Selenized Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP-Se) were prepared using a redox system containing glacial acetic acid and sodium selenite and characterized inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size and zeta potential analysis. The antioxidant activity of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP) and PSP-Se were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2’-diazide-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical assay and hydroxyl radical assays. The results showed that the optimal conditions for the preparation of PSP-Se were determined by response surface methodology (RSM) as follows: 1.5 g of sodium selenite and 3.0 mL of glacial acetic acid per g of PSP, 80 ℃ and 12 h. The as-prepared PSP-Se contained (6.00 ± 0.20) mg/g of Se, exhibited a spherical morphology with a particle size of 1 654 nm, and showed improved thermal stability and a 95.12% increase in the absolute value of the zeta potential compared with PSP. After selenium modification, the basic skeleton of PSP was preserved. Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that PSP-Se but not PSP contained N-acetyl-glucosamine and N-acetyl-galactosamine, with differences in the contents of shared monosaccharide components being observed between them. FTIR spectroscopy showed that two new absorption peaks appeared at 1 131 and 900 cm-1 in PSP-Se, indicating the formation of selenite ester bonds and successful selenization. In vitro antioxidant assays demonstrated that PSP-Se had significantly higher scavenging capacity against DPPH, ABTS cation and hydroxyl radical compared with PSP (P < 0.05), in a dose-dependent manner.

In this study, we investigated the advantages and potential of de-oiled soy sauce residue as a superior raw material for the preparation of highly adsorptive microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which was achieved employing a step-by-step chemical treatment. Acid hydrolysis conditions were optimized by one-factor-at-a-time and L9 (34) orthogonal array design methods. Under the optimal conditions (1:25 solid-to-liquid ratio, 2 mol/L HCl, 65 ℃ and 90 min), the yield and degree of polymerization (DP) of microcrystalline cellulose were 85.46% and 263, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicated that the as-prepared MCC exhibited a cellulose I-like structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the MCC particles were short rod-shaped, with numerous grooves on their surfaces. Compared with commercial MCC, this new MCC exhibited higher maximum degradation peak temperature (334 ℃), better water/oil-holding capacity (5.36 and 4.25 g/g), and stronger methylene blue adsorption capacity (73.15 mg/g). In conclusion, the MCC from soy sauce residue demonstrates strong biosorption capacity and has high application value.

To elucidate the effect of the calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) activity of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) on beef tenderization and the underlying mechanism of action during the postmortem aging process, we investigated the specific role of Prdx6 as a biomarker in beef tenderization. In this study, we determined the changes in myofibrillar protein particle size during postmortem aging to observe myofibrillar protein degradation, and explored the changes in intrinsic differential proteins using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics. The results showed that the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in beef was promoted after incubation with MJ33, an inhibitor of iPLA2 activity of Prdx6, for 24 h. A total of 336 differential proteins were identified by proteomics analysis in the Con (normal saline) vs G0 (unincubated), MJ33 vs G0, and MJ33 vs Con groups, with the core ones being PRDX6, SOD1, GPX1 and PARK7. These differential proteins were primarily enriched in glycolysis, the apoptosis signaling pathway and cytoskeletal proteins and were predominantly located in the cytoplasm. However, the differential proteins between the MJ33 and Con groups were mainly concentrated in the cell membrane. Interactions existed among some differential proteins, which were mainly enriched in cellular antioxidant defense, ribosome-mediated protein synthesis regulation, and phospholipid functions. It is suggested that inhibiting Prdx6 iPLA2 activity might impact the degradation of myofibrillar proteins by mediating membrane function, energy metabolism, and apoptosis, ultimately accelerating beef tenderization.

In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of spinosin (SP) on the glycation of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) using fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thioflavin T (ThT) staining, and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Fluorescence spectroscopic results showed that SP effectively inhibited the formation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), stabilized the conformational structure of glycated β-Lg, and altered the microenvironment near Trp and Tyr residues. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that glycation changed the structure of β-Lg, and SP inhibited the production of AGEs by slowing down the late stage of the Maillard reaction. FTIR spectral analysis showed the involvement of hydrogen bonding in the formation of SP-β-Lg complex. The results of ThT staining showed that SP reduced β-amyloid deposition by attenuating protein misfolding. SDS-PAGE analysis showed inhibition of SP-induced cross-linking of glycated β-Lg. These results demonstrate that SP holds promise as an anti-glycation agent in food systems, with the potential to reduce the formation of harmful glycation products.

In order to investigate the application value of morin as a pancreatic lipase inhibitor, we conducted in vitro and in vivo tests to assess its hypolipidemic activity and mechanism of action in this study. The results showed that morin functioned as a reversible competitive pancreatic lipase inhibitor with a half maximal inhibitory concentration value of (0.42 ± 0.02) mg/mL. Morin interacted with characteristic amino acid residues in the active center of pancreatic lipase through hydrophobic forces, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking, resulting in static quenching of the enzyme’s fluorescence. Meanwhile, morin altered its secondary structure, leading to decreased relative content of α-helix and increased relative content of β-sheet and ultimately inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase. Notably, morin and the positive control drug orlistat were both competitive inhibitors of pancreatic lipase. The combined use of these two inhibitors showed an additive effect at low concentrations of orlistat but antagonistic effect at high concentrations of orlistat. Morin inhibited the rapid rise of triglyceride in the blood of mice within 6 h following oral ingestion of lard and its effect was not significantly different from that of orlistat. This indicates that morin could reduce fat decomposition and absorption by inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase, thereby exerting hypolipidemic effects. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for the in-depth development of morin-rich lipid-lowering foods.

