Article
Food Science & Technology
Dionisia Carballo, Monica Fernandez-Franzon, Emilia Ferrer, Noelia Pallares, Houda Berrada
Summary: The study investigated the presence of 30 mycotoxins in 110 beverage samples of beer, wine, cava, and cider purchased in Valencia, Spain. Results showed that beer samples were the most contaminated, wine had a high concentration of alternariol, and cava and cider samples had patulin and ochratoxin A. Despite the detected mycotoxin levels, no significant health risk to consumers was associated with the beverages tested.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Agnieszka Micek, Justyna Godos, Achille Cernigliaro, Raffaele Ivan Cincione, Silvio Buscemi, Massimo Libra, Fabio Galvano, Giuseppe Grosso
Summary: The intake of polyphenol-rich beverages is associated with metabolic status, with individuals consuming more of these beverages less likely to have hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, particularly with a significant association with hypertension. Current scientific evidence suggests that such beverages may have a positive impact on cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ruby Brooks, Rebecca Christidis, Nicholas Carah, Bridget Kelly, Florentine Martino, Kathryn Backholer
Summary: Unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverage brands are using their own TikTok accounts to market their brands and products, and encouraging users to create and share content featuring branding and product images. This study emphasizes the importance of policies to protect children from the harmful impact of food marketing on social networking platforms.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mengwei Lin, Bingyan Yang, Mengqi Dai, Youqiang Xu, Xiuting Li, Baoguo Sun
Summary: Alcoholic beverages are popular around the world, with different types having different sensory characteristics and flavor substances. The metabolism of microorganisms is the main reason for the sensory divergences in alcoholic beverages. However, there has been no systematic review and summary of the similarities and individual differences in sensory related to flavor substances among different alcoholic beverages.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Elena Cristina Scutarasu, Lucia Carmen Trinca
Summary: The expansion of industries and intensive agriculture have led to increased levels of heavy metals in the environment, posing potential risks to human health. Despite several available methods for removing heavy metals, most of them are expensive and difficult to perform. This review provides an overview of the presence of heavy metals in various food sources and highlights the current global situation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa M. Powell, Julien Leider
Summary: This study examines the impact of the Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) in Seattle, Washington on the volume of alcoholic beverages sold. The findings suggest that the implementation of the tax led to an increase in beer sales and a decrease in wine sales, resulting in an overall increase in the volume of alcohol sold.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Eva S. van Walree, Iris E. Jansen, Nathaniel Y. Bell, Jeanne E. Savage, Christiaan de Leeuw, Max Nieuwdorp, Sophie van der Sluis, Danielle Posthuma
Summary: A quarter of the world's population is estimated to have metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes. This study found that the genetic correlations of MetS components can be best captured by a genetic one factor model. A genome-wide association study detected 235 associated loci, with 53 loci overlapping with loci for multiple MetS components. These findings provide insights into the genetics of MetS and suggest potential drug targets.
Article
Physiology
Joanne Slater, Rozanne Kruger, Jeroen Douwes, Wendy J. O'Brien, Marine Corbin, Jennifer L. Miles-Chan, Bernhard H. Breier
Summary: The study found that increasing total physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are associated with lower fasting plasma insulin levels, thus reducing the risk of metabolic diseases. In Pacific women, the impact of increased total physical activity on fasting insulin may be more significant.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Suzhen Qi, Yahya Al Naggar, Jiahuan Li, Zhaoyong Liu, Xiaofeng Xue, Liming Wu, Hesham R. El-Seedi, Kai Wang
Summary: Flumethrin can induce immune responses in the honeybee gut, leading to significant changes in gut metabolites composition, but has limited effects on bee survival and gut microbial composition. The gut microbiota is closely related to flumethrin-induced dysbiosis in the bee gut.
