The gut microbiota: A treasure for human health.

The interplay between the host and host-associated gut microbiota is an area of increasing interest during the recent decade. From young infants to elderly people, from primitive tribes to modern societies, accumulating evidence has suggested the association of critical physiological roles of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of a variety of human metabolic, immunological and neurological diseases. Importantly, it appears that the relationship between the gut microbiota and disease is bidirectional, instead of causal or consequential.

Bacillus spore wet heat resistance and evidence for the role of an expanded osmoregulatory spore cortex.

Unlabelled: Previous work reported that decoated Bacillus cereus spores incubated in 4 mol l(-1) CaCl2 are killed at lower temperatures than spores in water. This wet heat sensitization was suggested to support a role for an osmoregulatory peptidoglycan cortex in spore cores' low water content, and their wet heat resistance. Current work has replicated this finding with spores of B.

Health benefits of anthocyanins and molecular mechanisms: Update from recent decade.

Anthocyanins are one of the most widespread families of natural pigments in the plant kingdom. Their health beneficial effects have been documented in many in vivo and in vitro studies. This review summarizes the most recent literature regarding the health benefits of anthocyanins and their molecular mechanisms.

Microbiological and physicochemical analysis of pumpkin juice fermentation by the basidiomycetous fungus Ganoderma lucidum.

A new protocol for processing of pumpkin juice was set up which included fermentation by the basidiomycete Ganoderma lucidum at 28 °C for 7 d. The growth curve of G. lucidum in pumpkin juice was successfully (R(2)  = 0.

Protection of cyanidin-3-glucoside against oxidative stress induced by acrylamide in human MDA-MB-231 cells.

Acrylamide (AA) occurs in many cooked starchy foods and has caused widespread concern as a possible carcinogen. In the present study, we investigate the intervention of AA toxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells pretreated with cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy-3-glu). Compared to the cells treated with AA, Cy-3-glu significantly inhibited AA-induced cytotoxicity, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, recovered glutathione (GSH) depletion and decreased the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST).

Identification of aroma-active compounds in Jiashi muskmelon juice by GC-O-MS and OAV calculation.

To identify aromatic compounds in Jiashi melon juice, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) analysis was used. Odor activity values (OAVs) were also calculated on the basis of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile compounds. Results showed that 42 volatiles were identified, among which 4 compounds, namely, diethyl carbonate, isophorone, 2-butoxyethyl acetate, and menthol, were identified or tentatively identified for the first time as volatiles in melon fruit.

Inactivation of natural microorganisms in litchi juice by high-pressure carbon dioxide combined with mild heat and nisin.

The individual and combined effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD), mild heat (MH) and nisin (200 ppm) on the inactivation of natural microorganisms, including aerobic bacteria (AB), yeasts and molds (Y&M), in litchi juice were evaluated. The samples were treated at a pressure of 10 MPa and temperatures of 32, 42 or 52 °C for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 min. Temperature played a prominent role in the inactivation of both AB and Y&M when combined with HPCD, particularly for AB at 52 °C and Y&M at temperatures ≥42 °C.