Search Results (1,314)

This study investigated the effects of amylose/amylopectin (AM/AP) ratios in low-protein (LP) diets on the growth performance, fat deposition, and nutrient utilization in goslings. A total of 288 healthy, 35-day-old male Jiangnan White Geese were randomly divided into four treatment groups: one group fed a normal protein diet (16%) with an AM/AP ratio of 0.34 (NPR_0.34), and three groups fed low protein diets (14%) with different AM/AP ratios (LPR_0.26, LPR_0.34, LPR_0.44). Each group consisted of six replicates, with 12 geese per replicate, and they were fed for 28 days. The results showed that the body weight at 63 days and average daily gain (ADG) of the LPR_0.44 group geese were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p < 0.01), while the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) was lower (p < 0.05). The abdominal and mesenteric fat contents were lower in the LPR_0.44 group than in the LPR_0.26 group (p < 0.05), whereas the breast and leg muscle yields were higher (p < 0.05). The breast muscle redness (a*) of the LPR_0.34 and LPR_0.44 groups was higher than in the NPR_0.34 group at 45 min (p < 0.05). The levels of C6:0, C8:0, C11:0, C12:0, and C13:0 in breast muscle saturated fatty acids (SFAs) of the LPR_0.44 group were higher, while that of C18:0 was lower compared with the LPR_0.26 group (p < 0.05). The serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TGs) in the LPR_0.44 group were lower than in the LPR_0.26 group (p < 0.05). Hepatic lipase (HL) activity was significantly lower in the LPR_0.44 group (p < 0.01). Regarding hepatic fatty acids, the levels of butyric acid (C4:0), lauric acid (C12:0), and nervonic acid (C24:1) were lower in the LPR_0.44 group than in the LPR_0.26 group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, or nutrient utilization among the groups. (p > 0.05). In conclusion, adjusting the AM/AP ratio to 0.44 in a low-protein diet improved growth performance, regulated lipid metabolism, and maintained intestinal function in goslings. Full article

The global change toward sustainable manufacturing has intensified the development of alternatives to petrochemical-based surfactants, which are environmentally recalcitrant and fossil dependent. Biosurfactants have emerged as the most promising petrochemical-based surfactant substitutes, due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and robust performance under extreme conditions; however, their industrial use is hindered by high production costs, limited productivity, and complex downstream processing, for instance high protein content can make the ultrafiltration (downstream strategy) unfeasible. This review critically examines recent advances in integrated bioprocess design to overcoming these constraints, with particular emphasis on the convergence of enzymatic catalysis and microbial fermentation. Comparative assessment across key biosurfactant classes demonstrates that tailored enzymatic transformations, enabled by lipases, glycosyltransferases, acyltransferases, and oxidoreductases, offer precision in structural modification unattainable through fermentation alone, enabling programmable amphiphilicity and improved functional performance. Thus, the translation of enzymatic and hybrid routes to industry remains restricted by enzyme stability, cofactor regeneration, and process engineering challenges. Emerging strategies such as continuous fermentation, in situ product recovery, and machine learning-based process control show strong potential to enhance productivity and reduce energy demands. By integrating molecular design, metabolic engineering, and intensified bioprocessing, this review delineates a strategic framework for advancing next-generation biosurfactants toward commercial viability within circular and sustainable value chains. Full article

Background and Objectives: Acute pancreatitis (AP) has a wide range of clinical severity, and early prediction of disease progression is still challenging. Trypsinogen-activating peptide (TAP) and trypsin-2 serve as direct biomarkers for intrapancreatic proteolytic activation and may provide earlier pathophysiological information compared with traditional markers. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort analysis involving 54 AP patients, we evaluated 24 h serum and urinary TAP and trypsin-2 concentrations by Bayesian correlation, mediation analysis, unsupervised K-means clustering, and supervised machine learning (Elastic Net and Random Forest). The analyses investigated the relationships of biomarkers with inflammation (CRP), enzymatic activities (amylase, lipase), and clinical factors, as well as inflammation severity (CRP levels). Results: Bayesian correlations indicated moderate evidence for a relationship between serum TAP and CRP (BF₁₀ = 8.42), as well as strong evidence linking age to serum TAP (BF₁₀ = 12.75). Serum trypsin-2 showed no correlation with CRP, while urinary trypsin-2 had a correlation with amylase (BF₁₀ = 6.89). Mediation analysis indicated that TAP and trypsin-2 accounted for 42–44% of the impact of CRP on pancreatic enzyme elevation. Clustering revealed three phenotypic subgroups (“Mild Activation”, “Moderate System”, and “Severe Pancreatic-Renal”), the latter showing the highest levels of CRP and biomarkers. Machine learning models highlighted urinary trypsin-2 and age as the most significant predictors of inflammation, with Random Forest achieving the highest performance (R² = 0.53). Conclusions: Early urinary trypsin-2 outperforms serum markers as a predictor of systemic inflammatory intensity, indicating total proteolytic impairment and renal clearance. This integrative analysis reveals unique biological phenotypes and highlights the potential of these biomarkers for early assessment of the inflammatory burden. Their role in predicting clinical disease progression requires prospective validation. Integrative biomarker analysis reveals unique biological phenotypes and improves assessment of inflammatory burden in PA. Larger cohorts are required for prospective validation to incorporate these biomarkers into precision-based diagnostic frameworks. Full article

