Inhibitor activity against digestive enzymes, such as α-amylase from human saliva and porcine pancreas and trypsin from bovine pancreas, of three cereal grains species were studied as potential components of nutraceuticals strengthening diabetes and obesity treatment. Significant differences were demonstrated: the highest antitryptic activity was found in the grain of the rye varieties studied,...

The trap of the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) catches prey by very rapid closure of its modified leaves. After the rapid closure secures the prey, repeated mechanical stimulation of trigger hairs by struggling prey and the generation of action potentials (APs) result in secretion of digestive fluid. Once the prey's movement stops, the secretion is maintained by chemical st...

To provide a theoretical basis to improve the survival and growth rate and optimize diet of sheatfish (Silurus soldatovi), the activities of certain digestive enzymes and alkaline phosphatases were investigated during larval development of one-ten day old individuals. Results indicated that sheatfish larva (~ three days after hatching) had high levels of alkaline protease activity, which peaked...

Pigs serve as a better research model for human beings than other species. The Chinese laboratory miniature pig is a new laboratory animal and is expected to be applicable in many medical research fields. This study was to establish effective technologies to isolate and culture ES cells in Chinese miniature pigs. For isolation of the inner cell mass from blastocysts, an enzyme-digestive method ...

Contaminant bioavailability via digestive exposure was examined for 18 species of marine benthic invertebrates, using incubation of digestive fluids with sediments that were spiked with either radiolabeled benzo-[a]-pyrene (BaP) or zinc. Interphyletic trends in contaminant solubilization were compared with measures of digestive biochemistry, including enzyme activities, surfactancy, pH, and flu...

Larval stages are considered as the weakest link when a species is exposed to challenging environmental changes1,2. Reduced rates of growth and development in larval stages of calcifying invertebrates in response to ocean acidification might be caused by energetic limitations3. So far no information exists on how ocean acidification affects digestive processes in marine larval stages. Here we r...

Spices have long been recognized for their digestive stimulant action. Several spices are also employed in medicinal preparations against digestive disorders in traditional and Indian systems of medicine. Earlier reports on the digestive stimulant action of spices are largely empirical; only in recent years, this beneficial attribute of spices has been authenticated in exhaustive animal studies...