hydrolysis products still need further improvement. The plastein reaction is a mild enzymatic modification method that can recondense small peptides in hydrolysis products under the catalysis of protease, meanwhile introducing exogenous amino acids to achieve the targeted regulation of product structure and function. Corn glutelin was hydrolyzed to obtain corn glutelin hydrolysate (CGH). Corn glutelin hydrolysate (CGH) with exogenous amino acids (valine, tyrosine, cysteine and threonine) was mediated by plastein reaction in order to gain modified products enriched with these amino acids, which are Val-CGH, Tyr-CGH, Cys-CGH and Thr-CGH, respectively. This study mainly investigated the functional properties and structural characteristics of these modified peptides. Simultaneously, the modified peptides with superior solubility, foaming ability and foaming stability were screened and applied to bread formulas to evaluate potential application of plastein reaction modifiers in the baking field. The effects of modified peptides on the specific volume of dough, texture and sensory properties of bread were assessed. Among the modified peptides, Cys-CGH had the best foaming property and foaming stability, and fine solubility. Compared with CGH, the solubility of Cys-CGH increased by 4.16%, foaming performance (FC) increased by 41.5%, foaming stability at 10 min (FS10) increased by 10.44%, foaming stability at 20 min (FS20) improved by 12.67%, and bubble stability at 30 min (FS30) improved by 16.63%. In addition, the baking loss rate of the bread sample containing 0.5% Cys-CGH decreased by 0.93%, the specific volume enhanced by 0.27 cm³/g, the hardness lowered by 0.3 N, the springiness raised by 1.03, the chewiness improved by 7.5 N. The sensory acceptance of bread samples with 0.5% Cys-CGH was significantly optimized. In brief, this also demonstrates that adding modifiers with good functional properties can improve the quality of baked products, highlighting their potential as a green food additive in baked goods. Full article

Mechanical pretreatment techniques are essential for overcoming lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance in emerging biorefineries. This review critically synthesizes advances from 2020 to 2025 across fundamental mechanisms, hybrid technologies, energy efficiency, Life Cycle Assessment, and industrial scalability. The analysis reveals that effective pretreatment targets supramolecular modification—defect generation in cellulose crystallites and the creation of reactive sites—beyond simple particle size reduction. Impact–shear regimes prove most effective for fibrous materials. Hybrid approaches are examined: mechanocatalysis enables solvent-free depolymerization, while mechanoenzymatic technologies achieve hydrolysis without bulk water, though enzyme denaturation under mechanical stress remains unresolved. Energy consumption is the primary upscaling barrier, with Life Cycle Assessment identifying electricity use as the dominant environmental hotspot and emphasizing burden per unit of final product as the critical metric. Technology Readiness Level assessment provides a strategic framework: continuous extruders and mills are industrially mature for bulk applications, while high-intensity batch devices are suited for high-value coproducts. A research agenda prioritizing mechanistic understanding, hybrid process engineering, feedstock diversification, and embedded sustainability assessment is proposed. Full article

Variations in the groundwater chemical environment are a critical factor affecting the mechanical property degradation and structural alteration of coal measure strata. Addressing the engineering challenges commonly encountered in coal mining areas of Northwest China, where groundwater with varying pH leads to difficulties in controlling surrounding rock in underground spaces, this study established a comprehensive experimental methodology integrating mechanical loading, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quantitative pore analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructural characterization. The study revealed the mechanical degradation mechanisms and microstructural evolution characteristics of coal measure coarse sandstone under groundwater environments with different pH values (6–10). With prolonged immersion time, the peak strength and elastic modulus of the coarse sandstone exhibited exponential decay across all pH environments. NMR analysis revealed that the porosity evolved through a path of “increase–decrease–re-increase,” while the macroscopic mechanical failure mode shifted from brittle to brittle-ductile and finally to ductile characteristics. Micropores continuously transformed into medium and large pores, and the macroscopic failure mode exhibited a transition from brittle to brittle-ductile. The findings indicate that groundwater with varying acidity/alkalinity systematically alters the integrity and load-bearing capacity of coal measure coarse sandstone through the complex mechanism of “mineral dissolution (acidic H⁺ corrosion, alkaline OH⁻ hydrolysis)—structural damage—pore/fracture evolution—mechanical degradation.” This mechanism not only reveals the essence of progressive rock damage in weak acid to moderately strong alkaline environments but also provides important insights for the integrity, sealing capacity, and permeability modification of various underground engineering applications, such as CO₂ geological storage, unconventional natural gas development, and underground space utilization. Full article