In order to improve some physicochemical properties of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) and to further expand its application in food packaging and biological materials, TSP (T-0) was subjected to three enzymatic treatment: hydrolysis with cellulase for 0.5 h (CT-0.5), β-galactosidase for 8 h (GT-8), and GT-8 followed by CT-0.5 (ET-8 + 0.5), yielding xyloglucans with different molecular masses and side chain structures. The correlation mechanism between the structural characteristics (monosaccharide composition, molecular mass, conformation, particle size and turbidity) of the xyloglucans and their functional behaviors (rheology and micromorphology) was systematically analyzed. The results showed that the molecular chain rigidity of the xyloglucans followed the order CT-0.5 > T-0 > GT-8 > ET-8 + 0.5. For GT-8 and ET-8 + 0.5, hydrophobic aggregation occurred due to partial galactose removal, and the molecular chain tended to be spherical with increased flexibility, resulting in an increase in average particle size and turbidity. The average particle size and turbidity of CT-0.5 decreased because the main chain was shortened, the molecular chain was more stretched and the rigidity was increased. Rheological results showed that the apparent viscosity of the xyloglucans was significantly lower than that of TSP. Notably, both GT-8 and ET-8 + 0.5 were capable of forming gels at a concentration of 2%, whereas CT-0.5 formed temperature-sensitive gels at the same concentration. Accordingly, the enzymatic treatments changed the gel properties of TSP. Under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy (FM), TSP, GT-8 and ET-8 + 0.5 all exhibited a network structure with intermolecular cross-linking. GT-8 and ET-8 + 0.5 showed hydrophobic aggregation, while CT-0.5 showed a fibrous rod-like structure with weakened intermolecular cross-linking. These findings demonstrate that the enzymatically prepared tamarind seed xyloglucans have good gel properties, thereby holding great potential for applications in food packaging and biological materials.

The present study aimed to investigate the feasibility of replacing egg white protein by rapeseed protein cross-linked by transglutaminase (TG) at different percentages (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%) in the making of baked foods. Herein, the effectiveness of the application of TG-crosslinked rapeseed protein in sponge cake was comprehensively evaluated by analyzing the apparent morphology, microstructure, color, texture, water status, starch crystallinity and flavor. The results showed that with increasing level of TG-crosslinked rapeseed protein, the cake color gradually deepened, with the internal pores becoming finer and more uniform. The water distribution, state and texture analyses showed that as the substitution level of egg white protein increased, the water mobility and water-holding capacity were enhanced. At a substitution level of 75%, the hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness increased by 3.4, 3.2, and 2.4 times, respectively, while the elasticity reduced by 24%. The cake with 25% substitution level exhibited a significant anti-aging effect, as evidenced by a 31.1% decrease in crystallinity. Meanwhile, the elasticity, cohesiveness, resilience and water status of this cake were comparable to those of the cake with 100% egg white protein. In addition, the results of electronic nose and electronic tongue assays indicated that the substitution of rapeseed protein did not adversely affect the cake flavor. These findings provide valuable scientific guidance for the application of TG cross-linked rapeseed protein as an alternative to egg white protein in the making of baked foods.

The effect of coix seed flour (0%–25%) on the rheological and structural properties of wheat dough and noodle quality was investigated. The addition of coix seed flour was found to enhance the elasticity of dough, which may be attributed to the fact that small starch particles increase the filling capacity within the dough matrix. This increase subsequently resulted in more complete and uniform structure of dough. Moreover, setback viscosity rose to 1 095 cP. The rapid water absorption of coix seed starch led to changes in the secondary structure of proteins in dough. The proportion of β-sheet markedly increased, whereas the proportion of α-helix decreased with increasing level of coix seed flour substitution. Meanwhile, coix seed flour substitution significantly reduced the estimated glycemic index of noodles. Correlation analysis revealed that pasting parameters had significant effects on the evaluation of noodle quality. This study provides a foundation for researchers to substitute wheat flour with coix seed flour.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different acid extraction conditions on the structures and biological activities of large-leaf yellow tea polysaccharides. Six polysaccharides, namely LTP-1, LTP-2, LTP-3, LTP-4, LTP-5 and LWTP, were respectively extracted from large-leaf yellow tea by hydrochloric acid solutions at pH levels of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and water. Their physicochemical properties, molecular structures, and hypoglycemic activities were evaluated. The results indicated that the chemical and monosaccharide compositions of LTPs significantly differed from those of LWTP. The contents of total sugar and uronic acids in LTPs were higher than those in LWTP, with a 2.25- and 2.91-fold increase being found in LTP-2 relative to LWTP, respectively. The galacturonic acid contents in LTP-2, LTP-3, and LTP-4 increased by 87.93%, 44.49%, and 6.49%, respectively, compared with that in LWTP, while those in LTP-1and LTP-5 decreased by 14.14% and 34.89%, respectively. Animal experiments demonstrated that LTPs effectively reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and insulin resistance, and alleviated abnormal lipid metabolism in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with LTP-2 exhibiting the best hypoglycemic effect. In conclusion, acid extraction significantly modified the physicochemical properties of large-leaf yellow tea polysaccharide, leading to an increased content of acidic sugars, alterations in molecular structures, and enhanced hypoglycemic activity. This study provides preliminary insights into the complex relationship between structural changes of large-leaf yellow tea polysaccharides before and after hydrochloric acid treatment and their biological activities. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for future investigation into the structure-activity relationships and mechanisms of action of large-leaf yellow tea polysaccharides.

3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL) is a typical human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and plays a significant physiological function in the growth and brain development of infants. In this study, efficient biosynthesis of 3-FL was achieved by metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli BL21star(DE3). The α-1,3-fucosyltransferase gene futA from Helicobacter pylori and the L-fucokinase/GDP-L-fucose pyrophosphorylase gene fkp from Bacteroides fragilis were co-introduced into the initial strain, E. coli BL21star(DE3)ΔlacZΔwcaJ, resulting in the production of 1.01 g/L of 3-FL in a shake flask. By using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to delete the genes related to the fucose metabolism pathway, including the L-fucose isomerase gene fucI, the L-fucose kinase gene fucK and the L-rhamnose isomerase gene rhaA, the yield of 3-FL increased to 1.36 g/L. The α-1,3-fucosyltransferase FT1 from H. pylori NCTC11637 was the most effective in 3-FL biosynthesis, and the recombinant strain BLWFA-T expressing FT1 produced 1.56 g/L of 3-FL. Subsequently, the expression level of the fucose metabolism pathway-related genes was optimized, and the recombinant strain BLWFR-T2 expressing fkp through plasmid pETDuet-1 and expressing FT1 through plasmid pRSFDuet-1 produced 2.58 g/L of 3-FL. Finally, the regeneration of the cofactor guanosine triphosphate (GTP) was enhanced, and the recombinant strain BLWFR-T7 overexpressing the guanylate kinase gene gmk and the inosine-guanosine kinase gene gsk produced the highest level of 3-FL (3.01 g/L). After fed-batch fermentation for 78 h, BLWFA-T7 produced the highest yield of 3-FL (27.82 g/L) in a 5 L fermentor. This study provides a research basis for efficient microbial synthesis of 3-FL and other HMOs.

