Core Insights - The increasing health awareness among the public has led to a rise in demand for sugar-free and low-sugar diets, with a focus on identifying healthier sugar substitutes [1] Group 1: Research Findings - A review paper published by Associate Professor You Yilin and his team in the journal "Food Research International" systematically evaluated the impact of artificial and natural sweeteners on metabolic health, revealing that natural sweeteners outperform artificial ones in maintaining metabolic balance, regulating blood sugar, and improving gut health [2] - Natural sweeteners such as steviol glycosides, monk fruit extract, D-allulose, and erythritol exhibit milder metabolic pathways in the body, with erythritol being excreted by over 90% without participating in energy metabolism or causing blood sugar fluctuations [2] - Steviol glycosides and monk fruit extract can be metabolized by gut microbiota to produce secondary glycosides, which help improve insulin sensitivity, while D-allulose can reduce food intake and inhibit fat generation, showcasing unique advantages in weight control and metabolic burden reduction [2] Group 2: Molecular Mechanisms - At the molecular level, natural sweeteners not only provide taste satisfaction through sweet taste receptors but also activate the AMPK pathway, promoting fat breakdown and energy expenditure, indicating that the right choice of sweetener can potentially improve metabolic status and help prevent chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes [2] - Erythritol, being naturally sourced from foods like corn, grapes, pears, and watermelon, has a refreshing taste, nearly zero calories, and minimal interference with gut microbiota, making it widely used in sugar-free beverages, gum, children's food, and nutritional supplements [4] Group 3: Industry Implications - The latest rankings of healthy sweeteners suggest that erythritol is likely to become a key direction for the future transformation of zero-sugar products in the beverage and food industry, as many pharmaceutical formulations are also beginning to replace sucrose with erythritol to reduce dental damage and blood sugar fluctuation risks [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the journey of Tianjin Jiurui Sheng Technology Co., Ltd. and its founder, Professor Zhao Guofeng, in transforming scientific research into practical applications, particularly in the field of high-end photoinitiators and semiconductor materials, showcasing a successful model of technology commercialization from academic research [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Group 1: Company Development - Tianjin Jiurui Sheng Technology Co., Ltd. was founded by Professor Zhao Guofeng, who aimed to convert laboratory research into production capabilities, becoming a model for the commercialization of university research [1][2]. - The company successfully developed a series of domestically produced photoinitiators, breaking foreign monopolies and significantly reducing production costs for domestic industries [2][3]. - Jiurui Sheng was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's Sci-Tech Innovation Board in 2019 and has received multiple national recognitions, including being named a national high-tech enterprise [3]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The company is now focusing on the more complex field of photoresists, which are critical for the semiconductor industry, addressing the long-standing issue of dependence on imports [4]. - Jiurui Sheng has invested 500 million yuan to establish a semiconductor chemical materials R&D platform and production lines for photoresist materials, with some products already in mass production [4][6]. - The company aims to integrate upstream and downstream production processes in the semiconductor supply chain, enhancing the development of high-end photoresists and related materials [4][6]. Group 3: Industry Impact and Future Directions - The company has expanded its product lines to include special inks and coatings, leveraging core technologies to incubate new business entities [4][6]. - In June 2023, Jiurui Sheng established Tianjin Jiurui Sheng Technology Co., Ltd. to apply synthetic biology in traditional plant extraction, addressing industry challenges such as resource scarcity and high energy consumption [5][6]. - The "mother ship + fleet" model adopted by the company demonstrates strong synergy, allowing seamless integration of research outcomes into production, thereby enhancing the overall value chain [6].