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Adhesives in paper food contact materials (FCMs) may migrate into food, posing health risks. In silico tools offer a rapid, cost-effective way to predict their hazard and exposure. This study used in silico tools to assess adhesive hazard and exposure in paper FCMs and applied a risk matrix approach to rank the potential health risks. The FCCmigex database was utilized to gather data on the migration of adhesives from paper FCMs into food/food simulants. This study integrated three in silico-based quantitative structure–activity relationship (SAR) models to predict in vitro Ames mutagenicity, acute oral toxicity (median lethal dose), and chronic toxicity (Cramer class). The SAR model also predicted oral bioavailability based on Lipinski's and Veber's rules. Finally, a risk matrix approach was applied to calculate risk scores, ranking adhesives based on their genotoxicity potential. The study identified 127 adhesives, with 123 of them exhibiting genotoxicity and oral bioavailability risks. About 15 substances were found to have a very high risk, especially those based on reactive adhesives, natural polymers, and hotmelt adhesives. In conclusion, this study suggests that paper FCM should prioritize the management of safety regulations for using reactive, natural polymer-based and hotmelt adhesives.

Medicinal plants like Hymenocrater calycinus offer bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential, but their instability limits incorporation into functional foods. This study optimized spray-drying microencapsulation of aqueous H. calycinus extract using maltodextrin (MD) alone or combined with whey protein concentrate (WPC), hydrolyzed WPC (HWPC), apricot kernel protein (AP), or hydrolyzed AP (HAP) as carriers, followed by evaluation in Aloe Vera beverage fortification. GC-MS identified major bioactives, including allocholesterol, sebacic acid derivatives, and phytonadione as predominant compounds. Microcapsules were characterized for production yield, encapsulation efficiency, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, physicochemical properties and morphology. The MD-HAP formulation demonstrated superior performance across all parameters, achieving the highest encapsulation efficiency (86.00%) and production yield (59.67%), attributed to hydrolyzed proteins' enhanced film-forming and emulsifying properties. SEM confirmed spherical, stable particles, while FT-IR verified physical entrapment of plant extract within microcapsules without chemical interactions. Fortification of Aloe Vera beverages with MD-HAP microcapsules maintained acceptable physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics, with optimal consumer acceptance at 0.5% concentration. This study establishes microencapsulation with hydrolyzed plant proteins as a viable strategy for developing stable, bioactive-rich functional beverages, offering significant potential for industrial-scale production of clean-label functional foods with enhanced nutritional value.

In response to the growing demand for sustainable protein sources, insect mass rearing has emerged as a promising solution. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is particularly valued for its ability to convert organic waste into high-value feed ingredients. To improve the economic and environmental sustainability of BSF farming, we explored selective breeding as a tool to enhance thermal adaptation. We selected a BSF colony (Sel35) over 24 generations for fast growth at 35°C and compared it to a non-selected laboratory strain (Ento2). Sel35 showed a consistently shorter life cycle than Ento2—by approximately 5 days at 28°C and 3 days at 35°C—alongside higher hatching rates and increased prepupal weight at 35°C, without compromising other fitness traits. Biochemical analysis revealed trehalose accumulation in Sel35, suggesting a metabolic adaptation to heat stress, while Ento2 showed a decrease at 35°C. Microbiota composition varied slightly across conditions but played a minor role, with a stable core community observed in both strains. These findings demonstrate that selective breeding can optimize BSF performance under high-temperature conditions, highlighting its potential to support scalable, resilient, and sustainable insect protein production for future food, feed, and waste management systems.

As a medicinal-food homologous species, Dendrobium huoshanense (DH) exhibits promising antidiabetic properties; however, its underlying molecular mechanisms and bioactive components require further systematic investigation. This study investigated the antidiabetic mechanisms of DH through integrated chemical profiling, network pharmacology, and multi-omics approaches. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS characterized 144 constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and bibenzyls. Network pharmacology identified 232 DH-related targets, with enrichment in T2DM-associated pathways. In db/db mice, DH treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (p < 0.01), HbA1c (p < 0.05), and insulin resistance, alongside ameliorating dyslipidemia and hepatic/renal histopathology. Untargeted proteometabolomic profiling revealed DH-modulated proteins (18 upregulated and 14 downregulated) and 30 differential metabolites, converging on purine and ether lipid metabolism. Molecular docking highlighted dendrophenol as a key bioactive compound targeting adenosine kinase (ADK) and phospholipase A2 group VII (PLA2G7), critical regulators of insulin resistance and inflammation. Multi-omics integration demonstrated DH's dual modulation of adenosine metabolism and ether lipid signaling, validated through pathway enrichment and computational simulations. These findings systematically elucidate DH's therapeutic potential, positioning it as a natural multi-target agent for T2DM management through purinergic and lipid-inflammatory axis regulation.

