Journal of Food Biochemistry最新文献

In the past few years, much research has been conducted on edible mushrooms, among which Pleurotus ostreatus (PO)—also known as oyster mushrooms—has received attention due to its many health and medicinal benefits. Some research has shown that PO and its active compounds, such as lectins, polysaccharides, primarily β-glucans, phenols, polyphenols, terpenoids, ergosterols, and glycoproteins, are strong immune system modulators, have anti-inflammatory properties, and have potentially positive effects on the cardiovascular system and athletic performance. In this narrative review, an extensive search (academic databases from inception to April 25, 2024) was conducted in the scientific literature, and various aspects of PO and its effects on health and athletic performance were investigated. This narrative review article thereby demonstrates the potential benefits of PO for improving the overall baseline health and concomitant athletic sports performance, recovery, and cardiovascular system function. In addition to potential enhancements in antioxidant defense, substrate metabolism, and being a rich source of many essential nutrients, we describe a possible positive relationship between PO intake and improved athletic performance and recovery in athletes after intense exercise by reducing inflammation, modulating the microbiome, neutralizing free radicals, and strengthening the cardiovascular system. However, more research in basic studies and clinical trials is needed to investigate PO’s clinical applications, mechanisms, and effects on athletes.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a dietary phenolic acid widely distributed in daily food and plants, but its role in vascular dementia (VaD) is still unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether CGA could rescue cognitive impairment in VaD, providing a new option for drug discovery. Novel object recognition and Morris water maze experiments revealed that CGA enhanced the learning and memory abilities in VaD rats. Nissl staining, Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated that CGA inhibited neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region of VaD rats, increased the expression of synaptic-related markers SYP and PSD95, thickened the postsynaptic density, and suppressed mitochondrial ridge rupture in neurons. GSH detection, MDA detection, and Western blot experiments indicated that CGA alleviated hippocampal GSH reduction and MDA elevation and increased the protein levels of GPX4 and SLC7A11. Cell activity, ROS detection, lipid peroxidation detection, intracellular Fe²⁺ level detection, GSH detection, and Western blot revealed that CGA inhibited the increase of intracellular Fe²⁺, ROS, and lipid peroxidation induced by OGD in PC12 cells, mitigated GSH reduction, and increased the protein levels of GPX4, SLC7A11, SYP, and PSD95. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining showed that CGA increased the expression of pSer40-Nrf2 in the hippocampal tissue of VaD rats and PC12 cells, promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Knockdown of Nrf2 prevented CGA from rescuing ferroptosis and synaptic damage induced by OGD in PC12 cells, as well as Nrf2 pathway activation. Molecular docking analysis suggested that CGA competitively bound to the Kelch domain of Keap1 with Nrf2 and then promoted Nrf2 release and activated downstream signaling pathways. In conclusion, our study suggests that CGA may activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway by disrupting the interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1 proteins, thereby inhibiting hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis and synaptic damage and ameliorating cognitive impairment in VaD. Practical Applications. Vascular dementia (VaD) stands as the second most prevalent type of dementia following Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is no effective clinical treatment drug available, and its pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. This study proposed that CGA might activate the Nrf2-GPX4 signaling pathway by competitively binding to Keap1, thereby attenuating hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis and synaptic damage and consequently ameliorating cognitive impairment in VaD. Our study may provide a novel option for drug research and development for VaD.

The lack of effective treatments for alleviating irreversible skeletal muscle atrophy caused by peripheral nerve dysfunction is a clinical problem. To identify therapeutic targets, signaling pathways in muscle cells activated by denervation have been explored, including the important roles of Cx43, a kind of protein that forms gap junctions, in other types of pathological process. The present study investigated the negative role of Cx43 in aggravated muscle cell degeneration following denervation. The blueberry extract was applied orally on mice models, and its protective effect against denervated skeletal muscle atrophy was found by wet weight measurement and tissue staining observation. Cx43/Akt pathway in denervated muscle cells was modulated by blueberry extract. In conclusion, the negative effects of Cx43 on denervated skeletal muscle atrophy were attenuated by blueberry extract by regulating the Akt pathway.