In order to study the immunomodulatory effects of peptides derived from edible mushroom, crude protein was extracted from dried powder of Pleurotus eryngii and sequentially hydrolyzed with pepsin and trypsin. The resulting hydrolysate was separated and purified by ultrafiltration with membranes with different molecular mass cutoffs (MMCOs of 3, 5 or 10 kDa), Sephadex G-15 column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of the products obtained at the end of each step on the proliferation, NO release, phagocytic activity, and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 macrophages were assessed. The results showed that among all ultrafiltration fractions, the one with a molecular mass of less than 3 kDa exhibited the highest immunoregulatory activity. After purification by Sephadex G-15 column chromatography and HPLC, fraction Peak 2-2 was obtained, with the highest immunomodulatory activity. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for de novo sequencing of Peak 2-2, resulting in the identification of 51 peptide sequences with a confidence score greater than 99. Finally, molecular docking results confirmed the stable binding of P. eryngii peptides DFPALR and LLGVD to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and molecular dynamics simulation showed that the binding was spontaneous and stable. This study indicated that P. eryngii peptides possessed significant immunomodulatory activity.

To investigate the structural properties and catalytic activity of α-L-fucosidases belonging to the GH29A family, the gene coding for the AlfB enzyme from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was obtained from the NCBI database. A bioinformatics analysis was conducted on AlfB, followed by heterologous expression of the recombinant enzyme in Escherichia coli under optimized conditions. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that AlfB was a single-domain enzyme with two conserved active sites: the nucleophilic catalytic residue Asp166 and the acid-base catalytic residue Glu32. The optimal induction conditions for the recombinant enzyme were determined to be 25 ℃ for a duration of 28 h. The optimal temperature and pH of the purified recombinant enzyme was 35 ℃ and 6.0, respectively. It was strongly inhibited by Cu2+ but strongly activated by Mn2+. Recombinant AlfB exhibited a high affinity for 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) and transformed p-nitrophenyl-α-L-fucopyranoside (pNP-Fuc) and lactose into 2’-FL and its isomer 3’-FL via transglycosylation. These results set the stage for further elucidating the catalytic activity and mechanism of action of AlfB.

This study investigated the changes in microbial community structure and flavor substances of high-temperature Daqu before and after the turning over as the key step in the production process. The results showed that during the turning over stage, the composition and abundance of the microbial community underwent significant changes. The abundance of the fungal genera Thermoascus and Thermomyces and the abundance of the bacterial genera Virgibacillus, Oceanobacillus, Saccharopolyspora, and Kroppenstedtia increased after two cycles of turning over. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 49 volatile compounds, including 12 esters, 9 pyrazines, 6 alcohols, 6 aldehydes, 5 ketones, 3 phenols, 2 ethers, 2 furans, 1 alkene, 1 acid, and 2 other substances, with increased levels of ethyl caproate, ethyl octanoate, 2-phenylethanol, and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine being observed after turning over. In addition, correlation analysis revealed potential associations between microbial community and flavor substances, with Virgibacillus, Oceanobacillus, Saccharopolyspora, Kroppenstedtia, Thermoascus, and Thermomyces showing positive correlations with ester compounds, and Bacillus and Pichia showing positive correlations with 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine. This study provides basic data for exploring the root causes of variations in the biological characteristics of high-temperature sauce-flavor Daqu and the principles governing the formation of flavor substances in sauce-flavor baijiu brewing, and offers important references for formulating effective process strategies to improve the quality stability of high-temperature Daqu.

The bacterial diversity and metabolomic characteristics of yogurt from three different producers in Bole, Xinjiang were analyzed by using Illumina sequencing and untargeted metabolomics, and the relationship between them was explored. Bacterial diversity analysis showed that the major bacterial genera in the yogurt samples were Lactobacillus, Klebsiella, Lactococcus, and Acetobacter. Using linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt), Lactobacillus, Klebsiella, and Lactococcus were identified as biomarkers, and their functions were predicted. The metabolomic analysis identified a total of 397 metabolites in the positive ion mode and 324 metabolites in the negative ion mode, with lipids and lipid-like substances, organic acids and their derivatives, and organic heterocyclic compounds being the predominant ones. Notably, lipids and lipid-like substances, organic acids and their derivatives were the major differential metabolites, contributing to the flavor of yogurt. The metabolic pathway analysis revealed amino acid metabolism and secondary metabolism to be the main enriched pathways, which aligned partially with the functional prediction results. Integrated microbiomic and metabolomic analyses showed that the genera Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Klebsiella were significantly correlated with some metabolites such as organic acids and their derivatives, as well as lipids and lipid-like substances, indicating that the microbial community affected the nutrients of yogurt through its metabolic activities. This study provides a scientific theoretical basis for the production and quality improvement of Xinjiang yogurt.

This study investigated the effect of the anionic surfactant sodium starch octenyl succinate (SSOS) on the catalytic characteristics of the lipase Novozym51032. The effect of their interaction on the structure of the enzyme was explored by ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the presence of 6.0 mg/mL SSOS increased the relative activity of the lipase significantly by 164.99%. Kinetic analysis revealed that at a low mass concentration (1 mg/mL) of SSOS, the Michaelis constant (Km) of the lipase decreased from 4.12 to 3.46 μmol/L, but it increased to 58.82 μmol/L at a higher mass concentration (6 mg/mL), with the maximum reaction rate (Vmax) increasing to 333.00 μmol/(L·min). Fluorescence spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy showed that the fluorescence intensity of the lipase gradually weakened with increasing concentration of the surfactant, accompanied by secondary structure transformation of the enzyme from α-helix and β-turn to β-sheet. This suggested that the influence of SSOS on the catalytic characteristics of the lipase was associated with the enzyme’s structural alteration.

