Search Results (117)

Dialium guineense (velvet tamarind), Parkia biglobosa Jacq. (African locust bean) and Adanosonia digitata L. (baobab) are fruits from African plants whose nutritional potential remains poorly characterised. As such, their pulps and seeds were analysed for colour (CIELab system), moisture, ash, protein, fat, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre, free sugars (HPLC-RI), organic acids (HPLC-PDA), macro and microelements (XRF analyser) and amygdalin (HPLC-PDA). The colours of their pulps differed considerable (ΔE > 38 between the velvet tamarind and African locust bean) and the moisture content was lower in seeds (about 7%) compared to pulps (9–13%). Seeds were more concentrated in protein (20–28%) and fat (5–22%), whereas pulps were richer in sugar (1–12%). African locust bean pulp was the sweetest (39% total sugar), while baobab pulp contained the highest soluble fibre (>30%) and citric acid (3.2%), and velvet tamarind pulp was distinguished by its tartaric acid content (3.4%). Seeds of the African fruits presented higher Ca, P, S and Fe contents, whereas pulps had higher K content. No amygdalin (<6.34 mg per 100 g of dry weight) or toxic heavy metal contents were detected. The PCA segregated samples by pulp and seed and the PC1 explains the sugar and moisture of the pulps, while protein, fat and minerals are associated with the seeds. These data confirm that African fruit pulps and seeds have distinct functional profiles, are safe for food use and can be consumed, which is important for efforts to promote the conservation of these tropical plant species. Full article

Soluble sugars and organic acids constitute the primary flavor determinants in fruits and elucidating their metabolic mechanisms provides crucial theoretical foundations for fruit breeding practices and food industry development. Through integrated physiological and transcriptomic analysis of pomegranate varieties ‘Sharp Velvet’ with high acid content and ‘Azadi’ with low acid content, this study demonstrated that the differences in flavor between the two varieties were mainly caused by differences in citric acid content rather than in soluble sugar content. Transcriptome profiling identified 11 candidate genes involved in sugar and acid metabolism, including three genes associated with soluble sugar metabolism (FBA1, SS, and SWEET16) and eight genes linked to organic acid metabolism (ADH1, GABP1, GABP2, GABP3, GABP4, ICL, ME1, and PDC4). These data indicated that differences in citric acid content between the two varieties mainly stemmed from differences in the regulation of the citric acid degradation pathway, which relies mainly on the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) branch rather than the isocitric acid lyase (ICL) pathway. Citric acid accumulation in pomegranate fruit was driven by metabolic fluxes rather than vesicular storage capacity. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) uncovered a significant citric acid content associated module (r = −0.72) and predicted six core transcriptional regulators (bHLH42, ERF4, ERF062, WRKY6, WRKY23, and WRKY28) within this network. Notably, bHLH42, ERF4, and WRKY28 showed significant positive correlations with citric acid content, whereas ERF062, WRKY6, and WRKY23 demonstrated significant negative correlations. Our findings provide comprehensive insights into the genetic architecture governing soluble sugars and organic acids homeostasis in pomegranate, offering both a novel mechanistic understanding of fruit acidity regulation and valuable molecular targets for precision breeding of fruit quality traits. Full article

(1) Background: To explore the anti-obesity effects and mechanisms of sika deer velvet antler peptides (sVAP) on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. (2) Methods: sVAP fractions of different molecular weights were obtained via enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration. Their anti-lipid effects on 3T3-L1 cells were assessed with Oil Red O staining. The optimal fraction was tested in HFD-induced obese C57BL/6 mice to explore anti-obesity mechanisms. Peptide purification used LC-MS/MS, followed by sequence analysis and molecular docking for activity prediction. (3) Results: The peptide with the best anti-obesity activity was identified as sVAP-3K (≤3 kDa). sVAP-3K reduced lipid content and proliferation in 3T3-L1 cells, improved lipid profiles and ameliorated adipocyte degeneration in HFD mice, promoted the growth of beneficial gut microbiota, and maintained lipid metabolism. Additionally, sVAP-3K activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, regulating adipogenic transcription factors. sVAP-3K exhibited ten major components (peak area ≥ 1.03 × 10⁸), with four of the most active components being newly discovered natural oligopeptides: RVDPVNFKL (m/z 363.21371), GGEFTPVLQ (m/z 474.24643), VDPENFRL (m/z 495.25735), and VDPVNFK (m/z 818.44043). (4) Conclusion: This study identifies four novel oligopeptides in sVAP-3K as key components for anti-obesity effects, offering new evidence for developing natural weight-loss drugs from sika deer velvet. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the residual effect of different management practices on a subsoil that has been exposed since 1969, which has been under recovery for 30 years. The soil under study is an Oxisol, and its assessment was conducted in 2023 and 2024. The experiment included nine treatments, with two controls, native vegetation and exposed soil, while the remaining treatments combined green manures (velvet bean, pigeon pea replaced by jack bean), liming, and liming + gypsum application from 1992 to 1997. Starting in 1999, Urochloa decumbens was planted in all plots, and from 2009, native Cerrado tree species naturally emerged. The following parameters were evaluated: gravimetric moisture, aggregate stability, infiltration rate, bulk density, soil penetration resistance, and organic matter content. Soil recovery management techniques reduced soil mechanical penetration resistance by 50% and soil density by 19.47%. The velvet bean increased gravimetric moisture by 11.32% compared to mobilized soil. The exposed soil exhibited an infiltration rate that was 90% lower than the other treatments. Conservation management practices increased the soil organic matter content, particularly in the 0–5 cm layer. Additionally, mucuna increased soil organic matter by 7% in the 10–20 cm layer and enhanced the soil organic carbon content. The strategies involving an initial use of velvet bean, velvet bean + liming, or velvet bean with liming + gypsum positively influenced the soil moisture, bulk density, aggregate stability, and organic matter at the 5–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths. Furthermore, the use of pigeon pea/jack bean with liming + gypsum improved attributes such as moisture, infiltration, and soil bulk density. It was concluded that green manuring enhances the physical properties of soil, with velvet bean or pigeon pea/jack bean combined with liming + gypsum being effective alternatives that are capable of positively impacting soil recovery. Full article