This study evaluated the influence of four thermal pretreatment techniques—autoclaving, hot-air oven treatment, hot-water immersion, and microwave irradiation—on Parthenium hysterophorus biomass to improve its biodegradability and biogas generation potential under batch anaerobic digestion. Among the investigated methods, hot-air oven pretreatment at 110 °C for 90 min exhibited the most significant enhancement in biomass solubilization, as indicated by a 51.5% rise in soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) and an increase in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) compared with the untreated control. These compositional improvements facilitated faster hydrolysis and led to a 25.73% higher cumulative methane yield in biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays. Structural analysis revealed pronounced alterations in the lignocellulosic matrix, with reductions in hemicellulose and partial delignification improving substrate accessibility. Complementary characterisation using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the disruption of crystalline cellulose regions and modification of functional groups, supporting the observed biochemical improvements. Collectively, the results demonstrate that hot-air oven pretreatment is a practical and energy-efficient approach for enhancing the digestibility of P. hysterophorus biomass, promoting its utilisation as a sustainable feedstock for renewable biogas production and environmental management of this invasive weed. Full article

Protein Z (PZ) derived from barley malt has been identified as one of the key proteins contributing to foam stability. Recently, PZ was also recognized as an effective carrier, a functionality attributed to its serpin-like activities. This study investigated key structural-functional changes in PZ during thermal processing (mashing and boiling). The structural modifications of PZ variants were analyzed using FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). The results indicated that the secondary structure of PZ, after mashing, did not change significantly, whereas the β-turn content of PZ after boiling increased to 24.08% ± 0.34%. Interfacial adsorption kinetics, coupled with structural analysis, revealed that PZ, after mashing, exhibited the highest foamability (41.4 ± 0.38%), which was associated with the highest diffusion rate constant (K_diff) (1.05 ± 0.03). In contrast, PZ after boiling demonstrated superior foam stability (68.54 ± 1.12%), which correlated with the highest rearrangement rate constant (K_R) (−6.13 ± 0.06). Moreover, PZ, after mashing, exhibited enhanced inhibitory activity, an effect associated with the removal of glycosylation at Thr344 and Thr350 (located in the reactive center loop of PZ) via enzymatic hydrolysis during the mashing process. In contrast, PZ after boiling resulted in a loss of thrombin inhibitory activity, consistent with protein denaturation at high temperatures. These findings elucidate how structural modifications affect the function of PZ during brewing, thereby providing a scientific foundation for its potential applications across multiple fields. Full article

Enhancing the solubility and processability of graphene remains a critical challenge, limiting its integration into advanced materials systems. In this work, poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) were grafted onto graphene via controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to create well-defined polymer–graphene hybrids with tunable interfacial properties. ATRP enabled the synthesis of PtBA and PNIPAM homopolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and systematically varied chain lengths (4–18 kDa), allowing direct correlation between polymer architecture and material performance. Notably, the thermos-responsive behavior of PNIPAM was strongly dependent on chain length, highlighting the importance of controlled polymer design. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed successful grafting and chemical modification of the graphene surface. In addition, pilot studies demonstrate the ATRP synthesis of PtBA-b-PNIPAM block copolymers and their hydrolysis to PAA-b-PNIPAM, providing a platform for future development of multifunctional graphene interfaces. Overall, this study establishes a versatile and precisely controlled route for engineering polymer-grafted graphene with enhanced solubility and tunable functionality, enabling broader applications in smart materials and hybrid nanocomposites. Full article

Collagen is the primary protein in the extracellular matrix of human cells and the body and is essential for cell structure and function. Here, for the first time, we report a method for producing recombinant triple-helical collagen type III (rhCOL3) in transgenic tobacco as a bioreactor. We constructed a pMDV-COL3A1 vector containing the human type III collagen gene COL3A1, as well as a pMDV-COL3A1:5E vector that coexpressed COL3A1 and the enzymes required for its posttranslational modification. These two vectors were used to transform tobacco genetically. The COL3A1 gene was successfully coexpressed in tobacco plants with four enzymes that promote its posttranslational modification. The transcriptional level of COL3A1 in the transgenic lines coexpressing posttranslational modification genes was greater than that in the transgenic lines expressing only COL3A1. The enzyme-modified recombinant collagen was subsequently purified from a COL3A1:5E transgenic line. Our experimental results demonstrated that the terminal propeptides of plant-derived rhCOL3 can be correctly cleaved through the enzymatic hydrolysis of procollagen by coexpressed procollagen C proteinase (PCP) and procollagen N proteinase (PNP). The plant-derived rhCOL3 was thermally stable because the purified peptide chains can form a triple helix structure. Experiments have shown that plant-derived rhCOL3 has biological activity. In this study, functional recombinant full-length mature type III collagen with a triple-helix structure was successfully expressed in tobacco, providing a foundational plant-made material for future applications of collagen in human skin and bone repair in regenerative medicine. Full article

