Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

Date palm leaves (DPL), a widely available lignocellulosic by-product, are used as ruminant feed but are limited by high lignin and low protein content. This study evaluated the enhancement of DPL's nutritional value using a lignocellulose-degrading bacterial consortium (Staphylococcus sp., Brevibacterium sp., and Enterobacter sp.) isolated from the leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina L.) gut, supplemented with microbial growth stimulators. Six treatments were applied: untreated DPL (control), DPL with M9 medium (T1), DPL with bacterial inoculum (T2), T2 + 0.5% glucose (T3), T2 + 0.5% urea (T4), and T2 + 0.5% glucose + 0.5% urea (T5). Parameters assessed included chemical composition, lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity, in vitro gas production (IVGP), fermentation characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal enzyme activities. LiP activity was highest in T5 (0.328 U/mL/min), representing a significant increase over controls. Inoculated treatments significantly reduced acid detergent lignin (ADL) and increased crude protein (CP), with T5 showing the greatest improvement: ADL decreased from 97.8 to 83.8 g/kg DM, and CP increased from 52.2 to 70.3 g/kg DM. T5 also exhibited the highest dry matter (DM) loss (61.1 g/kg DM), IVGP (61.2 mL), metabolizable energy (5.61 MJ/kg DM), short-chain fatty acid concentration (2.43 mmol/g DM), microbial protein synthesis (405 mg/g DM), and ammonia-N (10.2 mg/dL). Activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, microcrystalline cellulase, and filter paper-degrading enzymes were significantly elevated in all inoculated treatments, with T5 consistently yielding the highest values. These results demonstrate that co-application of the leopard moth gut-derived bacterial consortium with glucose and urea effectively delignifies DPL, substantially enhances its fermentability and nutritive value, and offers a sustainable strategy for valorizing agricultural residues in ruminant nutrition.

This study examined the independent/joint effects of diet-gut microbiota (DI-GM) scores and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on central obesity and mediation via biological aging. Using NHANES 2007–2018 data (17,012 adults), DI-GM scores and MVPA (MET-minutes/week) were assessed. Central obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 25 + waist-height ratio ≥ 0.5. Biological age was measured via Klemera Doubal Method (KDM), phenotypic age (PA), and homeostasis disorder (HD). Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses evaluated associations. Each 1-point DI-GM increase reduced central obesity prevalence by 9% (OR = 0.91, 95% CI, 0.89%–0.94%, p < 0.001). Meeting MVPA recommendations (≥ 600 MET-min/week) lowered prevalence by 18% (OR = 0.82, 0.71%–0.94%, p < 0.001). Participants with DI-GM ≥ 6 + adequate MVPA had maximal risk reduction (OR = 0.60 vs. DI-GM ≤ 4 + inadequate MVPA, 0.49%–0.75%, p < 0.001). Biological aging mediated 20.12% (KDM), 22.63% (PA), and 1.68% (HD) of DI-GM's protective effects (p < 0.05), but not MVPA's effects. Stronger associations occurred in females, college-educated individuals, and those with 7–8 h sleep (p-interaction < 0.05). Higher DI-GM scores and adequate MVPA significantly reduced central obesity prevalence, partially mediated by slower biological aging. Integrating gut microbiota-targeted diets with physical activity may enhance obesity prevention.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered considerable attention due to its multifaceted therapeutic potential, characterized by a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, multiple biological targets, and a generally favorable safety profile. Atractylone, a bioactive sesquiterpenoid, has been noted to exhibit numerous pharmacological effects, including cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and gastroprotective activities. The isolation and structural characterization of this compound are essential for optimizing its pharmacological applications and unlocking its full therapeutic potential. Despite its promising bioactivity, to our knowledge, no comprehensive review has yet been dedicated to summarizing the current state of research on Atractylone. To tackle this gap, we conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines to define a clear research question and methodology. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to collect all available information on Atractylone. This review aims to furnish a detailed analysis of its natural sources, biosynthetic pathways, and biological activities. By summarizing current knowledge, this article establishes a foundation for future research and encourages further exploration of Atractylone's therapeutic applications.