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant function of the prokaryotic expression product of the heme-binding protein (HBP) gene, rHBP2, cloned from red rice. Methods: We conducted molecular cloning of target genes and construction of expression vectors, transformation and expression in Escherichia coli, followed by isolation of the target protein rHBP2 and identification of its heme binding capacity and antioxidant activity in vitro. Additionally, we assessed the effect of feeding rHBP2 on oxidative and heat stress responses and oxidative stress-responsive gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans N2. Results: Sequence and molecular structure analysis showed that the full-length coding sequence (CDS) of rHBP2 was 651 bp, encoding a protein containing 216 amino acid residues. The conservativeness of its amino acid sequence exceeded 90% among the compared rice plants. The molecular structure of rHBP2 exhibited both internal and external compatibility, and the pocket formed by several folded sheets might provide an important site for heme binding. The typical alpha helix was located on the periphery, potentially facilitating other potential interactions. rHBP2 was successfully expressed in E. coli, with a molecular weight of approximately 25 kDa. RHBP2 demonstrated a strong binding affinity for 1.0 mmol/L hemin and high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, which scavenged nearly 30% of hydroxyl radical at a concentration of 1 mg/mL rHBP2. After 1.5 h exposure to H2O2 and 8 h exposure to 35 ℃, the survival rates of nematodes fed rHBP2 were 5.7 and 2.4 times higher than those of the control group, respectively, indicating that rHBP2 significantly enhanced nematode tolerance to oxidative and thermal stress. Moreover, nematodes fed rHBP2 exhibited significantly lower endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and higher expression levels of oxidative stress-responsive genes such as SOD-3 and CAT-1. These results suggested that rHBP2 had potent antioxidant function. This study provides an experimental basis for discovering and utilizing antioxidant proteins from red rice.

Bioinformatics methods were used for the genome-wide identification of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) protein disulfide isomerase-like (TaPDIL) gene family. A total of 21 members of the TaPDIL gene family were identified and named TaPDIL1A to TaPDIL8D according to their chromosomal positions, and the length of their coding sequences, the physicochemical properties and secondary structure of the encoded proteins and their subcellular localization were evaluated as well as their expression patterns during grain development in high-gluten (Yaomai 36) and all-purpose (Pinyu 8155) wheat cultivars. Phylogenetic analysis categorized these genes into six subfamilies. The analysis of gene structure and conserved motifs showed high conservation within each subfamily. The prediction of protein secondary structure showed that the amino acid sequences of all TaPDIL proteins were predominantly composed of α-helix and random coil. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data showed that TaPDIL3B, TaPDIL4B, TaPDIL4D, TaPDIL5A, TaPDIL6A, TaPDIL6B, TaPDIL7A-1, TaPDIL7B, TaPDIL7D-1 and TaPDIL7D-2 during the grain filling period were significantly differentially expressed between the two cultivars. Significant differences were observed in the contents of disulfide bonds and glutenin macropolymers (GMP), and gluten index between these cultivars. ‘Yaomai 36’ gluten had the largest proportion of random coil (42.04%), lacked α-helix structure, and showed a more continuous and denser microstructure, which imparted strong elasticity and toughness to the dough. In contrast, ‘Pinyu 8155’ gluten had the highest proportion of α-helix (49.34%) and did not contain random coil. Numerous network structures were observed on the gluten cross-section, which contributed to a loose gluten structure. This study provides important basic information regarding the physiological function of PDIL family proteins during wheat grain development.

To investigate the in vitro digestion and fermentation properties of soybean oligosaccharides (SBOS) extracted from defatted soybean meal, the changes in monosaccharide composition and molecular mass were analyzed. Subsequently, the effect of SBOS on microbial community structure and metabolites was studied by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results showed that SBOS was not easily enzymolyzed during simulated digestion and could reach the large intestine through the digestive system. The significant decrease in the molecular mass of SBOS after in vitro fermentation indicated its utilization by the gut microbiota, which increased the contents of short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid, thereby reducing the pH of the fermentation broth. Moreover, the core community was found to consist of Blautia, Lactobacillaceae, and Pediococcus. SBOS up-regulated beneficial differential metabolites such as myo-inositol, lactose, and glucose, which were closely related to galactose, amino sugar, and nucleotide sugar metabolism. This study will provide a reference for exploring the relationship between the gut microbiota and the metabolites of SBOS, and provide a basis for the development and application of SBOS as an ingredient for functional products.

Aqueous extracts (named NAP, NAPS and NAPH, respectively) from Naematelia aurantialba fruiting bodies subjected to three different pretreatments, namely, conventional grinding, steam explosion (SE) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) were obtained by hot water extraction, and their yields, polysaccharide, uronic acid and protein contents, molecular mass distributions and monosaccharide compositions were compared. A simulated in vitro fermentation model was employed to investigate the effects of these extracts on the intestinal flora using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the yields and polysaccharide contents of NAPS (64.15% and 75.87%, respectively) and NAPH (61.64% and 72.56%, respectively) were evidently higher than those of NAP. The molecular mass (mw) of NAP was 1.731 × 106 g/mol, which was higher than that of NAPH, and NAPS exhibited new characteristic peaks. NAP, NAPS and NAPH were all composed of mannose, xylose, glucose and glucuronic acid, and the monosaccharide composition changed slightly after SE and HPH. All extracts changed the composition of the intestinal flora. Both NAPS and NAP had an advantage in increasing the abundance of Macroomonas, NAPH increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (P < 0.05), and NAP increased the abundance of Butyricicoccus (P < 0.05). The yields of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) significantly increased with the addition of each extract. Notably, butyric acid content was higher in the F-NAP group, while acetic acid and propionic acid contents were higher in the F-NAPH and F-NAPS groups. This study provides a reference for the efficient preparation of aqueous extracts from N. aurantialba and its application for regulating the intestinal flora.

Objective: To determine the immunoenhancing activity of ternary mixtures of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) at different ratios and to validate the immunoregulatory effects of milk formula containing prebiotic combinations. Methods: An appropriate mixing ratio of prebiotics for enhancing immune function was identified on the basis of T cell counts, macrophage number, macrophage phagocytosis, and goblet cell number in an immunosuppressed zebrafish model. This prebiotic blend was then used to develop a children’s milk formula. The effects of the milk formula on the morphology of immune organs, peripheral blood and/or spleen lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, and cytokines in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice were evaluated. Results: The mixtures of 2’-FL, GOS, and FOS were found to enhance both specific and non-specific immune functions in immunosuppressed zebrafish, the optimal ratio being 1:3:3. In immunosuppressed mice treated with the milk formula containing the 1:3:3 mixture, partial restoration of damaged spleen and thymus structures was observed. Additionally, the peripheral white blood cell count and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio returned to normal levels, and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were increased to varying degrees, with a significant increase being observed in IL-10 concentration (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of 2’-FL, GOS, and FOS exhibits immunomodulatory effects depending on the mixing ratio. The children’s milk formula containing 2’-FL, GOS, and FOS at a ratio of 1:3:3 demonstrated immunomodulatory effects on immunosuppressed mice.

