Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Septum: Assessment of Bioactive Molecules and In Vitro Biological Effects.
Walnut (Juglans regia L.) septum represents an interesting bioactive compound source by-product. In our study, a rich phenolic walnut septum extract, previously selected, was further examined. The tocopherol content determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed higher amounts of α-tocopherol compared to γ- and δ-tocopherols. Moreover, several biological activities were investigated. The in vitro inhibiting assessment against acetylcholinesterase, α-glucosidase, or lipase attested a real management potential in diabetes or obesity. The extract demonstrated very strong antimicrobial potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteritidis. It also revealed moderate (36.08%) and strong (43.27%) antimutagenic inhibitory effects against TA 98 and TA 100 strains. The cytotoxicity of the extract was assessed on cancerous (A549, T47D-KBluc, MCF-7) and normal (human gingival fibroblasts (HGF)) cell lines. Flow cytometry measurements confirmed the cytotoxicity of the extract in the cancerous cell lines. Additionally, the extract demonstrated antioxidant activity on all four cell types, as well as anti-inflammatory activity by lowering the inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β)) evaluated in HGF cells. To the best of our knowledge, most of the cellular model analyses were performed for the first time in this matrix. The results prove that walnut septum may be a potential phytochemical source for pharmaceutical and food industry.
Microwave Pyrolysis of Macadamia Shells for Efficiently Recycling Lithium from Spent Lithium-ion Batteries.
To reduce harm to the environment and human health and improve economic benefits, the large number of spent lithium-ion batteries that have been produced in recent years need to be reasonably recycled. The purpose of this article is to study a new method, microwave pyrolysis of the shells of macadamia nuts, for efficient recycling of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries. XRD, SEM, and TGA analyses were used to observe the phase change during roasting. With the help of microwave heating and biomass pyrolysis, the decomposition temperature of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 was reduced to 300 °C. Carbonated water-soluble Li2CO3 was formed under the action of biochar. Accordingly, the effects of pyrolysis temperature (Pte), biomass dose (bio%), reduction roasting temperature (Rte) and reduction roasting time (Rti) on the leaching rate of lithium were studied, and the results indicated that 93.4% lithium could be leached under the following optimum conditions: bio% = 24, Pte = 500 °C, Rte = 750 °C, and Rti = 25 min. A lattice collapse model and coupling reaction theory explained the benefit of biomass pyrolysis on the decomposition of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2. Finally, we designed a complete process for recycling the cathode powder of spent lithium-ion batteries. This study can guide industrial production to recover lithium-ion batteries in the future.
Design of healthier beef sausage formulations by hazelnut-based pre-emulsion systems as fat substitutes.
In the present study, incorporation of pre-emulsified hazelnut oil (HO) plus hazelnut powder (HP) into sausage formulations as beef fat substitutes was investigated. Totally nine different treatments were formulated where beef fat (BF) was replaced with 0%, 50%, or 100% pre-emulsified HO with the addition of 0%, 3%, or 6% HP. Although pre-emulsion containing sausages had a higher lipid amount than BF containing sausages, SFAs went down from 47.2% to 13.6% while MUFAs increased from 41.8% to 71.3%, and PUFAs increased from 3.7% to 11.23% in sausages where BF was totally replaced. HO pre-emulsions were effective to improve nutritional ratios (P:S, IA, and IT) by means of lipid modification. Generally, no significant differences were recorded in textural and sensory parameters. Oxidative and technological quality could be maintained by HP addition to sausages with HO pre-emulsions. Consequently, the utilization of pre-emulsified HO and HP presented a good opportunity for introducing healthier oils and protecting the overall quality of emulsified meat products.
The Applicability of Using a Protease Extracted from Cashew Fruits (Anacardium occidentale), as Possible Meat Tenderizer: An Experimental Design Approach.
