Journal of Food Biochemistry最新文献

B. Li, J. Li, and S. Hu, “Cinnamon could improve hepatic steatosis caused by a high-fat diet via enhancing hepatic beta-oxidation and inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative damage, and inflammation in male rats,” Journal of Food Biochemistry 2022 (2022): e14077, https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14077.

The article titled “Cinnamon could improve hepatic steatosis caused by a high-fat diet via enhancing hepatic beta-oxidation and inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative damage, and inflammation in male rats” has inadvertently been assigned to a Special Issue due to a Publisher error. The article should have been published within the regular issue of Journal of Food Biochemistry.

We apologize for this error.

Postbiotics derived from probiotic components or metabolites have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for managing inflammation and oxidative stress–related diseases. The inhibitory effects of the peptidoglycan (PGN) fraction of Bifidobacterium animalis KL101 on receptor activator of nuclear factor–kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)–induced osteoclast differentiation were investigated in RAW264.7 macrophages. PGN (10 and 20 μg/mL) significantly reduced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, suppressed nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), and downregulated osteoclast-specific genes such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Cathepsin K (CtsK). Moreover, PGN decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and upregulated heme oxygenase–1 (HO-1), mitigating ROS-mediated signaling pathways such as the NF-κB pathway. In addition, PGN also modulated autophagy, reducing the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3–II to LC3–I (LC3–II/LC3–I) and restoring p62/SQSTM1 (p62) levels, thereby impairing osteoclastogenesis. These findings highlight the dual role of PGN from B. animalis KL101 in inhibiting ROS and autophagy pathways critical to osteoclast differentiation and function. This study identifies the PGN of B. animalis KL101 as a promising postbiotic candidate for controlling osteoclast-mediated bone degradation in disorders such as osteoporosis and periodontitis.

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to various chronic diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, liver disease, and hypertension. This study investigates the comparative effects of vitamin D3 supplementation and sunlight exposure on high-fat diet–induced obesity in albino mice. After 16 weeks on a butter-rich diet, obese mice gained 15 ± 2 g more than controls (T₀). The obese cohort was then subdivided into four groups (8 mice each): untreated obese controls (T₁), sunlight exposure (T₂), vitamin D₃ supplementation (T₃), and combined sunlight plus vitamin D₃ supplementation (T₄). After 30 days, the obese control group exhibited significant weight gain with elevated glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and liver enzymes, alongside reduced HDL levels (p < 0.001). In contrast, all treatment groups, particularly those receiving combined sunlight and vitamin D₃, showed marked improvements in these parameters, including significant reductions in metabolic markers and liver enzymes (p < 0.001). Serum 25 (OH) D levels remained stable in normal controls (30–32 ng/mL), declined in obese controls (15–18 ng/mL), increased moderately with sunlight (33–35 ng/mL) or synthetic vitamin D₃ (32–34 ng/mL), and reached the highest values under combined treatment (37–39 ng/mL). Histological analysis revealed fat accumulation in the liver and kidneys, as well as adipocyte infiltration in the liver and heart of obese controls, changes not observed in treated groups. Collectively, these results indicate that improving vitamin D status via sunlight exposure or supplementation may offer a simple and effective approach to alleviating obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.

Arsenic intoxication is a serious public health concern that causes several diseases, urging the discovery of new therapeutics. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) has been reported to demonstrate its ameliorating effect on lead, cadmium, and carbendazim-induced toxicity. However, no studies have investigated the arsenic (As)-induced toxicity protective effect of coriander leaf extract and its phytochemical characterization by GC-MS. The study aimed to investigate the protective role of the methanolic extract of coriander leaves against arsenic-induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice and characterize its phytoconstituents by GC-MS. Mice were divided into three groups, control, As-treated, and As plus extract–treated groups, and treated with three different doses of extract (150, 300, and 500 mg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks. The arsenic-intoxicated mice that received coriander extract doses showed an increased body weight compared to the As-treated group. This extract protected arsenic-intoxicated mice by restoring hematological and biochemical parameters and improving histopathological changes. GC-MS analysis of the extract identified 59 compounds that fall under diverse phytochemical classes, and the major compounds characterized were 13-docosenamide, (Z)-, gamma-sitosterol, phthalic acid, di(2-propylpentyl) ester, stigmasterol, vitamin E, neophytadiene, gamma-tocopherol, and phytol. Incorporating an appropriate amount of coriander into the diet or using it as an adjuvant alongside chelating therapies may offer health benefits in mitigating arsenic-induced toxicity.

Green tea exhibits multifunctional effects owing to its bioactive compounds. These effects were mainly demonstrated in green tea leaves. Therefore, they are expected in green tea seeds (GTSs). This study aimed to explore the potential use of by-products from defatted GTSs (DGTS) by comparing the bioactive compounds and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of water (DGTSW) and ethanol (DGTSE) extracts, to identify their nutritional and functional applications. DGTSW and DGTSE were prepared and investigated. The bioactive compounds in DGTSW and DGTSE were analyzed, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated. DGTSW exhibited a higher extraction yield, crude protein content, and crude lipid content than those of DGTSE, indicating greater nutritional value. In contrast, DGTSE contained high levels of bioactive compounds, including epigallocatechin gallate, flavonoids, and alkaloids, as well as high free-sugar content. Free amino acid composition showed that DGTSW was rich in umami-related free amino acids, such as glutamic and aspartic acid, whereas DGTSE had higher levels of bitter-related free amino acids, such as valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Antioxidant activity was significantly higher in DGTSE, which may be attributed to the presence of potent bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. In addition, DGTSE exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Pichia membranifaciens with an inhibition zone and microbial growth inhibition rate of 96.5% at 20 mg/mL. These findings suggest that the nutritional and functional properties of DGTS could be affected by the appropriate extraction solvent, with water extraction favoring nutritional components and ethanol extraction enhancing functional activity through abundant bioactive compounds.

