Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

The incorporation of functional plants rich in bioactive components or secondary metabolites as alternatives to growth promoters, such as antibiotics, in ruminant production is gaining momentum. Diet composition and structure are principal determinants of rumen microbial community structure, function, and the health status of ruminants. This study aimed to assess the impact of dietary Lycium barbarum byproducts on rumen fermentation parameters, digestive enzyme activity, microbial composition and proportion, and rumen health status in grazing sheep on sown pastures. The findings revealed that, compared to the control group (CON), the Lycium barbarum seed (LBS) and residue (LBR) groups exhibited increased proportions of acetic acid and propionic acid, while the proportions of valeric acid and isovaleric acid decreased. Activity of rumen digestive enzymes, including pepsin, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), urease, aminopeptidase (Aps), and cellobiase increased, and rumen microbial diversity was altered (increased richness but not diversity). The relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Prevotella and Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group increased, whereas that of Desulfovibrio decreased. Furthermore, levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), immunoglobulin (GLB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) increased, while uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased. The active ingredients in the byproducts, including polysaccharides, polyphenols (flavonoids), and vegetable oils, exert beneficial effects by directly inhibiting pathogen proliferation, modulating intestinal microbiota composition, enhancing immune function, and mitigating oxidative stress.

Atherosclerosis presents a persistent health challenge, with limited therapies addressing residual cardiovascular risk. Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction (GXBD), a classical Chinese herbal formula traditionally used for chest obstruction syndromes, was evaluated as a dietary-style intervention in ApoE^−/− mice fed a high-fat diet for 14 weeks. Using a multi-omics strategy that combined UHPLC-QE-MS/MS chemical profiling, network pharmacology, 16S rRNA sequencing, targeted bile acid metabolomics, and biological validation, we assessed vascular and metabolic outcomes alongside gut ecology. Chemical profiling identified 348 constituents, including bioactive flavonoids and saponins. In vivo, GXBD intervention significantly improved lipid profiles by reducing serum TC, TG, and LDL-C, and by raising HDL (p < 0.05). It markedly reduced aortic plaque burden and alleviated hepatic steatosis (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, GXBD reshaped the gut microbiota, characterized by the enrichment of beneficial Bacteroides and Alloprevotella and the depletion of pro-inflammatory Blautia and Bilophila. This microbial shift coincided with significantly higher levels of protective secondary bile acids, such as 11-LCA and 23-DCA, and fewer cytotoxic chenodeoxycholic acid–derived metabolites (p < 0.05). Correlation and constrained ordination analyses linked these microbial-bile acid signatures to the concordant modulation of vascular hub targets, including the downregulation of MMP9 and CASP3 and upregulation of PPARG and SIRT1. These findings suggest that GXBD mitigates atherosclerosis in this murine model through a coordinated remodeling of the gut microbiota–bile acid–host axis, supporting its potential as a microbiome-informed, multi-component adjunct for cardiometabolic health.

Previous clinical trials examining the effects of cranberry on inflammatory markers have yielded inconsistent results. This study specifically aimed to assess the influence of cranberry consumption on C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A thorough systematic review was conducted by searching ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to December 21, 2024, with no language restrictions applied, by two independent authors. The results were synthesized using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. From an initial pool of 1882 articles, 10 were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The findings indicated that cranberry did not significantly influence CRP (weighted mean differences (WMD): 0.01 mg/L; 95% CI: −0.38 to 0.40, p = 0.95; I²: 80.8%) or Interleukin-6 (WMD: −0.26 pg/mL; 95% CI: −1.78 to 1.27, p = 0.74; I²: 86.1%). However, it was observed that cranberry consumption was associated with a significant rise in CRP levels in obese individuals or in studies focused solely on women. Furthermore, research showed that the active ingredient in cranberry, when administered in powder form, could lead to a considerable increase in interleukin-6 levels. This review and meta-analysis suggest that cranberry supplementation did not affect CRP or Interleukin-6 levels. To further assess and validate these results, more long-term and well-designed RCTs are needed.