In LPS-stimulated mouse inflammation model, Laoshan black tea polysaccharides (BTPSs) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. Three water-soluble acidic polysaccharides (BTPS 3-1, BTPS 3-2, and BTPS 3-3) were purified. They contained glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), fucose (Fuc), rhamnose (Rha), glucuronic acid (GlcA), and mannose (Man) at molar ratios of 9.0 : 4.9 : 4.9 : 1.7 : 1.5 : 1.0, 9.5 : 5.3 : 4.9 : 1.7 : 1.6 : 1.0, and 5.3 : 3.5 : 2.0 : 2.1 : 0.9 : 1.0 with average molecular weights of 28.38, 14.39, and 11.00 kDa, respectively. Three polysaccharides reduced the levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, and BTPS 3-2 had the strongest anti-inflammatory effects. Based on analyses of the monosaccharide composition, methylation, and NMR, the main chain of BTPS 3-2 was composed of ⟶4) -β-D-Glcp- (1⟶, ⟶2) -α-L-Fucp- (1⟶, and ⟶6) -β-D-Galp- (1⟶, and Rhap, GlcpA, and Manp units were attached as side chains to the backbone. BTPS 3-2 also downregulated the expression levels of p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, TLR4, MyD88, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6. BTPS 3-2 ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the main water-soluble polyphenolic constituent of Danshen, is noted for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties, particularly in cardiovascular protection. However, the mechanisms by which Sal B affects myocardial fibrosis require further investigation. In vivo, we established a diabetic mouse model using a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) administration. Mice were then treated with Sal B, the transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6) inducers, or their combination. Upregulation of TRPC6 worsened myocardial pathology, leading to cardiac hypertrophy and collagen fiber deposition. In vitro, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 induced transdifferentiation of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, creating a myofibroblast cell model. Sal B, TRPC6 inducers, or their combination were administered. TRPC6 upregulation increased procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide (PICP) and procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP) secretion, promoting myofibroblast proliferation and migration. Our study indicates that TRPC6 expression is upregulated in myocardial fibrosis, enhancing TGF-β/Smad3 signaling and promoting collagen I (COL-1) synthesis. Sal B inhibited abnormal TRPC6 expression and TGF-β/Smad3 activation, mitigating these effects. Thus, Sal B alleviates myocardial fibrosis in diabetes by modulating TRPC6 expression and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Fenugreek extracts have remarkable antioxidant properties and can be used as natural preservatives for products containing a large amount of oil, such as mayonnaise. In this study, mayonnaise was enriched with phenolic extracts of fenugreek seeds (FSE) and fenugreek leaves (FLE), and the quality attributes of the enriched mayonnaises were investigated during storage. FSE and FLE were added to mayonnaise at three different levels (0.05, 0.10, and 0.20%), and the samples were stored at 4°C for 12 weeks and at 25°C for 6 weeks. Antioxidant activity, peroxide value, titratable acidity, color change, and microbial and sensory analysis were performed. As a result, enrichment of mayonnaise with FSE and FLE improved its quality properties during storage. The antioxidant activities of the added FSE and FLE samples were preserved ∼87% and ∼47% at 4°C, and 81% and ∼27% at 25°C, respectively. Furthermore, the increase in the peroxide values of the enriched mayonnaise with extracts during storage was less than that of the added synthetic antioxidant (EDTA) samples. The highest total color change (ΔE) was observed for FLE-added samples for all levels of addition. Multifactorial ANOVA showed significant effects (p < 0.05) of type and concentration of additives, storage time, and their interactions on antioxidant activity, peroxide value, titratable acidity, and color change at both storage temperatures (4°C and 25°C). R² and adj-R² values indicated highly accurate models for all parameters. The addition of FLE and FSE at the highest level (0.20%) prevented the growth of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria by 2.1 and 3.2 logs and the growth of total yeast/mold by 1.0 and 1.3 logs at 25°C, respectively. Sensory attributes (color, odor, taste, texture, and general acceptance) of the mayonnaises added to FSE and FLE had higher scores than the control sample at the end of storage.

