Advances in research on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Paecilomyces hepiali

Paecilomyces hepiali is a fungus with edible and pharmaceutic value,isolated from Ophiocordyceps sinensis.Its main bioactive constituents contain alkaloids,cyclic dipeptides,steroids,organic acids,and polysaccharides.Due to the huge development potential of P.hepiali in the field of food and medicine,it has been developed into a variety of products that cater to the needs of the public.In this paper,the chemical constituents and their pharmacological effects of P.hepiali are reviewed,which can provide reference for the development and application of P.hepiali.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Phascolosoma esculenta under different salinities

Salinity is an important parameter that influences the developmental progress of aquatic organisms.The larvae of Phascolosoma esculenta developed into the early stage trochosphere,the late stage trochosphere and the early stage pelagosphere in the low-salinity group(15),the middle group(22.5)and the high-salinity group(30),respectively,after being incubated for 50 h,according to morphological observation.The results showed that high salinity could accelerate the cellular development of P.esculenta.To elucidate the molecular mechanism of larval development of P.esculenta under different salinities,we performed transcriptome analysis of the larvae in P.esculenta.Nine transcriptome libraries of P.esculenta larvae were constructed,i.e.,the low-salinity group(A1,A2 and A3),the middle group(B1,B2 and B3)and the high-salinity group(C1,C2 and C3),and each group with three repeats.These nine paired-end libraries were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform.In total,57.63 Gb clean data were obtained and de novo assembled into 320,527 unigenes with mean lengths of 482.62 bp and N50 of 529 bp.A total of 249,162 unigenes were significantly matched to known unique proteins.The gene ontology(GO)annotation and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)were used to determine the regulation pathways and candidate genes that are associated with the process of larval development.A total number of 12,811,16,991 and 1735 transcripts were identified as differentially expressed genes(DEGs)from the comparison of A vs.B,A vs.C,and B vs.C,respectively.Of these differentially expressed genes,many DEGs that were upregulated in the high-salinity group were involved in the function that controls the larval development of P.esculenta,such as the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and ECM-receptor interaction.In addition,the results of the transcriptome analysis were verified by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).After morphological observation and transcriptome analysis,we think high salinity(30)is more suitable than medium(22.5)or low(15)salinity for the development of P.esculenta larvae.This information provides guidance for artificial breeding and paves the way to the further research on the individual development of P.esculenta under different salinities.

Review of the biological and engineering aspects of algae to fuels approach

Current biofuel production relies on limited arable lands on the earth,and is impossible to meet the biofuel demands.Oil producing algae are alternative biofuel feedstock with potential to meet the world’s ambitious goal to replace fossil fuels.This review provides an overview of the biological and engineering aspects in the production and processing technologies and recent advances in research and development in the algae to fuels approach.The article covers biology,selection and genetic modification of algae species and strains,production systems design,culture media and light management,harvest and dewatering,downstream processing,and environment and economic assessment.Despite the many advances made over several decades,commercialization of algal fuels remains challenging chiefly because of the techno-economic constraints.Technological breakthroughs in all major aspects must take place before commercial production of algal fuels becomes economically viable.

Fractionation and characterization of bio-oil from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover

Bio-oil from thermochemical conversion of biomass is a complex mixture of polar and non-polar compounds,and cannot be used directly as a combustion engine fuel due to its low heating value,high viscosity,chemical instability,and incomplete volatility.Mixed-solvent extraction was developed to fractionate bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover to produce light oil(a mixture of light and inflammable fuel oil components from bio-oil)with low viscosity and low combustion residue,and high value chemicals.Different fractions from bio-oil were characterized using GC/MS and TG,and a major chemical(hydroxy-butanedioic acid diethyl ester)was separated.

Design and synthesis of the novel branched fluorinated surfactant intermediates with CF_3CF_2CF_2C(CF_3)_2 group

Perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulphonate(PFOS) was one of the most prominent fluorosurfactants and applied widely in firefighting and daily chemical, etc. However, these surfactants have recently been identified as toxic and undegradability in the environment. Developing an efficient approach to environment-friendly fluorosurfactants is essential. A fluorocarbon branched chain strategy was adopted to develop/PFOS substitutes. A series of intermediates of novel branched fluorinated surfactants with CF_3 CF_2CF_2C(CF3)_2 group were synthesized from perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene. All the steps were mild, easy-handled and cheap. It is expected to be a very significant direction for the development of non-bioaccumulable alternatives of PFOA or PFOS.

Utilization of almond residues

Almond production generates millions of tons of residues in addition to almond nuts.Almond residues,including shells,hulls,pruning,leaves,skin and inedible kernel disposition,are good feedstocks for production of bioenergy and other valuable compounds.In this article,research on the utilization of almond residues as energy and non-energy feedstocks is reviewed.Technical options for converting almond residues to energy and other valuable products are discussed.Several commercial conversion technologies are examined.Needs for further research and development are recommended.

Liquefaction of corn stover using industrial biodiesel glycerol

Corn stover was liquefied using an industrial biodiesel glycerol as a liquefying agent at atmospheric pressure and low temperature.It was found that the liquefaction yield increased with increasing glycerol-to-corn stover ratios.Sulfuric acid,added as a catalyst,was found to improve liquefaction yield.The hydroxyl number,moisture content,acid number,pH value,viscosity,density,elemental composition,and higher heating value of the liquefied corn stover samples were determined.The liquefied corn stover showed a high hydroxyl number of 270-310 mg KOH/g.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)results revealed the functional groups and confirmed the existence of the OH group in the liquefied corn stover,indicating that the liquefied corn stover is indeed a source of polyols and a potential chemical stock for the synthesis of polymers.

Temperature stress response of heat shock protein 90(Hsp90)in the clam Paphia undulata

The Heat shock proteins(HSPs)are a group of molecular chaperones that play a crucial role in cell response to various stresses.A full-length cDNA of the heat shock protein 90(PuHsp90)was cloned and sequenced from the clam Paphia undulata.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PuHsp90 grouped with the Hsp90 from other metazoan species.Expression of PuHsp90 was highly detected in the gonad,followed by digest gland,gills and heart but was found poorly expressed in mantle,adductor muscle and hemocytes.After a heat shock stress at 32℃up-regulation of PuHsp90 was detected in the mantle,adductor muscle,gills and hemocytes.Maximal expression levels occurred at 4 h after the heat shock and up-regulation is indicative of protein denaturation and of an increase in energy consumption.In contrast after the heat shock,PuHsp90 was continuously down-regulated in the digestive gland and in the gonad suggesting modifications of the biochemical pathways and energy budgets involved in the synthesis of other protein,such as catalase and of other Hsp proteins.These results reveal that PuHsp90 may play an important role in the clam response to a temperature stress.