Article
Substance Abuse
Maxime Roche, Rosa Carolina Sandoval, Maristela G. Monteiro
Summary: This study compares alcohol excise tax policies in the Americas and finds significant variations in tax design and levels. To maximize the impact on public health, tax rates should be increased and tax designs improved, especially by imposing higher tax burdens on high-strength drinks.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Muyesaier Tudi, Hairong Li, Hongying Li, Li Wang, Jia Lyu, Linsheng Yang, Shuangmei Tong, Qiming Jimmy Yu, Huada Daniel Ruan, Albert Atabila, Dung Tri Phung, Ross Sadler, Des Connell
Summary: Pesticides play a crucial role in agricultural development, but their adverse effects on human health and the environment remain a serious concern. The application methods, exposure routes, and health risks associated with pesticide use need to be discussed. Developing countries are particularly affected by the health problems caused by pesticide use and exposure. Policymakers should use scientific information to develop proper techniques for pesticide application, minimizing adverse health effects on both applicators and communities.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivan I. Ivanov, Alexander N. Zaderko, Vladimir Lysenko, Thierry Clopeau, Vladyslav V. Lisnyak, Valeriy A. Skryshevsky
Summary: A simple and sensitive method for nonspecific recognition of alcoholic beverages using the photoluminescence of carbon nanoparticles was developed. The method involves synthesizing carbon NPs and analyzing the PL features to visualize different clusters corresponding to each type of beverage. Optimal measurement conditions were defined to ensure reliable recognition.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Magdalena Mititelu, Carmen-Nicoleta Oancea, Sorinel Marius Neacsu, Gabriel Olteanu, Alexandru-Tiberiu Cirtu, Lucian Hincu, Theodora Claudia Gheonea, Tiberius Iustinian Stanciu, Ion Rogoveanu, Fallah Hashemi, Gabriela Stanciu, Corina-Bianca Ionita-Mindrican, Caunii Angelica, Nicoleta Maru, Sergiu Lupu, Carmen Elena Lupu
Summary: Consumption of sweetened non-alcoholic drinks poses a significant health risk, especially when combined with an unbalanced diet and unhealthy lifestyle. Among Romanians, the most consumed non-alcoholic drinks are coffee and sweetened carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, which can lead to addictive behaviors. Reducing the excessive consumption of sweetened drinks can be achieved through appropriate water and fruit intake, as well as increased physical activity to counterbalance excessive calorie intake.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hyun-Woo Je, Chang-Hun Ji, Jun-Yong Kim, Hahk-Soo Kang
Summary: The CRISPR/Cas9 system faces toxicity issues in Streptomyces genome engineering due to overexpression of the Cas9 protein. The CaExTun platform has been developed to optimize Cas9 expression for reduced toxicity while maintaining sufficient DSB activity. This tool enables rapid optimization of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in a species-specific manner, facilitating genome engineering efforts in Streptomyces.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abdillah Ahsan, Nadira Amalia, Krisna Puji Rahmayanti, Nadhila Adani, Nur Hadi Wiyono, Althof Endawansa, Maulida Gadis Utami, Adela Miranti Yuniar
Summary: This study examines the dynamics of health tax policy in Indonesia through media analysis. The findings suggest that tobacco receives the most policy attention, while alcoholic beverages and sugar-sweetened beverages have lower levels of attention. Ministry of Finance officials play a key role in shaping the policy discourse, and their support is crucial for the implementation of health taxes. However, there is policy contestation and delayed implementation regarding the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yalin Li, Sarang S. Bhagwat, Yoel R. Cortes-Pena, Dongwon Ki, Christopher Rao, Yong-Su Jin, Jeremy S. Guest
Summary: The study utilized an open-source platform for the design, simulation, and evaluation of lignocellulosic lactic acid biorefineries, demonstrating the potential for producing competitive lactic acid and the possibility of further enhancing performance through technological advancements and process optimization. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to quantify the impact of fermentation unit and feedstock characteristics on the sustainability of the biorefinery, highlighting the importance of agile TEA/LCA in screening promising biorefinery designs and establishing a roadmap for continued development of bioproducts and biofuels.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Jae Won Lee, Sangdo Yook, Hyungi Koh, Christopher Rao, Yong-Su Jin
Summary: Efforts have been concentrated on reprogramming regulatory networks to enhance xylose utilization by engineered yeast and activating and enhancing xylose metabolism in oleaginous yeasts. The potential benefits of using xylose for the production of value-added products have also been demonstrated.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Seung-Oh Seo, Ting Lu, Yong-Su Jin, Hans P. Blaschek
Summary: This study characterized the solventogenic clostridia mutant BA101 and identified potential genetic targets for rational engineering of desired phenotypes through genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis.
JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lahiru N. Jayakody, Yong-Su Jin
Summary: Aldehydes are highly toxic to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with compounds containing aldehyde functional groups posing a greater threat. Researchers have developed synthetic yeast cell factories to convert lignocellulosic substrates into valuable products, including aldehyde compounds, using novel molecular approaches to overcome aldehyde toxicity.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Eun Ju Yun, Sora Yu, Young-Ah Kim, Jing-Jing Liu, Nam Kang, Yong-Su Jin, Kyoung Kim
Summary: This study investigates the prebiotic and anti-colon cancer activities of various agar-derived sugars, with agarotriose showing prebiotic activity and 3,6-anhydro-l-galactose demonstrating anti-colon cancer effects. These results provide important insights into the health benefits derived from red seaweeds.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Minhye Shin, Heeyoung Park, Sooah Kim, Eun Joong Oh, Deokyeol Jeong, Clarissa Florencia, Kyoung Heon Kim, Yong-Su Jin, Soo Rin Kim
