Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108373
Jianyu Huang , Tao Huang , Qianqian Zhang , Ziying Ruan , Dengmi Wang , Peichao Zhang , Zhizhi Yang , Hui Xu , Jinjun Li , Jicheng Chen
Quercetin (Que) has substantial health benefits but is limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, and instability. This study developed composite delivery system (GOQ) via layer-by-layer assembly of gallic acid grafted chitosan (GCS) and ovalbumin (OVA) for efficient Que encapsulation. Characterization showed: the shell formed through electrostatic interactions between GCS amino groups and OVA carboxyl groups; Que embedded in OVA's hydrophobic cavity via hydrophobic interactions, inducing OVA fluorescence quenching, converting Que to an amorphous state, yielding uniform nanoparticles. GOQ exhibited excellent stability across 60–90 °C, pH 3–8, and 10–30 mM ionic concentrations. In simulated digestion, it resisted gastric degradation, disintegrated controllably in the intestine, fitted zero-order, first-order, and Peppas models (sustained release), and enhanced Que's solubility and cellular uptake. Molecular analyses revealed GCS provided more hydrogen bonds, compacting protein structure, reducing residue flexibility and surface exposure, and boosting stability. This strategy overcomes Que's limitations, supporting its use in functional foods and drug delivery.
{"title":"Study on the delivery mechanism of gallic acid grafted chitosan-ovalbumin nanoparticles for quercetin: Structural characterisation, stability, and intermolecular interactions","authors":"Jianyu Huang , Tao Huang , Qianqian Zhang , Ziying Ruan , Dengmi Wang , Peichao Zhang , Zhizhi Yang , Hui Xu , Jinjun Li , Jicheng Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108373","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108373","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Quercetin (Que) has substantial health benefits but is limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, and instability. This study developed composite delivery system (GOQ) via layer-by-layer assembly of gallic acid grafted chitosan (GCS) and ovalbumin (OVA) for efficient Que encapsulation. Characterization showed: the shell formed through electrostatic interactions between GCS amino groups and OVA carboxyl groups; Que embedded in OVA's hydrophobic cavity via hydrophobic interactions, inducing OVA fluorescence quenching, converting Que to an amorphous state, yielding uniform nanoparticles. GOQ exhibited excellent stability across 60–90 °C, pH 3–8, and 10–30 mM ionic concentrations. In simulated digestion, it resisted gastric degradation, disintegrated controllably in the intestine, fitted zero-order, first-order, and Peppas models (sustained release), and enhanced Que's solubility and cellular uptake. Molecular analyses revealed GCS provided more hydrogen bonds, compacting protein structure, reducing residue flexibility and surface exposure, and boosting stability. This strategy overcomes Que's limitations, supporting its use in functional foods and drug delivery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108373"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147399295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hypericum heterophyllum Vent., an endemic species of Türkiye, was investigated for its phytochemical composition and biological activities using two populations (HHA: Ankara population and HHB: Afyonkarahisar population) collected from distinct geographical regions. The 80% ethanolic extracts were evaluated for total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, enzyme inhibitory effects, and detailed metabolite profiling through a fully validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method. Among the two populations, HHA exhibited higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents, which were associated with significantly stronger antioxidant activities across multiple assays. Furthermore, HHA showed more pronounced α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to HHB, whereas α-amylase and cholinesterase inhibition remained weak to moderate and population-dependent. LC–MS/MS analysis identified neochlorogenic acid, hyperoside, quercitrin, catechin, and procyanidin B2 as the principal metabolites driving these activities. Both extracts exhibited complex and phenolic-rich chemical profiles; however, HHA consistently contained higher levels of major caffeoylquinic acids, flavonoids, and flavan-3-ols, which was reflected in superior antioxidant performance (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC)), stronger tyrosinase and α-glucosidase inhibition, and enhanced antimicrobial activity—particularly against Gram-positive bacteria—compared to HHB. Overall, H. heterophyllum, especially the HHA chemotype, emerges as a promising natural source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.