Probiotics hold great potential in aquaculture, as they can effectively modulate gut microbiota and improve fish health, thereby enhancing farming efficiency. Translating this potential into practical application critically relies on screening high-efficacy probiotic strains. This study evaluated the growth-promoting and health-enhancing effects of probiotic candidates Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), Lactobacillus plantarum FZU310 (LP-FZU310) and Bacillus subtilis FZU103 (BS-FZU103) in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). After feeding different probiotics for 30 days, the growth, antioxidant, and intestinal enzyme indicators of M. salmoides were detected. BS-FZU103 demonstrated superior efficacy among the tested strains, showing significant differences in both specific growth rate (SGR) (p < 0.05) and condition factor (CF) (p < 0.05). It also markedly enhanced hepatic antioxidant status, elevating superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities while reducing malondialdehyde levels by 80%. Improved liver integrity was indicated by significant decreases in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Digestively, BS-FZU103 specifically increased intestinal amylase activity by 14.7%, without affecting protease or lipase, suggesting enhanced carbohydrate digestion. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed BS-FZU103 remodeled gut microbiota, increasing Proteobacteria abundance at the phylum level and enriching Bacillus while reducing Clostridium sensu stricto 1 at the genus level. Functional prediction based on PICRUSt2 indicated an enhanced metabolic potential of the gut microbiota, with inferred upregulation of pathways related to carbohydrate transport and metabolism (e.g., ABC transporters) and intestinal enzymatic activities. Collectively, BS-FZU103 is associated with metabolic modulation, promoting M. salmoides growth through gut microbiota remodeling, hepatic antioxidant fortification, and targeted augmentation of carbohydrate utilization efficiency. Full article

This study examined the digestive and metabolic responses of Naozhou (NZ) stock large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae and juveniles under five developmental feeding stages (DAH3, DAH7, DAH12, DAH19, DAH49) to clarify mechanisms of early nutritional adaptation. Digestive enzyme assays, transcriptome sequencing, and metabolomics were integrated to compare physiological changes across diets. Protease activity increased sharply from DAH7–19 with the introduction of rotifers, Artemia, and copepods, while amylase and lipase activities rose at DAH19–49, reflecting enhanced carbohydrate and lipid utilization during transition to formulated feeds. Transcriptomic analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in pathways involving protein digestion, lipid and energy metabolism, and cell cycle regulation. The metabolomic analysis further highlighted dynamic changes in amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, and vitamin metabolism, consistent with transcriptomic findings. The integrated analysis suggests that the coordinated modulation of digestive enzyme activities, gene expression, and metabolite profiles enabled a smooth transition from yolk dependency to live prey feeding and a subsequent use of artificial diets. These findings provide new insights into the early nutritional development of NZ large yellow croaker and provide a scientific basis for the improvement of artificial aquaculture seed production. Full article

