Preparation of isoquercitrin by biotransformation of rutin using α-L-rhamnosidase from Aspergillus niger JMU-TS528 and HSCCC purification

Use of ultrasound to increase the catalytic activity of α-L-rhamnosidase

α-L-rhamnosidase (Rha) is ubiquitous in nature and has high feasibility in the food and biotechnology industries. A green and environmentally friendly method was used to improve the activity of Rha. Here, we show that the effects of ultrasound treatment on the Rha. Ultrasonic treatment at 80 W for 10 min yielded the highest enzyme activity. Treatment increased enzyme activity by 26.3% and half-life by 124 min. Further, treatment increased the catalytic efficiency of Rha and increased the substrate conversion rate by 33.88%. These results demonstrate that ultrasound increases the catalytic activity and stability of Rha. Thus, ultrasonic treatment of Rha is cost-effective on the industrial scale.

Recent trends in multidimensional countercurrent chromatography

Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is a potent separation approach known for its remarkable efficiency and capacity in preparation. It's applied as a substitute or combined with different chromatographic techniques, resulting in its rebranding as multidimensional CCC (MDCCC). Numerous essential mixtures from natural products contain hundreds or thousands of distinct components of importance. These mix types are too complicated to separate in any reasonable time using a single CCC dimension. However, if a multidimensional technique is utilized, where a complex mixture is separated by an initial dimension, smaller fractions of that separation are gathered. Each fraction is studied individually; complex mixes can be resolved relatively quickly. Thus, several MDCCC separation features have been studied to demonstrate their advantages, limitations, and prospective capacity to separate exceedingly complex mixtures. In this review, MDCCC aspects, including principles, multiple columns system, multilayer coil J-type, on-line monitoring system, and applications, have been thoroughly_explored.

Heterologous Expression and Characterization of a Thermostable α-L-Rhamnosidase from Thermoclostridium stercorarium subsp. thermolacticum DSM 2910 and Its Application in the Biotransformation of Rutin

An α-L-rhamnosidase gene from Thermoclostridium. stercorarium subsp. thermolacticum DSM 2910 (TstRhaA) was cloned and expressed. The maximum TstRhaA activity of the protein reached 25.2 U/ml, and the molecular mass was approximately 106.6 kDa. The protein was purified 8.0-fold by Ni-TED affinity with an overall recovery of 16.6% and a specific activity of 187.9 U/mg. TstRhaA activity was the highest at 65°C and pH 6.5. In addition, it exhibited excellent thermal stability, better pH stability, good tolerance to low concentrations of organic reagents, and high catalytic activity for p-nitrophenyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (pNPR). Substrate specificity studies showed that TstRhaA exhibited a high specific activity for rutin. At 60°C, pH 6.5, and 0.3 U/ml enzyme dosage, 60 g/l rutin was converted to 45.55 g/l isoquercitrin within 150 min. The molar conversion rate of rutin and the yield of isoquercitrin were 99.8% and 12.22 g/l/h, respectively. The results suggested that TstRhaA could be used for mass production of isoquercitrin.

Fermentation of Robinia pseudoacacia flower for improving the antioxidation: optimized conditions, active composition, mechanism, and biotransformation process

Robinia pseudoacacia flower is a natural product with many biological activities, including antioxidation. To further develop its antioxidation, the extract was fermented by Aspergillus niger FFCC 3112 in the medium with carbon to nitrogen ratio of 1.4:1 and initial pH of 4.2 for 3.5 days to form the best antioxidant activity of the fermentation product by strain screening, single factor optimization, and response surface methodology. Further analysis, isolation and activity determination showed that a main chemical component, kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, in the extract was completely hydrolyzed to kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol with better antioxidant activity through biotransformation, which was the basis for improving the antioxidant activity of fermentation products. Moreover, the mechanism of antioxidant and the contribution of phenolic hydroxyl groups were investigated by density functional theory. The result indicated that the antioxidant capacity of kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol increased with the increase of solvent polarity. In high-polarity solvents, they mainly scavenge free radicals through single electron transfer followed by proton transfer.

High-throughput bioamphiphile production by ethyl methane sulphonate induced mutant of hydrocarbonoclastic Enterobacter xiangfangensis STP-3: In depth structural elucidation and application to petroleum refinery oil sludge bioremediation

