Jingjing Zhao

Bio: Jingjing Zhao is an academic researcher from Sichuan Agricultural University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Composite number & Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 6 publications receiving 470 citations.

An Overview of Plant Phenolic Compounds and Their Importance in Human Nutrition and Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract: In this paper, the biosynthesis process of phenolic compounds in plants is summarized, which includes the shikimate, pentose phosphate and phenylpropanoid pathways. Plant phenolic compounds can act as antioxidants, structural polymers (lignin), attractants (flavonoids and carotenoids), UV screens (flavonoids), signal compounds (salicylic acid and flavonoids) and defense response chemicals (tannins and phytoalexins). From a human physiological standpoint, phenolic compounds are vital in defense responses, such as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities. Therefore, it is beneficial to eat such plant foods that have a high antioxidant compound content, which will cut down the incidence of certain chronic diseases, for instance diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular diseases, through the management of oxidative stress. Furthermore, berries and other fruits with low-amylase and high-glucosidase inhibitory activities could be regarded as candidate food items in the control of the early stages of hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes.

The research progress in mechanism and influence of biosorption between lactic acid bacteria and Pb(II): A review

Abstract: Currently, due to high surface to volume ratio; large availability, rapid kinetics of adsorption and desorption and low cost, the exploitation of microbial biosorption of heavy metals is regarded a...

Evaluation of seed nitrate assimilation and stimulation of phenolic-linked antioxidant on pentose phosphate pathway and nitrate reduction in three feed-plant species.

Abstract: Soil and water pollution due to nitrate are becoming increasingly serious worldwide. The government also put forward relevant governance policies, and a large number of scholars studied chemical physics and other methods to remove nitrate in water, but the cost was substantial. Studies have found that planting systems including grasses have the potential to remove nitrates. However, there are few studies on nitrate linked pathway and nitrate assimilation during its early growth. We have evaluated three different feed-plant species with three levels of overnight seed nitrate treatments along with a control. The activity of different enzymes from 2 weeks old shoots was measured to get a comprehension of proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway coupled with nitrate assimilation and phenolic-linked antioxidant response system in these species under nitrate treatments. All three feed-plant species showed high nitrate tolerance during germination and early growth stages. It is perceived that the accumulation of total soluble phenolics and total antioxidant activity was high in all three feed-plant species under high nitrate treatments. In terms of high G6PDH activity along with low SDH activity in alfalfa, there may be a shift of carbon flux in this species under high nitrate treatments. Higher activity of these enzymes along with higher SOD and GPX activity was observed in alfalfa. The efficient mechanism of nitrate stress tolerance of alfalfa also correlated with higher photochemical efficiency. Perennial ryegrass also showed excellent potential under high nitrate treatments by adopting an efficient mechanism to counter nitrate-induced oxidative stress. Under the condition of nitrate treatment, the germination rates of the three feed-plant species are still ideal, and they have good enzyme activity and have the potential to remove nitrate.

A comprehensive review on tyrosinase inhibitors.

Abstract: Tyrosinase is a multi-copper enzyme which is widely distributed in different organisms and plays an important role in the melanogenesis and enzymatic browning. Therefore, its inhibitors can be attractive in cosmetics and medicinal industries as depigmentation agents and also in food and agriculture industries as antibrowning compounds. For this purpose, many natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic inhibitors have been developed by different screening methods to date. This review has focused on the tyrosinase inhibitors discovered from all sources and biochemically characterised in the last four decades.

The effects of ultrasound assisted extraction on yield, antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activity of polyphenol extracts: A review

Abstract: Ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) is widely used in recent times for its benefits, but it is difficult to find literature that comprehensively addresses the effect of UAE-specific parameters such as temperature, frequency, power, solvent type, and solvent to material ratio on extracted compounds and their functionality. There is no review done so far on the effects of all UAE parameters on polyphenol extracts to guide the design of extraction protocols. This review therefore focuses on the effects of UAE parameters on the yield and composition, as well as the effects of the UAE on the antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties of phenolic extracts. Higher extraction temperatures above 50 °C are degradative to polyphenols in extracts; lower frequencies within the power ultrasound range below 40 kHz are most effective; polyphenol yield generally increases with increasing power, but with a threshold, beyond which no significant increase is observed; and higher ultrasound power produces free hydroxyl radicals which degrade polyphenols, especially in the presence of high water content. A comparative assessment of literature showed that, UAE does not only contribute to increased extraction yield of polyphenols, but also better preserves and increases the biological activity of polyphenol extracts compared to traditional maceration and Soxhlet extraction. A full picture of UAE is given to serve as a reference material on the control of UAE parameters for desired results and efficiency.