{"title":"Comprehensive phytochemical profiling and bioactivity assessment of the endemic Hypericum heterophyllum: Chemotypic variation revealed through validated LC–MS/MS analysis","authors":"Gözde Gülin İnan , Derya Doğanay , Yiğit İnan , Selin Akyüz-Çetin , Neşet Neşetoğlu , İbrahim Daniş , Cemre Özkanca , Durişehvar Özer Ünal , Gokhan Zengin","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108428","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108428","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Hypericum heterophyllum</em> Vent., an endemic species of Türkiye, was investigated for its phytochemical composition and biological activities using two populations (HHA: Ankara population and HHB: Afyonkarahisar population) collected from distinct geographical regions. The 80% ethanolic extracts were evaluated for total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, enzyme inhibitory effects, and detailed metabolite profiling through a fully validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method. Among the two populations, HHA exhibited higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents, which were associated with significantly stronger antioxidant activities across multiple assays. Furthermore, HHA showed more pronounced α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to HHB, whereas α-amylase and cholinesterase inhibition remained weak to moderate and population-dependent. LC–MS/MS analysis identified neochlorogenic acid, hyperoside, quercitrin, catechin, and procyanidin B2 as the principal metabolites driving these activities. Both extracts exhibited complex and phenolic-rich chemical profiles; however, HHA consistently contained higher levels of major caffeoylquinic acids, flavonoids, and flavan-3-ols, which was reflected in superior antioxidant performance (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC)), stronger tyrosinase and α-glucosidase inhibition, and enhanced antimicrobial activity—particularly against Gram-positive bacteria—compared to HHB. Overall<em>, H. heterophyllum</em>, especially the HHA chemotype, emerges as a promising natural source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108428"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147399303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108365
Dancai Fan , Zijia Song , Yaya Wang , Binying Fu , Shijie Li , Shuo Wang
Accurate differentiation between dairy processing technologies such as pasteurization and ultra-high temperature sterilization is crucial for ensuring product quality, protecting consumer rights, and maintaining market order. This study identified antigen structure-sensitive antibodies and developed a high-performance sELISA detection method. By detecting antigenic changes in lactoferrin (LF) during processing, it enables the identification of milk thermal processing conditions. This antibody pair not only exhibits excellent binding affinity for native LF but also possesses processing-dependent recognition ability for heat-treated LF. While mild denaturation at 75 °C reduces its recognition efficiency, it promotes the formation of stable lactose-LF complexes, thereby preserving conformation-dependent antigenicity. In contrast, combined high-temperature and pressure processing overrides the protective effect of lactose, rendering sELISA detection ineffective. Based on experimental and molecular docking results, the positive effect of lactose on LF antigenicity during thermal processing provides key support for distinguishing between pasteurization and ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing. Furthermore, validation with real samples confirms that this method can effectively differentiate pasteurized milk from UHT milk/reconstituted milk, offering technical support for industrial quality control and product authenticity verification.
{"title":"Immunoassay-based identification of dairy thermal processing technology and mechanism analysis using lactoferrin as a model","authors":"Dancai Fan , Zijia Song , Yaya Wang , Binying Fu , Shijie Li , Shuo Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108365","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate differentiation between dairy processing technologies such as pasteurization and ultra-high temperature sterilization is crucial for ensuring product quality, protecting consumer rights, and maintaining market order. This study identified antigen structure-sensitive antibodies and developed a high-performance sELISA detection method. By detecting antigenic changes in lactoferrin (LF) during processing, it enables the identification of milk thermal processing conditions. This antibody pair not only exhibits excellent binding affinity for native LF but also possesses processing-dependent recognition ability for heat-treated LF. While mild denaturation at 75 °C reduces its recognition efficiency, it promotes the formation of stable lactose-LF complexes, thereby preserving conformation-dependent antigenicity. In contrast, combined high-temperature and pressure processing overrides the protective effect of lactose, rendering sELISA detection ineffective. Based on experimental and molecular docking results, the positive effect of lactose on LF antigenicity during thermal processing provides key support for distinguishing between pasteurization and ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing. Furthermore, validation with real samples confirms that this method can effectively differentiate pasteurized milk from UHT milk/reconstituted milk, offering technical support for industrial quality control and product authenticity verification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108365"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147399258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Conventional enzyme discovery strategies relying on culturable microorganisms are fundamentally limited, as over 99% of microbes remain uncultured under laboratory conditions. This has constrained access to the vast catalytic potential encoded within microbial communities inhabiting extreme, diverse, and underexplored ecosystems. Metagenomics has emerged as a transformative approach to