The effect of different degrees of deacetylation (DDs) of deacetylated konjac glucomannan (DKGM) on the gluten structure, water state, and yeast activity of frozen dough was evaluated. The moderate DKGM group maintained a more continuous gluten network after three freeze-thaw cycles, as evidenced by an 8.67% increase in disulfide bond content and a 15.01% increase in alpha-helix content compared to the KGM group. DKGM effectively impeded bound water migration, with the moderate DKGM group retaining 8.28% more bound water than the KGM group after three freeze-thaw cycles. The stabilization of gluten structure and water state in frozen dough by DKGM resulted in higher yeast activity in the low and moderate deacetylation groups (DD = 31.31% and 50.24%). Additionally, DKGM enhanced the quality of frozen steamed bread. The results indicate that DKGM with a moderate DD (50.24%) effectively alleviates the quality deterioration of frozen dough. These findings suggest that DKGM has great potential as a novel cryoprotectant for frozen dough, with DD being a crucial factor in its cryoprotective effect.

To improve the gelation behaviour of pectin, the effect of deacetylated konjac glucomannan (DKGM) with various deacetylation degrees (27.44 %, 44.32 %, 60.25 %, and 71.77 %) on the heat-induced gel characteristics of Ficus pumila Linn. pectin was studied. The hardness, chewiness, and adhesiveness of the gel increased as the degree of deacetylation increased from 27.44 % to 60.25 %, but decreased at 71.77 %. Additionally, DKGM addition resulted in higher apparent viscosity and non-Newtonian fluid behaviour in the composite gel. The incorporation of DKGM into the gel matrix strengthened the gel structure by promoting hydrogen bond formation and shortening relaxation time compared to the control. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the densification of the pectin gel network increased as the degree of deacetylation of konjac glucomannan rose from 27.44 % to 60.25 %, but then loosened when it exceeded 71.77 %. As the degree of deacetylation increased, the hydrophobic interaction between pectin and DKGM increased. Overall, the addition of DKGM effectively modulated the gel properties of Ficus pumila Linn. pectin, thus broadening its industrial application on different gel products.

As a major industrial raw material, natural rubber (NR) is also an important strategic material. Commercial NR is almost exclusively produced from rubber tree latex at present. Given that polyamines (PAs), especially putrescine (Put), can accelerate NR biosynthesis by scavenging ROS in laticifers, arginine decarboxylase (ADC) is likely involved in ROS balance by regulating Put content. In the present study, HbADC2, a novel ADC gene, was cloned and analyzed in detail. HbADC2 were expressed in different tissues and developmental stages of leaves, suggesting that HbADC2 was involved in rubber tree growth and development. As a multifunctional gene, HbADC2 was also modulated by several stresses and hormone treatments. Put contents were consistent with the expression levels of HbADC2 in latex between healthy rubber tree and tapping panel dryness (TPD)-affected one, implying that HbADC2 was likely associated with Put biosynthesis in rubber tree. In addition, tobacco plants overexpressing HbADC2 can enhance tolerance to methyl viologen (MV)-induced oxidative stress by increasing Put biosynthesis to decrease hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content. Taken together, our results suggest that HbADC2 not only is related to rubber tree growth, TPD, development, stress and hormone responses, but also enhances the tolerance to MV-induced oxidative stress by increasing Put biosynthesis in tobacco plants.

This study explores the effects of different extraction methods on the physicochemical properties and functional performance of selenium-rich rice bran protein (Se-RBP). Four extraction techniques-alkaline extraction (AAE), microwave extraction (MAE), ultrasonic extraction (UAE), and ultrasonic-assisted microwave extraction (UMAE)-were assessed for their efficiency and impact on protein structure, solubility, and functional properties, including emulsifying and foaming capacities. The results demonstrate that UMAE significantly enhances the functional properties of Se-RBP, achieving an emulsion stability index of 86.76% and a foaming capacity of 188.63%, both of which outperform the other methods. Furthermore, UMAE-treated Se-RBP exhibited a 35.43% increase in selenium bioavailability following gastrointestinal digestion. UMAE also delivered the highest antioxidant activity, reducing the IC50 for DPPH radical scavenging to 0.85 mg/mL. These improvements are attributed to UMAE's ability to achieve a finer, more uniform particle distribution and increased exposure of bioactive compounds. This study reveals the potential of UMAE in optimizing the extraction and functional utilization of Se-RBP.