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a widely used commodity polymer owing to its low cost, excellent mechanical properties, and high processability. Chemical modification of PET surfaces to impart specific functionalities represents an effective strategy for transforming PET into high-value-added materials without altering its bulk properties. In this study, we investigated the surface functionalization of PET substrates using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). ATRP initiation sites were introduced onto PET surfaces through mild surface hydrolysis followed by polyethyleneimine coating. To further enhance the grafting density, an inimer-based strategy was employed, in which a bifunctional monomer containing both a polymerizable group and a latent initiation site was used to form hyperbranched polymer structures on the PET surface, thereby amplifying the number of active initiation sites. Using these modified PET substrates, SI-ATRP of functional methacrylate monomers was successfully carried out. Grafting of poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate) imparted highly hydrophobic surface properties, yielding water contact angles above 120°, whereas grafting of poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride) produced hydrophilic surfaces with contact angles below 20°. Surface characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed successful graft polymerization and effective surface coverage. While the macroscopic wettability was primarily governed by the chemical nature of the grafted polymers, the inimer-based initiation-site amplification significantly enhanced the surface electrostatic properties of the polycationic polymer–grafted surfaces, increasing the ζ-potential from approximately +20 mV to over +100 mV. Antibacterial tests using Escherichia coli K-12 as a model bacterium demonstrated that PET substrates grafted with poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride) exhibited clear contact-active antibacterial activity, achieving up to 2-log reduction in viable bacterial counts after 3 h of contact incubation. These results highlight the importance of molecular-level control of grafting architecture and surface electrostatic properties in the design of functional antibacterial PET surfaces. Full article

Natural soy protein isolate (SPI) exhibits suboptimal functional characteristics, including limited solubility, reduced foaming capacity, and diminished emulsifying ability. Conventional singular-modification techniques are unable to enhance multiple functional properties concurrently, thereby posing challenges in fulfilling the varied requirements of food processing. Therefore, this study employed ultrasonic and pepsin enzymatic modification techniques on SPI. By varying ultrasonic frequency (20 kHz, 207 kHz) and sonic energy density (295 W/L, 590 W/L), different modified protein samples were obtained. The effects of single treatment, combined treatment, and varying ultrasonic parameters on their structure and functionality were investigated. The results indicate that compared to single enzymatic hydrolysis, combination-treated SPI exhibited reduced fluorescence intensity and UV absorbance, along with significant decreases in methionine (Met) and free-sulfhydryl (SH) content (p < 0.05). Particle size decreased while distribution became more uniform, and relative molecular weight also diminished. This indicates that combined processing induces more pronounced changes in the protein’s primary to higher-order structures, thereby enhancing functional properties. Specifically, surface hydrophobicity (H₀) and emulsification stability (ESI) improved, while emulsifying capacity (EAI) significantly increased (p < 0.05). In summary, ultrasonication combined with enzymatic hydrolysis exhibits synergistic effects, optimizing protein structure and functional characteristics. This approach facilitates the development of functional foods and broadens their application scope. Full article

Pomegranate peel, accounting for 35–50% of the fruit weight, is an underutilized agri-food by-product. This study applied, for the first time, fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a simple and sustainable strategy to simultaneously obtain tannin-rich extracts and polysaccharide fractions with potential prebiotic activity. Peels from two cultivars, Wonderful and G1, differing in peel thickness, were subjected to three fermentation protocols (air- and not air-exposed) and monitored at 25 °C over 48 and 72 h. HPLC-DAD analysis showed that yeast-inoculated fermentation increased total tannin concentration in dry extracts (up to 70%) without inducing chemical modifications to tannin profiles. As determined by Dynamic Light Scattering, fermentation promoted significant depolymerization of native polysaccharides, while DOSY-¹H-NMR analyses revealed the presence of reduced molecular weight fractions down to 26 kDa. In vitro growth assays confirmed that fermented polysaccharides were more efficiently utilized as a carbon source by Bifidobacterium breve and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum compared to non-fermented controls, likely thanks to polysaccharide depolymerization induced by fermentation. The study demonstrated that air-exposed S. cerevisiae fermentation was an effective process alternative to chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis for modifying pomegranate peel pectin directly within a complex matrix, while simultaneously enhancing tannin recovery. This approach represents a possible sustainable strategy for pomegranate peel valorization into functional ingredients. Full article