α-Glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are compounds used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D) by preventing the breakdown of dietary starch into monosaccharides, which reduces their absorption by the body and lowers blood glucose levels. AGIs often cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and flatulence due to excessive α-amylase inhibition, leading to excess residual starch reaching the colon and being fermented by microbes. There is a need to prospect for novel AGIs that are effective and have fewer adverse effects. This study investigated the potential of citrus-derived flavonoids as AGIs targeting amylolytic enzymes: α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Firstly, flavonoids were extracted from Citrus reticulata (tangerines) peels using an ultrasound-assisted methanolic procedure, followed by C18 column-purification and profiling with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Select citrus peel-derived flavonoids, quercetin (−9.2 kcal/mol) and rutin (−10.8 kcal/mol), and the commercial AGI, acarbose (−8.7 kcal/mol), showed strong binding affinities against α-glucosidase. Molecular dynamics simulations of the compounds were also assessed, revealing flexibility and stability in response to ligand interactions with the α-glucosidase. The in silico data correlated positively with the results from the in vitro inhibition assays; acarbose (Ki = 0.14 mg/mL), quercetin (Ki = 0.12 mg/mL) and rutin (Ki = 0.19 mg/mL) recorded low inhibition constant values. The cytotoxicity profile of the selected compounds was also conducted on Caco-2 cells, with flavonoids showing no significant cytotoxic effects. Flavonoids could be used as AGIs with minimal gastrointestinal impacts, reducing residual starch entering the colon and decreasing glucose uptake.

This study evaluates bioactive phytochemicals from Algerian medicinal plants as potential phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) using an integrated in silico approach. A total of 76 compounds from 48 plant species were screened for drug-likeness using SwissADME. Overall, 72% of the compounds complied with Lipinski's Rule of Five, indicating favorable oral bioavailability, while toxicity prediction identified 29 non-toxic candidates. Molecular docking was validated by redocking the co-crystallized PDE5 ligand (RMSD = 0.264 Å). Ellagic acid (−9.4 kcal·mol⁻¹), rosmarinic acid (−9.2 kcal·mol⁻¹), salvinorin A (−9.2 kcal·mol⁻¹), and catechin (−9.0 kcal·mol⁻¹) exhibited the strongest binding affinities. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed stable hydrogen-bond interactions for rosmarinic acid, while salvinorin A showed compact and low-fluctuation behavior. MM-GBSA analysis confirmed favorable binding free energies for salvinorin A (−26.7 kcal·mol⁻¹) and rosmarinic acid (−23.6 kcal·mol⁻¹). A QSAR model based on docking-derived pKd values and molecular descriptors showed strong predictive performance using Random Forest regression (R²_train = 0.91; R²_CV = 0.87), identifying LogP, molecular weight, and TPSA as key determinants of PDE5 inhibition. Overall, this study highlights catechin and related phytochemicals as promising natural PDE5 inhibitors, supporting their further preclinical evaluation as safer and affordable ED therapies.

Due to the high incidence of periodontal diseases in pet cats and dogs, the purpose of this study is to screen bacteria with beneficial oral health effects and assess the effectiveness of its freeze-dried cell. In this study, we explored the effects of oral probiotics by determining the bacteriostatic ability, percentages of self-aggregation and co-aggregation in vitro, and through microbial community analysis, the alleviating effect of freeze-dried cells on periodontitis and its mechanism of action were evaluated. Lactobacillus zeae N165 significantly inhibited Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, and it had high co-aggregation rates of 96.78% and 88.94% with F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis, respectively. In vivo, freeze-dried L. zeae N165 cells significantly reduced alveolar bone resorption, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in rats with periodontitis, maintained a healthy oral and intestinal microbial community structure, and regulated the dominant species to alleviate periodontitis. The prediction of functions by the KEGG database analysis of oral flora revealed that freeze-dried L. zeae N165 cells may alleviate periodontitis via four pathways: reduction of glutamine degradation, modulation of lipopolysaccharide levels, biosynthesis of polyketide glycan units, and biotin metabolism. L. zeae N165 showed promising results in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, suggesting new directions for the oral probiotics industry.

Exercise plays an important role in improving type 2 diabetes (T2DM) by regulating systemic metabolism and enhancing glycemic control. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a natural bioactive component, also exhibits potential for lowering blood glucose and alleviating diabetes-related symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms by which exercise, LBP, or their combination alleviate T2DM remain largely unclear from the perspective of gut microbiota. In this study, we used 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze gut microbiota, aiming to investigate the roles of aerobic exercise and LBP in T2DM and explore their molecular mechanisms. We found that both aerobic exercise and LBP could modulate gut microbiota—promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, reducing harmful bacteria, and optimizing intestinal microecology—while regulating gut microbial composition and metabolism to inhibit inflammatory responses. Additionally, they improved gut microbiota homeostasis to enhance cellular insulin sensitivity, optimize glucose catabolism and metabolism, regulate lipid metabolism, and reduce abnormal blood lipid accumulation. Notably, aerobic exercise combined with LBP exerted a more significant effect on gut microbiota modulation, thereby yielding better therapeutic outcomes for T2DM. Mechanistically, the regulation of gut microbiota by aerobic exercise and LBP in T2DM rats both involved the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway, suggesting this may be a key link between gut microbiota and T2DM. Furthermore, isobutyric acid and its associated gut microbiota may play a critical role in the T2DM-improving effects of aerobic exercise and LBP, warranting focused investigation in future studies.

