Efficacy of Raw Corn Starch in Insulinoma-Related Hypoglycemia:A Promising Supportive Therapy

Objective To investigate the efficacy of raw corn starch(RCS)in clinical management of insulinoma-induced hypoglycemia.Methods We retrospectively collected clinical data of insulinoma patients who received RCS-supplemented diet preoperatively,and analyzed the therapeutic effects of the RCS intervention on blood glucose control,weight change,and its adverse events.Results The study population consisted of 24 cases of insulinoma patients,7 males and 17 females,aged 46.08±14.15 years.Before RCS-supplemented diet,all patients had frequent hypoglycemic episodes(2.51±3.88 times/week),concurrent with neuroglycopenia(in 83.3% of patients)and autonomic manifestations(in 75.0% of patients),with the median fasting blood glucose(FBG)of 2.70(interquartile range[IQR]:2.50-2.90)mmol/L.The patients'weight increased by 0.38(IQR:0.05-0.65)kg per month,with 8(33.3%)cases developing overweight and 7(29.2%)cases developing obesity.All patients maintained the RCS-supplemented diet until they underwent tumor resection(23 cases)and transarterial chemoembolization for liver metastases(1 case).For 19 patients receiving RCS throughout the day,the median FBG within one week of nutritional management was 4.30(IQR:3.30-5.70)mmol/L,which was a significant increase compared to pre-nutritional level[2.25(IQR:1.60-2.90)mmol/L;P<0.001].Of them,10 patients receiving RCS throughout the day for over four weeks had sustained improvement in FBG compared to pre-treatment[3.20(IQR:2.60-3.95)mmol/L vs.2.15(IQR:1.83-2.33)mmol/L;P<0.001].Five patients who received RCS only at night also had a significant increase in FBG within one week of nutritional management[3.50(IQR:2.50-3.65)mmol/L vs.2.20(IQR:1.80-2.60)mmol/L;P<0.001],but only one patient who continued to receive RCS for over four weeks did not have a significant improvement in FBG.No improvement in weight gain was observed upon RCS supplementation.Mild diarrhea(2 cases)and flatulence(1 case)occurred,and were relieved by reduction of RCS dose.Conclusion The RCS-supplemented diet is effective in controlling insulinoma-induced hypoglycemia.

Drying kinetics of soy protein isolate-corn starch film during preparation and its moisture adsorption characteristics during storage

To better understand the mass transfer process of moisture in the soy protein isolate-corn starch(SPI-CS)films during preparation and storage process,the drying kinetics model of SPI-CS films with different formation conditions during the drying process and the moisture adsorption characteristics of the SPI-CS films under different humidity conditions were investigated.Within the range of experimental conditions,the moisture migration rule in the SPI-CS films during the drying preparation was combined with the Page model which was expressed as MR=exp(-kt^(n)).It was found that the adsorption equilibrium needed shorter time(about 3 h)when the SPI-CS films existed in the environment with lower humidity(RH<54%).Additionally,the secondorder adsorption kinetic equation was successful to describe the moisture adsorption characteristic of the SPICS films during storage under different humidity conditions.

Production of Corn (Zea mays) Starch and Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Starch and Their Application as Yogurt Stabilizer

The present study evaluated the stabilizing effect of starch produced from corns and cassava on the stability of cow milk yogurt. A sample of both corn and cassava starch was selected and used in the yogurt making as stabilizers. The yogurt samples have been analyzed for their WHC, syneresis and protein content. The yogurt with no added starch has found to have very low WHC and high syneresis compared to other samples. The yogurt made with the addition of corn starch as a stabilizer was highly accepted than the yogurt with cassava starch and the yogurt without starch. The findings from this study provide an alternative to add the value of local corns and cassava.

Corn Starch Derived Capacitive Carbon Prepared by One-Step K2CO3 Carbonization for Supercapacitors

High-performance carbonaceous electrode materials for supercapacitors were synthesized by subjecting corn starch to a simple molten salt activation process with K2CO3 at a temperature of 850˚C. The resulting carbon material, obtained after activating for 1 hour, displayed excellent capacitive properties due to the synergistic effects of its porous structure. Utilizing these electrodes, the supercapacitor exhibited a high discharge capacitance (248 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), which is 2.4 times higher than that of activated carbon without K2CO3 activation. The enhancement in electrical performance was analyzed through SEM and XRD analysis, revealing that the porous and disordered structure provides a greater number of charge storage sites, resulting in improved capacitive performance.

