Critical reviews in food science and nutrition最新文献

Poultry eggs represent a globally prevalent and nutritious protein source and are regarded as excellent raw materials for food products. However, their persistent allergenicity and instability of functional properties during processing, severely limit their deep-processing applications. Non-enzymatic glycation emerges as an energy-efficient and food-safe chemical modification method that affects the proteins' structures and then regulates their functional properties, suggesting its potential to simultaneously mitigate allergenicity and enhance functionalities in egg-based products. The review systematically overviews the methods and the influencing factors of glycation. Subsequently, it carefully summarizes the change induced by glycation in structures and functional properties, involving processing performance and biological activities, of egg proteins, and demonstrates that glycation improves the functional properties. Particularly, the review highlights emerging applications of glycated egg proteins in precision nutrient delivery systems and intelligent antimicrobial packaging matrices. And current research limitations and the perspectives for the future development of glycated egg proteins are further proposed. The review deepens the understanding of glycated egg proteins and provides theoretical foundations for egg protein derivatives with tailored functionalities.

Post-harvest diseases pose a considerable threat to food safety and quality, and there is an urgent need for strong strategies to prevent and control them. In order to manage postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables more efficiently, this review first describes various biocontrol agents (BCAs), including bacterial, fungal, and viral entities, and their basic principles in biocontrol. It then discusses the role of nontraditional chemical approaches, such as chemoinducers, plant extracts, essential oils, microbial metabolites, volatile compounds, and nanotechnology-based approaches, in postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables. In addition, how nontraditional chemical methods can be utilized to enhance the effectiveness of BCAs is highlighted. The combination of nontraditional chemical methods and BCAs provides an innovative and effective strategy for preventing and controlling postharvest diseases. By utilizing the synergistic effects of various BCAs and nontraditional chemical methods, researchers have made significant progress in disease management. Notably, nanotechnology offers promising new avenues for the preparation and delivery of BCAs. Prospects for this research include the development of complex BCAs, international collaboration in the field of sustainable agriculture, and addressing regulatory challenges.

Research and clinical experience in nutrition have emphasized the merits of some dietary patterns, e.g., the Mediterranean diet, to obtain health-related benefits. This has also been the case of specific foods such as yogurt which has been tested using different approaches and under various conditions. As described in this paper, there is a quasi-consensus among population studies about the protective relationship of regular yogurt consumption with incidence of overweight and type 2 diabetes. This is concordant with laboratory-based experimentation and clinical trials showing that yogurt consumption induces favorable effects on many key components of metabolic homeostasis and energy balance. The benefits of yogurt consumption also seem to be partly explained by its status of fermented food which involves the influence of yogurt on the gut microbiota and the reciprocal role of some bacterial-derived molecules on metabolic regulation. In clinical nutrition, novel education approaches benefit from the versatility of yogurt and its high nutrient density to promote healthy eating behaviors and habits as well as cardiometabolic benefits. In summary, yogurt, especially plain yogurt, should be part of healthy eating habits because of its high nutritional value, its flexible food matrix, its beneficial bacterial components, and its versatility under usual feeding conditions.

Hyperlipidemia is a prevalent metabolic disorder that can lead to other illnesses. Natural products in food, such as active peptides, can help alleviate hyperlipidemia. This study seeks to elucidate the mechanism through which food-derived active peptides (FDAPs) mitigate hyperlipidemia. Through comprehensive literature analysis, we estimated the efficacy and mechanism of FDAPs in reducing blood lipid levels. The results indicate that the structure-activity relationship (SAP) of FDAPs, the ability to regulate intestinal flora, and the regulation of relevant gene expression serve as the primary mechanisms. We leverage bioinformatics methods to analyze the lipid-lowering mechanism of FDAPs. By utilizing the OMIM database, GeneCard database, and TTD database, we identified the differential expressed genes (DEGs) that intersect with FDAPs, linked to hyperlipidemia. String, GO, and KEGG analysis reveal the further mechanism. Furthermore, we screened out the 22 molecular targets. String, GO, and KEGG analysis revealed that FDAPs likely achieve lipid reduction by regulating the expression of HMGCR, CYP7A1, and FAS. The strong correlation between lipid reduction by FDAPs and metabolic pathways, PPAR signaling pathway, and alcoholic liver disease provides valuable insights for the development of novel drugs.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), cultivated for its low THC content (<0.3%), is increasingly valued for its nutrient-rich seeds and broad applications in human nutrition. This review offers a holistic analysis of hemp seed utilization, covering agronomic, nutritional, processing, and economic aspects. Agronomic practices and environmental factors considerably influence the seed's nutritional profile, which includes high levels of complete proteins, essential fatty acids with an optimal ω-6 to ω-3 ratio, dietary fiber, and micronutrients. Hemp seeds also contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties providing further health benefits and economic value. Advancements in processing methods, such as germination, fermentation, and cold pressing have enhanced nutrient bioavailability and reduced antinutritional factors, supporting the development of functional foods. Economically, the hemp seed market shows strong growth potential, driven by consumer demand for plant-based, sustainable food sources. However, challenges persist in scaling production and standardizing quality across supply chains. Hemp seeds represent a sustainable, nutrient-dense food ingredient with momentous potential to support health and diversify agricultural economies. Continued interdisciplinary research and supportive policy frameworks are essential to unlock their full value in the human diet.

Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) has become a critical issue in authentication of animal-origin food, as it poses serious threat to consumer benefits and health, industry development, and religious concerns. Efficient detection technologies are urgently needed to ensure food authenticity. However, conventional authentication technologies are limited in their capabilities for portable and highly sensitive detection. Emerging biosensors, with distinct advantages of simple operation, portable device, and super sensitivity, have become effective toolboxes to meet the demands of reliable on-site detection. This review systematacially summarizes the applications of advanced biosensors (mainly including colorimetric, fluorescence, electrochemical and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors) for authentication of animal-origin food. Significant recognition elements and their principles, the commonly coupled signal output platforms, as well as their applications in the detection of various animal-origin foods are comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, we also discuss the current challenges and future prospects in this research field.

Kojibiose, a rare disaccharide featuring a unique α-1,2-glycosidic linkage, exhibits functional properties such as significant sweetness, prebiotic activity, and iron absorption enhancement. It acts as an α-glucosidase I inhibitor, highlighting its potential in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. While natural extraction and chemical synthesis are limited by scalability and environmental concerns, enzymatic synthesis stands out as an alternative, offering high efficiency, specificity, and sustainability. Current enzymatic systems, including sucrose phosphorylase, kojibiose phosphorylase, and dextransucrase, combined with β-galactosidase or α-glucosidase, have shown considerable progress. Protein engineering of sucrose phosphorylase has further improved catalytic efficiency and thermostability. However, enzymatic synthesis still faces challenges, including low catalytic efficiency, instability, and high substrate costs, which impede large-scale production. Moreover, incomplete safety evaluations, unclear regulatory standards, and the absence of uniform quality specifications hinder compliant application. This review systematically outlines the structural features, physicochemical properties, and enzymatic synthesis strategies of kojibiose, with an emphasis on the role of protein engineering in scaling up production. It also evaluates its functional applications in health promotion, food quality improvement, and therapeutic uses. Finally, interdisciplinary innovations are proposed to establish technical standards and scalable bioprocesses, aiming to overcome current barriers and realize the commercial potential of sustainable kojibiose production.

Brazilian berries-such as jabuticaba, açaí, camu-camu, acerola, and other native species-have attracted growing interest due to their richness in polyphenols (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids), vitamin C, dietary fiber, and other nutrients. Nevertheless, many of these fruits remain underexplored or poorly known in the scientific literature. This systematic review aimed to answer the following questions: "How does the consumption of Brazilian berries influence gut health in vivo?" and "What are the main mechanisms involved in this process?" A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases, following PRISMA guidelines. Fourteen studies were included, and the risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE tool. The main findings indicated improvements in gut microbiota balance, with increased populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and a reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Beneficial effects were also observed on intestinal barrier integrity, including increased expression of Mucin-2 and Claudin-1, and maintenance of Zonula occludens-1 and Claudin-3 levels. An increased SCFA production, a reduction in intestinal inflammation, and modulation of oxidative stress were reported. These findings highlight the potential of Brazilian berries as allies in nutritional and therapeutic strategies aimed at promoting gut health. PROSPERO registration: CRD42024537558.

Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera) oil, commonly referred to as "Oriental olive oil," is renowned for its bioactive composition and associated health benefits. This review highlights its key constituents-unsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, phytosterols, squalene, and vitamin E-and their therapeutic effects. Research indicates that it aids in the management of cardiovascular diseases by regulating blood lipids and blood pressure, primarily due to its oleic acid and polyphenol content. Furthermore, it exhibits neuroprotective effects in models of Alzheimer's disease, potentially by modulating communication between gut microbiota and the brain, as well as reducing neuroinflammation. Additionally, C. oleifera oil demonstrates hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities through antioxidant pathways and immune modulation. Its benefits include mitigating liver damage, improving glycemic control, and exhibiting anticancer properties. The oil's potential to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease and acute kidney injury underscores its therapeutic versatility. Beyond its culinary applications, it is also utilized in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics due to its antioxidant and emollient properties. This review summarizes the research on its composition, extraction methods, and health impacts, addressing existing mechanistic gaps and outlining future research directions to optimize its industrial and medical applications.

Preterm infants, born before 37 wks of gestation, require specialized nutrition to support catch-up growth and minimize metabolic risks. This review compares key enteral nutrition sources-breast milk, fortified breast milk, and preterm infant formula-highlighting their compositional differences and effects on growth and development. It emphasizes the importance of mimicking human milk components, particularly lipids, proteins, and oligosaccharides, to enhance feeding outcomes and gut microbiota development, and explores recent advancements in formula optimization. Personalized nutrition strategies, considering intake volume, breast milk composition, the components of human milk fortifiers, and the safety of mixed nutritional supplements, are essential. Emerging technologies, including encapsulation, the regulatory approval of novel ingredients, and AI-driven tools, offer new possibilities for improving nutritional outcomes in preterm infants.