overcome these limitations. This methodology rapidly unlocks access to novel enzyme families, offering orders-of-magnitude greater diversity than traditional screening. By integrating sequence-driven and function-driven strategies, metagenomics enables the discovery, characterization, and engineering of next-generation biocatalysts for fermentation-based industries. Hydrolases remain the most extensively studied, with applications in starch processing, dairy fermentation, and lignocellulosic bioconversion. Oxidoreductases, including laccases and alcohol dehydrogenases, contribute to bioethanol production, detoxification, and flavor development, while transferases, lyases, and multifunctional enzymes offer opportunities for efficient synthesis of value-added metabolites and streamlined multi-step processes. These discoveries not only improve fermentation efficiency but also reduce energy inputs, waste generation, and production costs. Advances in bioinformatics pipelines, coupled with machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), now facilitate precise gene prediction, functional annotation, and enzyme design. Despite challenges in heterologous expression due to codon usage, folding inefficiencies, and post-translational requirements, metagenomics holds immense promise. This review synthesizes current progress in enzyme mining and highlights how integrating metagenomics with synthetic biology can drive precision fermentation. This review highlights how metagenomics delivers a significant quantitative advantage, often yielding enzymes with improved stability and efficiency, which fundamentally reduce bioprocess costs and enhance industrial scalability.
{"title":"Metagenomics-driven discovery of next-generation fermentation biocatalysts: From enzyme mining to synthetic biology applications","authors":"Atif Khurshid Wani , Rashid Mumtaz Khan , Noureddine Elboughdiri , Jaskaran Singh , Karim Kriaa , Chemseddine Maatki , Bilel Hadrich , Reena Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conventional enzyme discovery strategies relying on culturable microorganisms are fundamentally limited, as over 99% of microbes remain uncultured under laboratory conditions. This has constrained access to the vast catalytic potential encoded within microbial communities inhabiting extreme, diverse, and underexplored ecosystems. Metagenomics has emerged as a transformative approach to overcome these limitations. This methodology rapidly unlocks access to novel enzyme families, offering orders-of-magnitude greater diversity than traditional screening. By integrating sequence-driven and function-driven strategies, metagenomics enables the discovery, characterization, and engineering of next-generation biocatalysts for fermentation-based industries. Hydrolases remain the most extensively studied, with applications in starch processing, dairy fermentation, and lignocellulosic bioconversion. Oxidoreductases, including laccases and alcohol dehydrogenases, contribute to bioethanol production, detoxification, and flavor development, while transferases, lyases, and multifunctional enzymes offer opportunities for efficient synthesis of value-added metabolites and streamlined multi-step processes. These discoveries not only improve fermentation efficiency but also reduce energy inputs, waste generation, and production costs. Advances in bioinformatics pipelines, coupled with machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), now facilitate precise gene prediction, functional annotation, and enzyme design. Despite challenges in heterologous expression due to codon usage, folding inefficiencies, and post-translational requirements, metagenomics holds immense promise. This review synthesizes current progress in enzyme mining and highlights how integrating metagenomics with synthetic biology can drive precision fermentation. This review highlights how metagenomics delivers a significant quantitative advantage, often yielding enzymes with improved stability and efficiency, which fundamentally reduce bioprocess costs and enhance industrial scalability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108391"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147399457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108447
Xiang-Ge Xin, Yue Meng, Jun Meng, Jun Xi, Chang-He Ding, Rui-Han Ge, Yu-Tong Bai, Ming-He Li
Food allergy (FA) has caused significant impacts on patients' quality of life. This study comprehensively investigated the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BHP06 on an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy model, while elucidating its immunomodulatory mechanisms. The results showed that compared with the model group, mice in high-dose prophylaxis group (PH6 group) exhibited lower clinical scores for allergic symptoms and decreased levels of OVA-specific IgE (OVA-sIgE), OVA-sIgG1, histamine, mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) 1, and interleukin (IL) 4 by 52.00%, 54.43%, 18.82%, 6.48%, and 29.04%, respectively. Meanwhile, the PH6 group demonstrated significant mitigation of jejunal inflammation, and decrease in the number of mast cells in the intestines of mice. In addition, oral administration of L. paracasei BHP06 maintained immune organ homeostasis in allergic mice, decreased gene expression of IL-4, TNF-α, and GATA-3 in the spleen, increased gene expression of IL-10, T-bet, Foxp3, and TGF-β, and modulated the expression of genes associated with the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that the intake of L. paracasei BHP06 enhanced the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota in the gut, leading to significant alterations in the diversity. In summary, oral administration of L. paracasei BHP06 exhibited multiple beneficial effects in alleviating FA by regulating immune balance, intestinal inflammation, TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and intestinal flora. Additionally, the preventive intervention strategy using L. paracasei BHP06 demonstrates a more comprehensive and stable effect. These findings suggested the potential development of L. paracasei BHP06 as a functional food for the prevention and management of FA.