CORN评估量表在预防胸外科术中获得性压力性损伤中的应用研究

目的探讨胸外科手术患者根据CORN量表及时采取护理措施,预防术中获得性压力性损伤的效果。方法选择2023年1—6月呼和浩特市某三甲医院胸外科侧卧位手术患者70例作为研究对象,根据入院先后顺序将2023年1—3月就诊的患者作为对照组(35例),将2023年4—6月就诊的患者作为实验组(35例)。对照组采用Braden量表进行评估,实验组采用CORN量表进行评估。为所有患者提供基本防护措施,根据两种量表评分对中风险及高风险患者采取针对性护理措施。在术后即刻及术后24 h、48 h和72 h评估皮肤情况。比较两组患者术中获得性压力性损伤发生率、住院天数、手术医生对手术室专科护士配合满意度评分和手术室护士预防术中获得性压力性损伤专业能力。结果实验组术中获得性压力性损伤发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组住院天数少于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组手术医生对手术室专科护士配合满意度评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组手术室护士预防术中获得性压力性损伤专业能力高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论CORN量表应用于胸外科侧卧位手术患者可识别中高风险人群,提前进行护理干预,可降低术中获得性压力性损伤的发生率,缩短患者住院时间,提高手术医生对手术室专科护士配合满意度评分,提高手术室护士预防术中获得性压力性损伤专业能力。

The cytosolic isoform of triosephosphate isomerase,ZmTPI4,is required for kernel development and starch synthesis in maize(Zea mays L.)

Triosephosphate isomerase(TPI)is an enzyme that functions in plant energy production,accumulation,and conversion.To understand its function in maize,we characterized a maize TPI mutant,zmtpi4.In comparison to the wild type,zmtpi4 mutants showed altered ear development,reduced kernel weight and starch content,modified starch granule morphology,and altered amylose and amylopectin content.Protein,ATP,and pyruvate contents were reduced,indicating ZmTPI4 was involved in glycolysis.Although subcellular localization confirmed ZmTPI4 as a cytosolic rather than a plastid isoform of TPI,the zmtpi4 mutant showed reduced leaf size and chlorophyll content.Overexpression of ZmTPI4 in Arabidopsis led to enlarged leaves and increased seed weight,suggesting a positive regulatory role of ZmTPI4 in kernel weight and starch content.We conclude that ZmTPI4 functions in maize kernel development,starch synthesis,glycolysis,and photosynthesis.

qSTA2-2,a novel QTL that contributes to seed starch synthesis in Zea mays L.

The seed storage materials accumulate during seed development,and are essential for seed germination and seedling establishment.Here we employed two bi-parental populations of an F2:3 population developed from a cross of improved 220(I220,small seeds with low starch)and PH4CV(large seeds with high starch),as well as recombinant-inbred lines(RILs)of X178(high starch)and its improved introgression line I178(low starch),to identify the genes that control seed storage materials.We identified a total of 12 QTLs for starch,protein and oil,which explained 3.44-10.79%of the phenotypic variances.Among them,qSTA2-1 identified in F2:3 and qSTA2-2 identified in the RILs partially overlapped at an interval of 7.314-9.554 Mb,and they explained 3.44-10.21%of the starch content variation,so they were selected for further study.Fine mapping of qSTA2-2 with the backcrossed populations of ^(I220)/PH4CV in each generation narrowed it down to a 199.7 kb interval that contains 14 open reading frames(ORFs).Transcriptomic analysis of developing seeds from the near-isogenic lines(NILs)of ^(I220)/PH4CV(BC_(5)F_(2))showed that only 11 ORFs were expressed in 20 days after pollination(DAP)seeds.Five of them were upregulated and six of them were downregulated in NIL^(I220),and the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between NIL^(I220) and NIL^(PH4CV) were enriched in starch metabolism,hormone signal transduction and glycosaminoglycan degradation.Of the eleven NIL^(I220) differential expressed ORFs,ORF4(Zm00001d002260)and ORF5(Zm00001d002261)carry 75%protein sequence similarity,both encodes an glycolate oxidase,were the possible candidates of qSTA2-2.Further analysis and validation indicated that mutation of the qSTA2-2 locus resulted in the dysfunction of ABA accumulation,the embryo/endosperm ratio and the starch and hormone levels.

Pelleting and particle size reduction of corn increase net energy and digestibility of fiber,protein,and fat in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs

Background Reduction of the particle size of corn increases energy digestibility and concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy.Pelleting may also reduce particle size of grain,but it is not known if there are interactions between particle size reduction and pelleting.The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that particle size reduction and pelleting,separately or in combination,increase N balance,apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of fiber and fat,and net energy(NE)in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs.Methods Six corn-soybean meal-based diets were used in a 3×2 factorial design with 3 particle sizes of corn(i.e.,700,500,or 300μm)and 2 diet forms(i.e.,meal or pelleted).Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water.Twenty-four castrated male pigs(initial weight:29.52 kg;standard diviation:1.40)were allotted to the 6 diets using a 6×6 Latin square design with 6 calorimeter chambers(i.e.,4 pigs/chamber)and 6 periods.Oxygen consumption and CO_(2)and CH_(4)productions were measured during fed and fasting states and fecal and urine samples were collected.Results Regardless of particle size of corn,the ATTD of gross energy(GE),N,and acid-hydrolyzed ether extract(AEE),and the concentration of NE were greater(P<0.05)in pelleted diets than in meal diets.Regardless of diet form,the ATTD of GE,N,and AEE,and the concentration of NE were increased(linear;P<0.05)by reducing the particle size of corn,but the increase was greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets(interaction;P<0.05).Conclusions Both pelleting and reduction of corn particle size increased nutrient digestibility and NE,but increases were greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets.

Night warming increases wheat yield by improving pre-anthesis plant growth and post-anthesis grain starch biosynthesis

Global climate change is characterized by asymmetric warming,i.e.,greater temperature increases in winter,spring,and nighttime than in summer,autumn,and daytime.Field experiments were conducted using four wheat cultivars,namely‘Yangmai 18’(YM18),‘Sumai 188’(SM188),‘Yannong 19’(YN19),and‘Annong 0711’(AN0711),in the two growing seasons of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021,with passive night warming during different periods in the early growth stage.The treatments were night warming during the tillering-jointing(NW_(T-J)),jointing-booting(NWJ-B),and booting-anthesis(NWB-A)stages,with ambient temperature(NN)as the control.The effects of night warming during different stages on wheat yield formation were investigated by determining the characteristics of dry matter accumulation and translocation,as well as sucrose and starch accumulation in wheat grains.The wheat yields of all four cultivars were significantly higher in NW_(T-J)than in NN in the 2-year experiment.The yield increases of semi-winter cultivars YN19 and AN0711 were greater than those of spring cultivars YM18 and SM188.Treatment NW_(T-J)increased wheat yield mainly by increasing the 1,000-grain weight and the number of fertile spikelets,and it increased dry matter accumulation in various organs of wheat at the anthesis and maturity stages by increasing the growth rate at the vegetative growth stage.The flag leaf and spike showed the largest increases in dry matter accumulation.NW_(T-J)also increased the grain sucrose and starch contents in the early and middle grain-filling stages,promoting yield formation.Overall,night warming between the tillering and jointing stages increased the pre-anthesis growth rate,and thus,wheat dry matter production,which contributed to an increase in wheat yield.

Optimization Mechanism of Mechanical Properties of Basalt Fiber-Epoxy Resin Composites by Interfacially Enriched Distribution of Nano-Starch Crystals

Fibre reinforced polymer composites have become a new generation of structural materials due to their unique advantages such as high specific strength,designability,good dimensional stability and ease of large-area monolithic forming.However,the problem of interfacial bonding between the resin matrix and the fibres limits the direct use of reinforcing fibres and has become a central difficulty in the development of basalt fibre-epoxy composites.This paper proposes a solution for enhancing the strength of the fibre-resin interface using maize starch nanocrystals,which are highly yield and eco-friendly.Firstly,in this paper,corn starch nanocrystals(SNC)were prepared by hydrolysis,and were deposited on the surface of basalt fibers by electrostatic adsorption.After that,in order to maximize the modification effect of nano-starch crystals on the interface,the basalt fiber-epoxy resin composite samples were prepared by mixing in a pressureless molding method.The test results shown that the addition of basalt fibers alone led to a reduction in the strength of the sample.Deposition of 0.1 wt%SNC on the surface of basalt fibers can make the strength consistent with pure epoxy resin.When the adsorption amount of SNC reached 0.5 wt%,the tensile strength of the samples was 23.7%higher than that of pure epoxy resin.This is due to the formation of ether bond homopolymers between the SNC at the fibre-epoxy interface and the epoxy resin,which distorts the originally smooth interface,leading to increased stress concentration and the development of cracks.This enhances the binding of basalt fibers.The conclusions of this paper can provide an effective,simple,low-cost and non-polluting method of interfacial enhancement modification.

Various Organic Nutrient Sources in Combinations with Inorganic Fertilizers Influence the Yield and Quality of Sweet Corn(Zea mays L.saccharata)in New Alluvial Soils of West Bengal,India

Nutrient management plays a crucial role in the yield and quality of sweet corn.A field experiment was conducted in consecutive two kharif seasons in 2018 and 2019 to investigate the effect of various organic sources of nutrients in combination with inorganic sources on the yield and quality of sweet corn under new alluvial soils of West Bengal,India.Treatments were:T_(1):Control(without fertilizers);T_(2):100%recommended dose(RDF)of chemical fertilizers(CF)(RDF CF_(100%));T_(3):100%recommended dose of N(RDN)through vermicompost(VC)(RDN VC_(100%));T_(4):50 RDN through CF+50%RDN through VC(RDN CF_(50%)+RDN VC50%);T_(5):50%RDF through CF+50%RDN through organic source(OS)1,Soligro(Ascophyllum nodosum)granular(RDN CF_(50%)+RDN OS_(150%));T6:50%RDN through CF+50%RDN through OS 2,Bioenzyme(liquid)(RDN CF_(50%)+RDN OS250%);T7:50%RDN through CF+50%RDN through OS 3,Opteine(Ascophyllum nodosum)filtrate[RDN CF_(50%)+RDN OS350%];T8:50%RDN through VC+50%RDF through OS 1,Soligro(Ascophyllum nodosum)granular(RDN VC50%+RDN OS_(150%)).The OS of fertilizers were VC,SoliGro Gr(OS1)(Ascophyllum nodosum),Bioenzyme liquid(OS2),and Opteine(Ascophyllum nodosum)filtrate(OS3).The inorganic source was traditional CF applied at the RDF(150:75:75 kg ha^(−1) of N:P2O5:K2O).The VC was used to supply 100%RDN as one source or 50%RDN when combined with CF or OS.Maximum fruit yield(10.75 and 10.79 t ha^(−1) in 2018 and 2019,respectively)was recorded when RDF was substituted through CF only,being statistically at par with 50%CF+50%VC on a nitrogen equivalent basis(9.92 and 10.00 t ha^(−1) in 2018 and 2019,respectively)and 100%VC(8.22 and 8.32 t ha^(−1) in 2018 and 2019,respectively).Compared to chemical sources of nutrients,VC-based treatments produced a larger percentage of large-size cob(>25 cm).The 100%VC increased antioxidant(8.35 and 8.45 mg g^(−1)),carotenoid(0.59 and 0.61 mg/100 g),and phenol(55.06 and 55.02 mg 100 g^(−1))content compared with its 50%dose in combination with other sources.The study revealed the potentiality of organic sources towards achieving improved cob quality of sweet corn.

Evaluation of Ruminal Dry Matter Disappearance and pH of Dry Corn, High-Moisture Corn, and Rye under in Vitro Conditions

An in vitro experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of grain type on in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) and pH using ruminal fluid and a buffer reagent. Five beef cows were used for ruminal fluid collection and ruminal fluid was pooled prior to use. The cows used for ruminal fluid collection were maintained on a forage-based diet (60:40 forage to concentrate) for 28 d prior to ruminal fluid collection. Three grain types were evaluated: 1) dry corn (89% dry matter;DRC), 2) high-moisture corn (72% dry matter;HMC) and 3) rye (89% dry matter;RYE). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. A total of twenty-one replications of each grain type were used for statistical analysis (n = 63 tubes total). IVDMD was greater (P ≤ 0.05) by 97.1% and 46.4% for RYE compared to DRC and HMC, respectively. Additionally, IVDMD was greater (P = 0.05) by 34.6% for HMC compared to DRC. Final pH was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) for RYE by 12.3% and 2.8% for RYE compared to DRC and HMC, respectively. Also, final pH was decreased (P = 0.05) by 9.8% for HMC compared to DRC. These data indicate that corn harvest method (dry vs. high-moisture) influences IVDMD and final pH and that rye has a greater disappearance of dry matter and lower final pH than corn under in vitro conditions.

Alkali Tolerance of Concrete Internal Curing Agent Based on Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch

Internal curing agents (ICA) based on super absorbent polymer have poor alkali tolerance and reduce the early strength of concrete.An alkali tolerate internal curing agent (CAA-ICA) was designed and prepared by using sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS) with high hydrophilicity,acrylic acid (AA) containing anionic carboxylic group and acrylamide (AM) containing non-ionic amide group as the main raw materials.The results show that the ratio of CAA-ICA alkali absorption solution is higher than that existing ICA,which solves the low water absorption ratio of the ICA in alkali environment.The water absorption ratio of CAA-ICA in saturated Ca(OH)_(2) solution is 95.8 g·g^(-1),and the alkali tolerance coefficient is 3.4.The application of CAA-ICA in cement-based materials can increase the internal relative humidity and miniaturize the pore structure.The compressive strength of mortar increases up to 12.95%at 28 d,which provids a solution to overcome the reduction of the early strength.

Starch Orodispersible Film Loaded with Melatonin for Human Supplementation

An innovative pharmaceutical form for administering melatonin,based on starch orodispersiblefilm(ODF),was designed and prepared.The composition of the ODF included starch as the polymer matrix,the active drug melatonin,and a plasticizer.Melatonin,a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain,can be absorbed by passive diffusion across the mucous membrane,resulting in improved bioavailability when compared to conventional oral administration.This study shows a simple and efficient method for preparing melatonin-loaded orodispersiblefilms with a physically stable and commercially viable matrix,suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry.Thefilms were prepared by treating the starch with microwave irradiation,followed by plasticization with glycerol,melatonin loading and drying by solvent casting.Mechanical tests showed thefilms’robustness,with a modulus of approximately 97 MPa,indicating good handling properties.Moisture uptake analysis showed fast water absorption,reaching about 150%within 2 min,indicating its fast oral disintegration potential.Disintegration tests in artificial saliva and dissolution studies indicated the release of the drug in min-utes,indicating the potential properties of thefilm for oral drug delivery.To the best of our knowledge,there is no melatonin ODF based on starch described in the literature.

Corn and Soybean Growth as Affected by Wastewater-Derived Struvite-Phosphorus Sources and Irrigation Water Types

Struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) produced synthetically from a stock solution of known phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations has been shown to be an effective, alternative fertilizer-P source for various crops, but little is known about the potential agronomic effectiveness of struvite created from an actual municipal wastewater source. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil [i.e., Creldon silt loam (Oxyaquic Fragiudalf) and Calloway silt loam (Aquic Fraglossudalf) series], fertilizer-P source [i.e., synthetically produced electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECSTsyn), real-wastewater-derived ECST (ECSTreal), chemically precipitated struvite (CPST), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and an unamended control (UC)], and irrigation water type (i.e., tapwater and struvite-removed wastewater) on corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and N, P, and magnesium (Mg) uptake in a 60-day, greenhouse potted-plant study. Crop growth and N, P, and Mg uptakes for the struvite treatments (i.e., CPST, ECSTsyn, and ECSTreal) were generally similar to or at least 1.2 times greater than MAP. The ECSTsyn material commonly had up to five times greater N, P, and Mg uptake in corn and soybean than any other fertilizer-P source. Struvite-removed wastewater resulted in at least 1.3 times lower dry matter and N, P, and Mg uptake than tapwater. Similar corn and soybean results from the struvite fertilizers among the various soil-water type combinations compared to MAP suggest that struvite generates similar crop responses as at least one widely used, commercially available, multi-nutrient fertilizer-P source.

Rice Grains from Slightly Saline Field Exhibited Unchanged Starch Physicochemical Properties but Enhanced Nutritional Values

This study aims to investigate grain quality and nutritional values of rice(Pokkali,a salt-tolerant cultivar;RD73,a new cultivar improved from KDML105 introgressed with Saltol QTL from Pokkali,and KDML105,a moderately salt-susceptible cultivar)grown under non-saline(0.04–0.87 dS/m)and slightly saline(1.08–4.83 dS/m)field conditions.The results revealed that salinity caused significant reduction in grain size but significant increments in reducing sugar and total protein contents in the grains.Nevertheless,the amounts of starch in the grains of KDML105 and Pokkali rice genotypes were unaffected by the stress.The starch granule size distribution was also unaffected by salinity.Interestingly,only starch from Pokkali was significantly diminished in amylose content,from 19.18%to 16.99%.Accordingly,parameters relating to starch gelatinization,retrogradation,and pasting properties of KDML105 and RD73 were unaffected by salinity;only Pokkali showed a significant increase in percentage of retrogradation along with a significant reduction in gelatinization enthalpy.In the saline field,total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in the grains of all rice cultivars tended to increase,particularly in Pokkali.On average,essential element contents in grains from the saline-treated plants showed a 33%,32%,32%,22%,20%,11%,and 10%increase in total P,N,K,Mg,Zn,Fe,and Ca content,respectively.Interestingly,total Fe content exhibited the greatest percentage of increments in KDML105(187%).Taken together,cultivation of rice in the slightly saline field did not alter its eating and cooking qualities,while enhanced some nutritional properties such as proteins,minerals,and secondary metabolites like phenolic compounds.

Irrigation regimes modulate non-structural carbohydrate remobilization and improve grain filling in rice(Oryza sativa L.)by regulating starch metabolism

Recently developed ‘super’ rice cultivars with greater yield potentials often suffer from the problem of poor grain filling, especially in inferior spikelets. Here, we studied the activities of enzymes related to starch metabolism in rice stems and grains, and the microstructures related to carbohydrate accumulation and transportation to investigate the effects of different water regimes on grain filling. Two ‘super’ rice cultivars were grown under two irrigation regimes of well-watered(WW) and alternate wetting and moderate soil drying(AWMD). Compared with the WW treatment,the activities of ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase(AGPase), starch synthase(StSase) and starch branching enzyme(SBE), and the accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates(NSCs) in the stems before heading were significantly improved, and more starch granules were stored in the stems in the AWMD treatment. After heading, the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS) and sucrose synthase in the synthetic direction(SSs)were increased in the stems to promote the remobilization of NSCs for grain filling under AWMD. During grain filling, the enzymatic activities of sucrose synthase in the cleavage direction(SSc), AGPase, StSase and SBE in the inferior spikelets were increased, which promoted grain filling, especially for the inferior spikelets under AWMD.However, there were no significant differences in vascular microstructures. The grain yield and grain weight could be improved by 13.1 and 7.5%, respectively, by optimizing of the irrigation regime. We concluded that the low activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism is the key limitation for the poor grain filling, as opposed to the vascular microstructures, and AWMD can increase the amount of NSC accumulation in the stems before heading, improve the utilization rate of NSCs after heading, and increase the grain filling, especially in the inferior spikelets, by altering the activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism.

Synergistic effects of three traditional herbs green tea,mulberry leaf and corn silk on glucose uptake level of L6 myoblasts and the hypoglycemic mechanism

Background:Green tea,mulberry leaf and corn silk are traditional herbs used in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in China for a long time,but their synergistic hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms remain unclear.Methods:The effective components of green tea,mulberry leaf and corn silk were extracted and enriched.Mixture design of experiments was used to study the influences of different combinations on the cell viability and glucose uptake level of L6 myoblasts,so as to determine the optimal synergistic hypoglycemic combination.The possible hypoglycemic mechanism of the optimal synergistic combination was explored by cytotoxicity assay,glucose uptake assay,and western blot.Results:Three polyphenol enrichment fractions of the herbs,30%ethanol elution fraction of green tea(GT),50%ethanol elution fraction of mulberry leaf(ML)and 60%ethanol elution fraction of corn silk(CS)were obtained.The antioxidant activities of GT-30%,ML-50%and CS-60%were superior to those of crude extracts,and showed strong potential inα-amylase andα-glucosidase inhibition activities.The optimal synergistic combination of crude extracts G7(crude extract of green tea:crude extract of mulberry leaf:crude extract of corn silk=1:5:3),polyphenol enrichment fractions R3(GT-30%:ML-50%:CS-60%=1:7:1)and monomers X2(epigallocatechin gallate:morusin:formononetin=3:1:2)were selected,respectively.G7,R3,and X2 showed promoting effects on the cell viability and glucose uptake of L6 myoblasts within the detected concentration range.In addition,G7,R3,and X2 could increase the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in L6 myoblasts,and promote the translocation of Glut4,but G7 and R3 showed more significant effects.Conclusion:The synergistic hypoglycemic effects of green tea,mulberry leaf and corn silk had the characteristics of multiple-components and multiple-targets with p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt and the translocation of Glut4 signal pathways involved.The three traditional herbs might have the potential to be combined used for the prevention and treatment of diabetes based on the synergistic hypoglycemic effects.

Hypoglycemic effect and the mechanism of action of a polysaccharide from sweet corncob in a high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a metabolic disease caused by a glycolipid metabolism disorder and isletβ-cell dysfunction.SCP-80-I is a biologically active water-soluble polysaccharide isolated from sweet corncob,an agricultural byproduct.The hypoglycemic effects of SCP-80-I on T2DM mice and its mechanisms were investigated in this study.SCP-80-I was found to significantly reduce blood glucose and lipid deposition levels in T2DM mice,as well as decrease serum leptin and increase adiponectin secretion.Interestingly,real time-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blotting results revealed that SCP-80-I could regulate the expression of several glycolipid metabolisms and insulin secretion genes and proteins,including 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK),carnitine palmitoyltransferase I(CPTI),and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase(ACC)in the liver and AMPK,sirtuin1(Sirtl),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorycoactivator-1(PGC-1α),and uncoupling protein 2(UCP2)in the pancreas.To have a hypoglycemic effect,SCP-80-1 regulated glycolipid metabolism and islet cell function in the liver by regulating the AMPK/AC C/CPT1 signaling pathway and the AMPK/Sirt1/PGC-1αand AMPK/Sirtl/UCP2 signaling pathways.These findings improve our understanding of polysaccharides derived from sweet corncob and the use of SCP-80-I in the production of hypoglycemic foods.

Differential roles of C-3 and C-6 phosphate monoesters in affecting potato starch properties

The effects of starch phosphate monoester content(SPC),namely C-3(C3P)and C-6 phosphate monoesters(C6P),on the starch properties were investigated using four potato starches with varied SPC/C3P/C6P and two nonphosphorylated maize starches with a similar range of amylose content(AC)as controls.The starch property results showed that a higher SPC is associated with lower turbidity,storage and loss modulus after storage,and water solubility,but higher swelling power(SP)and pasting viscosities.These findings suggested that SPC inhibited molecular rearrangement during storage and starch leaching during heating,and enhanced swelling and viscosities due to increased hydration and water uptake caused by the repulsion effect of phosphate groups and a less ordered crystalline structure.Increased SPC also resulted in lower resistant starch(RS)content in a native granular state but higher RS after retrogradation.Pearson correlations further indicated that SPC/C3P/C6P were positively correlated with peak(r^(2)=0.925,0.873 and 0.930,respectively),trough(r^(2)=0.994,0.968 and 0.988,respectively),and final viscosities(r^(2)=0.981,0.968 and 0.971,respectively).Notably,SPC,mainly C3P,exhibited a significantly positive correlation with SP(r^(2)=0.859)and setback viscosity(r^(2)=0.867),whereas SPC,mainly C6P,showed a weak positive correlation with RS after retrogradation(r^(2)=0.746).However,SPC had no significant correlations with water solubility,turbidity and rheology properties,which were more correlated with AC.These findings are helpful for the food industry to select potato starches with desired properties based on their contents of SPC,C3P,or C6P.