Feeding Chinese mitten crabs with fresh-frozen fish causes nutritional imbalance and increases disease risk. Compound feed offers better nutrient balance but still requires improvements in palatability and growth performance. This study evaluated the effects of replacing fresh-frozen fish with glutamine dipeptide-supplemented formulated diet on growth, hepatopancreas health, and edible quality, aiming to inform feed formulation strategies. A five-month feeding trial (June–October) was conducted with two treatments: the experimental group received only glutamine dipeptide compound feed, while the control group was fed a mix of fresh-frozen fish and compound feed. Crabs in the experimental group showed significantly higher body weight, length, and width. No significant differences were found in the hepatopancreatic index, gonadosomatic index, meat yield, or total edible yield. In October, the experimental group showed lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the hepatopancreas and higher alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in males. In females, hemolymph AKP and ACP were higher in the control, while glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) was higher in the experimental group. Whether this is related to a potential risk of liver damage or a reaction at a special stage remains to be further verified. Digestive enzyme activities (protease, lipase, amylase) were generally higher in the experimental group, particularly in August (p < 0.05). In October, protease activity in females and lipase activity in males were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). Nitrogen and phosphorus retention in muscle was also significantly higher, indicating better nutrient utilization (p < 0.05). Overall, these findings indicate that a glutamine dipeptide-supplemented diet provides a more effective and sustainable alternative to fresh-frozen fish over a five-month rearing period, improving digestive physiology, feed efficiency, growth performance, and edible quality and flavor. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the health-promoting potential of wafers enriched with almond peel as a natural source of bioactive compounds. Wafers were prepared with different concentrations of almond peel (1%, 2%, 5%, and 10%) and analyzed to determine their phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibition, anticancer properties, and sensory properties. Three types of samples were examined: buffer extracts (PBS), ethanol extracts (EtOH), and samples obtained after in vitro digestion (TRW). Antioxidant properties were assessed using ABTS^+• and DPPH^• assays, as well as Fe²⁺ chelation and reducing power tests. Enzyme inhibitory activities against LOX, COX, ACE, and lipase, and antiproliferative potential of hydrolysates toward AGS and HT-29 cell lines were also determined. The highest levels of total phenolic, flavonoids, and phenolic acids were found in digested samples of wafers with 10% almond peel addition (W10), reaching 2.243 mg/g, 6.153 µg/g, and 0.554 mg/g, respectively, while PBS extracts of control wafers (WK) showed the lowest values (0.159 mg/g, 0.146 µg/g, and 0.316 mg/g, respectively). The digested W10 samples showed the strongest antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. The wafer hydrolysates caused only a modest reduction in HT-29 cell viability, and this effect was observed exclusively at the higher concentrations tested. The results confirm that almond peel enhances the health-promoting properties of wafers. Full article

Temperature strongly influences physiological processes in ectotherms, including digestion, yet its effects on digestive enzyme activity remain poorly understood. We examined the temperature dependence of digestive performance in eight Mediterranean wall lizard species (Podarcis spp.) from mainland and island populations. Under controlled laboratory conditions, we measured the activity of three key enzymes, protease, lipase, and maltase, across a temperature gradient (20–55 °C), alongside gastrointestinal (GI) morphology. Enzyme activity generally increased with temperature up to 50 °C and declined thereafter, reflecting typical thermal kinetics. Lipase activity was consistently higher in island species, while protease and maltase showed no significant geographic or phylogenetic trends. Island lizards also exhibited longer and heavier GI tracts relative to body size (SVL), suggesting enhanced nutrient absorption capacity. Phylogenetic signal analyses (Pagel’s λ and Abouheif’s C_mean) revealed no significant evolutionary constraints on digestive traits, indicating that observed differences reflect ecological adaptation rather than ancestry. Overall, island species appear to have evolved digestive traits that improve energy extraction under resource-limited conditions, but may be more sensitive to extreme heat. These findings highlight contrasting adaptive strategies between island and mainland reptiles and underscore the importance of digestive physiology in predicting the response of species to warming climates. Full article

This study aims to investigate the differences in microbial community structure between fast-growing (FG) and slow-growing (SG) short-finned eels, Anguilla bicolor pacifica, using high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing, and to evaluate the potential probiotic properties of Bacillus tropicus isolated from eel intestinal microbiota to enhance growth performance. High-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing revealed no significant differences in the α-diversity between FG and SG eels. Bacterial genera such as Cetobacterium, Clostridium, and Bacteroides were predominant in both groups, with Edwardsiella, Aeromonas, and Fusobacterium being more abundant in SG eels, suggesting a higher presence of potential pathogens. The analysis of the relative abundance of gut microorganisms revealed that SG eels harbored higher levels of potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Edwardsiella tarda and Aeromonas jandaei. In contrast, FG eels exhibited a greater abundance of the potential probiotic B. tropicus. Six strains of bacteria with relative abundance were isolated from the FG group, displaying superior digestive enzyme activity, including protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase, xylanase, and phytase, particularly strain FG2. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that FG2 was closely related to B. tropicus. A virulence assessment confirmed the non-pathogenic nature of B. tropicus FG2, supporting its probiotic potential. Furthermore, feeding eels a diet supplemented with B. tropicus FG2 significantly enhanced growth performance, as evidenced by increased final weight percentages of weight gain and total production per tank (p < 0.05), while the proximate composition of the dorsal muscle showed an increase in lipid content (p < 0.05). These findings highlight B. tropicus FG2 as a promising probiotic for aquaculture applications. Full article