We aimed to explore the protective effects of oyster protein-derived peptides against acute alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in mice and to screen for potential bioactive peptides with alcohol-detoxifying and liver-protecting effects. Oyster protein was extracted and hydrolyzed by two different enzymes, neutral protease and alkaline protease, into peptides. The degree of hydrolysis, molecular mass distribution, and amino acid composition of the peptides obtained after different hydrolysis times were determined. Using an acute ALD mouse model, we evaluated the ameliorative effects of these peptides on acute ALD by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), triglyceride (TG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver, as well as conducting pathological examination of the liver. Furthermore, peptide fractions with significant protective activity against liver injury were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and screened. The results showed that compared with the model group, the activities of ALT and AST in the serum and the contents of MDA and TG in the liver of the peptide-treated groups was significantly decreased, the activities of SOD, GSH, ADH, and ALDH in the liver was markedly increased, and the pathological state of the liver was obviously ameliorated. Among all tested peptides, the peptides obtained after 2 and 4 h hydrolysis with alkaline protease (A-2 h) and neutral protease (N-4 h), respectively were found to be the most effective. Moreover, MS analysis identified 1 536 peptides in hydrolysate A-2 h and 1 782 peptides in hydrolysate N-4 h. After activity prediction and screening, ten oyster peptides with high activity were obtained. Molecular docking results showed that FAPPR, RFFYR, and FPGQR had strong binding affinity to ADH, indicating their potential for alcohol detoxification and liver protection. Subsequent in vitro experiments confirmed that all three peptides had an activating effect on ADH. In summary, this study provides ideas for the development of oyster-based therapeutic drugs against ALD.

Objective: To investigate the structures of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides (CDPs) and to evaluate the protective effect thereof on human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cell injury and the underlying mechanism. Methods: The chemical composition, molecular mass, monosaccharide composition and possible structure of CDPs were detected using the sulfuric acid phenol method, the hydroxyl biphenyl method, the Coomassie brilliant blue method, ion chromatography, high performance gel permeation chromatography and infrared chromatography. The protective effect and mechanism of CDPs on high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells were evaluated. Results: The weight-average molecular masses of CDPs were 8 031, 4 198, and 3 444 Da, which were primarily composed of glucose, galactose, rhamnose, mannose and arabinose, and may contain both α- and β-glycosidic bonds. CDPs reduced oxidative damage in HK-2 cells treated with high glucose and mitigated the impairment of mitochondrial membrane potential. The relative expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), phosphorylated nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, and phosphorylated inhibitor α of NF-κB (p-IκBα) in HK-2 cells significantly decreased after intervention with different concentrations of CDPs (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CDPs had the ability to reduce high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway to promote cell proliferation and inhibit oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Ganoderma atrum polysaccharides (GAP) on cadmium (Cd)-induced injury in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). Methods: A cell injury model was established by exposure to 2 μg/mL Cd, and 100 μg/mL GAP was used for intervention. The cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured, as well as the levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined using a fluorescence microplate reader. The expression of antioxidant-related genes (HO-1, Keap1, and Nrf2) and mitochondrial autophagy-related genes (PINK1, Parkin, P62, and LC3) was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: 100 μg/mL GAP could inhibit Cd-induced cytotoxicity and significantly increase cell viability (P < 0.05); it decreased LDH, ROS, and MDA levels, and increased GSH, CAT, and SOD activities as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels (P < 0.05). GAP up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 while down-regulating the expression of Keap1, PINK1, Parkin, P62, and LC3 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: GAP has a protective effect on Cd-induced injury in HEK cells by alleviating Cd-induced oxidative stress and excessive mitochondrial autophagy.

In this study, a mouse model of chronic alcohol-induced liver and brain injury was established through prolonged intragastric administration of an alcohol solution. By comparing biochemical parameters and histopathological findings in liver and brain tissues across different experimental groups, we investigated the effects of codfish skin polypeptides on chronic alcohol-induced organ damage and the underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that, compared with the model group, treatment with codfish skin polypeptides significantly reduced serum triglyceride (TG) levels and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). It also enhanced the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in liver tissue, and effectively inhibited the overexpression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), while reducing cytochrome P450 (CYP450) content. In brain tissue, codfish skin polypeptides increased the levels of acetylcholine transferase (ChAT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), suppressed the overexpression of key inflammatory factors including TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, elevated glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, and decreased cholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Histopathological examination revealed that, compared with the model group, the liver structure of codfish skin polypeptides-treated mice was clearer with better organized hepatic lobules, less hydropic and fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, and reduced collagen fiber deposition. These findings suggest that codfish skin polypeptides alleviate alcohol-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in both liver and brain tissues by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway and the NF-κB/iNOS-NO signaling pathway, respectively. Additionally, these polypeptides promote ethanol metabolism by enhancing the activity of hepatic ethanol-metabolizing enzymes and positively regulate the central nervous system to maintain neurotransmitter balance, thereby effectively mitigating alcohol-induced liver and brain injury.

This study focused on the iridoid compounds present in Eucommiae Folium, and explored their anti-aging potential. Nine iridoid compounds namely buA (1), 6-O-caffeoylajugol (2), 6-O-(E)-feruloylajugol (3), 6-O-(E)-caffeoylaucubin (4), specioside (5), acuminatuside (6), iso-scrophulariosid (7), 6-O-acetylscandoside (8), and aucubin (9) were isolated from Eucommiae Folium using modern separation techniques, including silica gel column chromatography, octadecyl-bonded silica (ODS) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), and chemical data. Compound 1 represented a novel iridoid, while compounds 2–7 were isolated from the Eucommiae Folium for the first time. Compounds 1, 4, 6, 7, and 9 were found to significantly prolong the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, compounds 1, 7, 8, and 9 significantly improved the resistance to oxidative stress, while compounds 1, 4, and 9 significantly improved the resistance to heat stress. These results indicated that the iridoid compounds of Eucommiae Folium exhibited significant anti-aging effects, which provides a scientific basis for future in-depth research and development of this traditional Chinese medicinal material.

