Low colloidal stability of myofibrillar protein (MP) during heating is a technofunctional constraint encountered in its beverage application. Gallic acid (GA), a natural polyphenol, was applied to fabricate MP soluble aggregates for an enhanced thermal stability. Upon pH shifting, GA was grafted into MP with the cysteine and tryptophan residues being the binding sites. As a result, the antioxidant activity of MP was enhanced. Additionally, GA modification decreased the α-helix structure of MP and converted MP into cross-linked aggregates. At low dosages (10 and 25 μmol/g GA), disulfide-dominant covalent bonds were formed to generate myosin and actin aggregates, while MP aggregates were mostly bridged through GA-thiols or GA-tryptophan adducts when the dosages exceeded 50 μmol/g. Such aggregates prevented MP from thermal gelation, leading to a stable and tunable colloidal state. This work can foster technological advances in the tailor manufacture of muscle protein-based beverages for special dietary uses.

Gallic Acid-Aided Cross-Linking of Myofibrillar Protein Fabricated Soluble Aggregates for Enhanced Thermal Stability and a Tunable Colloidal State.

A comparative study of binding properties of different coumarin-based compounds with human serum albumin

/pdf/spirulina-phycobiliproteins-as-food-components-and-2fnob9rsuf.pdf

Spirulina Phycobiliproteins as Food Components and Complements

Scoparone is a major biological active substance derived from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine called Artemisia capillaris. It has been confirmed that scoparone has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects. However, the binding interaction of scoparone with bovine serum albumin (BSA) still remains unknown. Therefore, the present study was conducted to clarify the binding interaction of scoparone with BSA under simulated physiological conditions (pH = 7.4) by utilizing spectroscopic and molecular docking methods. The formation of the scoparone–BSA complex was identified by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy experiment results. The fluorescence experiment results revealed that the quenching mechanism was static quenching and the binding procedure was spontaneous mainly driven by hydrophobic interaction. At 310 K, the number of binding sites was approximately equal to 1 and the binding constant was 6.79 × 105 mol L−1. The binding distance (4.81 nm) between scoparone and BSA was determined by Forster's non-radiative energy transfer theory. Molecular docking and site marker competitive experiment results verified that scoparone was more likely to be located in site I of BSA. In addition, the results of synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy experiments proved that scoparone slightly changed the conformation of BSA by binding interaction with BSA. These findings would be useful for understanding the pharmacokinetics of scoparone in vivo, including scoparone transport, distribution, metabolism and excretion.

/pdf/characterization-of-interaction-between-scoparone-and-bovine-2ebpiigvwh.pdf

Characterization of interaction between scoparone and bovine serum albumin: spectroscopic and molecular docking methods

In 2019, the world suffered from the emergence of COVID-19 infection, one of the most difficult pandemics in recent history. Millions of confirmed deaths from this pandemic have been reported worldwide. This disaster was caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is the last discovered member of the family of Coronaviridae. Various studies have shown that natural compounds have effective antiviral properties against coronaviruses by inhibiting multiple viral targets, including spike proteins and viral enzymes. This review presents the classification and a detailed explanation of the SARS-CoV-2 molecular characteristics and structure–function relationships. We present all currently available crystal structures of different SARS-CoV-2 proteins and emphasized on the crystal structure of different virus proteins and the binding modes of their ligands. This review also discusses the various therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 treatment and available vaccinations. In addition, we highlight and compare the existing data about natural compounds extracted from algae, fungi, plants, and scorpion venom that were used as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, we discuss the repurposing of select approved therapeutic agents that have been used in the treatment of other viruses.

A Comprehensive Review about the Molecular Structure of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Insights into Natural Products against COVID-19

https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8615096/file/8628022.pdf

Characterization and effects of binding of food-derived bioactive phycocyanobilin to bovine serum albumin.

Characterization and effects of binding of food-derived bioactive phycocyanobilin to bovine serum albumin

Demand for camel milk (CM) is increasing worldwide, due to its high nutritious value and health benefits. In this study, whole CM powders were produced by spray drying (SD) at six inlet temperatures (190 °C–250 °C) and by freeze drying (FD). Physicochemical and functional properties of CM powder proteins were investigated. SD at higher inlet temperatures (230 °C–250 °C) resulted in higher extent of Maillard reaction (MR), in comparison to lower temperatures (190 °C–200 °C) and FD treatment. Both treatments had negative effect on casein solubility, while whey proteins remained soluble and slightly increased its solubility with the extent of MR. The CM powders obtained at higher inlet temperatures demonstrated improved antioxidant activity. Secondary structure of whey proteins did not differ among the samples, while surface hydrophobicity of whey proteins was higher in all SD than in FD samples, suggesting only limited denaturation of camel whey proteins at higher inlet temperatures of drying. Thus, the effects of SD under the conditions applied in our study did not decrease camel whey protein solubility, while drying procedure itself regardless of temperature decreased solubility of camel milk caseins. MR generated during CM processing could be an important means of compensating for the lack of antioxidant protection normally associated with β-lactoglobulin but happens to be absent from this milk.

/pdf/maillard-reaction-products-formation-and-antioxidative-power-fez9d9sf9v.pdf

Maillard reaction products formation and antioxidative power of spray dried camel milk powders increases with the inlet temperature of drying

Expression, purification and immunological characterization of recombinant nucleocapsid protein fragment from SARS-CoV-2.

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced by many plants as a defense mechanism against stress-inducing conditions. The richest dietary sources of resveratrol are berries and grapes, their juices and wines. Good bioavailability of resveratrol is not reflected in its high biological activity in vivo because of resveratrol isomerization and its poor solubility in aqueous solutions. Proteins, cyclodextrins and nanomaterials have been explored as innovative delivery vehicles for resveratrol to overcome this limitation. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated beneficial effects of resveratrol in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Main beneficial effects of resveratrol intake are cardioprotective, anti-hypertensive, vasodilatory, anti-diabetic, and improvement of lipid status. As resveratrol can alleviate the numerous factors associated with CVD, it has potential as a functional supplement to reduce COVID-19 illness severity in patients displaying poor prognosis due to cardio-vascular complications. Resveratrol was shown to mitigate the major pathways involved in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 including regulation of the renin-angiotensin system and expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, stimulation of immune system and downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Therefore, several studies already have anticipated potential implementation of resveratrol in COVID-19 treatment. Regular intake of a resveratrol rich diet, or resveratrol-based complementary medicaments, may contribute to a healthier cardio-vascular system, prevention and control of CVD, including COVID-19 disease related complications of CVD.

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/10/2834/pdf

Role of Resveratrol in Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Disorders and Cardiovascular Complications Related to COVID-19 Disease: Mode of Action and Approaches Explored to Increase Its Bioavailability.

Mirjana Radomirovic

Papers

Characterization and effects of binding of food-derived bioactive phycocyanobilin to bovine serum albumin.

Characterization and effects of binding of food-derived bioactive phycocyanobilin to bovine serum albumin

Maillard reaction products formation and antioxidative power of spray dried camel milk powders increases with the inlet temperature of drying

Expression, purification and immunological characterization of recombinant nucleocapsid protein fragment from SARS-CoV-2.

Role of Resveratrol in Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Disorders and Cardiovascular Complications Related to COVID-19 Disease: Mode of Action and Approaches Explored to Increase Its Bioavailability.