Meat tenderness is one of the most important organoleptic properties in determining consumer acceptance in meat product marketability. Therefore, an effective meat tenderization method is sought after by exploring plant-derived proteolytic enzymes as meat tenderizer. In this study, a novel protease from Cashew was identified as a new alternative halal meat tenderizer. The extraction of cashew protease was optimized using response surface methodology (R2 = 0.9803) by varying pH, CaCl2 concentration, mixing time, and mass. pH 6.34, 7.92 mM CaCl2 concentration, 5.51 min mixing time, and 19.24 g sample mass were the optimal extraction conditions. There was no significant difference (n = 3; p < 0.05) between the calculated (6.302 units/mL) and experimental (6.493 ± 0.229 units/mL) protease activity. The ascending order of the effects was pH < mixing time < CaCl2 < sample mass. In meat tenderizing application, the meat samples treated with 9% (v/w) crude protease extract obtained the lowest shear force (1.38 ± 0.25 N) to cause deformation on the meat. An electrophoretic analysis showed that protein bands above ~49.8 kDa were completely degraded into protein bands below ~22.4 kDa. SEM shows the disruption of the muscle fibres after being treated by the Cashew protease. The results of this study shows the Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) crude extract can be used as an alternative of the animal and microbial protease as meat tenderizer and subsequently overcome the shortcoming of the halal industrial protease.
Quality Characteristics and Volatile Profile of Macarons Modified with Walnut Oilcake By-product.
Walnut oilcake is a low-cost by-product of the edible oil industry but at the same time it is a valuable source of dietary fiber, natural antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the context of health-friendly confectionary food products and to reduce the production cost, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of walnut oilcake by-product on the quality characteristics and volatile profile of modified macarons. For this purpose, GC-MS and ITEX/GC-MS techniques were used to obtain the fatty acids methyl esters and the volatile profiles; physicochemical analyzes were performed to determine the nutritional characteristics and a nine-point hedonic scale test was performed for the sensory characteristics. The substitution of almond flour with 0%, 10%, 25% and 50% walnut oilcake powder increased the fiber, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity. Hedonic scores of the macaron samples made with different percentage of walnut oilcake decreased to additions of over 10%. Moreover, this result is emphasized by Pearson's correlation parameters indicating as optimal addition for modified macarons, percentages up to 10% of walnut oilcake. This approach could reduce the costs related to the acquisition of the ingredients due to the oilcake price which is 3% of the almonds flour price.
Effects of surface modification on heavy metal adsorption performance and stability of peanut shell and its extracts of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose.
Effects of surface modification by carboxyl group on Pb2+ adsorption performances and stability of peanut shell and its extracts (cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose) were investigated. Stability of the biosorbents was measured by determining organic compound release amount (TOC). Results showed that adsorption capacity of peanut shell and the extract was poor and stability of them was not good enough. Amount of organic compound released from the unmodified sorbents followed the order: cellulose > lignin > peanut shell > hemicellulose. Hemicellulose was the main organic compound release resource for the raw peanut shell. Due to the poor stability of the raw materials, peanut and its extract could not be used directly in the practical waste water treatment. After modification, adsorption capacity of peanut shell, cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose increased by 4- to 6-folds. Stability of the modified sorbents also increased significantly, and TOC determined for the modified peanut shell, cellulose, and hemicellulose was lower than 4.0 mg L-1 in the optimum pH range from 4.0 to 6.0 even using for 30 days, which was lower than the drinking water standard in China. Modified peanut shell and its extract except for lignin could be used safely in pH ranged from 4.0 to 6.0. Surface modification could improve the adsorption performances and stability of the biosorbents.
Integrated small RNA and mRNA expression profiles reveal miRNAs and their target genes in response to Aspergillus flavus growth in peanut seeds.
