Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

This study aims to investigate the resistance of potential probiotic Bacillus species to various conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and their safety characteristics. MALDI-TOF MS identified all tested strains with a good safety score of ≥ 2.0; the strains demonstrated the capacity to pass through the Gl tract, exhibiting a reduction of > 6 log/CFU live cells. Furthermore, they exhibited varying survival rates in an acidic environment (pH 2.0–3.0) and the presence of Ox-Bile (1% w/v) (p < 0.05). Following exposure to pH 3.0 and Ox-Bile, the survival rate of Bacillus spp. ranged between 85.94% and 91.24% and 87.30% and 91.54%, respectively. The results of the in vitro experiments showed that the six Bacillus strains had comparable characteristics (e.g., tolerance to GI track enzyme, auto-aggregation ability) to the reference probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LA15. The auto-aggregation results of the B. clausii BA8 strain, which has demonstrated resistance to GI tract conditions, were also noteworthy. This strain showed 72.32% after 2 h and 74.55% at the end of 5 h. Most suitable for use as probiotic strains B. clausii BA8 and B. subtilis BA11, sequenced via Illumina NovaSeq, showed average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of 98.1% and 97.8%, respectively. The genome annotation of B. clausii and B. subtilis with Prokka revealed 4,498,248-4,215,606 bp genome length, 44%–43% GC content, and 110–26 contigs, respectively. B. clausii BA8 has been comprehensively characterized, is of low risk for human consumption, and has been recommended as a potential probiotic strain. However, further in vivo experimentation is required to confirm these findings.

Research on soybean nutrition is crucial for Chinese agriculture and public health, as soybean sprouting enhances its nutritional value. However, the relationships between grain quality and soybean varieties are not yet fully understood. In this study, the quality of 49 soybean cultivars from 15 different origins was evaluated through multiple correlation analysis. Differences were observed based on their geographical origin, with Shandong Chongwen showing higher calcium and isoflavone levels than the others. A correlation was found between protein content and soybean daidzein (0.561***), as well as genistein (0.597***). Additionally, sprouting was shown to improve soybean nutrition. Among six high-nutrient soybean varieties, increased levels of protein, minerals, and isoflavones were observed during germination. Phytic acid and oligosaccharide levels decreased by 64.7% and 94.5%, respectively, while saponin increased by 106.0%, indicating changes in antinutritional factors. The experiment establishes a clear relationship between soybean nutrients and the tested variables, highlighting the impact of germination on soybean quality and nutrient content.

Aesculus indica is a remarkable species from Sapindaceae family, traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments due to the presence of a variety of bioactive compounds. The present study was planned to evaluate the chemical characterization, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of hydroethanolic extract of A. indica using in vitro and in vivo approaches. A. indica fruit was extracted with a hydroethanolic (70% v/v) solution, filtered, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and crude extract was obtained. In vitro anti-inflammatory potential of A. indica was carried out against peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and a whole blood assay (WBA). Effects of A. indica extracts on proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-1β) and inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, NO and PGE₂) concentration in the supernatant of PBMCs and WBA were evaluated using commercial ELISA kits. In vivo anti-inflammatory potential of A. indica hydroethanolic extract was evaluated with carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. A total of 36 different compounds (mostly phenolics) were detected in A. indica extract with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UHPCL-QTOF-MS/MS. The extract showed very low cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ value of 483.68 μg/mL and significantly reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in both PBMCs and WBA models. Furthermore, the extract also effectively inhibited the paw edema by carrageenan in the 2nd hour at 400 mg/kg (73%). Histopathological analysis of rat paw tissue showed significant reduction of cellular infiltration and decrease in swelling of epidermis and dermis by A. indica extracts. The level of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation like malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress parameters including total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in rat paw tissues were significantly altered after treatment. The combined findings provide evidence that hydroethanolic extract of A. indica is a potential source of bioactive compounds with significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Research shows that complex carbohydrates (maltodextrins) can be perceived in the oral cavity independent of sweet taste. However, little is known about individual differences in complex carbohydrate taste sensitivity. Therefore, the relationship between complex carbohydrate structure and individual complex carbohydrate taste sensitivity requires further investigation. This study investigated individual taste sensitivity among adults for maltodextrins with different degrees of polymerization. Participants (n = 37) (BMI (kg/m²): 24.29 ± 1.06, age (years): 30.32 ± 1.24) taste perception and oral sensitivity for sour (citric acid), sweet (glucose), and complex carbohydrate (mixture of short chain maltodextrins (SCM, average DP 6) and mixture of long chain maltodextrin (LCM, average DP 20)) were assessed using taste assessment measures (detection threshold (DT) and suprathreshold intensity perception (ST)). Taste assessment measures were performed in a randomized, repeated, blinded design. There were significant correlations between LCM DT, SCM DT, Sour DT, and Sweet DT (all p < 0.01). There were further significant correlations between LCM ST, SCM ST and Sweet ST (all p < 0.01) and between SCM ST, Sweet ST and Sour ST (all p < 0.01). There was a significant effect of sex on DT ranking values (p = 0.050). For the majority of participants, complex carbohydrate sensitivity status did not change according to chain length. This study strengthens existing research that complex carbohydrates can be perceived in the oral cavity and highlighted that for the majority, maltodextrin chain length does not influence complex carbohydrate taste sensitivity (specifically DT and ST).