This study aimed to explore the effect of deacetylated konjac glucomannan (DKGM) on the quality characteristics, staling, and digestive properties of Chinese steamed bread (CSB). The findings revealed that the addition of DKGM led to a larger specific volume, a lighter and more yellowish crumb color, and a softer texture of the CSB. Notably, 0.6% DKGM with a deacetylation degree (DD) of 50.26% integrated with the gluten network resulted in a more stable gluten structure in the dough and a 5.74% increase in the CSB specific volume, reaching 3.13 mL/g. Moreover, higher deacetylation of KGM (DD = 66.61%) significantly delayed CSB aging, as evidenced by factors such as freezable water content, staling rate, and starch crystallinity. High deacetylation of KGM exhibited the optimum digestive resistance of CSB. 1% KGM with high DD (DD = 66.61%) led to a 10.21% decrease in the rapidly digested starch content and a 3.98% decrease in the starch hydrolysis rate compared with the KGM, which might be attributed to highly deacetylated KGM may form stronger hydrogen bonds with starch. This study offered insights into the application of DKGM in advancing the industrialization of CSB.

Freeze-thaw stability improvement of deacetylated konjac glucomannan (DKGM) gel is a challenge. This study explored the effect of sodium alginate on the water-holding capacity, texture, rheological properties, crystallinity, microstructure and other properties of DKGM gel after 0, 1, 3, and 5 freeze-thaw cycles. Sodium alginate significantly enhanced the water-holding capacity of DKGM gel and mitigated the damage to gel viscoelastic properties caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Additionally, sodium alginate attenuated this phenomenon that the freeze-thaw process resulted in an increase in the intensity of the -OH absorption peak in the gel. Sodium alginate also decreased the hardness, crystallinity, eutectic point, and freezable water content of the DKGM gel. Finally, it prompted the development of a denser microstructure in the gel, thereby stabilizing the composite gel during freezing and thawing. These positive effects were attributed to the interactions between water molecules and polysaccharides in the gel, resulting in enhanced hydrogen bonding and intermolecular forces. These findings highlight the potential of cost-effective sodium alginate in augmenting the freeze-thaw stability of DKGM hydrogel.

This research introduces an innovative approach utilizing waste-derived cellulose from areca nut seeds. A novel quercetin-loaded cellulose nanofiber (CNF-Zn-QT) composite was synthesized by integrating zinc ions into a cellulose nanofiber-quercetin complex. With a high loading capacity (17.48%) and encapsulation efficiency (90.42%), the optimized CNF-Zn-QT composite exhibited superior antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS+ radicals compared to quercetin alone. Furthermore, the CNF-Zn-QT composite demonstrated a slower in vitro release rate of quercetin, indicating its potential for sustained release applications. Notably, the composite also displayed enhanced antibacterial properties, attributed to the antibacterial nature of zinc ions. In terms of storage, the CNF-Zn-QT composite outperformed the CNF-QT composite in stability, underscoring its promise for long-term applications. This research not only offers a novel perspective on the utilization of areca nut seeds waste but also emphasizes the multifunctional capabilities of the CNF-Zn-QT composite, making it a promising candidate for various applications, including antioxidant and antibacterial products, controlled release systems, and stable storage solutions.

Tapping panel dryness (TPD) has become the most important limiting factor for increasing natural rubber yield, whereas illuminating the molecular mechanisms underlying TPD is the prerequisite for solving the problem of TPD. However, molecular mechanisms underlying TPD are largely unknown. In this study, healthy and different stages of TPD-affected rubber trees were utilized to analyze TPD for the first time. We found that the changing tendencies of key latex physiological parameters were closely related to TPD occurrence and development. To reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying TPD, we sequenced and compared bark transcriptomes among healthy rubber tree, and TPD-affected ones at initial and advanced stages. In total, 8607 genes were identified as TPD-related genes in contrast to healthy rubber tree. According to gene expression profiles, the five samples were divided into three groups including healthy rubber tree, and TPD-affected rubber tree in the initial and advanced stages, which was consistent with the stages of TPD occurrence and development. Interestingly, only a small proportion of the TPD-related genes were constantly down-or up-regulated with TPD occurrence and development. The TPD-related genes in KEGG pathways significantly enriched were closely associated with protein metabolism, cell division and differentiation, PCD, stress responses, terpene biosynthesis, and various meta-bolism processes. Moreover, overexpression of HbAPX2 identified as a TPD-related gene enhanced oxidative stress tolerance in S. cerevisiae. The typical symptoms of TPD, partial or complete dry zone (no latex flow) on tapping panel, might attribute to lower IPP available for rubber biosynthesis, and downregulation of the genes in post-IPP steps of rubber biosynthesis and the genes involved in latex flow. Our results not only provide new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying TPD occurrence and development but also contribute to developing effective measures to control TPD in rubber trees.