{"title":"Alleviating effects and mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BHP06 on the allergic reactions induced by ovalbumin","authors":"Xiang-Ge Xin, Yue Meng, Jun Meng, Jun Xi, Chang-He Ding, Rui-Han Ge, Yu-Tong Bai, Ming-He Li","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108447","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108447","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food allergy (FA) has caused significant impacts on patients' quality of life. This study comprehensively investigated the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of <em>Lacticaseibacillus paracasei</em> BHP06 on an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy model, while elucidating its immunomodulatory mechanisms. The results showed that compared with the model group, mice in high-dose prophylaxis group (PH6 group) exhibited lower clinical scores for allergic symptoms and decreased levels of OVA-specific IgE (OVA-sIgE), OVA-sIgG1, histamine, mouse mast cell protease (mMCP) 1, and interleukin (IL) 4 by 52.00%, 54.43%, 18.82%, 6.48%, and 29.04%, respectively. Meanwhile, the PH6 group demonstrated significant mitigation of jejunal inflammation, and decrease in the number of mast cells in the intestines of mice. In addition, oral administration of <em>L. paracasei</em> BHP06 maintained immune organ homeostasis in allergic mice, decreased gene expression of IL-4, TNF-α, and GATA-3 in the spleen, increased gene expression of IL-10, T-bet, Foxp3, and TGF-β, and modulated the expression of genes associated with the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that the intake of <em>L. paracasei</em> BHP06 enhanced the ratio of <em>Firmicutes</em>/<em>Bacteroidota</em> in the gut, leading to significant alterations in the diversity. In summary, oral administration of <em>L. paracasei</em> BHP06 exhibited multiple beneficial effects in alleviating FA by regulating immune balance, intestinal inflammation, TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and intestinal flora. Additionally, the preventive intervention strategy using <em>L. paracasei</em> BHP06 demonstrates a more comprehensive and stable effect. These findings suggested the potential development of <em>L. paracasei</em> BHP06 as a functional food for the prevention and management of FA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108447"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147399591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-06DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108401
Hengtong Liu , Sisi Sheng , Yiming Li , Wanting Huang , Wenbin Liu , Haochen Wang , Cheng Chi , Dingdong Zhang
Anxiety-like behavior in crustaceans can systematically influence their ultimate product quality, yet direct mechanistic evidence remains scarce. Using the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), this study explored the associations between anxiety and flesh quality and to establish behavior as a non-invasive predictor. Within a multi-omics framework, we identified exploratory behavior as the most stable anxiety-related trait across developmental stages. High-anxiety adults exhibited a distinct neuroendocrine signature—elevated crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) and hemolymph lactate alongside suppressed neuropeptide F (NPF). Conversely, low-anxiety crabs possessed superior flesh quality, characterized by significantly higher umami substances and lower safety- and oxidative DNA damage-related indicators, revealing a clear quality-safety gradient linked to anxiety. Structural equation modeling supported the associations of behavioral phenotype with flesh quality and safety. We thus established the first integrative framework from anxiety-like behavior to flesh quality in crustaceans and demonstrated the feasibility of early-life behavioral screening for non-invasive quality prediction and genetic selection. Our findings provide an innovative strategy for precision quality management and breeding optimization in aquaculture.
