Critical reviews in food science and nutrition最新文献

In the process of storage and processing, food will be affected by the external environment and reduce its quality, such as light, water, oxygen, microorganisms, etc. Barrier packaging is needed to shield the adverse effects of the external environment. Polysaccharide macromolecules are rich in active sites, which gives them designable properties, and therefore have been widely studied by researchers in the field of barrier packaging films. In view of the previous researchers, this paper reviews the recent progress of polysaccharide-based barrier composite films (cellulose, starch, chitosan, xylan, sodium alginate, agar, pullulan etc.). Firstly, summarizes and analyzes the types of food packaging barrier and the principle, and then this paper focuses on various types of polysaccharide-based barrier packaging materials, from the design, preparation, performance to the application, and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the polysaccharides and synergism with other substances to improve the barrier properties of composite films. The paper aims at exploring the application value of biomass polysaccharides as high-barrier film materials and providing theoretical references for further research on biomass polysaccharide-based high-barrier composite film.

The complex and diverse living conditions in the ocean have created the distinctive structure and physiological activities of marine natural products, which distinguish them from land-based natural products. Most of bioactive compounds extracted from marine organisms exhibit favorable pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which can prevent and treat osteoarthritis. Marine-derived compounds, which are essential chemicals in the treatment of osteoarthritis, have been studied extensively. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive review on the treatment of osteoarthritis with marine-derived compounds to help readers understand the current state of research on marine-derived compounds for osteoarthritis. The current review compiles the recent progress made on the marine-derived compounds with anti-osteoarthritis and provides the first summary of preclinical and clinical studies of marine-derived compounds in osteoarthritis, as well as their application in anti-osteoarthritic drug delivery systems. The current research of marine-derived compounds in osteoarthritis is mostly limited to the laboratory, and there are few clinical studies. The safety needs to be further established, and the optimal dose and duration of treatment are still uncertain. This review can not only deepen people's understanding of marine-derived compounds with anti-osteoarthritis, but also provide potential avenues for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.

Quercetin, a dietary flavonol enriched in food, regulates immune-related models through epigenetic modifications. However, few studies have explored the transmission of regulatory effects across generations to the progeny. Here, we selected Escherichia coli, a conditional pathogen capable of causing gastrointestinal infections or various localized tissue and organ infections under specific conditions, as the pathogenic strain to infect mice. We provide evidence that quercetin can not only induce responsiveness changes against systemic E. coli infection in directly exposed organisms, but also in subsequent generations through the transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic traits. Both parental male mice and their progeny exhibited cellular and phenotypic changes associated with metabolic alterations. Surprisingly, the male and female progeny of mice treated with quercetin (200 mg/kg) for six weeks negatively enhanced the survival rate under systemic E. coli (1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL) infection, concurrent with an increase in bacterial loads in the liver and spleen. Serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels significantly increased post-infection in the progeny. Our results provide the first evidence of the inheritance of immunity driven by quercetin in mammals and the attenuation of protection against bacterial infection.

The agri-food sector generates substantial by-products, particularly from fruits and vegetables, which often contribute to food waste. Among these by-products, seeds are frequently overlooked despite their high potential for valuable applications. Recognizing this unexplored potential, this literature review categorizes and describes various seed-based upcycled oils, highlighting their potential for commercial use and their nutritional benefits. Different extraction methods for these oils are introduced, and their diverse applications in the food industry are explored. The feasibility and potential of upcycling oil from seeds are discussed, emphasizing the need for further research to enhance practicality and widespread adoption. Key findings indicate that seed-based upcycled oils might be an eco-friendly solution for reducing food waste and promoting sustainable development within the food industry. However, challenges related to scalability, cost, quality, and safety must be addressed through continued research and multi-sectoral collaboration to realize their potential fully.

Tea is one of the most popular drinks due to its distinct flavor and numerous health benefits. The quality of tea is closely related to production processing. Human sensory evaluation is the conventional method for quality monitoring in tea processing. However, this method is subjective and susceptible to environmental influences. Therefore, visible/near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis/NIRS) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques offer great potential due to their rapid detection speed, nondestructive, low cost, and simple operations. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising methodological approaches for spectral analysis and decision-making of automated production. Vis/NIRS and HSI techniques assisted by AI further promote the progress of quality monitoring in tea processing. This paper reviewed the updated applications of Vis/NIRS and HSI techniques assisted by AI for quality monitoring in tea processing from 2019 to 2025. In particular, the tea production process, theories of Vis/NIRS and HSI techniques, and AI algorithms in spectral analysis are briefly introduced. Furthermore, the recent applications of Vis/NIRS and HSI techniques assisted by AI in tea processing quality monitoring are summarized and discussed. Finally, the challenges and future trends of Vis/NIRS and HSI techniques associated with their practical application in the tea industry are presented.

