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The ForMAX beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory provides multiscale and multimodal structural characterization of hierarchical materials in the nanometre to millimetre range by combining small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering with full‐field microtomography. The modular design of the beamline is optimized for easy switching between different experimental modalities. The beamline has a special focus on the development of novel fibrous materials from forest resources, but it is also well suited for studies within, for example, food science and biomedical research. ForMAX is a new beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory, providing multiscale and multimodal structural characterization by combining small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering with full‐field tomographic imaging.

Cordyceps has anti-cancer effects; however, the bioactive substance and its effect are still unclear. Polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps sinensis, the fugus of Cordyceps, have been reported to have anti-cancer properties. Thus, we speculated that polysaccharides might be the key anti-tumor active ingredients of Cordyceps because of their larger molecular weight than that of polysaccharides in Cordyceps sinensis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides on H22 liver cancer and the underlying mechanism. The structural characteristics of the polysaccharides of WCP were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance gel-permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, H22 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice were used to explore the anti-tumor effect of WCP (100 and 300 mg/kg/d). The mechanism by WCP inhibited H22 tumors was uncovered by the TUNEL assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin–eosin staining, quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Here, our results showed that WCP presented high purity with an average molecular weight of 2.1 × 106 Da and 2.19 × 104 Da. WCP was determined to be composed of mannose, glucose, and galactose. Notably, WCP could inhibit the proliferation of H22 tumors not only by improving immune function, but also by promoting the apoptosis of tumor cells, likely through the IL-10/STAT3/Bcl2 and Cyto-c/Caspase8/3 signaling pathways, in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Particularly, WCP had essentially no side effects compared to 5-FU, a common drug used in the treatment of liver cancer. In conclusion, WCP could be a potential anti-tumor product with strong regulatory effects in H22 liver cancer.

Coumarin derivatives are a class of compounds with a pronounced wide range of applications, especially in biological activities, in the medicine, pharmacology, cosmetics, coatings and food industry. Their potential applications are highly dependent on the nature of the substituents attached to their nucleus. These substituents modulate their photochemical and photophysical properties, as well as their interactions in their crystalline form, which largely determines the final field of application. Therefore, in this work a series of mono and dihydroxylated coumarin derivatives with different chemical substituents were synthesized and characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and TGA), 1H NMR and X-Ray Diffraction to identify limitations and possibilities as a function of the molecular structure for expanding their applications in polymer science.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are surface glycoconjugates embedded in the external leaflet of the outer membrane (OM) of the Gram-negative bacteria. They consist of three regions: lipid A, core oligosaccharide (OS), and O-specific polysaccharide or O-antigen. Lipid A is the glycolipid endotoxin domain that anchors the LPS molecule to the OM, and therefore, its chemical structure is crucial in the maintenance of membrane integrity in the Gram-negative bacteria. In this paper, we reported the characterization of the lipid A and OS structures from Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens Sq02-Rifr, which is a psychrotrophic Gram-negative bacterium isolated from the intestine of Seriola quinqueradiata. The immunomodulatory activity of both LPS and lipid A was also examined.

Natural polysaccharides are macromolecular substances with a wide range of biological activities. The structural modification of polysaccharides by chemical means can enhance their biological activity. This paper reviews the latest research reports on the chemical modification of natural polysaccharides. At present, the modification methods of polysaccharides mainly include sulfation, phosphorylation, carboxymethylation, socialization, methylation and acetylation. The chemical and physical structures of the modified polysaccharides were detected via ultraviolet spectroscopy, FT-IR, high-performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the modified polysaccharide has various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, immune regulation, antiviral, antibacterial and anticoagulant functions in vitro. This review provides fresh ideas for the research and application of polysaccharide structure modification.

Banana pseudostem (Musa sp.) fibers from 10 Indonesian cultivars were evaluated as candidate renewable sources for biomaterial development. Their physical properties (density and moisture content), mechanical strength (tensile strength and elastic modulus), and chemical composition, including lignin, holocellulose, α-cellulose, and hemicellulose content levels were analyzed. Pyrolysis–gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was employed to determine the syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, providing insights into the lignin structure. Among the samples, D20 (Cavendish) showed consistent performance characterized by its high holocellulose content (52.2%), substantial α-cellulose fraction (33.3%), and superior mechanical strength, with a tensile strength of 166 MPa and an elastic modulus of 4480 MPa. Accordingly, this cultivar was selected for further investigation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups characteristic of lignocellulosic biomass, including hydroxyl, carbonyl, aromatic, and glycosidic linkages. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed semicrystalline cellulose, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a compact fiber structure with a defined lumen and minimal surface degradation. These findings suggest that fibers from D20 exhibit a promising balance of chemical, structural, and morphological characteristics, supporting their suitability for bio-based composite applications. Overall, this research emphasizes the underutilized potency of local banana waste as a foundation for sustainable material innovation.