The rising global prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders calls for innovative dietary strategies that can modulate key enzymatic pathways involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This study uncovers the effects of sulforaphane (SFN)-rich broccoli-derived formulations—including liquid and lyophilised forms, as well as two commercial prototypes, Sulforaphan^® BASIC and Sulforaphan^® SMART, the latter being characterised by the inclusion of an enteric-coated myrosinase enzyme designed to enhance the in situ conversion of glucosinolates (GSL) into bioactive isothiocyanates (ITC)—on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Across the formulations, total GSL content ranged widely, with GS0 showing the highest levels. Functionally, all SFN-rich formulations significantly reduced intracellular triglyceride content, with the SMART formulation achieving the strongest reduction (11% compared with untreated controls). Across enzymatic assays, we recorded that every formulation inhibited lipoprotein lipase and α-glucosidase activities, with Sulforaphan^® BASIC and Sulforaphan^® SMART leading to moderate inhibition (40–50%). The potent effect of SMART formulation may be associated with the presence of enteric-coated myrosinase, which enhances the conversion of GSL into bioactive ITC. The gathered evidence provides further insights into the potential of bioactive compounds in cruciferous foods to modulate metabolic health, underscoring their potential role in complementary therapeutic strategies for obesity and its comorbidities. Full article

Oil pollution poses a persistent threat to soil ecosystems globally, and bioremediation using bacterial consortia has emerged as a cost-effective remediation strategy. However, the role of weak petroleum-degrading bacteria in enhancing the efficiency of specialized petroleum-degrading bacteria remains unclear. This study explores the synergy and remediation potential of a two-bacterial consortium: the petroleum-degrading bacterium Rhodococcus sp. OS62-1 and the weak petroleum-degrading bacterium Pseudomonas sp. P35. A 25-day microcosm experiment was conducted with petroleum-contaminated soil, and four treatments were set: (1) uninoculated control, (2) inoculation with Rhodococcus sp. OS62-1 alone, (3) inoculation with Pseudomonas sp. P35 alone, and (4) inoculation with the consortium. Soil samples were collected periodically to analyze petroleum degradation efficiency, soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, and lipase), and microbial community composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing). Inoculating the soils with this consortium produced a higher petroleum degradation rate, microbial activity, and soil enzyme activity than inoculation with strain OS62-1 or P35 alone. Inoculation with strain P35 also contributed to the maintenance of strain OS62-1 during bioremediation. The study of microbial community structure found that the relative abundance of phylum Acidobacteriota (57.6 ± 5.3% to 75.6 ± 8.1%) and the Nocardioides genus (36.4 ± 4.5% to 53.0 ± 9.2%) increased dramatically during the bioremediation process. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that inoculation with strain OS62-1 and/or strain P35 increases the soil enzyme activity, boosts native oil-degrading bacteria, and accelerates the degradation of petroleum contaminants. Molecular ecological networks analysis revealed that inoculation with strain OS62-1 and/or strain P35 increased the complexity and robustness of the microbial network. These findings confirm that weak petroleum-degrading bacteria can synergistically enhance the bioremediation efficiency of specialized petroleum-degrading bacteria, providing a practical strategy for optimizing the design of bacterial consortia in the bioremediation of oil-polluted soils. Full article

This review surveys literature from 2010 to 2025 on Aspergillus-derived enzymes for kinetic resolution (KR), using conventional databases and AI-assisted platforms. Among over 340 species, A. niger, A. oryzae, and A. terreus are widely recognized as safe and industrially relevant. Lipases from these fungi exhibit high stability, broad substrate specificity, and enantioselectivity, enabling efficient resolution of racemic mixtures. Advances in enzyme immobilization, protein engineering, and reaction medium optimization have enhanced catalytic performance under diverse conditions. Complementary enzymes, including esterases and epoxide hydrolases, further expand biocatalytic applications. Despite increasing demand for enantiopure compounds, challenges in yield, scalability, and enzyme discovery call for integrated molecular and process strategies. Aspergillus spp. emerge as a promising system for high-level enzyme expression, offering robust secretion capacity, efficient post-translational processing, and strong adaptability for industrial biocatalysis. Full article

