Comparison of torrefied and lyophilized Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis (Tiepishihu) by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy

Polysaccharides from Chinese herbal medicine: a review on the hepatoprotective and molecular mechanism

Polysaccharides, predominantly extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium officinale, Ganoderma lucidum, and Poria cocos, represent principal bioactive constituents extensively utilized in Chinese medicine. These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory capabilities, especially anti-liver injury activities, while exhibiting minimal adverse effects. This review summarized recent studies to elucidate the hepatoprotective efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of these herbal polysaccharides. It underscored the role of these polysaccharides in regulating hepatic function, enhancing immunological responses, and improving antioxidant capacities, thus contributing to the attenuation of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver protection. Analyses of molecular pathways in these studies revealed the intricate and indispensable functions of traditional Chinese herbal polysaccharides in liver injury management. Therefore, this review provides a thorough examination of the hepatoprotective attributes and molecular mechanisms of these medicinal polysaccharides, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement of polysaccharide-based therapeutic research and their potential clinical applications in liver disease treatment.

Application of carboxymethyl chitosan-based coating in fresh-cut apple preservation: Incorporation of guava leaf flavonoids and their noncovalent interaction study

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) has antibacterial activity and coating-forming ability. Under the impact of noncovalent interactions, the bioactivity and functionality of CMCS may be positively affected by the coexistence of flavonoids. This study investigated the effect of a CMCS coating incorporated with flavonoids from guava (Psidium guajava L. cv. Carmine) leaf (GLF) on the refrigeration of fresh-cut apples for preservation. Compared with the CMCS group, apples treated with the CMCS-GLF coating showed better quality (weight loss, browning index, firmness), nutritional value (ascorbic acid and total phenolic content), and microbial safety during storage. The mechanism study indicated that the hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interactions between CMCS and GLF (the carboxymethyl moiety of CMCS had the highest response priority and binding strength of the interaction with -C-O of GLF) changed the surface charge distribution and microstructure of CMCS, and increased its molecular weight, particle size, viscosity, and hydrophobicity. Thus, the CMCS-GLF coating exerted better bioactivities (antibacterial and antioxidant activity), and its film showed better mechanical and barrier properties. These results revealed that the noncovalent interaction with GLF could modify the physiochemical properties of CMCS, which was beneficial to improve its bioactivity and application value in fresh fruit preservation.

Effect of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides on central nervous system disease: Based on gut microbiota

Dendrobium officinale has anti-inflammatory effects and is one of the well-known functional foods. Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) can reduce intestinal barrier disruption and excessive inflammatory response by regulating intestinal bacterial homeostasis as well as short-chain fatty acid levels. It can also inhibit the activation of astrocytes and microglia, further realizing the protective effect on neuronal apoptosis and apoptosis, thus exerting a significant alleviating effect on neurological diseases. There is now evidence that bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract may influence human neurology, cognition and behavior via the gut-brain axis. In this review, we review the structural characterization, bioactivity and possible bioactive mechanisms of DOP, so as to elucidate the advantages of DOP's action on CNS diseases, with the aim of providing new perspectives for its drug and functional food development as well as clinical applications.

Trends in digital detection for the quality and safety of herbs using infrared and Raman spectroscopy

Herbs have been used as natural remedies for disease treatment, prevention, and health care. Some herbs with functional properties are also used as food or food additives for culinary purposes. The quality and safety inspection of herbs are influenced by various factors, which need to be assessed in each operation across the whole process of herb production. Traditional analysis methods are time-consuming and laborious, without quick response, which limits industry development and digital detection. Considering the efficiency and accuracy, faster, cheaper, and more environment-friendly techniques are highly needed to complement or replace the conventional chemical analysis methods. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy techniques have been applied to the quality control and safety inspection of herbs during the last several decades. In this paper, we generalize the current application using IR and Raman spectroscopy techniques across the whole process, from raw materials to patent herbal products. The challenges and remarks were proposed in the end, which serve as references for improving herb detection based on IR and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Meanwhile, make a path to driving intelligence and automation of herb products factories.

Continuing progress in the field of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS): Part III. Versatile applications

In this review, the comprehensive summary of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) for the last two years is covered. The remarkable applications of 2D-COS in diverse fields using many types of probes and perturbations for the last two years are highlighted. IR spectroscopy is still the most popular probe in 2D-COS during the last two years. Applications in fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy are also very popularly used. In the external perturbations applied in 2D-COS, variations in concentration, pH, and relative compositions are dramatically increased during the last two years. Temperature is still the most used effect, but it is slightly decreased compared to two years ago. 2D-COS has been applied to diverse systems, such as environments, natural products, polymers, food, proteins and peptides, solutions, mixtures, nano materials, pharmaceuticals, and others. Especially, biological and environmental applications have significantly emerged. This survey review paper shows that 2D-COS is an actively evolving and expanding field.

Study on Ultraviolet Aging Mechanism of Carbon Nanotubes/SBS Composite-Modified Asphalt in Two-Dimensional Infrared Correlation Spectroscopy

In order to explore the influence mechanism of carbon nanotubes on the ultraviolet (UV) aging properties of the SBS-modified asphalt binder, the changes of functional groups in the one-dimensional infrared spectrum and two-dimensional infrared correlation spectrum are studied in this paper. The results show that the UV aging process of the SBS-modified asphalt binder is the process of alkane chain cleavage and reorganization, the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups and decomposition of SBS. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes can reduce the mutual conversion of methyl and methylene functional groups, inhibit the decomposition of butadiene and the destruction of C = C double bonds in SBS. The degradation of SBS during the process of UV aging leads to the change of many functional groups and acceleration of the aging of the SBS-modified asphalt binder. The addition of carbon nanotubes can effectively alleviate the degradation of SBS and the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups at the early stage of UV aging, and reduce the influence of these two changes on other functional groups; thus, improving the anti-aging performance of the SBS-modified asphalt binder.

Assessing the interaction between drying and addition of maltodextrin to Kakadu plum powder samples by two dimensional and near infrared spectroscopy

The effect of drying (oven and freeze-drying) and the addition of maltodextrin as a carrier to Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) puree powder samples were evaluated using a combination of two dimensional (2DCOS) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Fruit powder samples were obtained from an experiment where oven and freeze-drying methods were compared together with the addition of seven levels of maltodextrin to the samples (control, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% w/w). Samples were scanned using a FT-NIR instrument (Tango, Bruker, Germany) and data analysed using 2DCOS. Asynchronous and synchronous 2DCOS spectroscopy were used to analyse and interpret the effects of the method of drying and the addition of maltodextrin on the NIR spectra of the fruit samples. The utilization of 2DCOS combined with NIR spectroscopy showed how the drying method affect the NIR spectra and thus the main implications of developing an effective, quick, and easy to use protocol for determining the drying method.