(Poly)phenols in plant-based foods contribute to the prevention of non-communicable diseases, yet defining their optimal intake remains challenging. Biomarkers provide a more objective alternative to self-reported dietary assessments, but their validation is essential. This review systematically summarizes and critically evaluates validated (poly)phenol biomarkers to inform future research. A systematic search of three databases identified studies published from 1995 to January 2025 that quantified (poly)phenol intake biomarkers in biofluids using validated analytical methods and provided evidence of specificity and dose-response. Biomarker validity was assessed based on plausibility/specificity, dose-response, time-response, robustness, reliability, stability, analytical performance, and reproducibility. Five multi-metabolite panels were identified across eight studies: genistein + daidzein or the sum of isoflavone aglycones and metabolites (isoflavone intake), hydroxytyrosol and its phase II metabolites (hydroxytyrosol intake), structurally related (-)-epicatechin metabolites (SREM) ((-)-epicatechin intake), and phase II metabolites of 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone (PgVLM) (flavan-3-ol intake). The most extensively validated biomarkers, SREM and PgVLM in 24-h urine, met five validation criteria. However, challenges remain, including limited specificity, short half-lives, inter-individual variability, and a lack of authentic chemical standards. Further research is needed to enhance biomarker validity for precise dietary intake assessment in epidemiological studies.

Studies have indicated that milk extracellular vesicles (EVs) are resistant to both the enzymatic activity of digestive enzymes and the acidic conditions common in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the intestinal tract efficiently absorbs and uses these EVs. There is mounting evidence in recent years that microRNAs (miRNAs) found in EVs derived from milk are essential for the intestinal prebiotic effect through target gene regulation. In this paper, we summarized the sources, biosynthetic processes, cargos, and the factors affecting milk-derived EVs. Furthermore, with particular attention to the potential communication mechanism of milk EVs in intestinal target cell receptors, including recognizing and binding to the surface of intestinal receptor cells, internalization of intestinal receptor cell uptake, and cargos acting on intestinal receptor cells. Especially, we also explored the role of milk EVs in several aspects of intestinal health, such as the immunological homeostasis, intestinal barrier, intestinal injury, inflammatory bowel disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal malignancy, and harm to other organs connected to the intestine. We expected to use milk-derived EVs or miRNAs as new dietary additives and functional regulatory factors. In the future, we will gain more knowledge about the substantial impact of EVs derived from milk on human intestines and other health-related matters.

The significance of food packaging in facilitating food preservation and storage cannot be overstated. However, the prevalent use of petroleum-based plastic packaging has raised environmental concerns, necessitating the exploration of alternative biopolymer materials. Among these alternatives, polysaccharides stand out, including gellan gum. Gellan gum finds extensive application across various sectors, significantly, gellan gum exhibits potential as a material for food packaging. However, the mechanical and barrier properties of pure gellan gum films still have defects. These attributes can be improved through the incorporation of various components, including other polysaccharides, proteins, plant extracts, and nanoparticles. This study offers a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the preparation and utilization of gellan gum-based materials for food packaging, focusing particularly on the characterization of diverse composite films containing gellan gum. Furthermore, the review outlines practical applications of cemented-cryogel-based composite films and edible coatings in enhancing food preservation.

Anthocyanins are natural flavonoids, which belong to a group of polyphenols with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities. The aim of this systematic review is to answer the questions "What are the impacts of anthocyanins on inflammatory and oxidative mediators of NAFLD in vivo?" and "What are the possible molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of anthocyanins on NAFLD and hepatic steatosis?" The search was performed at PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases, and the risk of bias was assessed by the SYRCLE tool. The data analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-three studies performed in animal models evaluating the effects of anthocyanins in inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators in NAFLD were included and evaluated. The anthocyanins demonstrated potential positive effects on inflammation and oxidative stress (OS), in addition to reduced hepatic steatosis. The main results identified were a reduction in TLR, NF-κB, MCP-1/CCL-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in addition to an improvement in antioxidant defense with an increase in Nrf2, SOD, GSH, GPx and CAT and a reduction in OS. The findings from this review provide insights for the development of future studies with anthocyanins on liver health and inflammatory and oxidative parameters. PROSPERO (CRD42024502710).

Although food matrix research is still in its infancy, there is an emerging understanding of the important role of the food matrix on human nutrition and physiology, as well as for public health. This understanding has largely been propelled forward by research involving different milk and dairy food matrices which has revealed that in addition to their distinct array of nutrients and bioactive compounds, milk and dairy foods also contain complex food matrix microstructures that act as nutrient and bioactive delivery systems that set them apart from the other food groups. Due to these distinct food matrix properties, milk and dairy foods may be uniquely positioned to help Americans meet many of their nutrition and health needs. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the activities and findings from a National Dairy Council-sponsored symposium focused on connecting the science on milk and dairy food matrices with opportunities for improving public health. This proceedings paper summarizes and communicates the symposium presentations and panel discussions, key insights, and next steps to help leverage the evidence on different dairy food matrices (e.g., milk, yogurt, cheese) to develop science-backed strategies to support public health and health equity.