Preliminary evidence suggests that rural areas have poor nutritional indicators despite their self-sufficient local production. Thus, this study aimed to categorize the food consumption patterns of the rural Indigenous population next to the Quilotoa Lagoon in Ecuador based on the frequency of food intake. Data were obtained from 258 Indigenous farmers using structured and validated consumption frequency questionnaires. The consumption of 91 foods classified into eight groups was evaluated using concordance indicators, correlation analysis, and multivariate techniques such as principal component analysis and correspondence factor analysis. Consumption levels were categorized by stratifying the proportion of families that consumed each food item. Four consumption pattern types were identified. The category with “high consumption” foods, greater than 66.8%, was based on foods rich in carbohydrates, such as rice (89.3%), potatoes (88.9%), oats (74.1%), and morocho (74%). Protein intake was limited to eggs (82%) and fish (73.5%). Vegetables, such as carrots (90.4%) and onions (96.1%), were highly consumed but classified as condiments in meal preparation. Chicken (66.5%) and milk (61%) were categorized as “moderate consumption.” Local foods such as melloco (37.1%) and oca (28.2%) were classified as “low consumption”. Lastly, the most produced local food, chocho, had a consumption rate of 14.3%, which was considered “very low consumption”. When analyzing consumption patterns by area, the Chugchilan parish with High Center or Quilotoa-Paved Road zones showed very good concordance (0.81 and 0.79, respectively), while the Subtropical zone had less concordance (0.73). Foods rich in high-calorie carbohydrates were the most commonly consumed across all four consumption patterns.

Stevioside is a natural sweetener with the characteristics of low calorie and high sweetness. It comprises a diverse range of monomers that play crucial roles in numerous biological processes. Due to these attributes, it has gained widespread application in agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical industries. As a substitute for sugar, stevioside also shows good pharmacological activities on glucose metabolism, bodyweight keeping, blood pressure maintenance, and shows anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, antibacterial, and immune regulation activities. This review summarized the update on the food safety, sweet structure–activity relationship, pharmacological activity of stevia glycosides recently, and discussed the limitations of its application in food and medicine.

EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: S. M. Mazloomi, M. Samadi, H. Davarpanah, S. Babajafari, C. C. T. Clark, Z. Ghaemfar, M. Rezaiyan, A. Mosallanezhad, M. Shafiee, and H. Rostami, “The Effect of Spirulina Sauce, as a Functional Food, on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers, Glycemic Profile, and Liver Enzymes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients: A Randomized Double-blinded Clinical Trial,” Food Science & Nutrition 10, no. 2 (2022): 317–328, https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2368.