Dietary habits play a crucial role in everyday health, influencing both the onset and progression of diseases. Previous studies have shown some effects of dietary habits on certain thyroid diseases. However, comprehensive research on the causal relationship between dietary habits and thyroid diseases is lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential causal relationship between 45 genetically predicted dietary intake habits and thyroid diseases. We obtained GWAS data for 45 dietary intake habits from the UK Biobank and for 10 thyroid diseases from the FinnGen R12 database. We performed univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR) using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) test as the primary test and corrected the results by false discovery rate (FDR) analysis. Additionally, multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis (MVMR) was further applied to assess independent effects of dietary habits. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was conducted on the FDR-corrected significant findings. UVMR identified 28 potential causal associations, of which six remained significant after FDR correction. Cheese intake and alcohol consumption during meals were suggestively associated with a lower risk of hypothyroidism. Poultry consumption showed a potential association with a higher risk of nontoxic thyroid nodules, while moderate red wine intake appeared to be linked with a lower risk. In MVMR analyses adjusting for conventional confounders, the association between poultry consumption and both nontoxic nodules and goiter remained suggestive of an independent effect. These findings suggest potential causal links between dietary factors and thyroid diseases; however, considering the MR assumptions and horizontal pleiotropy, these estimates should be interpreted with caution, as they are hypothesis-generating rather than prescriptive for clinical nutrition.

Childhood undernutrition in Ethiopia is a major public health concern. However, conventional indicators often miss concurrent growth failures, thereby underestimating the true burden among infants aged 6–8 months, a vulnerable group during the critical period of growth and complementary feeding. Therefore, this study aimed to assess undernutrition using the composite index of anthropometric failure and associated factors among infants aged 6–8 months in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 789 mothers with infants aged 6–8 months, selected using a cluster sampling technique in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were taken following standard procedures. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with undernutrition. Variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Nearly one-third of infants aged 6–8 months were undernourished (29.2%; 95% CI: 26.0%, 32.5%) as measured by the composite index of anthropometric failure. In multivariable logistic regression, infants from households where the husband was the primary decision-maker on resources [AOR = 2.36, 95% CI (1.51, 3.71)], infants being male [AOR = 4.05, 95% CI (2.87, 5.71)], being aged 7 months [AOR = 1.81, 95% CI (1.21, 2.70)], or 8 months [AOR = 1.86, 95% CI (1.23, 2.81)] compared with aged 6 months, having acute respiratory infection [AOR = 1.95, 95% CI (1.13, 3.39)], and low maternal self-efficacy in complementary feeding [AOR = 1.51, 95% CI (1.05, 2.17)] were significant predictors of anthropometric failure. Therefore, interventions should promote shared household decision-making, address illness-related nutritional risks, and strengthen maternal confidence in complementary feeding.

Trial Registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05871346)

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a compound derived from the traditional Chinese herb Lycium barbarum, has been recognized for its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is characterized by systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. Given the critical role of dysregulated M1/M2 macrophage polarization in the pathogenesis of SA-AKI, this study investigated the potential protective effects of LBP both in vivo and in vitro. In the mice model of SA-AKI induced by colonic ligation puncture, LBP administration significantly reduced biochemical indicators of renal injury, including BUN, creatinine, KIM-1, and NGAL. At the molecular level, LBP decreased the expression of M1 macrophage markers such as iNOS while elevating M2 markers like Arg-1. Consistent with these findings, experiments in RAW264.7 cells demonstrated that LBP downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS, while upregulating anti-inflammatory IL-10 and Arg-1. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that LBP modulates macrophage polarization by regulating the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT6, thereby promoting the M2 phenotype and inhibiting M1 activation. Collectively, these results indicate that LBP attenuates SA-AKI by regulating macrophage polarization.

Magouz, O., E. Fayed, K. S. Radhi, et al. 2025. “Eco-Friendly Innovation: Biodegradable and Oil-Resistant Bags From Lotus halophilus Extract, Polyvinyl Alcohol, and Guar Gum for Sustainable Food Packaging.” Food Science and Nutrition 13, no. 10: e71017. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71017.

Description of corrections:

In the originally published version, the following errors are noted:

The co-author's name “Eman Fayed” was incorrectly spelled. The correct spelling is “Eman Fayad.”

The affiliation of Fayez Althobaiti was incorrectly listed as

³Department of Science and Nutrition, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

It should be corrected to:

²Department of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.”

