Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

The Chakma indigenous community in Bangladesh traditionally uses Allophylus villosus and Mycetia sinensis as wild food plants with therapeutic benefits against diabetes, pain, and other ailments. This study evaluates their nutritional properties, anti-nutritional factors, heavy metal content, and cytotoxicity to assess their potential as functional foods and pharmacological agents. Leaves of A. villosus and aerial parts of M. sinensis were shade-dried, powdered, and sequentially extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Macronutrient profiling revealed high protein (12.72717% ± 0.00010% in A. villosus), dietary fiber (37.19% ± 0.06% in M. sinensis), and safe levels of phytic and oxalic acids. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that toxic heavy metals were below detectable limits across all solvent extracts. Cytotoxicity was assessed using brine shrimp lethality bioassays, which categorized ethanol extracts as moderately toxic (LC₅₀: 174.5-331.9 μg/mL), while n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions were non-toxic. Vero cell line assays demonstrated > 95% viability, indicating strong cytocompatibility. Statistical analyses included triplicate experiments, with results expressed as mean ± SD and significance evaluated by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD post hoc test. Overall, A. villosus and M. sinensis may have potential as safe, nutrient-rich candidates for future functional food and ethno-pharmacological applications, pending further in vivo validation. Their sustainable use could contribute to improved dietary diversity, plant-based health solutions, and biodiversity preservation, aligning with broader goals of nutrition and ecological resilience.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients often suffer from poor quality of life (QoL), malnutrition, and chronic inflammation. This study aimed to examine how plant-based diet index (PDI) affects serum pentraxin-3 (PTX3) levels (an inflammation marker), handgrip strength (HGS), and QoL in these patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 321 HD patients from six medical centers in Isfahan, Iran. PDI was assessed using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. PTX3 levels were measured through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HGS was assessed using a dynamometer. QoL was evaluated using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaire. Statistical data analysis included binary logistic regression and was adjusted for various confounders. HD Patients in the highest PDI tertile had significantly lower risk of high PTX3 levels (OR: 0.38, CI, 0.16-0.90) as well as lower risk of low HGS (OR: 0.43, CI, 0.19-0.94) compared to the lowest PDI tertile. Males with higher PDI scores also had significantly lower risk of low QoL (OR: 0.42, CI, 0.18-0.98), though no significant association was observed in females. Adherence to a plant-based diet was associated with reduced inflammation, improved physical strength, and better QoL, particularly in male HD patients. A plant-based diet may offer health benefits for HD patients, but further studies are needed to establish causality.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Carnosine, an over-the-counter food supplement, may improve depressive symptoms through its anti-inflammatory properties; however, its effects on depressive symptoms and quality of life in prediabetes or T2DM remain unexplored. This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine whether carnosine supplementation may improve depressive symptoms and quality of life among individuals with prediabetes and well-controlled T2DM. A total of 38 participants (73.6% male) with a median (IQR) age of 54.8 years (46.2, 59.4) and mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) of 29.0 ± 4.2 kg/m² were randomized to carnosine (n = 18) or placebo (n = 20) for 14 weeks. None of the patients were diagnosed with depression or anxiety or any other chronic disease other than prediabetes (n = 20, 52.6%) and T2DM (n = 18, 47.4%), the latter being well-controlled with diet or metformin only. Depressive symptoms were measured using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-8) and health-related quality of life was measured with five-dimension EuroQoL three level (EQ-5D-3L) scale. Paired t-tests were employed for within-group comparisons. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for between group comparisons adjusted for age, BMI, and baseline values. Carnosine supplementation resulted in improvement of depressive symptoms assessed by total PHQ-8 score (mean difference = -2.0; 95% CI: -3.9, -0.2; p = 0.03), compared with placebo. However, the eight subcomponents of the PHQ-8 scale did not show significant changes (p > 0.05). There were no significant changes both in between-group and within-group comparisons in health-related quality of life scores (p > 0.05). We demonstrated for the first time that carnosine supplementation resulted in a modest improvement in depressive symptoms in individuals with prediabetes or T2DM. Further studies are needed to corroborate these findings in larger cohorts with more diverse baseline risk profiles. Trial Registration: NCT02917928.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency, often accompanied by increased frequency and nocturia, and is associated with impaired quality of life and substantial healthcare burden. Although ketogenic dietary patterns have been linked to weight reduction, decreased systemic inflammation, and improved metabolic profiles, their relationship with OAB remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between the dietary ketogenic ratio (DKR) and OAB, and to explore the potential mediating roles of the Weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Data were derived from 23,763 participants in the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 4991 individuals reporting OAB. Dietary intake was assessed using two 24-h dietary recalls. DKR, DII, and WWI were calculated using validated approaches. Multivariable logistic regression, subgroup analyses, and smoothed curve fitting were performed to evaluate the association between DKR and OAB, and mediation analyses were conducted to assess indirect effects. Each unit increase in DII was associated with 11% higher odds of OAB (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.06-1.16), whereas each unit increase in DKR was associated with 43% lower odds of OAB (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42-0.77). Compared with the lowest quartile, participants in the highest quartile of DKR had a significantly lower prevalence of OAB. Mediation analyses suggested that DII and WWI accounted for 8.29% and 6.57% of the association between DKR and OAB, respectively. Higher DKR was associated with a lower prevalence of OAB, and this relationship was partially mediated by dietary inflammatory potential and central adiposity. These findings highlight the potential relevance of dietary patterns in OAB prevention and warrant further prospective investigation.

