Browse Our Biology and Life Sciences Journals
Biology is a study of living objects and their life processes. It examines all aspects of living organisms such as their occurrence, classification, internal and external structure, nutrition, reproduction, inheritance, etc. The term “biology” is commonly replaced by the terms “life sciences” and “biological sciences.” There are dozens of branches of biology. Some of the major ones include:
Biology and Life Sciences
Abstract
Legumes are not only known to hold many nutritional values, including minerals such as iron, but also to contain antinutrients that can inhibit mineral absorption. Fermentation and germination are deemed simple, accessible, and sustainable ways to improve the nutritional composition of legumes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of spontaneous fermentation and germination on the antinutrients and iron levels of several legumes, consisting of soybean, kidney bean, and mung bean. Each legume type underwent spontaneous fermentation through soaking for 72 h and germination for 72 h, followed by milling to obtain their flours. The results indicated that spontaneous fermentation and germination could effectively reduce all legumes' tannin and phytic acid contents. However, while spontaneous fermentation increased iron content in all legume types, germination decreased iron content in soybean and kidney bean flours. This study has revealed that spontaneous fermentation served as the most effective method to reduce antinutrients and enhance iron levels in legumes. Therefore, this study is expected to support the fulfilment of the body's iron needs through legume's simple processing methods, such as spontaneous fermentation.
Abstract
This study investigates the flavour profile of volatile compounds in venison-based prepared food subjected to various reheating methods. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and electronic nose technology were employed to detect and analyse the characteristic flavour of three types of venison prefabricated food samples, which underwent different reheating treatments. During the research, 41 distinct volatile compounds were identified from the venison prefabricated food samples. Following normalisation of ion peaks and three statistical analysis techniques, 21 types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected effectively from dishes reheated by air fryer. According to data analysed by the odour description database, the venison-containing dishes exhibited superior retention of wine and onion aromas upon reheating. The results of electronic nose detection indicated the presence of benzaldehyde, alcohols, aromatics, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and aliphatic aromatic substances in braised venison prefabricated vegetables; especially benzaldehyde and alcohols displayed similar aroma characteristics as detected by GC-IMS. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified key variables contributing significantly to the volatile flavour profiles in venison prepared vegetables across different reheating methods: The main odourants were ethanol, undecane D, 1-propanol, ethyl acetate (acetic acid ethyl ester), 3-methylbutan-1-ol, n-pentanal, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, 1-butanol, butanal, and other 30 compounds (VIP > 1).
Abstract
Antibiotics are employed worldwide for both prevention and therapeutic purposes against infectious diseases on dairy farms. Recurrent infections frequently arise from biofilm-forming bacteria. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oak honey, honeycomb capping, and propolis against certain biofilm-associated and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The total phenolic content (TPC) values for propolis, honeycomb capping, and oak honey samples were 298, 128, and 72 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g, respectively. Oak honey showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (<0.08%) against the strong biofilm of non-bla CTX-M Serratia fonticola-1. Propolis had the lowest MIC value (<0.03%) against the weak biofilm of bla CTX-M positive Citrobacter braakii, and the moderate biofilm of non-bla CTX-M S. fonticola-2. The MIC values of all bee products showed a significant decrease upon interaction with 1% boric acid for all strains. Moreover, propolis has shown the ability to reduce 96% of the biofilm biomass of Citrobacter braaki after 24 h. The results show that bee products, used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, have emerged as a viable alternative against environmental pathogens.
Abstract
An alternative to roller mills, a French-designed stone mill, was evaluated and compared with traditional laboratory roller mills through grinding performance. Developed by the Astrié brothers in the 1950s, the stone mill's slow-rotating granite stones purportedly preserve the full nutritional value of the grain. This study, conducted in collaboration with the Csoroszlya farm, compared flour from the same wheat batch ground by both an Astrié stone mill and a laboratory roller mill. Evaluations included the Pekar test for bran content, sieve analysis, measuring wet gluten content, and gluten index to assess protein quality. Rheological properties of the doughs were analyzed using Farinograph and Mixolab equipment, which indirectly also measured amylase enzyme activity. Results indicated that the stone mill produced flour with finer grain size, higher protein content, and higher enzyme presence, although challenges remain in achieving optimal gluten index and dough stability.
Abstract
Sorghum is rich in phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Among them, 3-deoxyanthocyanin (3-DXA) is a rare subclass of anthocyanins, which has not only antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer functions, but also good thermal stability, colouring effect, as well as unique properties of acid and alkali resistance. In this study, we extracted 3-DXA from sorghum grains and analysed its composition. Component analysis indicated that the purified 3-DXA mainly contained apigenin and luteolin, with the contents of 1.46 μg g−1 and 1.38 μg g−1, respectively. The antioxidant activity of 3-DXA in vitro was between vitamin C (Vc) and rutin based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) radical scavenging rate and Fe3+ reducing power. Different concentrations of purified 3-DXA were applied to pork meat stored at 4 °C. After 11 days of storage, physiological and biochemical indices related to antioxidant and meat quality were determined. The results showed that 0.02% 3-DXA had the best antioxidant effects on pork meat within 11 days of storage at 4 °C based on a* value, pH value, purge loss, TBARS value, and total number of bacteria. The results in this study are helpful for the application of 3-deoxyanthocyanin to maintain the quality of pork meat and prolong the storage time at 4 °C.