The protective effects of ripe Pu-erh tea extract (PTE) against alcohol-induced gastric injury were investigated through in vitro analysis, animal treatments, and nontargeted metabolomic analysis. In this study, in vitro analysis revealed that catechins were altered during digestive phases, whereas gallocatechin and gallic acid persisted until the intestinal period. In vitro antioxidant capacity of PTE could be maintained until the stage of gastric digestion. In acute alcohol-exposed mice, PTE prevented alcohol-induced gastric injury, which was characterized by significant reduction of gastric ulcer index. The gastric barrier integrity (PGE2, Muc2, Occludin and ZO-1) was restored in PTE-treated mice. The alcohol-induced decreasing trends of antioxidant enzymatic activities (SOD and GSH) were significantly reversed by PTE, which was associated with the activation of oxidative stress pathways (Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1). Besides, PTE reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), likely owing to the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, nontargeted metabolomics identified elevated levels of anti-inflammatory bile acids (e.g., hyodeoxycholic acid) in PTE-treated mice, suggesting ethanol-induced inflammation might be ameliorated by PTE through modulation of bile acid metabolism. Overall, PTE could be a functional beverage for treating acute alcohol consumption-induced gastric injury and metabolomic disorders.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes, and its prevalence is increasing as the number of diabetes cases rises. It is a leading cause of chronic renal failure worldwide. Edible ginseng is widely used in the management of diabetes and has demonstrated preventive and therapeutic effects on DN, partly through regulating lipids. However, its impact on lipid autophagy in DN remains unclear. This article reviews the pathogenesis of DN and, for the first time, summarises research into the effects of ginseng and specific ginsenosides (Rg1, Rg3, Rk3, Rb2, Rc, Rb1, Rg5 and Rd) on lipid autophagy in DN, as well as their involvement in related signaling pathways. We have organized the current mechanistic insights into two clinically relevant tiers. Tier 1 delineates direct lipophagy-targeting pathways: Rg1-activated AMPK/mTOR and AMPK/mTOR/PI3K cascades, alongside Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses; Rg3-driven PPAR-γ transcriptional programmes; Rk3-directed PI3K/AKT signaling; Rb2-coordinated IRS-1/PI3K/AKT and NF-κB axes; and Rc-facilitated C/EBPα/PPAR-γ crosstalk. Tier 2 examines adjunctive reno-protective circuits: Rb1-induced AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1/11β-HSD1 network; Rg5-suppressed p38 MAPK/NLRP3/NF-κB inflammasome; and Rd-mediated AKT and AMPK/SIRT1 pathways. This study will help us gain a more comprehensive understanding and explore the role of edible ginseng and ginsenosides in the early prevention and treatment of DN in clinical practice.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are important part of the complex microbiome of many Southeast Asian fermented foods, contributing to the health-promoting effects in these foods. In this study, 16 LAB isolates were obtained from tempeh and oncom, and amongst those, four novel strains (Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Tem A13 and Tem B18, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Onc A8, Pediococcus pentosaceus Onc A1) exhibited desired probiotic attributes (tolerance to stomach and intestinal conditions), comparable to the commercial strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. Submerged fermentation utilizing the probiotic strains were subsequently performed on mung bean water extract, and the fermented samples were subjected to metabolomic profiling. Bioactive metabolites with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, such as indole lactic acid, phenyl lactic acid, and hydroxyphenyl lactic acid were identified in Tem A13-, Tem B18-, Onc A8- and GG-fermented, but not in Onc A1-fermented and unfermented mung beans. Furthermore, N-lactoyl phenylalanine, a metabolite associated with appetite suppression was identified in Tem A13- and Tem B18-fermented samples. Undesired metabolites associated with bitter taste perception (dipeptides Phe-Ile, Phe-Val, and Val-Ile) were present in GG-fermented mung bean. Altogether, this study provides insights into the use of specific probiotic strain to produce functional beverage enriched in desired bioactives associated with health-promoting benefits.

Tea polyphenols (TPs), potent antioxidants found in tea, offer cellular protection and health benefits. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a widely used organic solvent in medicine, remains controversial due to its potential embryonic toxicity. This study explored the effects of TPs from oolong and black tea, DMSO exposure, and their combined treatment on embryonic development using a fruit fly model. TPs from oolong tea (rich in catechin and EGCG) and black tea (mainly catechin) promoted embryonic development, enhanced larval vitality, and improved oxidative stress resistance in adults. Catechin intervention mirrored the effects of TPs from oolong and black tea, while the effect of EGCG was sex-dependent. DMSO showed dose-dependent toxicity, with 1% concentrations disrupting organ development and preventing emergence. Notably, EGCG and oolong tea TPs supported normal organ formation. Furthermore, catechin and tea TPs alleviated 0.5% DMSO-induced damage, boosting larval vitality, adult locomotion, and body weight in males, while reducing oxidative stress.

Carotenoids are natural pigments present in plants, fungi, bacteria, and algae, recognized for their 40-carbon structure and classified into hydrocarbons (e.g., α-carotene, lycopene, β-carotene) and oxygenated derivatives (xanthophylls). These compounds play a crucial role in human health as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals and reducing the risk of various diseases. However, carotenoids are inherently unstable during storage and processing, which can diminish their effectiveness. Encapsulation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance carotenoid stability, bioavailability, and antioxidant capacity. This technique involves enclosing carotenoids within protective materials at the micro or nanoscale, protecting against environmental, processing, and gastrointestinal stresses. This review highlights the significance of carotenoids and details various encapsulation methods, including coacervation, nanoprecipitation, inclusion complexation, and emulsion-solvent evaporation, to preserve their functional properties and ensure optimal health benefits. To fill the existing gaps in bioefficacy and regulation, future studies should concentrate on clinical validation, the long-term safety of carotenoids encapsulated in nanoparticles, scalable green encapsulation techniques, and investigating tailored delivery systems.