The African tropical fruits velvet tamarind, African locust beans and baobab are used as foods and for medicinal purposes, and they are important nutrient and bioactive compound sources. This research focused on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds in the fruit pulps and seeds of these plant species. Quantification and profiling of sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds (HPLC), soluble and insoluble fibre content analysis (enzymatic method) and elemental analysis (XRF) were performed. The total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity contents (spectrophotometry) and fatty acids quantification profiles (GC) were also accessed. Several bioactive compounds were quantified. Generally, fruit pulps are richer in sugars and organic acids, and seeds are richer in protein and fat. Full article

The skin surface has a complex and dynamic ecosystem inhabited by a diverse microbiota. The wound formed by antler velvet shedding can naturally achieve regenerative restoration, but the changes in microbial composition that occur during antler velvet regeneration are largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the antler velvet microbiota of sika deer at 15 days (Half) and 30 days (Full) post-pedicle casting using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 2659 OTUs were identified, which were assigned to 26 phyla, 304 families, and 684 genera. The core microbiota of the two groups were mainly composed of Atopostipes spp., Corynebacterium spp., Burkholderia spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Paracoccus spp. In comparison with the Full group, the Shannon, Simpson, Ace, and Chao 1 indices were significantly decreased in the Half group (p < 0.05). Principal coordinate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the microbial community between the Half and Full groups based on Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, weighted Unifrac distance, and unweighted Unifrac distance (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of bacteria belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Romboutsia_B, and Dietzia increased significantly in the Half group, while the abundances of bacteria belonging to the genera Atopostipes, Psychrobacter, and Faecousia increased significantly in the Full group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the relative abundances of bacteria belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Romboutsia_B, and Dietzia positively correlated with arginine and proline metabolism (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that antler velvet regeneration is accompanied by distinct changes in microbial composition and highlight the potential roles of key taxonomy in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Full article

Antlers are the sole mammalian organs capable of continuous regeneration. This distinctive feature has evolved into various biomedical models. Research on mechanisms of antler growth, development, and ossification provides valuable insights for limb regeneration, cartilage-related diseases, and cancer mechanisms. Here, ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq) and four-dimensional data-independent acquisition (4D DIA) technologies were employed to examine gene and protein expression differences among four tissue layers of the Chinese milu deer antler: reserve mesenchyme (RM), precartilage (PC), transition zone (TZ), cartilage (CA). Overall, 4611 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 2388 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the transcriptome and proteome, respectively. Among the 828 DEGs common to both omics approaches, genes from the collagen, integrin, and solute carrier families, and signaling molecules were emphasized for their roles in the regulation of antler growth, development, and ossification. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that in addition to being regulated by vascular and nerve regeneration pathways, antler growth and development are significantly influenced by numerous cancer-related signaling pathways. This indicates that antler growth mechanisms may be similar to those of cancer cell proliferation and development. This study lays a foundation for future research on the mechanisms underlying the rapid growth and ossification of antlers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sium serra is distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. It was first identified as the genus Pimpinella and then reclassified as Sium by Kitagawa. Some Sium species are used as herbal medicine and are often confused with the similar form Ligusticum sinense. In this study, we analyzed the cp genome of S. serra and conducted comparative analyses with the cp genomes of related taxa. Methods: We extracted gDNA from fresh leaves and sequenced it using Illumina HiSeq2500. For the chloroplast genome assembly, de novo assembly was performed using Velvet v1.2.07. For the annotation, GeSeq and NCBI BLASTN were used. Afterwards, related taxa were analyzed using programs such as DnaSP and MISA. Results: S. serra was excluded from the study on the chloroplast (cp) genome in Sium because it was classified as Pimpinella in China. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the cp genome of S. serra for the first time and its location within the genus Sium. The complete cp genome of S. serra was 154,755 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeats, each 26,255 bp, a large single-copy region of 84,581 bp, and a small single-copy region of 17,664 bp. The cp genome comprised 79 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes. Furthermore, six regions of high nucleotide diversity were identified in the genus Sium. In the genus Sium, 1630 repeats that can serve as markers were also identified. Eight protein-coding genes with high K_A/K_S values were under positive selection in the Sium. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that S. serra was positioned with high bootstrap support within the Sium of the tribe Oenantheae, specifically in the southern Palearctic subclade. Conclusions: In this study, the S. serra chloroplast genome was sequenced and assembled. The genus Sium formed a monophyletic group; however, as not all the Sium species were included in this study, further research is necessary. This study can serve as foundational data not only for Sium but also for the tribe Oenantheae. Full article

