Structural characterization of six new Lepidium meyenii polysaccharides and their effects on gut microbiota in vitro.

Lepidium meyenii Walp. (maca) is known for its bioactive polysaccharides but has limited research. In this study, six new polysaccharides including one α-glucan (MCP-3) and five (un)saturated homogalacturonan (MCP-4a, MCP-4b, MCP-4c, MCP-5a, and MCP-5b) were isolated from maca.

Exploring the complexities of bitterness: a comprehensive review of methodologies, bitterants, and influencing factors centered around coffee beverage.

Bitterness is a defining and intricate characteristic of coffee. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the state-of-the-art techniques related to coffee bitterness research and summarizes known bitterants present in coffee, including phenolics, peptides, alkaloids, and diterpenoids. It also discusses critical factors that affect bitterness, such as coffee variety, ripeness, processing methods, roasting degrees, and brewing techniques, as well as individual human differences in taste perception.

Novel galactose-rich polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum: structural characterization and immunomodulatory activities.

Galactose-rich polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum have emerged as promising immunomodulatory agents, yet their structural characteristics and mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Here, we isolated and characterized a novel galactose-rich polysaccharide (GLP-1b, 16.79 kDa) from Ganoderma lucidum.

Structure-function insights of natural Ganoderma polysaccharides: advances in biosynthesis and functional food applications.

Ganoderma polysaccharides (GPs), derived from various species of the Ganoderma genus, exhibit diverse bioactivities, including immune modulation, anti-tumor effects, and gut microbiota regulation. These properties position GPs as dual-purpose agents for medicinal and functional food development. This review comprehensively explores the structural complexity of six key GPs and their specific mechanisms of action, such as TLR signaling in immune modulation, apoptosis pathways in anti-tumor activity, and their prebiotic effects on gut microbiota.