Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

Nowadays, the incidence and mortality rates of diseases remain major challenges throughout the world. To stop these health-threatening concerns, a safe diet plays a pivotal role. Polysaccharides, as natural biopolymers, possess remarkable potential in the development of safe and healthy foods to prevent the incidence of diseases and guarantee health. These abundant biopolymers have a high rate of practicality in the food industry and biomedical sciences. Polysaccharides can be found in various living organisms (including plants, seaweeds, animals, and microorganisms) and extracted by a number of advanced techniques. The anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, anticoagulant, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides have considerable features in the food and health sciences. The applications of polysaccharides in food sciences are mainly owing to ameliorating fatigue, preserving the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and providing health for the gut in living organisms. Moreover, polysaccharides have practical applications in pharmaceutical (drug delivery systems) and biomedical (regenerative medicine) sciences, which pave the way for the treatment of diseases. This comprehensive review highlights the potential applications of polysaccharides in food and health sciences.

Edible seeds have gained substantial scientific attention for their exceptional nutrient density and potential health-promoting properties. They are rich in dietary fiber, high-quality proteins, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (E, C, and K), and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, potassium, and iron. Bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids, and peptides contribute to their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation linked to chronic diseases. This review focuses on pumpkin, flax, sesame, chia, and melon seeds, valuable sources of essential micronutrients and bioactives with demonstrated nutraceutical potential. Pumpkin seeds enhance immune strength because of their mineral profile, whereas chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids associated with neuroprotection and anti-Alzheimer's effects. The omega-3 content of flax and chia seeds offers cardioprotective benefits, whereas sesame lignans (sesamin) exhibit lipid-lowering and anti-aging properties. Flaxseed's secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) contributes to cardiovascular and anti-cancer effects, and melon seed squalene supports immune health and exerts anti-cancer activity. Mechanistic studies highlight these seeds' ability to regulate molecular pathways related to oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Their bioactive constituents act through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating mechanisms, validating their classification as functional foods. Evidence from clinical and biochemical studies largely supports these benefits, although some claims stem from preliminary or in vitro findings. Overall, pumpkin, flax, sesame, chia, and melon seeds demonstrate significant potential as natural sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds that promote cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune health. Their integration into daily diets and functional food formulations could play a vital role in preventing lifestyle-related chronic diseases and enhancing overall well-being.

Exocarpium Citri Grandis (ECG) is a plant endemic to Huazhou City, Guangdong Province, China. It is utilized both as a health food and in traditional medicine. Recently, Exocarpium Citri Grandis-derived extracellular vesicle-like particles (ECG-EVLP) have been isolated from ECG. Given the significant advantages of plant-derived extracellular vesicle-like particles (P-EVLP), these particles from various sources have been investigated for their potential in wound healing applications, reducing wound area in vitro or in vivo models. Although the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ECG-EVLP have been established in previous studies, their role in skin wound healing remains unexplored. Our findings indicate that ECG-EVLP can effectively promote wound healing. In vivo, wound healing was significantly improved in the ECG-EVLP group compared with the PBS group on Days 3, 7, 11, and 14. In vitro, ECG-EVLP significantly enhanced L929 cell proliferation at all concentrations (150, 300, and 450 μg/mL) after both 24 and 48 h. For HaCat cells, proliferation increased at the two high concentrations (300 and 450 μg/mL) after 24 h and extended to all concentrations, including all concentrations (150, 300, and 450 μg/mL), after 48 h. The activation of the VEGF/AKT signaling pathway, together with the inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, is likely the underlying mechanism. This interplay promotes cell proliferation, migration, and collagen production, thereby accelerating wound healing following ECG-EVLP stimulation. Additionally, sphingosine and naringin might be the effective components of ECG-EVLP in promoting wound healing.