Although the Taklimakan Desert lacks the necessary nutrients and conditions to support an extensive ecosystem, it is a treasure trove of extremophile resources with special structures and functions. We analyzed the bacterial communities using oligotrophic medium and velvet cloth replicate combined with an extended culture duration. We isolated numerous uncultured microorganisms and rare microorganisms belonging to genera not often isolated or recently described, such as Aliihoeflea, Halodurantibacterium, and Indioceanicola. A total of 669 strains were isolated from the soil of the Taklimakan Desert, which were classified into 5 phyla, 7 classes, 25 orders, 42 families, 83 genera, and 379 species. Among them, 148 strains were potential new species. Our data show that even when working with samples from extreme environments, simple approaches are still useful for cultivating stubborn microbes. Through comparing the isolation effects of different nutrient levels on microbial diversity and abundance, the results show that reducing the nutrient level of the medium was more conducive to improving the culturability of microorganisms in low-nutrient environments, while the high-nutrient medium was more suitable for the isolation of dominant fast-growing strains. This study helps to better reflect the diversity of microbial resources and lays a foundation for the further research and utilization of soil microbial resources in the Taklimakan Desert. Full article

During the present study, DNA sequence and morphological data were used to delineate species boundaries in the velvet worm, Peripatopsis sedgwicki species complex. The combined mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit one (COI) and the nuclear 18S rRNA loci were phylogenetically analyzed using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood platforms that both demonstrated the presence of four, statistically well-supported clades (A–D). In addition, five species delimitation methods (ASAP, bPTP, bGMYC, STACEY and iBPP) were used on the combined DNA sequence data to identify possible novel lineages. All five species delimitation methods supported the distinction of the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve specimens in the Eastern Cape province, however, in the main P. sedgwicki s.l. species complex, the species delimitation methods revealed a variable number of novel operational taxonomic units. Gross morphological characters were of limited utility, with only the leg pair number in the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve specimens and the white head-collar of the Van Stadens Wildflower Nature Reserve specimens being diagnostic. The RADseq results from the earlier study of P. sedgwicki s.l. provided highly congruent results with the four clades observed in the present study. The distribution of P. sedgwicki s.s. (clade B) is restricted to the western portions of its distribution in the Afrotemperate forested regions of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Three novel species, P. collarium sp. nov., (clade C) P. margaritarius sp. nov., (clade A) and P. orientalis sp. nov., (clade D) are described, of which the first two species are narrow range endemics. The present study, along with several recent systematic studies of velvet worms affirms the importance of fine-scale sampling to detect and document the alpha taxonomic diversity of Onychophora. Full article