Biomass is an alternative to provide energy sources that replace fossil fuels. The objective of this investigation was to optimize the conditions of the acid hydrolysis reaction for obtaining glucose from biomass: banana rachis, cacao pod, African palm rachis, and sugarcane bagasse. The conditions were evaluated through a 2k experimental design. The factors studied were temperature, time, and acid concentration; the minimum and maximum levels correspond to 70 to 120 °C, 20 to 150 min, and 1 % to 5 % v/v, respectively. In addition, two replicates were made to the center. The best conditions found for obtaining glucose were: 120 °C, 150 min and 1 % v/v sulfuric acid. Sugarcane bagasse and African palm rachis were the biomasses from which the highest glucose content, was obtained 9 936.48 and 7 745.14 mg/L, respectively. The influence of biomass composition on the amount of glucose obtained is discussed. Biomass is an alternative to provide energy sources that replace fossil fuels. The objective of this investigation is to optimize the conditions of the acid hydrolysis reaction for obtaining glucose from biomass: banana rachis, cacao pod, African palm rachis, and sugarcane bagasse. The conditions were evaluated through a 2k experimental design. The factors studied were temperature, time, and acid concentration; the minimum and maximum levels correspond to 70 to 120 ◦C, 20 to 150 min, and 1% to 5% v/v, respectively. In addition, two replicates were made to the center. The best conditions for obtaining glucose were: 120 ◦C, 150 min and 1% v/v sulfuric acid. Sugarcane bagasse and African palm rachis were the biomasses from which the highest glucose content was obtained, 9 936.48 and 7 745.14 mg/L, respectively. The influence of biomass composition on the amount of glucose obtained is discussed. La biomasa es una alternativa estudiada para proporcionar fuentes de energía que reemplacen a los combustibles fósiles. El objetivo de esta investigación es optimizar las condiciones de la reacción de hidrólisis ácida para la obtención de glucosa a partir de la biomasa procedente de los residuos de banano, cacao, bagazo de caña de azúcar y palma africana. Las condiciones fueron evaluadas a través de un diseño experimental 2k. Los factores estudiados fueron la temperatura, el tiempo y la concentración de ácido; los niveles mínimo y máximo corresponden a 70 a 120 ◦C, 20 a 150 min y 1% al 5% v/v, respectivamente. Además, se realizaron dos réplicas al centro. Las mejores condiciones encontradas para la obtención de glucosa fueron: 120 ◦C, 150 min y 1% de ácido sulfúrico. El bagazo de caña de azúcar y el raquis de palma africana fueron las biomasas de las que se obtuvo el mayor contenido de glucosa 9 936,48 y 7 745,14, respectivamente. Se discute la influencia de la composición de la biomasa en la cantidad de glucosa obtenida.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), as bioactive compounds extracted from L. barbarum L. fruit, have been widely explored for their potential health properties. The extraction and structural characterization methods of LBPs were reviewed to accurately understand the extraction method and structural and biological functions of LBPs. An overview of the biological functions of LBPs, such as antioxidant function, antitumor activity, neuroprotective effects, immune regulating function, and other functions, were summarized. This review provides an overview of LBPs and a theoretical basis for further studying and extending the applications of LBPs in the fields of medicine and food.

Abstract The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a heterogeneous and complex microbial community, which plays a key role in human health. The gut microbiota controls the development of the immune system by setting systemic threshold for immune activation. Glycoconjugates, such as lipopolysaccharides, from gut bacteria have been shown to be able to elicit both systemic proinflammatory and immunomodulatory responses. This phenomenon is particularly intriguing considering that the immune system is charged with the task to distinguish the beneficial microbes from the pathogens, even if the commensal bacteria have molecular patterns resembling those of the pathogenic counterparts. Therefore, the importance of the chemical structure of these macromolecules in fine tuning this delicate equilibrium is beyond question. This review offers an overview of the current understanding of chemical peculiarities of the lipopolysaccharides isolated from the gut microbiota, and their relationships to their biological activity in terms of immune system maturation and development. The gut microbiota lipopolysaccharides: the poorly explored world that can change the perception of endotoxins from harmful to beneficial.

Milled wood lignin (MWL) was isolated from Dendrocalamus sinicus, an abundant bamboo variety in the earth, using Bjorkman method. Elucidation and quantification of the chemical structures for the isolated MWL have been facilitated by employing FT-IR and NMR techniques. The obtained results showed that the MWL consists of syringyl (S), guaiacyl (G), and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) units, indicating it as grass type (HGS) lignin. There is no significant change in structure (i.e. cleavage at α-O-4′ and β-O-4′ linkage) was observed. NMR techniques indicated that the isolated lignin was rich in β-O-4′ aryl ether substructures and syringyl (S) units. Furthermore, the sufficient understanding of the chemical structure of the lignin benefits their effective utilization towards the production of renewable biomass and biofuels.