Summary: The deletion of GCR2 gene has been identified to have a significant impact on xylose fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, leading to the upregulation of PPP genes and downregulation of glycolytic genes, particularly under xylose conditions. Although there was no synergistic effect between Delta pho13 and Delta gcr2 in improving xylose fermentation, the results suggest that GCR2 is a novel knockout target for enhancing lignocellulosic ethanol production.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nam Kyu Kang, Jae Won Lee, Donald R. Ort, Yong-Su Jin
Summary: In this study, engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae was utilized to produce malic acid from xylose, with increased malic acid yield and productivity achieved through a low-level xylose fed-batch strategy. This work suggests effective strategies for using xylose in the biological production of value-added products.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Igor A. Podolsky, Susanna Seppala, Haiqing Xu, Yong-Su Jin, Michelle A. O'Malley
Summary: The study identified a novel fungal SWEET transporter, NcSWEET1, from anaerobic fungi that can enhance glucose and xylose co-utilization. By constructing single cross-over chimeras and studying protein structure and function, enhanced variants were identified, offering potential applications in improving sugar transport efficiency.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yerin Jin, Sora Yu, Jing-Jing Liu, Eun Ju Yun, Jae Won Lee, Yong-Su Jin, Kyoung Heon Kim
Summary: In this study, the probiotic yeast S. boulardii was engineered to produce health-beneficial neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOSs) by expressing an endo-type beta-agarase, BpGH16A, derived from a human gut bacterium Bacteroides plebeius. The results suggest that engineered S. boulardii can be considered a microbial cell factory for producing useful substances in the human gut, with successful production of health-benefiting NeoDP4 from agarose.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liang Sun, Jae Won Lee, Sangdo Yook, Stephan Lane, Ziqiao Sun, Soo Rin Kim, Yong-Su Jin
Summary: The authors successfully engineered Baker's yeast to co-consume xylose and acetate for triacetic acid lactone production. This metabolic re-configuration boosted the synthesis of valuable bioproducts such as TAL.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eun Ju Yun, Sora Yu, Na Jung Park, Yoonho Cho, Na Ree Han, Yong-Su Jin, Kyoung Heon Kim
Summary: The study reveals the cooperative actions of the two human gut symbionts in degrading agarose, the main carbohydrate of red seaweed, and generating monomeric sugar possessing anti-inflammatory activity. This provides a molecular basis for agarose degradation by gut bacteria.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ming-Hsun Cheng, Bruce Stuart Dien, Yong-Su Jin, Stephanie Thompson, Jonghyeok Shin, Patricia J. Watson Slininger, Nasib Qureshi, Vijay Singh
Summary: This study investigated the process of pretreating, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation of concentrated sorghum syrup to produce lipids and ethanol. The research identified the most suitable yeast strains for lipid production and engineered yeast strains for cofermentation.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lee R. Lynd, Gregg T. Beckham, Adam M. Guss, Lahiru N. Jayakody, Eric M. Karp, Costas Maranas, Robert L. McCormick, Daniel Amador-Noguez, Yannick J. Bomble, Brian H. Davison, Charles Foster, Michael E. Himmel, Evert K. Holwerda, Mark S. Laser, Chiam Yu Ng, Daniel G. Olson, Yuriy Roman-Leshkov, Cong T. Trinh, Gerald A. Tuskan, Vikas Upadhayay, Derek R. Vardon, Lin Wang, Charles E. Wyman
Summary: This article identifies the technology challenges and opportunities for developing economically viable, scalable, and sustainable technologies for converting lignocellulosic polysaccharides to liquid fuels. The overview of feedstocks, processes, and products highlights the potential of anaerobic processing for fuel production and the distinctive challenges associated with microbial processing of cellulosic biomass. The article also discusses opportunities to increase product tolerance and decrease the cost of product recovery, as well as pathways for converting anaerobic fermentation products to larger fuel molecules using chemo-catalysis.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bhagya S. Kolitha, Sandhya K. Jayasekara, Rina Tannenbaum, Iwona M. Jasiuk, Lahiru N. Jayakody
Summary: This article discusses the potential of transforming PET waste into high-value chemicals to meet the needs of the additive manufacturing industry and explores the feasibility of using biotechnologies. By leveraging PET hydrolyzing enzymes and rewiring bacterial pathways, PET can be upgraded into novel 3D printing materials.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
William R. Henson, Nicholas A. Rorrer, Alex W. Meyers, Caroline B. Hoyt, Heather B. Mayes, Jared J. Anderson, Brenna A. Black, Lahiru Jayakody, Rui Katahira, William E. Michener, Todd A. VanderWall, Davinia Salvachua, Christopher W. Johnson, Gregg T. Beckham
Summary: This study investigates the biological conversion of methyl phenols in biomass pyrolysis wastewater into 2-methyl and 3-methyl muconic acids for use in polymer building blocks and plasticizers. The converted products show potential performance advantages compared to existing materials, such as reduced melting and glass transition temperatures in nylon analogs and lower water permeability in nylon-6,6 analogs. Incorporating the converted acids into plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride) also results in lower glass transition temperatures compared to traditional phthalic acid-based plasticizers. Overall, this research highlights the potential for biological waste stream valorization and showcases the advantages of using bio-derived products in various applications.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Pei-Ru Chen, Peng-Fei Xia
Summary: Carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in mitigating global climate change and supporting life on Earth. Synthetic biology and metabolic engineering offer a promising approach to enhance CO2 fixation by combining the advantages of autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. This article reviews the current progress in constructing synthetic CO2 fixation pathways, discusses the underlying design principles and challenges, and provides insights into the future of carbon recycling through engineered synthetic carbon fixation pathways.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2024)
