Food Science & Nutrition最新文献

The link between Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), especially regarding recurrence and age-related disparities, remains unclear. Recurrence and age-specific risks of SSNHL are under addressed, limiting preventive strategies. This study investigated if Vit D deficiency increases SSNHL onset and recurrence risks, with a focus on age-specific associations. In this prospective cohort study, 80 adult SSNHL patients and 60 matched controls were enrolled. All patients received standard therapy. Baseline serum 25(OH)D was measured, Vit D deficiency or insufficient patients were randomized in a single-blind manner to receive 3-month Vit D supplementation. We monitored Vit D levels, hearing recovery (pure-tone audiometry at 10 days and 3 months), recurrence, and associated symptoms. Vit D deficiency was more prevalent in SSNHL patients than controls (38.8% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.000). Recurrent SSNHL patients had significantly lower Vit D levels (18.4 ± 4.1 ng/mL) than first-onset patients (24.9 ± 9.7 ng/mL). The highest deficiency rate (60.0%) was in patients under 30 years. Multivariate analysis identified audiometric subtype, not Vit D status, as an independent outcome predictor. Vit D supplementation did not significantly improve recovery rates (75.7% vs. 68.2%) or alleviate symptoms. Vit D deficiency is a significant, modifiable risk factor for SSNHL onset and recurrence, with the strongest association in patients under 30 years old. However, short-term Vit D supplementation initiated after SSNHL diagnosis failed to improve clinical outcomes, underscoring that long-term maintenance of adequate Vit D levels, rather than acute post-symptom intervention, may be critical for reducing SSNHL risk in high-risk populations.

Small tomatoes are an important economic fruit crop. Strategies to rapidly and stably improve their taste and nutritional quality are of significant economic value. This study evaluated grafting tomato scion ZheYingFen1 (ZYF1) onto eggplant rootstocks (ZheQie117 or ZheQie10). Comprehensive metabolomics and targeted assays demonstrated that grafting substantially increased fructose and glucose levels, thereby enhancing sweetness compared with self-rooted controls. Lycopene content rose significantly, particularly with the ZQ117 rootstock, without elevating key organic acids linked to sourness. Conversely, most free amino acids decreased, including umami-associated glutamate. Energy metabolite profiling showed graft-specific shifts, with pronounced enrichment in sulfur-containing glucosinolate biosynthesis pathways, suggesting modified defense responses and flavor profiles. These results demonstrate that compatible eggplant rootstocks provide a practical horticultural strategy to directly improve tomato sweetness and nutritional value without compromising acidity. This work provides evidence that eggplant rootstocks can effectively improve both the sweetness and nutritional value of tomatoes through metabolic reprogramming, offering a practical and sustainable approach for quality enhancement in commercial tomato production while maintaining a favorable acidity balance.

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, and antioxidants may play a protective role. However, the link between overall dietary antioxidant intake, measured using the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI), and long-term health outcomes remains unclear. This prospective cohort study investigated the association between CDAI and cause-specific mortality, including CVD and cancer, as well as all-cause mortality and CVD incidence, using data from 6484 adults (mean age: 48.38 years, 39.98% male) in the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerosis Disorder (MASHAD) cohort. Dietary intake was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and CDAI was calculated from six dietary antioxidants. Participants were followed for 10 years. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that individuals in the third and fourth quartiles of CDAI had significantly lower cancer mortality (p = 0.011) and cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.021). Multivariable Cox regression revealed a significant inverse association between CDAI and cardiovascular mortality in the second (OR = 0.531; 95% CI: 0.391–0.884) and third (OR = 0.535; 95% CI: 0.321–0.892) quartiles, but not in the fourth (OR = 0.847; 95% CI: 0.537–1.337). Higher CDAI was also linked to lower cancer mortality in crude (OR = 0.424; 95% CI: 0.224–0.802), first (OR = 0.384; 95% CI: 0.198–0.747), and second (OR = 0.398; 95% CI: 0.202–0.785) models, though this association weakened after full adjustment (OR = 0.469; 95% CI: 0.165–1.331). No significant link was found between the highest CDAI quartile and all-cause mortality (p > 0.05). Overall, these findings suggest that moderate antioxidant intake may offer protective effects, particularly for cardiovascular outcomes.

Wheat, being a major staple crop worldwide, is often attacked by rust diseases, which cause severe yield losses. The early detection and diagnosis of fungal infections, yellow rust, and brown rust are critical in minimizing their consequences. A web-based system based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was developed for the quick identification and classification of wheat plant diseases. The diseases that we examine in wheat plants are brown rust (BR) and yellow rust (YR), and healthy plants are classified in the third category. A dataset of labeled images of YR, BR, and healthy wheat plants was used to train the CNN. The model achieved a remarkable 96% classification accuracy. In addition to disease diagnosis, a recommendation module that gives advice on proper treatment based on disease names or symptoms is also provided. This twofold functionality allows for timely disease management and identification and facilitates the treatment of other wheat diseases besides rust diseases. Integrating the trained CNN model into an intuitive web application makes it user-friendly for end users, notably farmers, to have a practical tool in protecting wheat crops.

The development of gluten-free bread innovations is driven by increased public awareness of healthy living, the rising number of individuals with celiac disease and gluten allergies, and efforts to reduce dependence on wheat imports by utilizing local commodities. Xanthan Gum (XG) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are commonly used hydrocolloids in gluten-free bread because they have been proven effective in improving gluten-free bread quality and mimicking the function of gluten in the bread matrix. This literature review aims to evaluate the roles of XG and HPMC in gluten-free bread based on physical characteristics (specific volume, organoleptic properties, and color), texture, and nutrition. This study employs the Textual Narrative Synthesis method and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) technique, resulting in 41 selected studies after a comprehensive literature assessment. The review findings indicate that the addition of XG and HPMC to gluten-free bread can enhance specific volume, sensory quality, and texture characteristics. The type of hydrocolloid, flour or starch used, water content, and the addition of various ingredients in the formulation influence the physical, textural, and nutritional properties of gluten-free bread. The use of these hydrocolloids offers a solution for the food industry in producing high-quality gluten-free bread.

