Bound water measurements for aqueous protein solutions and food gels

The role of aqueous media in the stabilization of globular proteins and formation of gels was studied by absorption millimeter spectroscopy. This method allowed to measure bound water, the fraction of water which had decreased rotational mobility owing to the presence of solute. Hydration data for globular proteins were compared with data obtained previously for low-weight molecules and groups. It was found that rotational mobility of water molecules in the hydration shells of various kinds of solutes (groups) decreased in the following order: water structure breaking compounds>polar groups>unfolded proteins>globular proteins>non-polar groups. Time courses of the storage modulus were determined for the chemical acidification by glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) of milk samples prepared from skimmed milk powder (SMP). Gelation of unheated milk was a monotonous process that started at pH 4.9. Heat-treated milk from SMP (16 and 14 g per 100 ml) acidified by GDL (3 g per 100 ml) at 43 °C gave non-monotonous kinetics of gelation with two phases corresponding to the mechanisms induced by denatured whey proteins at pH>5 and by casein–casein interactions at pH 4.8–4.9. For heat-treated milk, measurement of bound water gave two stages of decrease in water mobility. Additional hydration of SMP during acidification gave 0.15–0.2 g and 0.8 g bound H₂O per gram of SMP for unheated and heat-treated milk, respectively.     

质子交换膜燃料电池梯度化膜电极

为实现质子交换膜燃料电池的高性能(高功率密度或大电流密度)、低成本(低铂载量)、长寿命发电,人们尝试在燃料电池的核心部件膜电极结构中引入梯度化设计的概念。梯度化膜电极包括膜电极中各组件的梯度化:气体扩散层的PTFE含量与孔隙率的梯度化,催化层的催化剂与Nafion用量的梯度化以及微孔层的疏水性与孔隙率的梯度化。梯度化膜电极中催化剂分布、孔隙率分布、亲/疏水性分布合理,具有良好的三相反应界面以及质子、电子、反应气体、水等多相物质高效传输通道,从而能满足在低铂载量、低加湿以及高电流密度条件下高性能稳定工作。本文整理了近几年来有关燃料电池梯度化膜电极研究的相关文献,梳理了梯度化膜电极研究发展脉络,归纳总结了各种梯度化膜电极的制备方法、性能以及构效关系,并展望了梯度化膜电极下一步研究方向,对高性能、低成本、长寿命的燃料电池开发具有指导意义。     

腌肉制品发色剂的研究

腌肉制品发色剂历来均用硝盐,但最近发现亚硝基对人体健康有害。我们采用GDL为主作香肠的发色剂,发色效果理想,有一定实用价值。     

Alkali-hydrolysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-glucono-delta-lactone studied by chiral Raman and circular dichroism spectroscopies

The alkali-hydrolysis of D-glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) was investigated by chiral Raman and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies in combination with density functional theory calculation. Based on the characteristic CD bands of GDL and its hydrolysis product, the dynamics of hydrolysis was studied using stopped-flow CD method. Using chiral Raman spectroscopy (CRS), the stereochemical change of GDL owing to the hydrolysis reaction was discussed on the vibrational scale. The CRS results show that the ring-opening due to hydrolysis has a great influence on the chiral structure around the carbonyl group, which was evidenced by the disappearance of the CRS band at 1735 cm 1 (C=O stretching vibrational mode). In addition, the change of positions and intensity of CRS bands was also observed, which was ascribed to the perturbation around the C2, C3, C4 and C5 carbons due to ring-opening. It is worthy to note that the stereochemistry of C2, C3, C4 and C5 had no fundamental change during the hydrolysis reaction, which was reflected in the maintenance of the signs of the CRS bands. Our results demonstrate that in comparison with CD technique, CRS may provide more detailed structural information of chiral molecules and open up new vistas of research for chiral reactions. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20621063, 20773123, and 20673110) and Programme for Strategic Scientific Alliances between China and the Netherlands (Grant No. 2008DFB50130) 1) In some reference, chiral Raman spectroscopy (CRS) is also called Raman optical activity (ROA).     

Gandouling alleviates cognitive dysfunction by regulates the p62/Nrf2 signaling pathway to reduce oxidative stress and autophagy in mice models of Wilson’s disease

Cognitive impairment is a neurological manifestation of Wilson's disease (WD). Gandouling (GDL), a traditional Chinese medicine, protects against WD-related brain damage. However, the mechanisms underlying its protective effect have not been elucidated. Therefore, we explored the neuroprotective effects of GDL on cognitive abilities to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms using a toxic milk mouse model of WD. We employed the Morris water maze test and open field test to assess the effects of GDL on spatial memory, learning abilities and exploratory behavior in these mice. GDL treatment reduced the escape latency and increased the number of times mice crossed the platform to reach the target zone, indicative of alleviated WD-associated cognitive dysfunction. It also ameliorated the histopathological changes in the hippocampus via downregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression, reduced oxidative stress, and increased cell vigor. GDL treatment increased the protein and mRNA levels of Nrf2 and OH-1 protein while lowering p62, Beclin1, and LC3 expression in the hippocampus. Collectively, GDL improves cognitive dysfunction in mice with WD by regulating the Nrf2/p62 signaling pathway by reducing oxidative stress and autophagy. Based on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and autophagy-inhibiting effects, we believe GDL is a promising therapy for WD-related cognitive dysfunction.