With the increasingly severe problem of soil salinization worldwide, exploring the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance of super hybrid rice has become an important scientific issue. In this study, the super hybrid rice Chaoyou1000 was used as the focus of attention, and the conventional rice Huanghuazhan was used as the control to explore the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance in super hybrid rice. The joint analysis of tran-scriptome and metabolome found 4661 DEGs, of which 2130 were up-regulated and 2531 were down-regulated; 70 named differential metabolites were found in the positive ion mode, and 32 were found in the negative ion mode. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the carbohydrate metabolism-related pathways enriched by DEGs and differential metabolites were "starch and sucrose metabolism", "galactose metabolism", "glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism", and "citrate cycle (TCA cycle)". Specifically, we found that some critical genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, such as LOC4330753, LOC4325448, and LOC4341069, were up-regulated; some key metabolites, such as cis-aconitate, sucrose, and raffinose, were up-regulated. The difference in the expressions of these critical genes and metabolites between the two varieties is one of the most important reasons for the high resistance of Chaoyou1000. In addition, this study found that a large number of DEGs had a strong correlation with D-pipecolic acid, niveusin C, Gly-Val Ala-Ile, 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol 1 '-glucoside, 2,6-dimethyl-7-octene-1,6-diol 8-O-glucoside, (+)-syringaresinol, 2-indanone, 2-keto-6-acetamidocaproate, 3-dehy-droquinate, IRETOL, and estrone glucuronide, suggesting that these genes and corresponding metabolites may exist with functional associations and regulatory relationships. The results of this study will provide a reference for the breeding of salt-tolerant rice.

The productions of food, agricultural products and feed involve a variety processing conditions, which can affect the release/binding of zearalenone (ZEN) with macro-components in maize, resulting in the interconversion of hidden ZEN with free ZEN. This interconversion can cause the uncertainties and individual differences in the exposure assessment. To fully overcome this uncertainties of the potential risks for humans and animals, further research regarding the key factors and rule of interconversion is needed. This study was designed to analyze the key factors that can induce the interconversion of hidden ZEN with free ZEN during maize processing. Results showed the conversion of hidden ZEN into free ZEN during thermal and alkaline processing, while it showed the conversion of free ZEN into hidden ZEN during acid processing. Furthermore, the temperature and pH-induced interconversion rules were also applicable to the practical maize processing (tortilla production). During pro-ducing tortilla, when the processing conditions of 4% lime, cooking time (60 min) and cooking temperature (100 degrees C) were set, the tortilla products with the lower hidden ZEN hazard could be obtained. This study presented new insights into the risk assessment of maize products as the conversion between hidden ZEN and free ZEN during processing.

The fresh postharvest golden needle mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) sporocarp has a high moisture content and crisp texture, but it still has high physiological activity and respiration, leading to senescence and quality deterioration. Treatments with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and polypropylene (PP) crispers were used to study the changes of lignification and softening of F. velutipes during storage. The main findings were as follows: the crisper packaging could effectively prolong the storage time of F. velutipes; either the 1-MCP treatment, crisper packaging or the combination of the two treatments could significantly inhibit the accumulation of lignin and the decreases in the contents of cellulose and pectin, and had certain inhibitory effects on the activities of enzymes involved in lignification and softening including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), cellulase (Cx), pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG). Among them, the inhibitory effect of the crisper packaging was higher than the 1-MCP treatment, while the combination of the two treatments was the best. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the crisper packaging in combination with the 1-MCP treatment could effectively maintain the integrity and stability of the F. velutipes cellular structure and inhibit the emergence of plasmolysis to prevent cell membrane rupture. The transcription levels showed that the crisper packaging and the combination of the 1-MCP treatment and crisper packing could effectively affect the expression of genes for enzymes related to lignification and softening of F. velutipes. In conclusion, 1-MCP and PP crispers could delay the lignification and softening of F. velutipes during storage.