Background: MicroRNAs are important gene expression regulators in plants immune system. Aspergillus flavus is the most common causal agents of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, but information on the function of miRNA in peanut-A. flavus interaction is lacking. In this study, the resistant cultivar (GT-C20) and susceptible cultivar (Tifrunner) were used to investigate regulatory roles of miRNAs in response to A. flavus growth. Results: A total of 30 miRNAs, 447 genes and 21 potential miRNA/mRNA pairs were differentially expressed significantly when treated with A. flavus. A total of 62 miRNAs, 451 genes and 44 potential miRNA/mRNA pairs exhibited differential expression profiles between two peanut varieties. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that metabolic-process related GO terms were enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses further supported the GO results, in which many enriched pathways were related with biosynthesis and metabolism, such as biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis of small RNA, transcriptome and degradome indicated that miR156/SPL pairs might regulate the accumulation of flavonoids in resistant and susceptible genotypes. The miR482/2118 family might regulate NBS-LRR gene which had the higher expression level in resistant genotype. These results provided useful information for further understanding the roles of miR156/157/SPL and miR482/2118/NBS-LRR pairs. Conclusions: Integration analysis of the transcriptome, miRNAome and degradome of resistant and susceptible peanut varieties were performed in this study. The knowledge gained will help to understand the roles of miRNAs of peanut in response to A. flavus.
Inoculum quantification of canker-causing pathogens in prune and walnut orchards using real-time PCR.
Aims: A real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was established to quantify the inoculum densities in the air and rainwater for six canker-causing pathogen groups in prune and walnut orchards in California. Methods and results: The previously published DNA primers to target six pathogen groups including Botryosphaeria dothidea, Cytospora spp., Diplodia spp., Lasiodiplodia spp., Neofusicoccum spp., and Phomopsis spp. were used in a qPCR assay. Air samples from Burkard spore traps and rain samples from special rain collector devices were collected periodically from various prune and walnut orchards. By using the qPCR approach, we were able to quantify the concentrations of these pathogen groups in rainwater and air samples and study the dynamics of pathogen inoculum in orchards showing severe canker potential. Phomopsis spp., and Diplodia spp. were not found in all rain samples in prune orchards, although they were detected in the 2016 in the walnut orchard. The other four pathogen groups were quantified at varying concentrations in the prune and walnut orchards. Cytospora spp. in some cases showed higher concentrations in the rainwater in prune orchards. Conclusions: The rainy season during winter and early spring is a highly-risky period of time for infection by the pathogens when the inoculum of these pathogens can easily spread by air and rain water, thus serving as an important inoculum source for disease initiation. The different studied pathogen groups showed different concentrations during the growing season, indicating the complexity of the components of canker-causing species in various tree crops. Significance and impact of the study: This study showed the applicability of the qPCR assay in the quantification of inoculum in tree orchards to help reveal the mechanisms of canker disease epidemics and to help design disease management strategies.
Metaphycus macadamiae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)–a biological control agent of macadamia felted coccid Acanthococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) in Hawaii.
A new species of encyrtid wasp, Metaphycus macadamiae Polaszek & Noyes sp. n., (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae: Encyrtinae) is described as a solitary endoparasitoid of the invasive macadamia felted coccid, Acanthococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) in Hawaii. This parasitoid is native to Australia, and the species description is based on material collected from a Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche (Proteaceae) plantation in New South Wales, Australia, the native region of the host tree and insect. It is described here because it is a potential biological control agent against this pest where it has recently invaded Hawaii and South Africa.
Draft genome of the husk spot pathogen, Pseudocercospora macadamiae, infecting macadamia.
Pseudocercospora macadamiae causes husk spot in macadamia in Australia. Lack of genomic resources for this pathogen has restricted acquiring knowledge on the mechanism of disease development, spread and its role in fruit abscission. To address this gap, we sequenced the genome of P. macadamaie. The sequence was de novo assembled into a draft genome of 40 Mb, which is comparable to closely related species in the family Mycosphaerellaceae. The draft genome comprises 212 scaffolds, of which 99 scaffolds are over 50 Kb. The genome has a 49% GC content and is predicted to contain 15,430 protein-coding genes. This draft genome sequence is the first for P. macadamiae and represents a valuable resource for understanding genome evolution and plant disease resistance.