{"title":"From behavior to taste: Developmental trajectories of anxiety-like phenotypes unveil a neuroendocrine link to flesh quality in economic crustaceans","authors":"Hengtong Liu , Sisi Sheng , Yiming Li , Wanting Huang , Wenbin Liu , Haochen Wang , Cheng Chi , Dingdong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anxiety-like behavior in crustaceans can systematically influence their ultimate product quality, yet direct mechanistic evidence remains scarce. Using the Chinese mitten crab (<em>Eriocheir sinensis</em>), this study explored the associations between anxiety and flesh quality and to establish behavior as a non-invasive predictor. Within a multi-omics framework, we identified exploratory behavior as the most stable anxiety-related trait across developmental stages. High-anxiety adults exhibited a distinct neuroendocrine signature—elevated crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) and hemolymph lactate alongside suppressed neuropeptide F (NPF). Conversely, low-anxiety crabs possessed superior flesh quality, characterized by significantly higher umami substances and lower safety- and oxidative DNA damage-related indicators, revealing a clear quality-safety gradient linked to anxiety. Structural equation modeling supported the associations of behavioral phenotype with flesh quality and safety. We thus established the first integrative framework from anxiety-like behavior to flesh quality in crustaceans and demonstrated the feasibility of early-life behavioral screening for non-invasive quality prediction and genetic selection. Our findings provide an innovative strategy for precision quality management and breeding optimization in aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108401"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147399592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108410
Zhuo Xu , Bin Wu , Yanfei Niu , Qian Chen , Kun Liang , Xiaoping Rao , Chunhua Wu
The presence of pesticide residues and the increasing resistance of pathogen necessitate safe and efficient bio-based antifungal alternatives. This study developed and evaluated the antifungal activity of a composite of gallic acid-grafted chitosan's C6-OH (PCSGA) combined with three plant essential oils (EOs). The optimal formulation, particularly that containing cinnamon essential oil (CEO), showed significant synergistic activity. The composite severely disrupted the permeability of fungal cell membrane. SEM and TEM observations revealed substantial damage to cell walls and membranes, resulting in content leakage and dissolution of internal organelles. In vivo tests on apples demonstrated the composite's protective efficacy. Molecular docking predicted strong binding interactions between PCSGA and cinnamaldehyde with CYP51, SOD, POD, and CAT proteins. Notably, the binding energies with CAT were −7.8 kcal/mol for PCSGA and −6.1 kcal/mol for cinnamaldehyde. In summary, the antifungal activity of PCSGA was significantly enhanced when combined with CEO. In the in vivo experiments, a formulation containing 200 μg/mL of PCSGA blended with 300 μL/L of CEO achieved a fungicidal concentration against the target fungi. Considering the volatility of the EOs, a combination of 400 μg/mL PCSGA and 600 μL/L CEO shows promising potential for apple protection.
{"title":"Antifungal activity of a combined gallic acid-modified chitosan and essential oil formulation: Applications in apple protection","authors":"Zhuo Xu , Bin Wu , Yanfei Niu , Qian Chen , Kun Liang , Xiaoping Rao , Chunhua Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of pesticide residues and the increasing resistance of pathogen necessitate safe and efficient bio-based antifungal alternatives. This study developed and evaluated the antifungal activity of a composite of gallic acid-grafted chitosan's C<sub>6</sub>-OH (PCSGA) combined with three plant essential oils (EOs). The optimal formulation, particularly that containing cinnamon essential oil (CEO), showed significant synergistic activity. The composite severely disrupted the permeability of fungal cell membrane. SEM and TEM observations revealed substantial damage to cell walls and membranes, resulting in content leakage and dissolution of internal organelles. <em>In vivo</em> tests on apples demonstrated the composite's protective efficacy. Molecular docking predicted strong binding interactions between PCSGA and cinnamaldehyde with CYP51, SOD, POD, and CAT proteins. Notably, the binding energies with CAT were −7.8 kcal/mol for PCSGA and −6.1 kcal/mol for cinnamaldehyde. In summary, the antifungal activity of PCSGA was significantly enhanced when combined with CEO. In the <em>in vivo</em> experiments, a formulation containing 200 μg/mL of PCSGA blended with 300 μL/L of CEO achieved a fungicidal concentration against the target fungi. Considering the volatility of the EOs, a combination of 400 μg/mL PCSGA and 600 μL/L CEO shows promising potential for apple protection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108410"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147381673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108320
Xuemei Dai , Kaili Zhang , Zhuo Yao , Hao Li , Ruixin Lin , Wenwen Zhang , Yunhua Hu , Haixia Wang , Shangzhi Xu , Li Zhang
Flavonoids are one of the principal bioactive components in Salix songarica flowers (S. songarica 'H'), and drying is critical for their preservation. To address this knowledge gap and identify the optimal processing strategy, four drying methods—freeze-drying (FD), vacuum microwave drying (WD), natural drying (ND), and hot-air drying (HD)—were systematically compared using UHPLC–MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics. A total of 673 flavonoid compounds were identified. FD most effectively preserved total flavonoid content and in vitro antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS+, FRAP), with a strong positive correlation observed between them. Comparative analyses revealed 55, 95, and 67 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in the FD vs. WD, FD vs. ND, and FD vs. HD groups, respectively; these DAMs were mainly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Notably, FD maintained the integrity of the flavonoid metabolic network under low-temperature, oxygen-limited conditions, thereby optimally preserving the phytochemical quality of S. songarica 'H'. This study provides the first metabolomic evidence to guide the optimization of drying processes for this distinctive botanical resource.