The online version has been corrected accordingly.

We apologize for these errors.

Sarcopenia is a significant public health concern that adversely affects the health and quality of life of older adults. The causal and longitudinal relationships between homocysteine (Hcy), B vitamins, and sarcopenia remain unclear. This study integrated genetic evidence with clinical cohort data to investigate these associations using a two-stage design. First, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using summary data from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of European ancestry. We examined the potential causal effects of Hcy, Vit B₆, folate, and Vit B₁₂ on sarcopenia-related phenotypes, including appendicular lean mass (ALM), grip strength, and walking pace, using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analysis. Second, to validate these genetic findings and examine their longitudinal relevance, we established an independent retrospective clinical cohort of 1322 individuals. Group-based trajectory modeling identified distinct Hcy trajectory groups, and multivariable Cox regression with restricted cubic splines was used to assess longitudinal associations and dose–response relationships with incident sarcopenia. The MR analysis showed that genetically predicted higher Hcy levels were causally associated with low grip strength (OR = 1.133, 95% CI: 1.016–1.263, p = 0.025) and lower ALM (β = −0.043, 95% CI: −0.069 – −0.016, p = 0.001). In the clinical cohort, individuals in the medium-stable and high-stable Hcy trajectory groups had a 1.965-fold (95% CI: 1.027–3.759) and 2.832-fold (95% CI: 1.608–4.987) higher risk of developing sarcopenia, respectively, compared to the low-stable group. A continuous, incremental dose–response relationship was observed between baseline Hcy levels and sarcopenia risk (p < 0.05). No robust genetic evidence supported causal roles for B vitamins in sarcopenia. This study provides evidence that Hcy is associated with sarcopenia risk, suggesting that interventions targeting Hcy may help prevent or delay sarcopenia onset.

The effect of incrementally increasing the acid detergent fiber (ADF) content in low fiber finishing diets on meat fatty acid (FA) composition, tenderness and stability of finishing South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) wether lambs was investigated. Four dietary treatments were formulated, only differing in ADF content, namely the control (CON), ADF1, ADF2 and ADF3 at 46.8, 59.3, 63.8, and 79.9 g ADF/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. All lambs were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir at the end of a production study of 67 days. Loin chops were evaluated for FA composition, stability and tenderness. Only the α-linolenic acid (CON vs. ADF1 and ADF3) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA c9,t11: CON vs. ADF1 and ADF2) composition of lamb muscle tissue was affected by ADF content, with both the lowest in the CON treatment. The oleic acid, total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and lipid omega-6 (n-6): omega-3 (n-3) ratio decreased, whereas linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, CLAc9,t11, total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), n-6 and n-3 content, as well as PUFA:SFA ratio were increased following an increased ADF content. Longissimus color stability (apart from day 2 L* and day 8 b* values) and shear force were left unaffected. It was concluded that the ADF content of a low fiber finishing diet fed to SAMM lambs did affect meat FA composition. The n-6:n-3 ratio was favorably affected by a high ADF content and more research is needed in this regard.

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis or cauliflower is enjoyed by many around the world. However, its nutrient-rich leaves are commonly discarded; its nutrient-rich leaves are thrown away, and we waste food and miss out on edible resources. This study looked at the nutritional and antinutritional profile of cauliflower leaves after boiling, blanching, or fermentation. It also looked at their potential to boost nutrients in wheat bread. The processed leaves were dried, powdered, and mixed with wheat flour at levels of 1%–9% to make bread. The bread samples were tested for nutritional content, antinutrients, functional properties, and taste. Environmental impact was estimated by comparing water and carbon footprint. Fermentation improved the nutritional quality of cauliflower leaf powder (CLP), increased mineral content and energy, and decreased antinutrients. This was done without affecting protein and fiber content. Adding CLP to bread increased protein and fiber content and enhanced iron and zinc bioavailability. Sensory acceptability was good up to 5% substitution. Partial replacement of wheat flour with CLP also gave environmental benefits by reducing water use and carbon emissions. These results show that CLP is a functional, climate-friendly, and nutrient-rich ingredient for bread production. It's a practical solution to postharvest loss and dietary issues and also highlights the importance of ensuring that nutritional improvements are acceptable to consumers.