Legume crops are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and various secondary metabolites such as isoflavones. Micronutrient treatments regulate plant biological activities, including stomatal function, hormone balance, and antioxidant accumulation, thereby improving resistance to environmental stress. This study investigated the effect of FeCl₂ treatment, which changed the seed coat color, on the physical and biochemical characteristics of mungbean sprouts. After 72 h of cultivation with FeCl₂ (Fe-72 h), no significant differences in physical traits were observed compared with the control. However, the levels of isoflavone aglycones (daidzein, genistein, and glycitein) were significantly higher. These findings suggest that FeCl₂ treatment does not affect the physical quality of mungbean sprouts but enhances their metabolic quality by catalyzing isoflavone biosynthesis, as these compounds function as iron chelators. Tissue-specific analysis revealed that the seed coat and cotyledons accumulated the highest levels of isoflavone aglycones. The seed coat and cotyledons are directly exposed to FeCl₂ during soaking, whereas newly developing tissues, such as the hypocotyl, are only indirectly affected. This difference in mineral exposure among tissues likely influences the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The observed increase in isoflavone content may improve stress resistance during mungbean cultivation and enhance the nutritional quality of mungbean sprouts as a health-promoting food.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a significant health issue due to the pathological accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of excessive alcohol intake, with mitochondrial dysfunction being a critical underlying mechanism. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of koumiss extract, along with 2-furanic acid and α, α-trehalose, in modulating mitochondrial function and mitigating fat deposition in NAFLD. Utilizing molecular docking techniques, we assessed the binding affinities of these compounds to mitochondrial complex I assembly (MCIA) proteins, while establishing both in vitro (HepG2 cell line) and in vivo (zebrafish model) NAFLD models to measure lipid accumulation and related biochemical parameters, including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, alongside the expression profiles of MCIA proteins. Our results demonstrated that koumiss extract, 2-furanic acid, and α, α-trehalose significantly decreased TG and LDH levels indicative of steatosis in HepG2 cells, while also reducing the expression of MCIA-related proteins. In vivo experiments using a zebrafish NAFLD model demonstrated pronounced liver steatosis in the model group. Treatment with koumiss extract, 2-furanic acid, and α, α-trehalose significantly alleviated liver steatosis and reduced TG and TC levels. Furthermore, mRNA expression levels of ACAD9, ECSIT, NDUFAF1, and NDUFAF2 were significantly downregulated in the treatment groups. Koumiss extract, 2-furanic acid, and α, α-trehalose exhibit significant effects in reducing MCIA-related proteins and steatosis in NAFLD models. Consequently, these results suggest that koumiss extract and its analogs hold promise as therapeutic agents for NAFLD, potentially enhancing liver lipid homeostasis.

