This paper is concerned with the optimization of effect factors for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production by Schizophyllum commune by one-factor-at-a-time and orthogonal methods. The one-factor-at-a-time method was adopted to investigate the effects of six different compounds (sodium carboxymethylcellulose, L: -glutamic acid, V(B1), naphthalene acetic acid, oleic acid, and Tween 80) on mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production. Among these factors, oleic acid, V(B1) and Tween 80 were identified to be the most important factors. Subsequently, the concentration of oleic acid, V(B1) and Tween 80 were optimized using the orthogonal matrix method. The effects of the factors on the mycelial growth of S. commune were in the order of oleic acid > V(B1) > Tween 80, and those on exopolysaccharide production were in the same order. The optimal concentration for mycelia and exopolysaccharide were determined as oleic acid 0.1% (v/v), V(B1) 0.5 mg/L, and Tween 80 6 mg/L. The subsequent verification experiments confirmed the validity of the models. Under this optimized conditions in shake flask culture, the mycelial yield and exo-biopolymer production were 25.93 and 2.79 g/L, respectively, which were considerably higher than those obtained in the preliminary studies. The result was further confirmed in a 7-L fermentor experiments.

The development of high-resolution microscopy and spectroscopy techniques has allowed the analysis of microscopic 3D objects in fields like nanotechnology and life and soil sciences. Soils have the ability to incorporate and store large amounts of organic carbon. To study this organic matter (OM) sequestration, it is essential to analyze its association with soil minerals at the relevant microaggregate scale. This has been previously studied in 2D. However, 3D surface representations would allow a variable angle and magnification analysis, providing detailed insight on their architecture. Here we illustrate a 4D surface reconstruction workflow able to locate preferential sites for OM deposition with respect to microaggregate topography. We used Helium Ion Microscopy to acquire overlapping Secondary Electron (SE) images to reconstruct the soil topography in 3D. Then we used nanoscale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry imaging to chemically differentiate between the OM and mineral constituents forming the microaggregates. This image was projected onto the 3D SE model to create a 4D surface reconstruction. Our results show that organo-mineral associations mainly form at medium curvatures while flat and highly curved surfaces are avoided. This method presents an important step forward to survey the 3D physical structure and chemical composition of microscale biogeochemical systems correlatively.

In this study, the functional properties of Jxsac, a recently developed high‐molecular‐weight polysaccharide product, have been characterized. The physicochemical properties (such as its composition, transparency, retrogradation and blue value), solution viscosity, infrared spectroscopy and gel filtration chromatography of Jxsac were characterized in comparison with that of Vitargo polysaccharide, a commercially available product for sports drinks, and that of corn starch. The results showed that the properties of Jxsac were comparable to, but significantly different from, that of Vitargo polysaccharide. The molecular weight of Jxsac is about 288.1 kDa compared with 303.5 kDa for Vitargo polysaccharide. Thin layer chromatography result of the hydrolysate showed that the basic component of Jxsac was glucose. The results from this work demonstrated that Jxsac could be a desirable alternative as a key ingredient for the formulation of high‐energy solid beverage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Polysaccharides are important structural ingredients of sports drinks. This study developed a new polysaccharide named Jxsac, having excellent functionalities as a key ingredient in the production of high‐energy solid beverages. Moreover, Jxsac has a short production time with low cost, so it has a special advantage in the industrial application of sports drinks.

XJ-25, a strain with strong antioxidant activity was isolated from sand biological soil crusts in Gurban Tonggut Desert, Xinjiang, China. Strain XJ-25 is closely related to Bacillus simplex through the 16s rDNA sequencing combined with morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis. The medium for optimal antioxidant activity was NB with 1.5 g/L glucose. Based on kinetic assay, antioxidant activity began at early exponential growth phases; maximum activity was reached at the stationary phase. Scavenging effects on DPPH, the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and protection against lipid damage were evaluated. The main antioxidant compounds were in the extracellular secreted supernatant of XJ-25. The active compounds were very stable at the pH range of 2 to 12, temperature from 40°C to 121°C, as well as in some organic solvents. Thin layer chromatography assay by DPPH scavenging assay show two active spots with Rf values of 0.35 and 0.47 and both of them were ninhydrin positive.

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