This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 11 June 2021 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been issued by agreement between the journal Editor-in-Chief, Martin Lo; and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The Expression of Concern has been agreed due to concerns raised by a third party on the data presented in the article. The authors collaborated on the investigation and provided the raw data underlying the study. An expert statistical assessment of the data indicated that the dietary intake information appears implausible. However, since the source of the experimental error causing these issues remains unclear and the identified concerns do not undermine the overall conclusions of the article, the journal has decided to issue an Expression of Concern to inform and alert readers to disregard any statements related to the dietary intake data.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic condition impacting both the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. Intestinal inflammation and epithelial injury are the pathological features of IBD. Recent studies have reported that some strategies of dietary restriction (DR) can regulate immune system, correct the immune disorders, and improve some immune-associated diseases such as IBD. However, as a form of DR, the effect of intermittent fasting (IF) on the IBD remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of two cycles of IF on the IBD mouse model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). It was found that two cycles of IF significantly decreased the score of the disease activity index (DAI) and alleviated the IBD-related symptoms. In addition, IF reversed the shortening of colon length mediated by DSS, significantly increased the number of colonic crypts, and decreased the colonic histological score. Furthermore, the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells in both the spleen and mesenteric lymph node was reduced by IF treatment. The expression of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 was restrained by IF intervention. Moreover, IF administration significantly reduced the number of leukocytes and macrophages infiltrating around the crypt base in the colon. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that IF administration can alleviate the symptoms and pathology of IBD in the DSS-induced IBD mouse model by reducing the intestinal inflammation.

Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have revolutionized cancer therapy by offering a selective and innovative approach to degrade key oncogenic proteins associated with various malignancies. These hybrid molecules exploit the ubiquitin-proteasome system, facilitating the degradation of target proteins through an event-driven mechanism, thereby overcoming drug resistance and enhancing selectivity. With diverse targets including androgen receptors, BTK, estrogen receptors, BET proteins, and BRAF, PROTACs offer a versatile strategy for personalized cancer treatment. Advantages of PROTACs over traditional small molecule inhibitors include their ability to operate at lower concentrations, catalyzing the degradation of multiple proteins of interest with reduced cytotoxicity. Notably, PROTACs address challenges associated with traditionally “undruggable” targets, expanding the therapeutic landscape of cancer therapy. Ongoing preclinical and clinical studies highlight the transformative potential of PROTACs, with promising results in prostate, breast, lung, melanoma, and colorectal cancers. Despite their potential, challenges persist in optimizing physicochemical properties and enhancing bioavailability. Further research is needed to refine PROTAC design and address complexities in molecule development. Nevertheless, the development of oral androgen receptor PROTACs represents a significant milestone, demonstrating the feasibility and efficacy of this innovative therapeutic approach. This review provides a comprehensive overview of PROTACs in cancer therapy, emphasizing their mechanism of action, advantages, and challenges. As PROTAC research progresses, continued exploration in both preclinical and clinical settings will be crucial to unlocking their full therapeutic potential and shaping the future of personalized cancer treatment.

Sophora japonica, a member of the Fabaceae family, is recognized for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Asian medicine. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of ultrasound-assisted extraction techniques in obtaining bioactive compounds from S. japonica and to formulate these extracts into stable nanoemulsions with enhanced antioxidant activity. The extraction methods employed included ethanolic maceration followed by ultrasound-assisted extraction, with the latter producing a total phenolic content of 65.57 mg gallic acid equivalent per milliliter, compared to 51.18 mg for the maceration method. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH scavenging assay, revealing that the ultrasound-assisted extract exhibited a scavenging efficiency of 67%, whereas the ethanolic extract demonstrated a scavenging efficiency of 59%. The resultant nanoemulsions, formulated from the ultrasound-assisted extracts, showed an average particle size of 252.92 nm and a zeta potential of −36.68 mV, indicating favorable stability. Visual inspections and peroxide value assessments during a 5-day oxidative stability study indicated that the water-based nanoemulsion experienced minimal changes, maintaining its stability, while the ethanolic nanoemulsion exhibited significant signs of separation and oxidation. These findings suggest that ultrasound-assisted extraction not only enhances the recovery of bioactive compounds from S. japonica but also contributes to the formation of stable nanoemulsions, which hold potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.