The growing demand for minimally processed clean-label foods has intensified interest in natural antimicrobials as alternatives to synthetic preservatives. However, very little is known about the antimicrobial potential of several wild edible plants when incorporated into food matrices. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaf extract and as a clean-label preservative for extending the shelf life of fresh mashed potatoes. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP values of 21.96 ± 0.76 μmol Trolox/mL, 17.51 ± 0.90 μmol Trolox/mL, and 5.93 ± 0.65 Fe(II)/g, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial testing confirmed broad-spectrum activity, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations indicating pronounced susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes) and notable effects on Gram-negative pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium). Cytotoxicity assessment using L929 fibroblast cells showed the extract was non-toxic at concentrations effective for antimicrobial application. When incorporated into mashed potatoes at 0.5%-2.0% (w/v), nettle extract achieved preservative effects comparable to 0.025% commercial nisin. Treated samples exhibited significantly delayed increases in total viable counts, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae, B. cereus, S . aureus , P. aeruginosa, and spoilage fungi during storage at 4°C and 25°C. Electronic tongue analysis differentiated treatment groups, revealing mild bitterness and astringency at increasing nettle leaf extract incorporation, but these effects were less detrimental than spoilage-related off-flavors in untreated controls. Overall, nettle leaf extract provides combined antimicrobial and antioxidant functionality, enhances microbial stability, and maintains acceptable sensory quality, supporting its potential as a natural alternative to synthetic preservatives in ready-to-eat mashed potato products.

Dajiang, a fermented bean-based condiment, is highly popular in Northeast China. In this research, peanut-soybean Dajiang was successfully developed by incorporating peanuts into the Dajiang production process and refining the fermentation conditions. It was observed that the inclusion of peanuts substantially improved the umami, saltiness, and complex taste profile of Dajiang. Eight key flavor compounds were identified, with 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and isoamylphenylacetate being unique to peanut-soybean Dajiang. These findings offer a scientific foundation for enhancing the quality and marketing of peanut-soybean Dajiang. The study also revealed that alterations in amino acid nitrogen, total acid, fat, reducing sugar, and nitrite levels during fermentation, along with the intensification of umami, salty, and complex flavors, provide a scientific basis for improving the quality of peanut-soybean Dajiang. The changes in color, aroma, taste, and metabolites througout the fermentation of peanut-soybean Dajiang were thoroughly analyzed using electronic tongue and electronic nose technologies, in conjunction with the HS-SPME-GC-MS non-targeted metabolomics approach.

Commercially available kerupuk (Indonesian traditional crackers) are typically high in fat and low in protein, making them nutritionally imbalanced and categorized as junk food. This study aims to develop a protein-source and fat free traditional crackers through egg white powder (EWP) substitution and application of alternative frying methods. The substitution of EWP in was selected at a 20% level based on preliminary test ranging from 0% to 40% and the alternative frying methods were deep frying (control), air frying, sand frying, and microwaving. The developed traditional crackers was characterized with pH value between 7.20 and 7.34; water activity (a _w) between 0.41 and 0.42; protein and fat levels respectively ranging from 18.26% to 18.73% and 0.19%-0.41%, meeting the claims as a protein source and fat free product according to Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM). SEM analysis showed that microwave cooking and deep-frying produced traditional crackers with highly porous structures with large pores. FTIR analysis indicated that deep-fried traditional crackers showed intense peaks at 2930-2850 cm^-1 (C-H stretching) and 1743 cm^-1 (C = O ester carbonyl stretching), indicating high oil absorption, whereas alternative frying methods showed lower intensities of these lipid-associated peaks. Traditional crackers produced had a pH value ranging from 7.20 to 7.34 and water activity (a _w) between 0.41 and 0.42. Microwave emerged as the optimal alternative frying technique, with the highest expansion rate (185.63%), crispness (37.58 mm), and brightness (L* = 92.88).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease contributing to global morbidity and disability. Despite its growing burden, causal links between lifestyle, dietary factors, and RA remain unclear. This study investigates causal links between lifestyle, dietary factors, and RA using Mendelian randomization (MR) and machine learning (ML). Two-sample MR analyzed 42 lifestyle and dietary exposures, while an RA risk prediction model was developed using nationally representative data and nine ML algorithms. Global Burden of Disease data assessed health inequalities and RA burden trends through frontier, decomposition, and Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort analyses. MR identified obesity, current smoking, sleeplessness, poultry intake, and salt added to food as RA risk factors, while never smoking, pork consumption, and cheese intake were protective. Random forest showed superior predictive performance, with age as the most influential predictor; seven features exhibited nonlinear RA risk associations. RA burden revealed gender and regional disparities, with frontier analysis indicating potential for burden reduction in multiple countries. Between 1990 and 2021, global RA burden rose due to population growth and aging, with projections suggesting continued increases through 2050. These findings highlight the importance of targeted lifestyle and dietary interventions to reduce RA burden and address health inequities in high-risk populations.