Acrylamide is a hazardous chemical mainly synthesized during the thermal processing of foods representing a significant concern within the broader issue of food contaminants and their impact on public health. Acrylamide can be absorbed by the human body through dietary intake, respiration, dermal contact, and mucosa. The metabolic conversion of acrylamide into mercapturic acid metabolites and glycidamide results in several adverse and toxic effects. Therefore, this review explores the formation, toxicity, and metabolism of acrylamide. Hence, it is crucial to detect and ensure product quality via risk evaluation. Traditional analytical techniques for acrylamide detection often require expensive instrumentation and complex sample preparation, prompting the exploration of alternative, cost-effective, sustainable methods. Here, we propose the utilization of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) synthesized through green approaches as a novel solution. CQDs display their immense potential for diverse applications due to their valuable properties such as biocompatibility, photocatalysis, and strong fluorescence. This review highlights the distinct potential of CQDs as a fluorescence probe for detecting acrylamide, showcasing their efficacy in addressing food safety concerns. In addition, various extraction and purification techniques for acrylamide such as QuEChERS, solid phase extraction, Carrez clarification, and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction are comprehensively reviewed. QuEChERS is regarded as a most promising technique for the extraction of acrylamide owing to its cost-effective, rapid, and higher recovery rates.

The geographical traceability of food products is crucial for quality assurance and consumer confidence. The chemical profile and taste quality of hulless barley vary considerably across different production areas, making the determination of its geographical origin and the identification of relevant geographical biomarkers essential. In this study, the quality traits, volatile compounds, and metabolites of 20 hulless barley cultivars from four primary producing areas were investigated. Multivariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in hulless barley from different regions (p < 0.05). The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models exhibited good performance in terms of origin discrimination, identifying 27 volatiles and 86 metabolites that could be used as candidate markers for separation. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and correlation matrix analysis revealed that numerous candidate markers were closely related to soil chemical and climate parameters. The results demonstrate that quality traits, volatile compounds, and metabolites can be used to effectively distinguish the geographical origins of hulless barley, thereby confirming that there is a robust link between metabolite expression and environmental factors. This work highlights that chemical profiling, combined with chemometric techniques (the application of statistical and mathematical methods to chemical data), provides a valuable tool for the geographical discrimination of hulless barley.

Cinnamon bark oil (CBO) is a natural plant bioactive molecule with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities because of its chemical instability and poor solubility in water, which limits its industrial applications. Herein, CBO-loaded Pickering emulsion was produced using zein, the stabilizer, and arabic gum (AG) was used to modify the emulsifying ability of CBO. The stability, chromatic aberration, pH, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta (ζ) potential of the CBO-loaded Pickering emulsion were investigated. The results showed that the Zein-AG-CBO Pickering emulsion exhibited better stability at an added AG concentration of 0.8% (w/v) than the free CBO. The CBO-loaded Pickering emulsion retained its antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity and exhibited higher functional potential than the free CBO. The findings demonstrated the potential of Zein-0.8%AG-CBO Pickering emulsion as a kind of promising alternative for the delivery of antimicrobial essential oils in the food, active packaging material, and other related industries.

Background. Phytochemicals are compounds that are naturally found in plants and are known to have various health benefits. However, phytochemicals are structurally complex, inherently unstable, and have low bioavailability. Unfortunately, research on phytochemicals lags behind that of essential nutrients. This paper focuses on a bibliometric analysis to understand citation patterns in phytochemical research related to chronic diseases. It examines the current state of research, research focal points, and anticipated trends in the field. Methods. We analyzed published literature on phytochemicals and chronic diseases using the Web of Science database. Our search included only English-language publications until April 1, 2023. Visual Metrics software was used to examine data on countries, institutions, authors, journals, and citations. Results. For this study, a total of 2,297 articles were retrieved from 2008 to the present, with a significant increase in citations starting in 2017. China was found to be the leading country in paper production, while the United States had the highest H-index, placing both at the forefront of research in this field. King Saud University published the most, and Liu RH emerged as the most influential author. The analysis showed limited collaboration between institutions across different countries. Molecules were the primary source for phytochemical-related papers. The top 20 keywords highlighted flavonoids and their association with cardiovascular diseases, indicating them as prominent themes in recent phytochemical research with the potential to remain relevant. Conclusions. The study highlights the increasing interest in phytochemical research related to chronic diseases. It provides a thorough review and analysis of the present situation, the latest research topics, and academic trends in this field. This information is precious for researchers and healthcare professionals. It helps them to comprehend significant literature and keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field, eventually leading to progress in this field.