The characteristic metabolic components of two specialty wild berries in the Qaidam Basin, northwest China (Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov and the black wolfberry Lycium ruthenicum Murr) were explored. Their non-volatile and volatile substances were identified and screened using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS), gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the reducing sugar content of N. tangutorum Bobrov was 196.46 g/L, which was significantly higher than that of black wolfberry. The titratable acid content of N. tangutorum Bobrov was 3.43 g/L, and the total phenol content was 7.03 mg/g, which was significantly lower than that of black wolfberry. The major monomeric phenolic compounds in both berries were flavonoids. The characteristic monomeric phenolics in N. tangutorum Bobrov were albiflorin, dicoumarin and paeoniflorin, while those in black wolfberry were naringin, phlorizin, and proanthocyanidin B1. The characteristic volatile substances in N. tangutorum Bobrov were isononanoic acid, farnesene, ethyl 3-methylbutyrate, (-)-4-terpineol, nonanal, ethyl hexanoate and L-rose oxide, and its fruity, floral and cheese-like aroma characteristics were prominent. The characteristic volatile substances of black wolfberry were methyl octanoate, 1-octen-3-ol, (E)-3-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, decanal, nerol, citronellol, D-limonene, and its flowery, fruity, grassy, mushroom-like and earthy aroma characteristics were prominent. After screening, identification and statistical analysis, the top ten most significantly differential non-volatile compounds between the two berries were found to be histidine, myricetin-3-glucoside, proline, iridone-4’-glucoside, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, isovalerylglutamic acid, caffeic acid, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, isorhamnetin-3-glucoside and peoniflorin-3-O-glucoside. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of differentiated high-value products from N. tangutorum Bobrov and black wolfberry.

Objective: To investigate the differences in the volatile components of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) aged for different years and to elucidate the chemical basis of odor variability in CRP. Methods: The volatile components of CRP stored for 0 to 6 years were detected by the combined use of electronic nose and headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) and identified by database matching, and their relative contents were calculated by the peak area normalization method. Moreover, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted on the volatile composition data using principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and cluster analysis (CA). Results: The electronic nose data showed that the major odor components of CRP stored for 0 to 6 years were similar. HS-GC-MS analysis identified a total of 110 volatile components, with olefins and alcohols being the major ones, and 25 differential volatile components were selected by multivariate statistical analysis. The relative content of olefins increased with aging time, while the content of alcohols decreased. Using the cutoff of odor activity values (OAV) greater than 1, eight compounds greatly contributing to the overall odor of CRP were selected including myrcene, D-limonene, linalool, decanal, D-citronellol, 2-isopropyl-5-methylanisole, germacrene B and carveol. Linalool, D-citronellol, and carveol had OAVs greater than 10, suggesting their potential role as the key odor components of CRP. Conclusion: The combined use of HS-GC-MS, OAV and electronic nose enables effective identification of differential odor components in CRP of different ages. This study provides a scientific basis for the identification of CRP of different ages and grades and further elucidation of the scientific connotation behind the traditional belief that older CRP is better.

The peels and seeds of Alpinia katsumadai and its adulterants A. henryi K. Schum. and A. blepharocalyx K. Schum. were comparatively analyzed for their chemical compositions. Targeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) identified a total of 1 009 polyphenolic metabolites from these nine plant samples, including 485 flavonoids, 374 phenolic acids, 125 lignans and coumarins, 20 tannins and 5 others. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that the compositions and contents of polyphenols in each fruit part were similar between A. henryi K. Schum. and A. katsumadai, and the seeds and peels of A. blepharocalyx K. Schum. had similar polyphenolic composition. Quantitative analysis showed that the contents of alnustone, alpinetin, cardamonin, and pinocembrin were significantly higher in the seeds than in the peels. Notably, the contents of these four compounds in the seeds of A. henryi K. Schum. and A. katsumadai were ten to several tens of times higher than those of A. blepharocalyx K. Schum.. Pearson correlation analysis between antioxidant activity against free radicals and differential metabolites revealed that the strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of the seeds of A. henryi K. Schum. and A. katsumadai was associated with their contents of alnustone and alpinetin, whereas the strong 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical of A. blepharocalyx K. Schum. was related to its isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside and cinnamic acid contents. The findings suggested that A. katsumadai and A. henryi K. Schum. seeds were rich in bioactive substances, with their contents of alnustone, alpinetin, cardamonin, and pinocembrin meeting the Chinese pharmacopeial specifications, and they exhibited potent antioxidant activity. A. katsumadai was superior to A. henryi K. Schum. and A. blepharocalyx K. Schum.. In contrast, A. blepharocalyx K. Schum. contained more unique polyphenolic substances, whose composition and functions warrant further investigation. This study provides theoretical guidance for the selection of high-quality Chinese medicinal materials and the development of related products.

In order to retain the rutin in tartary buckwheat to greatest extent, the effects of frying, steaming and superheated steaming on the distribution and transformation of flavonoids, with special reference to rutin, were explored. Results showed that the contents of bound polyphenols and flavonoids in all three treated samples (with a gelatinization degree of 11%) significantly decreased compared with untreated ones (P < 0.05). Although the content of free polyphenols and flavonoids in whole buckwheat flour also decreased, the content of free polyphenols and flavonoids in the endosperm flour, especially rutin, significantly increased (P < 0.05). The content of free rutin in whole tartary buckwheat flour was significantly reduced by frying but increased by superheated steaming and steaming (P < 0.05), indicating that high temperature-high humidity treatment not only promoted the transformation of rutin from a bound form to a free form, but also facilitated the migration of rutin from the outer layer of the shell and bran into the core kernel. As a high temperature-high humidity treatment that is characterized by higher heating efficiency and shorter duration and leads to a higher retention rate of rutin compared with steaming, superheated steaming provides an effective pretreatment to improve the eating quality and nutritional quality of tartary buckwheat.