Cold-active lipolytic enzymes enable low-temperature biocatalysis, but remain underexplored in Antarctic actinomycetes. Here, we report the discovery and first-step characterization of a CALB-like cold-active lipolytic enzyme (PanLip) from Pseudonocardia antarctica. Sequence and structure analyses revealed a canonical α/β-hydrolase fold with a conserved Ser–Asp–His triad and short helical elements around the pocket reminiscent of CALB’s α5/α10 lid. Mature PanLip was expressed primarily as inclusion bodies in E. coli; an N-terminally truncation (PanLipΔN) improved solubility and PanLipΔN was purified by Ni–NTA. Far-UV CD confirmed a folded α/β architecture. PanLipΔN favored short-chain substrates (p-NPA, k_cat/K_M = 2.4 × 10⁵ M⁻¹·s⁻¹) but also showed measurable hydrolytic activity toward natural triglycerides, consistently with a lipase-family esterase. The enzyme showed an activity optimum near 25 °C and pH 8.0. The enzyme tolerated low salt (maximal at 0.1 M NaCl), mild glycerol, and selected organic solvents (notably n-hexane), but was inhibited by high salt, Triton X-100, and SDS. AlphaFold predicted high local confidence for the catalytic core; DALI placed PanLip closest to fungal lipases (AFLB/CALB). Temperature-series MD and CABS-flex indicated enhanced surface breathing and flexible segments adjacent to the active site—including a region topologically matching CALB α10—supporting a flexibility-assisted access mechanism at low temperature. Structure-based MSAs did not support a cold adaptation role for the reported VDLPGRS motif. Taken together, these findings position PanLip as a promising cold-active catalyst with CALB-like access control and potential for low-temperature biocatalysis. Full article

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a significant global disease. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and potential protective effects of Equisetum arvense L. (horsetail) ethanol extract and Olea europaea L. (olive leaves) aqueous extract against metronidazole (MTZ)-induced pancreatic damage in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into six groups: Group I (control) received saline; Group II (Metronidazole) received only MTZ (400 mg/kg). Group III (Equisetum arvense group) received E. arvense 100 mg/kg. Group IV (Olea europaea) received 400 mg/kg of O. europaea. Group V (MTZ + E. arvense) received both MTZ (400 mg/kg) and E. arvense (100 mg/kg). Group VI (MTZ + O. europaea) received MTZ (400 mg/kg) and O. europaea (400 mg/kg). All treatments were delivered daily via the oral route. After 60 days, serum amylase, lipase, protease, and glucose levels, oxidative parameters “malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), mRNA relative expression of pancreatic Pik3ca (phosphatidylinosi-tol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha), AKT (AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1), Nrf-2 (Nuclear factor, erythroid 2-like 2), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta genes, an apoptotic marker “caspase-3,” and histopathological changes were estimated. Results: HPLC analysis revealed that horsetail extract contained caffeic acid, catechin, rutin, and kaempferol, while olive leaf extract was dominated by oleuropein. MTZ administration significantly elevated serum levels of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, and protease) and glucose and increased oxidative stress markers, such as MDA, while reducing catalase (CAT) activity. Co-treatment with MTZ and horsetail, or MTZ and olive extracts, mitigated these effects, especially horsetail, which restored CAT levels and reduced MDA concentrations. qPCR analysis showed MTZ upregulated inflammatory genes (TNFα, IL-1β) and downregulated antioxidant and survival-related genes (Pik3ca, AKT, Nrf-2). Horsetail co-treatment significantly reversed these gene expression patterns. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed MTZ-induced pancreatic tissue degeneration and increased cleaved caspase-3 expression, both of which were notably alleviated by horsetail extract. Conclusions: These findings highlight the superior protective efficacy of Equisetum arvense over Olea europaea in ameliorating MTZ-induced pancreatic toxicity, potentially through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Full article

Ethyl butyrate is a typical flavor ester with pineapple-banana scents, but the poor yield from natural fruits limits its feasibility in food and fragrance industries. In this study, dendritic fibrous nano-silica (DFNS) was hydrophobically modified with octyl groups (DFNS-C₈) to immobilize Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) for solvent-free esterification of ethyl butyrate. The immobilized lipase CALB@DFNS-C₈, with the enzyme loading of 354.6 mg/g and the enzyme activity of 0.064 U/mg protein, achieved 96.0% ethyl butyrate conversion under the optimum reaction conditions where the molar ratio of butyric acid to ethanol was 1:3, with a reaction temperature and time of 40 °C and 4 h. Under the solvent-free catalytic reactions, CALB@DFNS-C₈ presented the maximum catalytic efficiency of 35.1 mmol/g/h and retained 89% initial activity after ten reuse cycles. In addition, the immobilized lipase can efficiently catalyze the synthesis of various flavor esters (such as butyl acetate, hexyl acetate, butyl butyrate, etc.) and exhibits excellent thermostability and solvent tolerance. A molecular docking simulation reveals that the hydrophobic cavity around the catalytic triad stabilizes the acyl intermediate and ensures the precise orientation of both acid and alcohol substrates. This work provides new insights into the sustainable production of flavor esters using highly active and recyclable immobilized lipases through rational carrier hydrophobization and structural confinement design. Full article