Comprehensive assessment of functional effects of commonly used sweeteners on ex vivo human gut microbiome

The gut microbiome composition and function are associated with health and diseases. Sweeten-ers are widely used food additives, although many studies using animal models have linked sweetener consumption to gut microbial changes and health issues. Whether sweeteners directly change the human gut microbiome functionality remains largely unknown. In this study, we sys-tematically investigated the responses of five human gut microbiomes to 21 common sweeteners, using an approach combining high-throughput ex vivo microbiome culturing and metaproteomics to quantify functional changes in different taxa. Hierarchical clustering based on metaproteomic responses of individual microbiomes resulted in two clusters. The first cluster was composed of non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) and two sugar alcohols with shorter carbon backbones (4-5 carbon atoms), and the second cluster was composed of sugar alcohols with longer carbon backbones. The metaproteomic functional responses of the second cluster were similar to the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides and kestose, indicating that these sugar alcohol-type sweeteners have potential prebiotic functions. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the direct effects of commonly used sweeteners on the functions of the human gut microbiome using a func-tional metaproteomics approach, improving our understanding of the roles of sweeteners on mi-crobiome-associated human health and disease issues.

Noncovalently D-arabinitol Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) to Identify Different Sugar Alcohols

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are an effective method for separating enantiomeric compounds. The main objective of this research is to synthesize D-arabinitol MIPs, which can selectively separate D-arabinitol and its potential application to differentiate it from its enantiomer compound through a non-covalent approach. A macroporous polymer was synthesized using D-arabinitol as a template, acrylamide as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) being a cross-linker, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) being a porogen, as well as benzoyl peroxide being an initiator. After polymer synthesis, D-arabinitol was removed by a mixture of methanol and acetic acid (4:1, v/v). Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) distinguished the MIPs and NIPs. A selectivity test of MIPs against its enantiomers (L-arabinitol, xylitol, adonitol, and glucose) was carried out using the batch rebinding method. The binding site was quantitatively determined using the Langmuir equation. The results of the selectivity test showed that the MIPs produced was quite selective toward its enantiomer and could potentially be used to separate D-arabinitol from its enantiomer.

Hydrogels Made of Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid and Sugar Alcohols for Enhanced Survival of Probiotic Strains Subjected to Low pH and Freeze Drying

Probiotics are microorganisms that have a beneficial influence on the human gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, their viability can be negatively affected by manufacturing, storage conditions and gastrointestinal tract conditions. Therefore, there is a need to develop delivery systems, which can protect probiotics against adverse conditions. Previously, we reported on hydrogels made of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) and selected PEGs with the potential application as probiotic delivery vehicles. In the next step of research, we decided to develop fully biobased hydrogels with the potential application as probiotic oral-delivery systems. Selected sugar alcohols, erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol, have been used as cross-linkers in the synthesis of γ-PGA-based hydrogels. It was examined if obtained hydrogels enhanced the survival rate of entrapped probiotic strains subjected to acidic conditions. Results have been discussed in relation to the previously reported γ-PGA-PEG hydrogels. Moreover, the possibility of using developed hydrogels as a cryoprotectant was investigated during freeze drying of entrapped probiotic cells.

Silylated Sugars – Synthesis and Properties

Silicon has been used in carbohydrate chemistry for half a century, but mostly as a protective group for sugar alcohols. Recently, the use of silicon has expanded to functionalization via C–H activation, conformational arming of glycosyl donors, and conformational alteration of carbohydrates. Silicon has proven useful as more than a protective group and during the last one and a half decades we have demonstrated how it influences both the reactivity of glycosyl donors and stereochemical outcome of glycosylations. Silicon can also be attached directly to the sugar C-backbone, which has even more pronounced effects on the chemistry and properties of the molecules. In this Account, we will give a tour through our work involving silicon and carbohydrates.1 Introduction2 Conformational Arming of Glycosyl Donors with Silyl Groups3 Silyl Protective Groups for Tethering Glycosyl Donors4. Si–C Glycosides via C–H Activation4.1 C–H Activation and Oxidation of Methyl 6-Deoxy-l-glycosides4.2 Synthesis of All Eight 6-Deoxy-l-sugars4.3 Synthesis of All Eight l-Sugars by C–H Activation4.4 Modification of the Oxasilolane Ring5 C–Si in Glycosyl Donors – Activating or Not?6 Si–C-Substituted Pyranosides7 Perspective

Research on xylitol crystallization by shearing and seeding for its use as a phase change material

As thermal energy storage is becoming more important, new materials are being studied. Sugar-alcohols (SA) are very promising as phase change materials (PCM) because they are non-toxic, affordable and their latent heat is high. However, undercooling and low crystallization rates are some of the problems present in these materials. The SA studied in this work is xylitol, and using a microscope connected to a transparent counter-rotating shear cell, the effect of secondary nucleation is studied, as well as the crystallization rate of xylitol and how undercooling affects it. From the results, it is deduced that a proper seed preparation and handling is needed. The crystal structure is also studied, using XRPD diffractograms and differential scanning calorimetry.