The environmental release of noxious petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) from the petroleum refining industries is an intractable global challenge. Indigenous PHCs degrading microbes produce insufficient yield of amphiphilic biomolecules with trivial efficiency makes the bioremediation process ineffective. In this concern, the present study is focused on the production of high yield multi-functional amphiphilic biomolecule through the genetic modification of Enterobacter xiangfangensis STP-3 strain using Ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) induced mutagenesis. Mutant M9_{E.xiangfangensis} showed 2.32-fold increased yield of bioamphiphile than wild-type strain. Novel bioamphiphile produced by M9_{E.xiangfangensis} exhibited improved surface and emulsification activities which ensure the maximum degradation of petroleum oil sludge (POS) by 86% than wild-type (72%). SARA, FT-IR, and GC-MS analyses confirmed the expedited degradation of POS and ICP-MS analysis indicated the enhanced removal of heavy metals in connection with the ample production of functionally improved bioamphiphile. FT-IR NMR, MALDI-TOF, GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analyses portrayed the lipoprotein nature of bioamphiphile comprising pentameric fatty acid moiety conjugated with the catalytic esterase moiety. Further, homology modelling and molecular docking revealed the stronger interaction of hydrophobic amino acids, leucine and isoleucine with the PHCs in the case of wild-type esterase moiety, whereas in the mutant, aromatic amino acids were majorly interacted with the long chain and branched chain alkanes, thereby exhibited better efficiency. This is the first report on the adoption of EMS induced mutagenesis strategy to ameliorate the amphiphilic biomolecules for their sustainable applications in diverse biotechnological, environmental and industrial arenas.

Isolation of Two New Phenolic Glycosides from Castanopsis chinensis Hance by Combined Multistep CC and HSCCC Separation and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity

The characteristics of high polarity and susceptibility to oxidation in phenolic glycosides increase the difficulty of their separation from natural products. In the present study, two new phenolic glycosides with similar structures were isolated from Castanopsis chinensis Hance using a combination of multistep CC and high-speed countercurrent chromatography. Preliminary separation of the target fractions was carried out by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography (100-0% EtOH in H₂O). High-speed countercurrent chromatography with an optimized solvent system of N-Hexane/Ethyl acetate/Methanol/Water (1:6:3:4, v/v/v/v) with a satisfactory stationary phase retention and separation factor was used for further separation and purification of the phenolic glycosides. Consequently, two new phenolic glycoside compounds were obtained with purities of 93.0% and 95.7%. 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and optical rotation were employed to identify their structures, which were assigned as chinensin D and chinensin E. The antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of these two compounds were evaluated using a DPPH antioxidant assay and a α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. Both compounds showed good antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 54.5 ± 0.82 µg/mL and 52.5 ± 0.47 µg/mL. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the compounds was poor. The successful isolation and structure identification of the two new compounds provides materials not only for a systematic isolation method of phenolic glycosides with similar structures, but also for the screening of antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors.

Characterization of the off-flavor from Pichia pastoris GS115 during the overexpression of an α-l-rhamnosidase

The off-flavor of Pichia pastoris strains is a negative characteristic of proteins overexpressed with this yeast. In the present study, P. pastoris GS115 overexpressing an α-l-rhamnosidase was taken as the example to characterize the off-flavor via sensory evaluation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, gas chromatography-olfaction, and omission test. The result showed that the off-flavor was due to the strong sweaty note, and moderate metallic and plastic notes. Four volatile compounds, that is, tetramethylpyrazine, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, isovaleric acid, and 2-methylbutyric acid, were identified to be major contributors to the sweaty note. Dodecanol and 2-acetylbutyrolactone were identified to be contributors to the metallic and plastic notes, respectively. It is the first study on the off-flavor of P. pastoris strains, helping understand metabolites with off-flavor of this yeast. Interestingly, it is the first study illustrating 2-acetylbutyrolactone and dodecanol with plastic and metallic notes, providing new information about the aromatic contributors of biological products.

IMPORTANCE

The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is an important host for the industrial expression of functional proteins. In our previous studies, P. pastoris strains have been sniffed with a strong off-flavor during the overexpression of various functional proteins, limiting the application of these proteins. Although many yeast strains have been reported with off-flavor, no attention has been paid to characterize the off-flavor in P. pastoris so far. Considering that P. pastoris has advantages over other established expression systems of functional proteins, it is of interest to identify the compounds with off-flavor synthesized in the overexpression of functional proteins with P. pastoris strains. In this study, the off-flavor synthesized from P. pastoris GS115 was characterized during the overexpression of an α-l-rhamnosidase, which helps understand the aromatic metabolites with off-flavor of P. pastoris strains. In addition, 2-acetylbutyrolactone and dodecanol were newly revealed with plastic and metallic notes, enriching the aromatic contributors of biological products. Thus, this study is important for understanding the metabolites with off-flavor of P. pastoris strains and other organisms, providing important knowledge to improve the flavor of products yielding with P. pastoris strains and other organisms.

ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY

Characterize the sensory and chemical profile of the off-flavor produced by one strain of P. pastoris in vitro.

Naringinase Biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger on an Optimized Medium Containing Red Grapefruit Albedo

This study aimed to develop a method of naringinase biosynthesis by Aspergillus niger KMS on an optimized culture medium. The concentration of the six medium components in shake flasks was optimized by the Box and Wilson factor gradient method. Naringinase's substrate, naringin, powdered albedo, flavedo, and red grapefruit segment membranes were used to stimulate naringinase biosynthesis. Rhamnose was chosen as the carbon source, while the nitrogen source was yeast extract and sodium nitrate. Naringinase biosynthesis was most favorable in the culture medium with the following composition (g 100 mL): 3.332-NaNO₃; 3.427-yeast extract; 0.184-KH₂PO₄; 0.855-red grapefruit albedo; 0.168-naringin; 2.789-rhamnose. The obtained Aspergillus niger KMS culture fluid was concentrated, thereby precipitating the protein. As a result, a naringinase preparation with high activity, equal to 816 µmol × min^-1 × g^-1, was obtained.