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are critical for the regulation of CD4+ T cell differentiation and function. Previously, we identified Acyl-CoA Synthetase Bubble Gum 1 (Acsbg1), a gene involved in fatty acid metabolism, as part of an epigenetic signature that was selectively demethylated in ex vivo isolated T helper 17 (TH17) cells. However, its functional relevance for CD4+ T cells remains incompletely understood. Here, we used in vitro differentiation assays and the adoptive transfer colitis model to investigate the role of Acsbg1 in the differentiation and function of TH1, TH17, and regulatory T (Treg) cells. In vitro, Acsbg1 was expressed in both TH17 and in vitro-induced Treg (iTreg) cells, whereas TH1 cells lacked Acsbg1 expression. Accordingly, Acsbg1 deficiency resulted in impaired TH17 and iTreg differentiation, whereas TH1 differentiation was unaffected. In vivo, upon adoptive transfer of Acsbg1⁻/⁻ Tnaïve cells, immunodeficient recipient mice exhibited an exacerbated colitis, characterized by an altered balance of TH17 and Treg cells, indicating that Acsbg1 expression is essential for optimal TH17 and Treg cell differentiation and function. Our findings highlight the importance of fatty acid (FA) metabolism in maintaining immune homeostasis by regulating T cell differentiation and provide novel insights into the metabolic targeting of inflammatory diseases.
Abstract
Aronia melanocarpa, a main constituent of black chokeberry, provides a rich source of bioactive molecules including polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins and has been used for long in traditional medicine due to its various health-promoting and disease-alleviating properties. The aim of our literature survey was to provide an actual update of evidence regarding the antibacterial activities exerted by Aronia melanocarpa and its potential application for the treatment of human bacterial pathogenic including food-borne infections. Our survey revealed that distinct ingredients in Aronia melanocarpa do not only inhibit growth of Gram-positive and to a lesser extent of Gram-negative bacteria, but also biofilm formation that is even more pronounced upon combined application. Furthermore, the anti-microbial effects against food-spoiling bacteria underscores the application of defined Aronia-derived molecules in food preservation decreasing the risk for transmission of food-borne pathogens and thereby, improving food safety. Notably, in vivo studies revealed that prophylactic Aronia juice application alleviated murine Listeria monocytogenes-induced enteritis, dampened growth of streptococci involved in dental caries development, and decreased the incidence of urinary tract infections in nursing home residents. In conclusion, Aronia-derived bioactive molecules exhibit promising anti-bacterial and disease-alleviating effects that should be further elucidated in clinical studies.
Abstract
Conventional laboratory mice are protected from oral Campylobacter jejuni infection due to colonization resistance (CR) mediated by their host-specific gut microbiota. Here, we used differential effects of distinct antibiotics on gut microbiota composition to identify microbial groups associated with CR against C. jejuni. Therefore, specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice were subjected to ampicillin plus sulbactam (A/S), ciprofloxacin (CIP), or vancomycin (VAN) via the drinking water for 28 days or left untreated before peroral C. jejuni challenge. Cultural analyses revealed that CR displayed by untreated mice was abrogated by A/S treatment, but only reduced in mice treated with CIP or VAN. Notably, differential analysis of antibiotic-induced microbiota changes and C. jejuni colonization dynamics identified lactobacilli and Clostridium leptum as key microbial groups that were associated with CR. Notably, the complete eradication of intestinal bacteria in A/S treated mice supported high intestinal C. jejuni colonization levels which triggered apoptosis and inflammatory responses accompanied by enhanced expression of matrix-degrading gelatinases in the colon. In conclusion, A/S treated mice represent a valuable infection model for the study of campylobacteriosis and the treatment of mice with specific antibiotics support the investigation of molecular mechanisms involved in CR against enteropathogens.
Abstract
The main problem in incorporating probiotics to hurdle matrix of foodstuffs is mitigation of viable count in the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the effects of various dairy matrices (sterilised milk, doogh, UF cheese, and yoghurt) on the viability of different probiotics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The results showed that the highest and the lowest viability in milk were related to Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium lactis, respectively. In doogh samples, no significant difference was observed. In cheese, the highest viability was observed in Lactobacillus acidophilus followed by Bifidobacterium longum, and L. paracasei. The viability of probiotics in yoghurt was less than in cheese and control treatment. These results indicated that milk and doogh are efficient delivery matrices for carrying probiotic cells.
Abstract
Natural preservatives are a suitable alternative to chemical preservatives in the food industry. To overcome its hydrophobic nature, insolubility in water, and degradation of free essential oils, liposomal encapsulation can be applied. In this study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of free as well as liposomal rosemary essential oils (REO) were measured using disk diffusion and serial dilution method for Escherichia (E.) coli, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Salmonella (S.) enterica, Lactiplantibacillus (L.) plantarum, Aspergillus (A.) niger, and Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae. The antimicrobial properties of free and encapsulated essential oils were compared with sodium benzoate during thirty days of storage. Also, the release pattern of REO from liposomes was studied using dialysis membranes during the 30 days of storage. The results showed that the MIC of free and encapsulated REO is in the range of 3.5–5% and 5–6.5%, respectively. Gram+ Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the most sensitive, while Escherichia coli was the most resistant among the tested microorganisms to the essential oils. During refrigerated storage, free REO and sodium benzoate did not show any significant difference in antimicrobial properties (P > 0.05), while encapsulated REO significantly reduced the number of microorganisms in stored salad dressing (P ≤ 0.05).