This work characterizes proteins extracted from sheepskin using bromelain and examines angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activity of the peptides generated by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID). Gel electrophoresis revealed three major protein bands corresponding to keratin and collagen. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion facilitated protein breakdown into peptides, yielding below 3 kDa of molecular weight peptides. Arginine, tyrosine, lysine, and leucine were identified as the major residues of amino acids in the bromelain-soluble protein hydrolysate (BSPH). The action of inhibiting ACE of 1 mg/mL of BSPH was 48.99%, whereas the activity of the < 3 kDa ultra-filtrated fractions obtained before and after in vitro GID were 0% and 19.94%, respectively. To acquire the peptide profile and fractionate the ultra-filtrated peptide fractions, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was utilized. Among all the RP-HPLC fractions, 2, 3, 12, and 15 had the most active ACE inhibition. Subsequently, the peptide sequences from four active fractions were recognized using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and followed by in silico analysis to examine their bioactivity. Two potent ACE-inhibitory peptide candidates from sheepskin collagen, GPAGPAGPR, and QGPPGPAGPR, were identified by in silico analysis.

This study investigated the convective drying kinetics of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaves from three varieties (Manipeba—M1, Tareza 1—M2, and Folha fina—M8). Drying experiments were conducted in a tray dryer with forced air circulation at temperatures ranging from 40°C to 80°C, and the process was monitored until the sample mass reached equilibrium. The results highlighted that temperatures above 50°C (60°C, 70°C, and 80°C) significantly enhance water diffusion in cassava leaves, leading to reduced drying times. The effective diffusivity (D_eff) of M1 (1.15–6.32 × 10⁻⁹), M2 (1.67–7.73 × 10⁻⁹), and M8 (1.77–7.97 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s) increased with temperature. The higher activation energy (E_a) of sample M1 (39.33 kJ/mol) suggests greater temperature sensitivity of water diffusivity compared with samples M2 (35.71 kJ/mol) and M8 (36.50 kJ/mol). Nine mathematical models were fitted to the drying experimental data, and the Page and Midilli models best described the drying curves (R² > 0.99, RMSE < 0.05). The findings contribute to understanding the drying behavior of cassava leaves and define conditions for the drying process.

Mineral element fingerprint analysis technology is one of the effective methods for grain origin identification. The accuracy of the identification model is closely related to sample origin, including traceability scope and sample quantity. In this study, mung bean samples from four sites (Tailai and Dorbod Mongol Autonomous County in Heilongjiang Province, Baicheng City in Jilin Province, and Sishui County in Shandong Province) were used as the research object. The contents of mineral elements in mung bean samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Based on stoichiometric results, origin tracing models for different traceability scopes and different quantities of samples were established. The results show that the origin discrimination model established by the samples with different traceability scopes has the correct rate for the original discrimination of Tailai–Dorbod Mongol Autonomous (99.33%) < Tailai–Baicheng (99.67%) < Tailai–Sishui (100.0%). The origin discrimination model established by the different quantities has the correct rate for the original origin discrimination of 99.0% (n = 200) < 99.25% (n = 400) < 99.33% (n = 600). The results verified that the larger sample tracing scope and the larger sample quantity can improve the discrimination accuracy of the established origin tracing model.

Radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) is a common complication in patients under radiotherapy for abdominopelvic and retroperitoneal malignancies, significantly impairing quality of life and overall survival. However, the therapeutic effect of standard enteral nutrition (EN) is limited. This study aimed to investigate the protective role and potential mechanisms of octanoic acid (OA)-rich EN in RIII. C3H/HeN mice were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham, Radiation (RI), RI + EN and RI + OA-rich EN to investigate the impacts of OA-rich EN. Then mice were randomly assigned to five groups: Sham, RI, RI + OA-rich EN, RI + OA-rich EN + Luzindole, RI + OA-rich EN + EX527 to examine whether OA-rich EN alleviated RIII through the melatonin-silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) pathway. We evaluated the intestinal histopathology, apoptosis, tight junction protein expression and permeability. Moreover, melatonin and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured in the intestine and serum. SIRT1/Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-Alpha (PGC-1α)/Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) pathway was also assessed. OA-rich EN promoted melatonin secretion in the intestine and serum, activated the SIRT1/PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway, markedly improved intestinal histopathology, and significantly reduced levels of inflammatory factors in intestine and serum. These beneficial effects were greater than EN alone. Furthermore, these beneficial effects were abolished when OA-rich EN was co-administered with either a melatonin antagonist or a SIRT1 inhibitor. This is the first confirmation that OA-rich EN alleviated RIII by promoting melatonin secretion, which in turn activated the SIRT1/PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway. Our findings highlight OA-rich EN as a promising nutritional strategy to improve intestinal health and reduce treatment-related complications in patients receiving abdominal radiotherapy.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid, has the ability to alleviate oxidative stress in animal models. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between kaempferol intake and renal function, as well as its impact on long-term prognosis in the obese population. This is an observational, cross-sectional, and longitudinal analysis based on NHANES data (2007–2018). Data regarding flavanol consumption were obtained from FNDDS. Prognostic information was sourced from the NCHS. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression, subgroup, and sensitivity analysis were used to investigate the relationship between dietary kaempferol and kidney function and prognosis. A total of 9816 participants with a median follow-up of 117 months were included. The stratified analysis revealed that kaempferol was a protective factor for renal function. For every 5 mg/day increment in kaempferol intake, the prevalence of kidney damage declined by 7% [OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.99]. Additionally, at a median follow-up duration of 117 months, for every 5 mg/day increase in kaempferol intake, the mortality rate decreased by 7% [HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.85–0.98]. Our findings suggested that higher kaempferol intake is associated with a reduced risk of kidney damage and improved long-term prognosis in obese individuals.

A disaccharidase (GenA) from Enterococcus faecalis CTB was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to > 95% homogeneity using chromatographic techniques. The enzyme exhibited a monomeric molecular weight of 54 kDa and demonstrated hydrolytic activity toward maltose, cellobiose, and lactose, but not sucrose. Kinetic analysis revealed maltose as the preferred substrate (Km = 0.27 ± 0.05 mM, V_max = 33.8 ± 2.24 μM/min), followed by lactose (Km = 0.42 ± 0.04 mM, V_max = 42.0 ± 2.91 μM/min) and cellobiose (Km = 0.47 ± 0.06 mM, V_max = 51.0 ± 1.90 μM/min). GenA also hydrolyzed synthetic substrates including PNP-α-D-glucoside and PNP-β-D-galactopyranoside. The enzyme displayed substrate-dependent optimal conditions: 40°C–60°C and pH 7.5–9.0. MgCl₂ enhanced enzymatic activity 2.0–4.0 fold across all substrates, while NiCl₂ and MnCl₂ were generally inhibitory. These findings provide insights into GenA's catalytic mechanisms and highlight its potential applications in biocatalysis and industrial biotechnology.

Capsaicin, an alkaloid predominantly found in plants in the genus Capsicum, is naturally present in food and utilized in dietary supplements and medicinal products. It interacts with cellular receptors, triggering a sensory response often perceived as pain, measurable by the Scoville Organoleptic Test. However, due to its susceptibility to biases, this test has largely been supplanted by quantitative methods for determining capsaicin content. This systematic review investigates the relationship between quantitatively measured capsaicin levels in dietary products and their sensory effects. The review protocol, registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF), involved searches in the EBSCOHost, ProQuest, and Ovid databases. Findings indicate a direct correlation between quantitatively determined capsaicin levels and extrapolated Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) values. Additionally, associations were noted between capsaicin exposure and physiological responses, as well as between capsaicin sensitivity and other chemesthetic and taste modalities. However, no direct relationship was found between quantitative capsaicin levels in dietary products and consistent, reproducible measurements of their sensory effects. This research marks a point in the discourse where quantification technology refines the traditional SHU system and underscores the need to advance quantitative detection beyond SHU.