This study evaluated the antioxidant and neuropharmacological potentials of methanol extract of Oroxylum indicum bark (MOIB) to advocate the scientific basis of its traditional use in medical folklore. The preliminary phytochemical screening and GC–MS analysis identified twenty phytochemicals in MOIB. Besides, in EPM, MOIB exhibited an increase in time spent and the number of entries in open arms while an enhancement in head dipping was demonstrated by MOIB in HBT compared to control, indicating anxiolytic activities. Furthermore, a dose-dependent reduction in locomotor activities together with immobility time was revealed by MOIB in the hole cross test, open field test, and tail suspension test, forced swimming test, respectively in comparison to that of control suggesting sedative and antidepressant activities. Again, the molecular docking analysis revealed two compounds CID 550198 and CID 10393 with a good binding affinity to all the targeted receptors together with promising pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles evident from ADME/T analysis. Consequently, the respective molecular dynamic simulation study confirmed the stability of the protein-ligand complexes. Moreover, two compounds with CID 550198 and CID 10393 might be used as natural lead compounds for the treatment of anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression. Yet, advanced studies are required to reveal the fundamental mechanism of these activities.

Fish play a significant role in food and nutrition security along the coast of East Africa. However, there is a lack of comprehensive nutrient composition data. This study aimed to present the nutrient composition of the most commonly consumed marine fish species and assess their potential contribution to the Codex nutrient reference values (NRVs) for healthy adults. In total, 123 pooled samples (composites) of 24 commonly consumed marine fish species were collected using pelagic and demersal trawls by the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen during ecosystem surveys along the East African coast in 2018 and 2023. Species were categorized, according to length, into small (< 25 cm) or large (> 25 cm) fish and prepared based on local consumption practices (whole, dressed, headed and gutted, and fillets). All samples were analyzed for macronutrients (protein, fat and fatty acids) and micronutrients (calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, vitamin A, folic acid and vitamin B12). The results show that whole small fish species contain higher levels of various micronutrients, such as calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, vitamin A, and the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), compared to the fillets of large fish species. This study showed that several small fish species consumed whole contribute to ≥ 15% of the NRVs of healthy adults for several essential nutrients when a 100 g portion is consumed. The data presented in this study provide a valuable addition to the Tanzanian and Mozambican food composition tables, enhancing the understanding of fish as a significant source of micronutrients.

Brewers' spent grain (BSG)'s potential use as a food ingredient is being evaluated, and thus, an accurate characterization of its proximate composition, particularly lipids, becomes essential. While the Soxhlet method is a widely recognized official standard test used for lipids measurement in food products, inconsistencies in solvent selection have led to variable and often no comparable results across studies. This is the first study that attempts to address that gap by systematically evaluating the impact of solvent type and extraction time on lipid yield from BSG. Five solvents and solvent mixtures, including acetone, ethanol, hexane, petroleum ether, and n-hexane, were used for lipid extraction. In the initial phase, 5 g BSG was extracted using 125 mL of various solvents over 5 h. Lipid yields from BSG varied from 4.54% to 8.44% depending on the solvent type, in which ethanol yielded the highest lipid content. Based on these results, ethanol was selected for further studies on the effect of extraction time. Soxhlet extractions were performed using ethanol and it's binary mixtures with hexane and n-hexane for 3, 5, and 7 h. The lipid yield from BSG varied from 7.66% to 8.44%, while the statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in lipid yield across the time range under studied conditions. Based on the findings from the study, it is recommended to use ethanol as a single solvent for 3-h extraction, as the method balances efficiency and resource use. The results from this study is beneficial for the laboratories to choose the proper solvent and extraction time for measuring lipids in BSG using the Soxhlet method.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined by excessive hepatic lipid deposition, which is markedly affected by dietary habits and gut microbiota. This study utilizes the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM), an established tool derived from 106 peer-reviewed studies, to assess the effect of diet on NAFLD. By evaluating foods that modulate microbiota composition, the DI-GM offers a robust framework for examining dietary quality and its connection to NAFLD risk in a large population. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999–2018) involving 101,316 participants, excluding those under 18, with incomplete data, alternative liver conditions, or excessive alcohol consumption. Finally, 5283 participants were included. NAFLD was identified using the United States Fatty Liver Index (USFLI). DI-GM scores were calculated from two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) assessed the DI-GM–NAFLD relationship, adjusting for demographics, lifestyle, and medical history. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses ensured robustness, while ROC curves and DeLong's test compared DI-GM's predictive ability with Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). Among 5283 participants, higher DI-GM scores were associated with a 23.8% lower NAFLD risk (OR: 0.762, 95% CI: 0.590–0.986) in the highest versus lowest quartile. RCS analysis confirmed a linear negative association (p < 0.001, p-nonlinearity = 0.209), which was consistent across subgroups (all p > 0.05). In addition, sensitivity analyses supported these findings. DI-GM showed a higher AUC (0.867) than HEI-2015 (0.848) and DASH (0.847; both p < 0.0001, DeLong's test). Elevated DI-GM scores are inversely linked to NAFLD risk, suggesting a potential link between dietary patterns that promote beneficial gut microbiota modulation and reduced liver disease risk. This highlights the potential of DI-GM-guided dietary interventions for NAFLD prevention. Nevertheless, additional studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms.