Optimization of Fermentation Process of Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune and Its Antioxidant Capacity in Vitro

In order to improve the economic value of Panax quinquefolius L., this study used Panax quinquefolius L. as raw material to solid state ferment Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune, increased the content of active components in Panax quinquefolius L., and optimized the fermentation technology. In this study, the total ginsenoside content of Panax quinquefolius L. was used as the indicator. First, strain 2 was selected from three strains of Streptomyces as the solid state fermentation strain for Panax quinquefolius L.. Then single factor experiment was conducted on four factors affecting total ginsenoside content. The four factors included: fermentation temperature, inoculation amount of Schizophyllum commune, pH value and fermentation time. On the basis of these results, the technology of solid state fermentation of Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune was further optimized by response surface Box Behnken experimental design. The optimized process conditions were determined as follows: inoculation amount of Schizophyllum commune 10.90%, fermentation temperature 31 ℃, fermentation time 10 d, pH value 5.9. Under the above conditions, the total ginsenoside content of Panax quinquefolius L. fermented by Schizophyllum commune was 10.28%, the content of crude polysaccharide was 12.85%, and the content of total flavonoids was 0.67%, which were higher than that of unfermented Panax quinquefolius L., and the contents of macromolecules ginsenoside Rb1, Rg2 and Re decreased, while the contents of micromolecules ginsenoside Rg1, Rc, Rb2, Rd, Rg3, s-Rh2, r-Rh2 and pseudo-ginsenoside CK increased. Among them, rare ginsenoside Rg3, s-Rh2, r-Rh2, and pseudo-ginsenoside CK were new saponins. In vitro antioxidant tests showed that the IC50 values of DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals scavenging ability of the fermented products of Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune were 3165 and 10910 μg/mL, respectively, which were stronger than those of unfermented Panax quinquefolius L.. This study proved that the solid state fermentation of Panax quinquefolius L. by Schizophyllum commune increased the contents of total ginsenoside, crude polysaccharide, total flavone and rare ginsenoside, and enhanced the antioxidant capacity, which provided data support for the development and utilization of Panax quinquefolius L.

A review of the extraction and purification methods, biological activities, and applications of active compounds in Acanthopanax senticosus

Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) is a geo-authentic crude medicinal plant that grows in China, Korea, Russia, and Japan. AS contains bioactive compounds such as eleutherosides, polysaccharides, and flavonoids. It is also a key traditional herb in the Red List of Chinese Species. AS is mainly distributed in Northeast China, specifically in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces. Its active compounds contribute to significant biological activities, including neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-fatigue, and antitumor effects. However, the extraction methods of active compounds are complex, the extraction efficiency is poor, and the structure–activity relationship is unclear. This study focused on the nutrients in AS, including protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. Particularly, the active ingredients (eleutherosides, polysaccharides, and flavonoids) in AS and their extraction and purification methods were analyzed and summarized. The biological activities of extracts have been reviewed, and the mechanisms of anti-oxidation, antitumor, anti-inflammation, and other activities are introduced in detail. The applications of AS in various domains, such as health foods, medicines, and animal dietary supplements, are then reported. Compared with other extraction methods, ultrasonic or microwave extraction improves efficiency, yet they can damage structures. Challenges arise in the recovery of solvents and in achieving extraction efficiency when using green solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents. Improvements can be made by combining extraction methods and controlling conditions (power, temperature, and time). Bioactive molecules and related activities are exposited clearly. The applications of AS have not been widely popularized, and the corresponding functions require further development

Recent trends in extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activities evaluation of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton polysaccharide

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton is an annual herb plant of the Perilla genus in the Labiatae family, which is commonly utilized as an edible and medicinal resource. Polysaccharides are among the major components and essential bioactive compounds of P. frutescens, which exhibit a multitude of biological activities, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-fatigue, immunoregulation, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. As a natural carbohydrate, P. frutescens polysaccharide has the potential to be utilized in the development of drugs and functional materials. In this paper, we provide an overview of progress made on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and bioactivity of polysaccharides from different parts of P. frutescens. The challenges and opportunities for research are discussed, along with the potential development prospects and future areas of focus in the study of P. frutescens polysaccharides

An Impact Evaluation of the Application of Sharing Products in Tourism Services

This study is a discussion on the feasibility of, application, and promotion of sharing products in tourism services. The promotion and application of the current sharing concept are mostly aimed at a wide range of urban populations or urban service systems, while research on applications of the concept that target tourism services are few. This study hopes to demonstrate that, with the introduction of the sharing concept into the tourism industry, tourism services will benefit from sharing tourism products. Adopting the TAM model, the study surveyed tourists in the form of a questionnaire and obtained its data from 410 participants. The research investigated tourists’ attitudes towards sharing tourism products and the impact of sharing products in tourism services. In the SEM model test and analysis, we found that: (1) sharing tourism products is acceptable to tourists; (2) sharing tourism products brings tourists good travel experiences and improves the quality of tourism services in scenic spots; and (3) tourists can have their special needs and concerns met by sharing tourism products. These prove that tourist sharing products are a scientific and effective way for the tourism industry to improve the travel experience of tourists and to optimize the tourism service industry, and that the sharing concept is in agreeance with the climate of current economic development and the diversified needs of consumers. This research focuses on the promotion of the sharing concept in seaside tourism services. In future research, we can also try to improve the user experience, assist service management, and build a healthy economic ecological model with the application of the sharing concept in different service models and business venues

An Impact Evaluation of the Application of Sharing Products in Tourism Services

This study is a discussion on the feasibility of, application, and promotion of sharing products in tourism services. The promotion and application of the current sharing concept are mostly aimed at a wide range of urban populations or urban service systems, while research on applications of the concept that target tourism services are few. This study hopes to demonstrate that, with the introduction of the sharing concept into the tourism industry, tourism services will benefit from sharing tourism products. Adopting the TAM model, the study surveyed tourists in the form of a questionnaire and obtained its data from 410 participants. The research investigated tourists’ attitudes towards sharing tourism products and the impact of sharing products in tourism services. In the SEM model test and analysis, we found that: (1) sharing tourism products is acceptable to tourists; (2) sharing tourism products brings tourists good travel experiences and improves the quality of tourism services in scenic spots; and (3) tourists can have their special needs and concerns met by sharing tourism products. These prove that tourist sharing products are a scientific and effective way for the tourism industry to improve the travel experience of tourists and to optimize the tourism service industry, and that the sharing concept is in agreeance with the climate of current economic development and the diversified needs of consumers. This research focuses on the promotion of the sharing concept in seaside tourism services. In future research, we can also try to improve the user experience, assist service management, and build a healthy economic ecological model with the application of the sharing concept in different service models and business venues

Recent Progress in Contact Engineering of Field-Effect Transistor Based on Two-Dimensional Materials

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have been considered as promising candidates to fabricate ultimately scaled field-effect transistors (FETs), due to the atomically thin thickness and high carrier mobility. However, the performance of FETs based on 2D semiconductors has been limited by extrinsic factors, including high contact resistance, strong interfacial scattering, and unintentional doping. Among these challenges, contact resistance is a dominant issue, and important progress has been made in recent years. In this review, the Schottky–Mott model is introduced to show the ideal Schottky barrier, and we further discuss the contribution of the Fermi-level pinning effect to the high contact resistance in 2D semiconductor devices. In 2D FETs, Fermi-level pinning is attributed to the high-energy metal deposition process, which would damage the lattice of atomically thin 2D semiconductors and induce the pinning of the metal Fermi level. Then, two contact structures and the strategies to fabricate low-contact-resistance short-channel 2D FETs are introduced. Finally, our review provides practical guidelines for the realization of high-performance 2D-semiconductors-based FETs with low contact resistance and discusses the outlook of this field

Process Optimization of the Method of Ionic Liquid Assisted Ultrasonic Extraction of Cannabidiol from Industrial Hemp Leaves

In order to improve the economic value of industrial hemp, an active ingredient cannabinoid (CBD) with medicinal value from industrial hemp leaves was extracted by ionic liquid assisted ultrasonic method and the extraction process was optimized. In this study, [C8mim]NTF2 was selected as the best extraction solvent from 16 kinds of imidazole ionic liquids based on the yield of CBD. Then single factor experiment was conducted on six factors affecting the yield of CBD extraction by ionic liquid assisted ultrasonic method. The six factors included: Ultrasonic power, ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic time, ethanol concentration, molar concentration of ionic liquid and liquid material ratio. And the ethanol concentration was 65%. The ionic liquid molar concentration was 0.3 mol/L (65% ethanol solution preparation). On the basis of these results, four significant factors (ultrasonic power, ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic time and liquid material ratio) were screened out by Plackett-Burman experimental design. The extraction process was further optimized by response surface Box-Behnken experimental design. The optimum extraction process conditions of CBD significant factors were as follows: Ultrasonic power 280 W, ultrasonic temperature 50 ℃, ultrasonic time 62.5 min, liquid material ratio 25 mL/g. Under the above conditions, the yield of CBD extracted by ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2 was 7.66%±0.2%, the yield of CBD extracted by methanol was 6.42%±0.3%, and the yield of CBD extracted by 65% ethanol solution was 5.81%±0.2%. The extraction ability of CBD was ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2>methanol>65% ethanol solution. The CBD degradation experiment showed that the CBD degradation rate of ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2 was 16.40%±0.3%, which was smaller than that of methanol (24.65%±0.6%) and 65% ethanol solution (32.88%±0.5%). The results showed that adding 65% ethanol solution into ionic liquid [C8mim]NTF2 could not only reduce the degradation rate of CBD, but also increase the yield of CBD. This study proved that ionic liquid was not only a protective agent for CBD, but also an excellent solvent for CBD extraction. The technology of extracting CBD by ionic liquid assisted ultrasonic method was developed, which provided data support for the development and utilization of industrial hemp CBD

Evaluation of the reliability and validity for X16 balance testing scale for the elderly

Abstract Background Balance performance is considered as an indicator of functional status in the elderly, a large scale population screening and evaluation in the community context followed by proper interventions would be of great significance at public health level. However, there has been no suitable balance testing scale available for large scale studies in the unique community context of urban China. Methods A balance scale named X16 balance testing scale was developed, which was composed of 3 domains and 16 items. A total of 1985 functionally independent and active community-dwelling elderly adults’ balance abilities were tested using the X16 scale. The internal consistency, split-half reliability, content validity, construct validity, discriminant validity of X16 balance testing scale were evaluated. Results Factor analysis was performed to identify alternative factor structure. The Eigenvalues of factors 1, 2, and 3 were 8.53, 1.79, and 1.21, respectively, and their cumulative contribution to the total variance reached 72.0%. These 3 factors mainly represented domains static balance, postural stability, and dynamic balance. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.933. The Spearman correlation coefficients between items and its corresponding domains were ranged from 0.538 to 0.964. The correlation coefficients between each item and its corresponding domain were higher than the coefficients between this item and other domains. With the increase of age, the scores of balance performance, domains static balance, postural stability, and dynamic balance in the elderly declined gradually (P < 0.001). With the increase of age, the proportion of the elderly with intact balance performance decreased gradually (P < 0.001). Conclusions The reliability and validity of the X16 balance testing scale is both adequate and acceptable. Due to its simple and quick use features, it is practical to be used repeatedly and routinely especially in community setting and on large scale screening

Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-based composite cryogel with embedded macroporous cellulose beads for the separation of human serum immunoglobulin and albumin

A novel super-macroporous monolithic composite cryogel was prepared by embedding macroporous cellulose beads into poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) cryogel. The cellulose beads were fabricated by using a microchannel liquid-flow focusing and cryopolymerization method, while the composite cryogel was prepared by cryogenic radical polymerization of the hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomer with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate as cross-linker together with the cellulose beads. After graft polymerization with (vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride, the composite cryogel was applied to separate immunoglobulin-G and albumin from human serum. Immunoglobulin-G with a mean purity of 83.2% and albumin with a purity of 98% were obtained, indicating the composite cryogel as a promising chromatographic medium in bioseparation for the isolation of important bioactive proteins like immunoglobulins and albumins