The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the processing adaptability of Osmanthus fragrans pomace, a by-product of O. fragrans extract, in order to provide a reference for its rational utilization. We examined the physical properties, nutrient composition, antioxidant capacity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of O. fragrans pomace prepared by vacuum microwave drying (VMD), vacuum freeze drying (VFD), or heat pump drying (HPD). The results showed that the VFD sample had good color with the lowest ΔE and browning index of 14.26 ± 0.53 and 12.43 ± 0.65, respectively, and possessed the highest contents of total phenols and total flavonoids, and exhibited the highest water-holding capacity and antioxidant capacity. The VMD sample possessed the highest contents of soluble dietary fiber, total phenylethanol glycosides, actecoside, and salidroside, and exhibited the strongest oil-holding capacity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the antioxidant capacity was significantly and positively correlated with the contents of total phenols and total flavonoids, and the tyrosinase inhibitory activity was significantly and positively correlated with the contents of total phenylethanol glycosides, total sugars, and total tannins. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) could distinguish differently dried O. fragrans pomace and the proposed model was stable with good predictability. According to Topsis analysis, the VFD sample had the best quality, and the VMD sample was superior to the HPD sample. In conclusion, O. fragrans pomace has good physical properties, nutrient composition, antioxidant capacity, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity, thereby holding potential as a raw material for functional food and whitening cosmetics. This study provides a reference for the application of differently dried O. fragrans pomace.

To reveal whether gaseous ClO2 treatment can promote postharvest ripening of ‘Kate’ mango (Mangifera indica L.) by activating MAPK signaling to induce endogenous ethylene synthesis, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and U0126 were selected to inhibit ethylene ripening response and the MAPK signaling cascade in mango fruits, respectively. The results showed that 1-MCP and U0126 treatments significantly reduced the changes in key physicochemical indices related to ripening such as elevated dark orange-yellow index, decreased hardness, and increased soluble solids content in ‘Kate’ mango treated by gaseous ClO2, thereby slowing down the ripening process. Meanwhile, U0216 treatment also reduced the gaseous ClO2-induced up-regulation of the expression of the ethylene biosynthesis genes MiACS6, MiACO, and MiACO1, as well as MiME2K1 and MiMAP3K17/18. Collectively, these findings suggest that gaseous ClO2 regulates the ripening of ‘Kate’ mango by activating MAPK signaling to induce or initiate ethylene biosynthesis. The results of this study will provide a theoretical basis for the postharvest ripening and quality control of mango fruits.

A model for predicting the shelf-life of Daliangshan hand-torn duck at different storage temperatures was established. Changes in the sensory score, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (POV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, and a* value of dry salted duck stored at 25, 30 or 37 ℃ were analyzed and the correlation among them was examined. Chemical reaction kinetic equations and the Arrhenius equation were used to develop a shelf-life prediction model for hand-torn dried duck. The results showed that the sensory score, a*, water activity (aw) and pH decreased with storage time, irrespective of storage temperature, while the opposite trend was observed for the TVB-N, POV and TBA value. The changing trend was 37 ℃ > 30 ℃ > 25 ℃. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between the sensory attributes and the physicochemical indexes showed TVB-N to be an effective quality index to predict the shelf-life of hand-torn dried duck. According to the proposed prediction model, the estimated shelf-life of dry salted duck was 305, 255 and 204 d at 25, 30 and 37 ℃, respectively. Within the first 100 days of storage, the relative deviation between the predicted value and the measured value was less than 10%, demonstrating high accuracy and reliability of the model. In conclusion, this model could allow quick and reliable prediction of the shelf-life of dry salted duck.

Refrigerated marinated duck has a short storage period. In order to solve this problem, we prepared and characterized a functional chitosan-based coating with added ε-polylysine (ε-PL) as a natural bacteriostatic agent and grape seed extract (GSE) as an antioxidant. We then explored its effect on preserving the quality of refrigerated marinated duck. The results showed that functional coatings (CS-GSE, CS-ε-PL-GSE(a) and CS-ε-PL-GSE(b)) had better antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity and thermal stability than did pure CS coating. During the cold storage period, the functional coatings significantly reduced the total viable count (TVC), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) content, pH, color difference (ΔE*), and shear force of marinated duck. Marinated duck treated with functional coating CS-ε-PL-GSE(b) was found to have the highest sensory score, showing the best preservation effect, and the storage period was extended from 3 to 7 days.

To address the difficulty of detecting aminoglycoside (AG) residues in the liver and kidney of livestock and poultry, the extraction solvent and purification method were improved. A rapid and accurate method for the determination of 12 AGs was developed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HIC-MS/MS). This method employed phosphate buffer solution containing 50 g/L trichloroacetic acid and 50 g/L sodium chloride as the extraction solvent, which significantly improved the recovery of neomycin. After proper dilution, the extract was purified on a PRiME HLB solid phase extraction (SPE) column. Subsequently, the chromatographic separation was performed on an Obelisc R column using gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 1.0% formic acid in water (containing 1 mmol/L ammonium formate) before analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The internal standard method was used for the quantitation of apramycin, hygromycin B, neomycin, and tobramycin, while the external standard method was adopted for the quantitation of the remaining eight compounds. The results revealed that the calibration curves for all analytes had good linearity within the corresponding concentration ranges, with determination coefficients of ≥ 0.99. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) ranged from 10 to 50 μg/kg and from 20 to 100 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries for 8 blank liver and kidney matrices at low, medium, and high spiked levels were 78.0%–108.5%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranging from 1.0% to 11.0% (n = 6). Using a single solid-phase extraction cartridge, the method developed herein is simple and easy to operate and can be used for accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of AG residues in liver and kidney samples.

A fluorescent aptamer paper-based chip sensor was developed for the rapid and highly sensitive on-site detection of Cd2+. In this sensor, based on the strong specific binding between fluorescence-labeled aptamer and Cd2+, a competitive fluorescence turn-on strategy was adopted. The quencher-labeled complementary chain was flushed to the waste liquid area, and the strong fluorescence signal reappeared in the detection area and was captured by a smartphone. Changes in fluorescence signal were analyzed by ImageJ software for RGB. The fluorescence signal of the sensor increased linearly with Cd2+ concentration in the range of 10 to 500 nmol/L, and the detection limit was 0.83 nmol/L. The sensor demonstrated excellent tolerance to interference from other co-existing ions in complex environments while maintaining high specificity for detecting Cd2+. Furthermore, the sensor was successfully applied to the quantitative detection of Cd2+ in lettuce samples with a sensitivity higher than 22.48 μg/kg, recoveries of 96.34%–98.31% and relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 12%. Therefore, this sensor is suitable for the rapid detection of trace hazards such as heavy metals in fruits, vegetables and agricultural products.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, progressive systemic disease characterized by pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. The primary symptom of this disease is elevated blood glucose levels. Medicine food homologous plants (MFP) contain a variety of hypoglycemic ingredients, including non-volatile substances (polysaccharides, polyphenols, alkaloids, saponins, proteins and amino acids) and volatile substances such as plant essential oils. These ingredients exhibit minimal adverse effects and play an important role in preventing and treating diabetes. The incorporation of combinations of MFP or their extracts rich in hypoglycemic ingredients into seasonings, beverages, pastries and other foods as daily dietary supplements holds promising potential for alleviating the symptoms of hyperglycemia. This review summarizes the progress that has been made in the identification, evaluation, clinical and food applications of hypoglycemic ingredients in MFP over the past decade, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the exploration and identification of new hypoglycemic agents and for the development of functional foods with hypoglycemic properties.