Background/Objectives: The elongated egg is a morphological mutant of silkworm (Bombyx mori) eggs, yet the biochemical processes and molecular mechanisms underlying this trait remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we performed transcriptome sequencing on the ovaries of female pupae from the Nistari silkworm strain (comparing normal and elongated eggs) during the first three days post-pupation using high-throughput sequencing. Results: A total of 153.56 Gb of filtered data was obtained, identifying 23,366 genes and 35,798 mRNAs. Comparative analysis across three control groups revealed 374 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 131 upregulated and 243 downregulated genes in the elongated egg group. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that these DEGs were primarily associated with protein hydrolysis, DNA metabolic processes, and euchromatin/heterochromatin organization. Trend expression analysis revealed that transcriptional activity in elongated eggs was significantly higher than in normal eggs, particularly on day 3 of the pupal stage. Conclusions: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) classified gene expression patterns into twelve modules, with two modules showing specificity. Thirteen hub genes were identified, which are functionally linked to translation initiation, protein density regulation, post-translational modification, and protein turnover. These findings provide foundational insights into the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of the elongated egg in silkworms. Full article

Lignin’s complex structure makes it a valuable resource for producing aromatic chemicals, but selectively converting it into specific products remains challenging. This study explores the use of technical hydrolysis lignin as a renewable support for palladium (Pd) and copper (Cu) catalysts in hydrogenation reactions. The materials were characterized using NMR, FTIR, XRF, AAS, XPS, and TEM. The reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline was tested with various Pd/Cu catalysts with different metal contents. The hydrogenation results showed that the Pd-only catalyst (catalyst-1) performed best on most substrates. In contrast, catalysts with only Cu or with Pd-Cu bimetallic showed no catalytic activity. The study discusses the effects of Pd incorporation and the Pd-Cu synergistic effect on catalyst stability, highlighting potential limitations in active-site stability and suggesting ways to enhance catalyst longevity. Overall, this research reveals that lignin is a promising, renewable support for catalysts, offering alternatives to traditional supports. These findings provide valuable insights into improving lignin modification and developing eco-friendly catalytic processes aligned with green chemistry principles. Full article

The modified DNA base 2,6 aminopurine (2-aminoadenine, (d)Z base) was originally found in phages to counteract host-encoded restriction systems. However, only a limited number of restriction endonucleases (REases) have been tested on dZ-modified DNA. Here, we report the activity results of 147 REases on dZ-modified PCR DNA. Among the enzymes tested, 53% are resistant or partially resistant, and 47% are sensitive when their restriction sites contain one to six modified bases. Sites with four to six dZ substitutions are most likely to resist Type II restriction. Our results support the notion that dZ-modified phage genomes evolved to combat host-encoded restriction systems. dZ-modified DNA can also reduce phage T5 exonuclease degradation, but has no effect on RecBCD digestion. When two genes for dZ biosynthesis and one gene for dATP hydrolysis from Salmonella phage PMBT28 (purZ (adenylosuccinate synthetase), datZ (dATP triphosphohydrolase), and mazZ ((d)GTP-specific diphosphohydrolase) were cloned into an E. coli plasmid, the level of dZ incorporation reached 19–20% of adenosine positions. dZ levels further increased to 29–44% with co-expression of a DNA polymerase gene from the same phage. High levels of dZ incorporation in recombinant plasmid are possible by co-expression of purZ, mazZ, datZ and phage DNA helicase, dpoZ (DNA polymerase) and ssb (single-stranded DNA binding protein SSB). This work expands our understanding of the dZ modification of DNA and opens new avenues for engineering restriction systems and therapeutic applications. Full article

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) based on CsPbX₃ (X = Cl, Br, I) have attracted extensive attention due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties; however, their practical applications are hindered by poor environmental stability. In this work, a sequential surface-modification strategy is developed to address these limitations. First, CsPbBr₃ PQDs are passivated with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES), which reduces surface defects and enhances the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) from 38.5% to 74.4%. Subsequently, a dense silica shell is constructed via in situ hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), further improving the PLQY to 95.6% and significantly boosting environmental stability. Structural and optical characterizations confirm effective defect passivation and suppress non-radiative recombination, with carrier lifetimes extended from 2.5 ns to 36.9 ns. Remarkably, the silica-coated PQDs retain over 50% of their initial emission intensity after 100 min of water immersion, far exceeding the stability of uncoated counterparts. Furthermore, when integrated with a commercial K₂SiF₆: Mn⁴⁺ red phosphor and a blue light-emitting diode (LED) chip, the resulting white LED (WLED) exhibits a wide color gamut covering 104% of the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard and Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.323, 0.331), closely matching standard white light. Importantly, only the silica-coated PQDs maintain a stable electrically driven device emission spectrum after water exposure. Full article