{"title":"Widely targeted metabolomics of Salix songarica flowers: impact of drying methods on flavonoid profiles and antioxidant capacity","authors":"Xuemei Dai , Kaili Zhang , Zhuo Yao , Hao Li , Ruixin Lin , Wenwen Zhang , Yunhua Hu , Haixia Wang , Shangzhi Xu , Li Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flavonoids are one of the principal bioactive components in <em>Salix songarica</em> flowers (<em>S. songarica</em> 'H'), and drying is critical for their preservation. To address this knowledge gap and identify the optimal processing strategy, four drying methods—freeze-drying (FD), vacuum microwave drying (WD), natural drying (ND), and hot-air drying (HD)—were systematically compared using UHPLC–MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics. A total of 673 flavonoid compounds were identified. FD most effectively preserved total flavonoid content and <em>in vitro</em> antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS<sup>+</sup>, FRAP), with a strong positive correlation observed between them. Comparative analyses revealed 55, 95, and 67 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in the FD vs. WD, FD vs. ND, and FD vs. HD groups, respectively; these DAMs were mainly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Notably, FD maintained the integrity of the flavonoid metabolic network under low-temperature, oxygen-limited conditions, thereby optimally preserving the phytochemical quality of <em>S. songarica</em> 'H'. This study provides the first metabolomic evidence to guide the optimization of drying processes for this distinctive botanical resource.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108320"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146026246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this study, the in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of fucoxanthin-loaded fucoidan-ovalbumin (Fx-FO) nanoparticles on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rat model was investigated. First, UC was induced by rectal administration of 1 ml of 3 % acetic acid, then rats were treated daily with Fx-FO nanoparticles (50 and 100 mg/kg), fucoxanthin (Fx:100 mg/kg), fucoidan (Fd: 25 mg/kg), mesalazine (Mes:10 mg/kg), and asacol (As: 10 mg/kg). via gavage and enema for 7 days. Treatments were done by 1 mL gavage and enema daily for 7 days, and then weight, colonic shortening, antioxidant (scavenging DPPH, MDA, MPO, and SOD) and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) activities, and histopathological effects were investigated. According to the results, all UC rats exhibited weight loss and shortening of colon tissue to different extents. While these were considerably suppressed in the Fx- FO100 nanoparticles in induced-UC rats. Moreover, Fx-FO100 treated-group inhibited the inflammatory response via reducing the content of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6). Fx-FO100 caused a decrease in the MPO, MDA levels and increased the SOD activity in the colons of rats with UC. Also, rectal treatment improvement was more frequent than treatment with oral administration. Moreover, histology of the colon showed the destruction of the intestinal barrier with complete loss of the epithelial layer and severe transmural inflammatory cell integrity in the UC group, while administration of Fx-FO nanoparticles exhibited marked improvement in mucosal repair with attenuation of inflammation. This study provides a new protective nutrient to develop functional foods with the potential of UC symptom modulation and keep intestinal function.