Characterization, Large-Scale HSCCC Separation and Neuroprotective Effects of Polyphenols from Moringa oleifera Leaves

Moringa oleifera leaves have been widely used for the treatment of inflammation, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases, due to being rich in polyphenols. The main objective of this work was to largely separate the main polyphenols from Moringa oleifera leaves using the technique of high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The phenolic composition in Moringa oleifera leaves was first analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS and UPLC-QqQ/MS, respectively, indicating that quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, phenolic acid and apigenin are the main polyphenols in Moringa oleifera leaves, with quercetin and kaempferol derivatives predominating. Furthermore, the conditions of HSCCC for large-scale separation of polyphenols from Moringa oleifera leaves were optimized, which included the selection of the solvent system, flow rate and the sample load. Only by one-step HSCCC separation (within 120 min) under the optimized conditions, six quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, a phenolic acid and an apigenin could be individually isolated at a large scale (yield from 10% to 98%), each of which possessed high purity. Finally, the isolated polyphenols and phenolic extract from Moringa oleifera leaves (MLPE) were verified to have strong neuroprotective activities against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in PC-12 cells, suggesting that these compounds would contribute to the main beneficial effects of Moringa oleifera leaves.

Production of cellulase by Novosphingobium sp. Cm1 and its potential application in lignocellulosic waste hydrolysis

Management of lignocellulosic wastes in and around the municipality area requires special consideration. Continuous deposition of these wastes to the nearby areas led to gradual deterioration of the environment. The objective of this study was to produce cellulase from the bacteria isolated from the unexplored rainforest of NE-India for lignocellulosic waste hydrolysis. Based on carboxymethyl cellulose utilization and the congo red test, Novosphingobium sp. Cm1 was found to be the most promising strain out of 114 bacterial isolates and the strain was selected for further study. The optimization of the fermentative conditions for maximum enzyme activity was carried out using one factor-at-a-time strategy and the optimum pH, temperature and incubation time was recorded as pH 5, 37 °C and 96 h respectively. The maximum β-1,4-endoglucanase activity was observed with 1.5% CMC (5.1 ± 0.05 U/mL) and 0.25% yeast extract (7.6 ± 0.72 U/mL). The bacterial waste hydrolysis ability was investigated using three wastes where vegetable waste showed maximum activity of 3.4 ± 0.48 U/mL. Bacterial interaction and waste utilization were verified using Scanning Electron Microscope and Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The present study confirmed the promising ability of Novosphingobium sp. to waste hydrolysis. Further investigations may lead to new possibilities for low-cost enzyme production that will help to meet the rising cellulase demand.

Biotransformation of Flavonoids by Newly Isolated and Characterized Lactobacillus pentosus NGI01 Strain from Kimchi

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) microorganisms. This study aimed to identify novel LAB strains that can transform flavonoids into aglycones to improve bioavailability. We isolated 34 LAB strains from kimchi. The biotransformation activity of these 34 LAB strains was investigated based on α-L-rhamnosidase and β-D-glucosidase activities. Among them, 10 LAB strains with high activities were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. All tested LAB strains converted hesperidin to hesperetin (12.5–30.3%). Of these, only the Lactobacillus pentosus NGI01 strain produced quercetin from rutin (3.9%). The optimal biotransformation conditions for the L. pentosus NGI01 producing hesperetin and quercetin were investigated. The highest final product concentrations of hesperetin and quercetin were 207 and 78 μM, respectively. Thus, the L. pentosus NGI01 strain can be a biocatalyst for producing flavonoid aglycones in the chemical and food industries.

Microbial biotransformation of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (PCR) by Aspergillus niger and effects on antioxidant activity

Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (PCR), the mature fruit peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its different cultivars, is an important citrus by-product with beneficial health and nutritive properties. However, due to the lack of value-added methods for its development and utilization, a large amount of PCR is discarded or wasted. To explore a possibly more effective method to utilize PCR, we compared the chemical and biological differences before (CK) and after (CP) microbial transformation of PCR by Aspergillus niger. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, HPLC, and LC-MS methods were used to compare the chemical profiles of CK and CP. The results demonstrated that microbial biotransformation by A. niger could transform flavonoid compounds by utilizing the carbohydrate and amino acid nutrients in PCR. This could also promote the accumulation of polyhydroxyflavones compounds in CP. The antioxidant assay demonstrated that CP had significantly greater free radical-scavenging activity than CK. The higher antioxidant activity of CP may result from the high level of flavonoids with associated phenolic hydroxyl groups. Microbial biotransformation is an effective method for improving the antioxidant capacity of PCR and may be effective and useful in other natural product situations.