Fungi are rich sources of secondary metabolites of agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and food importance, such as mycotoxins, antibiotics, and antitumor agents. Secondary metabolites play vital roles in fungal pathogenesis, growth and development, oxidative status modulation, and adaptation/resistance to various environmental stresses. LaeA contains an S-adenosylmethionine binding site and displays methyltransferase activity. The members of velvet proteins include VeA, VelB, VelC, VelD and VosA for each member with a velvet domain. LaeA and velvet proteins can form multimeric complexes such as VosA-VelB and VelB-VeA-LaeA. They belong to global regulators and are mainly impacted by light. One of their most important functions is to regulate gene expressions that are responsible for secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The aim of this mini-review is to represent the newest cognition of the biosynthetic regulation of mycotoxins and other fungal secondary metabolites by LaeA and velvet proteins. In most cases, LaeA and velvet proteins positively regulate production of fungal secondary metabolites. The regulated fungal species mainly belong to the toxigenic fungi from the genera of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botrytis, Fusarium, Magnaporthe, Monascus, and Penicillium for the production of mycotoxins. We can control secondary metabolite production to inhibit the production of harmful mycotoxins while promoting the production of useful metabolites by global regulation of LaeA and velvet proteins in fungi. Furthermore, the regulation by LaeA and velvet proteins should be a practical strategy in activating silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in fungi to obtain previously undiscovered metabolites. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder globally. Recognizing the potential of velvet antler in the nervous system, as shown in numerous studies, this research was aimed at evaluating the neuroprotective effects of Sika Deer velvet antler peptide (VAP), along with the underlying mechanisms in neurotoxin-induced PD models. Initially, a peptidomic analysis of the VAP, which comprised 189 varieties of peptides, was conducted using LC-MS. Nine sequences were identified as significant using Proteome Discoverer 2.5 software. In a cellular model of PD, where PC12 cells are treated with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺), the administration of the VAP reduced the cell damage and apoptosis induced by MPP⁺. This protective effect was associated with a decrease in oxidative stress. This protective mechanism was found to be mediated through the activation of the SIRT1-dependent Akt/Nrf2/HO-1-signaling pathway. In animal models, specifically in mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD, the administration of the VAP effectively reduced the dopaminergic neuron damage and reversed the neurobehavioral deficits. They also diminished microglia activation and apoptosis, all without any noticeable adverse effects. Additionally, the VAP was observed to beneficially alter the gut microbiota, as marked by an increase in the abundances of Prevotellaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and Prevotella. These findings suggest that VAP exerts its neuroprotective effect against neurodegeneration by inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating gut microbiota. Full article

Velvet antler, a traditional tonic widely used in East Asia for its health benefits, is explored in this study for its protective effects against hypoxia-induced damage using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model. Hypoxia, characterized by low oxygen availability, induces significant physiological stress and potential tissue damage. Our research demonstrates that methanol extracts from velvet antler (MEs) enhance the survival of C. elegans under hypoxic conditions. This enhancement is achieved through the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and the promotion of lipid accumulation, both of which are crucial for mitigating cellular damage. Specifically, MEs improve mitochondrial function, increase ATP production, and aid in the recovery of physical activity in C. elegans post-hypoxia or following hypoxia–reoxygenation (HR). The pivotal role of HIF-1 is underscored by the loss of these protective effects when HIF-1 function is inhibited. Additionally, our findings reveal that the gene related to lipid metabolism, ech-8, significantly contributes to the lipid accumulation that enhances resilience to hypoxia in C. elegans treated with MEs. These results not only highlight the therapeutic potential of velvet antler in modern medical applications, particularly for conditions involving hypoxic stress, but also provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which MEs confer protection against hypoxic damage. Full article

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of soil compaction on the seedlings of two species of deciduous (Acer velutinum and Alnus subcordata) and evergreen trees (Pinus eldarica and Pinus nigra) in terms of above- and below-ground morphology in a greenhouse. Six soil compaction levels were applied: the lowest intensity (control), very low, low, moderate, heavy, and very heavy. The results showed that there were different effects according to the species. These effects were on lateral root length, stem diameter, leaf dry biomass, SSL (specific stem length), SRL (specific root length), LMR (leaf mass ratio), RMR (root mass ratio), SMR (stem mass ratio), and R/S (root-to-shoot ratio). The results showed that soil penetration resistance (SPR) had a significant effect on seedling variables such as lateral root length, stem diameter, leaf dry biomass, and SRL (p < 0.05). A. velutinum seedlings have the highest values of growth variables compared to three other species, followed by A. subcordata seedlings. The two evergreen species, Pinus eldarica and Pinus nigra, have the lowest values of these growth variables. It is worth noting that we found that deciduous species had enhanced growth up to a moderate compaction level (1.3 MPa), while the growth decreased at an SPR that was higher than this value. Full article

Fusarium pseudograminearum causes destructive crown disease in wheat. The velvet protein family is a crucial regulator in development, virulence, and secondary metabolism of fungi. We conducted a functional analysis of FpVelB using a gene replacement strategy. The deletion of FpVelB decreased radial growth and enhanced conidial production compared to that of wild type. Furthermore, FpVelB modulates the fungal responses to abiotic stress through diverse mechanisms. Significantly, virulence decreased after the deletion of FpVelB in both the stem base and head of wheat. Genome-wide gene expression profiling revealed that the regulation of genes by FpVelB is associated with several processes related to the aforementioned phenotype, including “immune”, “membrane”, and “antioxidant activity”, particularly with regard to secondary metabolites. Most importantly, we demonstrated that FpVelB regulates pathogen virulence by influencing deoxynivalenol production and modulating the expression of the PKS11 gene. In conclusion, FpVelB is crucial for plant growth, asexual development, and abiotic stress response and is essential for full virulence via secondary metabolism in F. pseudograminearum. Full article