Noni fruit has an unpleasant flavour but is highly bioactive. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the effect of temperature regulation on quality of fermented noni fruit. In the present study, the formation of flavours, amino acid profiles, and iridoid glycosides during noni fruit fermentation at different temperatures were investigated. We initially found that different temperatures affected core microbial communities. The general evolutionary trends of Acetobacter and Gluconobacter were influenced by different temperatures. Furthermore, high temperature helped maintain low octanoic and hexanoic acids. Subsequently, we found that high temperature improved total amino acids and iridoid glycosides. The correlation network analysis revealed that bacterial communities impacted the quality (volatile flavours, amino acid profiles, and iridoid glycosides) of fermented noni fruit. Overall, altering the temperature induced variations in microbial communities and quality during the noni fruit fermentation process. These results are instrumental in the pursuit of quality control in natural fermentation processes.
Iridoid glycosides (IGs) are secondary metabolites found in plants such as the noni plant ( Morinda citrifolia L.), known for their diverse biological activities and potential health benefits. Herein, we screened fifteen natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and two conventional solvents (CS, 70% (V/V) methanol and 70% (V/V) ethanol) for extraction of IGs from noni fruit pomace. Our findings indicate that non-acidic NADES promote IG extraction. Glycerol/glycine combined with β-cyclodextrin was selected, and a molecular simulation was performed to elucidate the interaction between NADES components and IGs. Further, the structure-activity relationship and interaction mechanisms of IGs with α-glucosidase were investigated using multispectral and molecular docking tools. The results demonstrated that deacetylation of the B-ring's C-10 improved the inhibitory potential of IGs. Deacetylation produces hydrophobic contacts, which enhance the inhibitory effect of deacetylasperulosidic acid on α-glucosides. Additionally, hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces drive the formation of non-covalent complexes between IGs and enzymes.