Mihaliç is a traditional cheese manufactured using artisanal methods without adding starter cultures from a mixture of sheep's and cow's milk. The indigenous microbiota originating from raw milk and the surrounding environment, which adapt to the ripening conditions, play a crucial role in developing the artisanal cheeses' characteristic flavor, aroma, and texture. In this study, the lactic acid bacteria in both the crust and the inner part of Mihaliç sold under the label of Salty Mihaliç Cheese (SMC) and Low-Salty Mihaliç Cheese (LSMC) were determined using MALDI-TOF MS analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing. The enumeration of Streptococcaceae on M17 agar revealed approximately a 2-log higher count compared to Lactobacillus and Enterococcus populations. Among the isolates recovered from M17 medium, Lactococcus lactis was identified as the predominant species, comprising 43.7% of the total. Notably, consistent with observations in many other artisanal raw milk cheeses, Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus and Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius were also detected at high frequencies, with 41.2% and 7.5% prevalence rates, respectively. Among the enterococci, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were the most frequently isolated species, accounting for 43.5% and 42.2% of the isolates, respectively. Regarding the distribution of lactobacilli, Lacticaseibacillus casei/paracasei and Limosilactobacillus fermentum emerged as the dominant species, exhibiting prevalence rates of 47.1% and 35.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, comparative analysis between SMC and LSMC cheese samples showed that Lim. fermentum was more abundant in SMC samples (55.1%), whereas Lcb. paracasei/casei was dominant in LSMC samples (55.9%). Furthermore, both Lim. fermentum and Lcb. rhamnosus were more frequently recovered from the inner part of the cheese matrix. These findings highlight the complex and diverse lactic microbiota of Mihaliç cheese, which is likely to play a significant role in the development of its unique flavor and textural characteristics.

The study purpose was to examine how the green-synthesized iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) made from Coptis chinensis extract affected the TNF-α and IL1-β gingival levels in the rat periodontal model. The extract from C. chinensis was utilized as a green reducing agent and a great stabilizer for the Fe NPs that were produced. The as-synthesized Fe NPs were physicochemically characterized using FT-IR, UV–Vis, EDX, XRD, and FE-SEM. Male rats were given 0–3 ligatures around the neck of their right mandibular first tooth to develop inflammatory periodontitis. In the positive control group, indomethacin (5 mg/kg) was administered daily. As a pre/post treatment, Fe NPs (0.1 mg/kg) were directly injected into the gum tissue after being dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. ELISA was used to assess the TNF-α and IL1-β gingival levels. The Fe-O bond is identified in the FT-IR as the vibration band at 568 cm⁻¹. The UV–Vis data indicate that FeNPs are linked to the band at 294 nm. The peaks in the collected data at 6.44 keV for FeKα, 7.13 keV for FeLβ, and 0.71 keV for FeLα proved the presence of iron in the EDX. The signals are indexed as (311), (400), and (440) planes with 2θ values of 38.3, 44.3, and 64.5. The findings showed that the rat periodontal model's gum tissue could produce less TNF-α and IL1-β when Fe NPs were administered (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, the study's findings showed that gingival tissue in a periodontitis model had higher levels of IL1-β and TNF-α than the control group (p ≤ 0.01). The anti-inflammatory efficacies of indomethacin and Fe NPs did not differ significantly. Because C. chinensis extract directly inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines, it can be used to reduce inflammation in a rat periodontal model both before and after treatment with green-synthesized FeNPs.

Rapidly increasing global food-waste generation poses major environmental, economic, and waste-management challenges due to its high organic load and improper disposal practices. Addressing this problem requires sustainable valorization strategies, including bioethanol production, which can simultaneously reduce waste burdens and contribute to renewable-energy generation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the physical and chemical characteristics of food waste, the rationale behind pretreatment methods, and their role in improving downstream bioconversion efficiency. Pretreatments—physical, chemical, physicochemical, and biological—are examined with emphasis on how they enhance hydrolysis and improve fermentable-sugar release. Fermentation is the critical biochemical step in this pathway, as it converts the hydrolyzed sugars into bioethanol through the metabolic activity of yeast and bacteria. Enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation, the core steps that convert complex biomass into ethanol, are critically evaluated alongside bioprocessing strategies such as SHF, SSF, SSCF, and consolidated bioprocessing. The review identifies that physical and chemical pretreatments improve fermentable-sugar release but may involve higher energy or chemical inputs, whereas enzymatic and biological methods offer more sustainable alternatives with lower inhibitory by-product formation. Among bioprocessing strategies, SSF and SSCF consistently demonstrate higher bioethanol yields and reduced processing time compared with SHF. Consolidated bioprocessing shows strong potential for future development due to its reduced operational steps and lower overall costs. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of integrating efficient pretreatment with optimized fermentation strategies to maximize bioethanol production while enhancing the sustainability of food-waste management.