{"title":"Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of fucoidan-ovalbumin nanoparticles containing fucoxanthin on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats","authors":"Najmeh Oliyaei , Nader Tanideh , Maryam Ahmadnasr , Negar Azarpira , Aida Iraji","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, the <em>in vivo</em> antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of fucoxanthin-loaded fucoidan-ovalbumin (Fx-FO) nanoparticles on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rat model was investigated. First, UC was induced by <em>rectal</em> administration of 1 ml of 3 % acetic acid, then rats were treated daily with Fx-FO nanoparticles (50 and 100 mg/kg), fucoxanthin (Fx:100 mg/kg), fucoidan (Fd: 25 mg/kg), mesalazine (Mes:10 mg/kg), and asacol (As: 10 mg/kg). via gavage and enema for 7 days. Treatments were done by 1 mL gavage and enema daily for 7 days, and then weight, colonic shortening, antioxidant (scavenging DPPH, MDA, MPO, and SOD) and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) activities, and histopathological effects were investigated. According to the results, all UC rats exhibited weight loss and shortening of colon tissue to different extents. While these were considerably suppressed in the Fx- FO100 nanoparticles in induced-UC rats. Moreover, Fx-FO100 treated-group inhibited the inflammatory response via reducing the content of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6). Fx-FO100 caused a decrease in the MPO, MDA levels and increased the SOD activity in the colons of rats with UC. Also, rectal treatment improvement was more frequent than treatment with oral administration. Moreover, histology of the colon showed the destruction of the intestinal barrier with complete loss of the epithelial layer and severe transmural inflammatory cell integrity in the UC group, while administration of Fx-FO nanoparticles exhibited marked improvement in mucosal repair with attenuation of inflammation. This study provides a new protective nutrient to develop functional foods with the potential of UC symptom modulation and keep intestinal function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108297"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146026249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108356
Natalia Merino , Laura Espina , Daniel Berdejo , Rafael Pagán , Diego García-Gonzalo
Food surveillance programs have traditionally relied on culture-dependent tools for the detection and enumeration of microbial groups along the food chain. While essential, these approaches provide a limited view of complex microbial ecosystems, often underestimating fastidious and viable but non-culturable microorganisms. In recent years, culture-independent tools, including sequencing and omics-based strategies, offer complementary insights into microbial diversity and function. Given the global consumption of poultry meat and its significance for food safety, spoilage, and antimicrobial resistance dissemination, a comprehensive characterization of poultry-associated microbial communities is essential. This review critically examines culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches to study the microbiome, resistome, virulome, and mobilome across the poultry production chain, comparing the type of information generated, their advantages and limitations. Culture-dependent methods enable quantification and isolation of viable strains, while culture-independent approaches reveal microbial diversity and functional genes related to antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and genetic mobility. Integrating both strategies strengthens surveillance, improves risk assessment, and supports targeted interventions throughout the poultry sector. This review also highlights key priorities for future research, including greater attention to post-slaughter processing environments, a more systematic investigation of the mobilome and virulome, and the integration of multi-omics, culturomics, and quasi-metagenomics to better link microbial diversity with functional activity and viability.
{"title":"Deciphering poultry microbial ecosystems by classical and modern tools","authors":"Natalia Merino , Laura Espina , Daniel Berdejo , Rafael Pagán , Diego García-Gonzalo","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108356","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108356","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food surveillance programs have traditionally relied on culture-dependent tools for the detection and enumeration of microbial groups along the food chain. While essential, these approaches provide a limited view of complex microbial ecosystems, often underestimating fastidious and viable but non-culturable microorganisms. In recent years, culture-independent tools, including sequencing and omics-based strategies, offer complementary insights into microbial diversity and function. Given the global consumption of poultry meat and its significance for food safety, spoilage, and antimicrobial resistance dissemination, a comprehensive characterization of poultry-associated microbial communities is essential. This review critically examines culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches to study the microbiome, resistome, virulome, and mobilome across the poultry production chain, comparing the type of information generated, their advantages and limitations. Culture-dependent methods enable quantification and isolation of viable strains, while culture-independent approaches reveal microbial diversity and functional genes related to antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and genetic mobility. Integrating both strategies strengthens surveillance, improves risk assessment, and supports targeted interventions throughout the poultry sector. This review also highlights key priorities for future research, including greater attention to post-slaughter processing environments, a more systematic investigation of the mobilome and virulome, and the integration of multi-omics, culturomics, and quasi-metagenomics to better link microbial diversity with functional activity and viability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 108356"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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