The intestine serves as an important digestive and immune organ in the animal body, which is responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients in foods. The body can affect all physiological processes except digestion by activating the gut-organ axis. A healthy diet provides the body with the nutrients it needs, helping to maintain intestinal microbial balance and thereby promoting intestinal health; conversely, an unhealthy diet may lead to intestinal problems, and intestinal health directly correlates with overall bodily health. Traditional omics techniques are performed on a multicellular basis and often overlook information on cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell omics technology allows for simultaneously detecting and comparing the expression of single-cell genomes, which provides a new perspective on the study of intestinal microbial community and intestinal health. This article reviews the application of single-cell omics in intestinal health, which is expected to provide new insights into understanding the physiological function and mechanism of the gut, and provide a scientific basis for improving human health.

The gut microbiota inhabits a highly complex intestinal environment that is strongly influenced by the host and community composition. Furthermore, the gut microbiota evolves in response to changes in the environment, acquiring characteristics that are more conducive to their survival within the host gut. Nevertheless, the mechanism of microbial evolution in the host gut remains poorly understood. In recent years, the continuous development of sequencing technology has enabled the acquisition of more accurate data on the adaptive evolution of microorganisms in the host gut, resulting in the emergence of high-quality research results. In this context, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the selective pressure that microorganisms experience in the intestinal environment, the factors influencing this pressure, and the mechanisms underlying the adaptive evolution of the gut microbiota. The objective is to provide theoretical guidance for the use of microbial therapies to maintain and restore human health.

Sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA), primarily including methionine, cysteine and cystine, are abundant in foods and play important roles in maintaining metabolic health. This article begins with a summary of the effects of varying levels of SAA intake on metabolic health. It discusses the benefits associated with moderate SAA restriction, such as lipid- and glucose-lowering effects, mitigation of oxidative stress, and extension of lifespan. It also covers the detrimental effects of excessive SAA restriction, such as growth retardation, increased oxidative stress, and reduced bone mass. Additionally, it explores the benefits of moderate additional SAA intake, such as promoting protein synthesis, improving liver glucose and lipid metabolism, and regulating redox homeostasis. It highlights the detrimental effects of excessive additional SAA intake, such as glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, increased oxidative stress, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Subsequently, this article reviews the sample pre-treatments (acid hydrolysis, oxidative hydrolysis, and dithiothreitol oxidative hydrolysis) and analytical methods (indirect analysis after derivatization and spectrophotometry) currently used to detect the SAA content in foods, with a discussion about their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the methods for achieving SAA precision nutrition and their applications are examined. This review is expected to provide theoretical references for SAA detection in foods and the improvement of metabolic health through precision regulation of dietary SAA intake.

Porphyra sp., an economic red alga used as both food and medicine in China, is rich in polysaccharides, phycobilin, active peptides, polyphenols and other major chemical components. This alga exhibits various pharmacological activities such as immunoregulatory, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, antitumor and anti-thrombotic effects, possessing broad development prospects and high economic value. This article systematically reviews Porphyra sp. from three aspects: chemical composition, major pharmacological activities and the current status of industrial development. It also analyzes problems existing in the Porphyra sp. industry and proposes directions for future research on Porphyra sp. with the aim of providing scientific support for the in-depth development and utilization of Porphyra sp. and more broadly for the high-quality development of this industry.

Antimicrobial peptides, as small molecular peptides with extensive antibacterial activity, have shown great potential in food preservation and other fields because of their unique antibacterial mechanism. However, traditional screening methods are time-consuming and resource-consuming, and often yield antimicrobial peptides with poor stability and high cytotoxicity, limiting their wide application. In recent years, the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology has brought new opportunities for research on antimicrobial peptides. Artificial intelligence algorithms can be continuously optimized based on prior knowledge and real-time data, which significantly improves the prediction efficiency of antibacterial peptides and reduces research and development costs. Additionally, these algorithms offer the possibility to explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides and optimize their properties. Currently, several specialized databases have been established, providing rich resources for algorithmic model training. Furthermore, multi-source bioinformatics data such as genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics are also widely used to predict antimicrobial peptides, with a view to identifying peptides with potential antimicrobial activity more accurately. This article reviews the principles and applicability of various current artificial intelligence algorithmic models for predicting antimicrobial peptides, and explores prediction models specifically designed to address the dilemma facing the application of antimicrobial peptides. It aims to guide readers in selecting and designing artificial intelligence algorithms and to promote their innovative applications in the fields of food safety and human health.

Microgreens, the seedlings of certain vegetables, have attracted great attention for their simple growth patterns and high nutritious quality. The growth of microgreens is significantly influenced by light, which alters the levels of trace elements, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids in sprouts that are beneficial to human health. Microgreens exhibit unique sensory and flavor properties, and contain higher concentrations of bioactive phytochemicals when compared with their mature counterparts. These bioactive ingredients offer microgreens various pharmacological functions such as anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are also potential food safety hazards associated with microgreens, which can be reduced through a variety of measures such as disinfecting irrigation water and changing the culture medium during the growth process. Additionally, pre-and post-harvest treatments and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can prolong the shelf-life of microgreens. This review examines the impact of light on the morphology and chemical composition of microgreens during the growth process, provides an overview of the nutritional and functional properties of microgreens and their effective storage methods, and evaluates the safety of microgreens for consumption. We aim to provide theoretical support for the sustainable development of microgreens.