Neuro-oxidative damage is a key determinant in the pathogenesis and progression of sleep–wake disturbances, whereas mitophagy serves a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and mitigating oxidative stress (OS)–induced impairments. Ginsenoside Rf (G-Rf), a bioactive compound derived from ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey), has been recognized for its regulatory effects on mitophagy. However, its potential therapeutic efficacy in OS-associated insomnia remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the neuroprotective effects and mechanistic pathways of G-Rf in OS-induced insomnia via a combined approach of network pharmacology and experimental validation. G-Rf’s effects on sleep–wake regulation, locomotor activity, and cognitive function were evaluated using the DAM2 behavioral monitoring system in an OS-induced Drosophila model. Potential targets were identified via TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction, OMIM, and GeneCards databases, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Experimental validation was conducted in OS-exposed Drosophila and glutamate-induced PC12 cells. ROS levels and apoptosis were quantified through flow cytometry, while Western blot analysis examined apoptosis-related proteins, AMPK/mTOR, and mitophagy markers. G-Rf effectively restored sleep–wake homeostasis in OS-induced Drosophila, improving locomotor activity as well as learning and memory functions. It also enhanced glutathione synthesis and elevated catalase activity in brain tissue. Network pharmacology analysis identified the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway as a key regulatory mechanism, which was further validated in Drosophila brain tissue. In PC12 cells, G-Rf reduced lactate dehydrogenase release, reduced ROS accumulation, and suppressed apoptosis. Moreover, G-Rf preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and regulated apoptosis-associated proteins by upregulating Bcl-2 while downregulating Bax and Caspase-3 expression. Furthermore, G-Rf stimulated AMPK signaling while suppressing mTOR activity, thereby promoting mitophagy, as evidenced by elevated Beclin-1 expression, enhanced LC3-I to LC3-II conversion, and reduced p62 levels. This study is the first to identify that G-Rf alleviates OS-induced neuronal apoptosis and insomnia via AMPK/mTOR-mediated mitophagy, establishing a previously uncharacterized therapeutic axis associating mitochondrial autophagy with neuroprotection and sleep regulation.

Glutaric acid (GA) has been previously investigated for its potential as a flavoring agent and its antimicrobial properties on meat during storage. However, its efficacy in inhibiting bacterial growth and extending shelf-life, particularly when combined with synthetic preservatives, such as sorbic acid (SA) or sodium bisulfite (SB), remains to be fully demonstrated. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of GA, GA–SA, and GA–SB, specifically assessing their effectiveness in improving the quality and shelf life of refrigerated sliced and minced beef. Results from the checkerboard assay revealed that GA and its combinations exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, although only GA-SB demonstrated notable antioxidant properties. Applying these substances to refrigerated sliced and minced beef demonstrated potential for extending shelf life and preserving freshness. The ability of GA, GA–SA (4:1), and GA–SB (1:8) to maintain color, stabilize pH and moisture, and reduce spoilage markers, including total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (POV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) levels, and microbial counts, highlights their value for meat preservation. In conclusion, GA, GA–SB (1:8), and GA–SA (4:1) exhibited a dose-dependent effect across both beef study models, with GA–SB (1:8) demonstrating the most pronounced impact, making it a promising candidate for future studies aimed at enhancing manufactured meat quality and safety.

Citrus peel, a waste product of fruit processing industries, is an abundant source of polyphenols with strong antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant potential of peels from six Victorian-grown citrus varieties through a combination of in vitro antioxidant assays and polyphenol profiling by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Peels from Cara Cara Navel variety had the greatest total phenolic content (7.26 mg GAE/g). Peels from Dekopon variety demonstrated the strongest antioxidant capacity in ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. A moderate positive correlation was observed between total flavonoid content and DPPH antioxidant activity (r = 0.61), while it had a high positive correlation (r = 0.71) with FRAP. A tentative characterization of polyphenolic compounds using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis identified 55 phenolic compounds within the citrus peels, with flavonoids representing the predominant class. Our findings demonstrated the significant antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic compounds in these citrus peel samples, in particular Dekopon variety. These findings provide the first detailed characterization of polyphenolic diversity across Victorian citrus peels and highlight their potential as a source of bioactive compounds. The observed varietal differences and significant antioxidant properties provide a foundation for valorization of citrus peel waste for utilization in food preservation or nutraceutical development, thereby supporting a broader circular economy.

Diabetes is one of the top 10 causes of death in Taiwan and is associated with many chronic diseases, posing a significant health threat. Phytochemicals are the bioactive compounds which have been recognized for their potential effect in regulating blood sugar and providing antioxidant benefits. This study involved both in vitro and clinical approach to evaluate the regulatory effect of multiherbal fermented liquid on blood glucose in C2C12 cells and prediabetic subjects. The in vitro study involved C2C12 cells, while clinical trials focused on prediabetic individuals. In clinical trial, participants of the intervention group and the control group were consumed 30 mL of multiherbal fermented liquid and placebo beverage every day on an empty stomach for 16 weeks. Results from the in vitro study showed that the treatment of multiherbal fermented liquid increased glucose uptake into the cells and positively influenced the expression of insulin signaling pathway components, such as IRS-1, PI3K, and GLUT4. Results from the clinical study indicated significant improvements in blood pressures, fasting blood glucose levels, insulin levels, lipid, and blood peroxide levels after 12 weeks of intervention. The above findings concluded that the multiherbal fermented liquid enhanced the glucose uptake by cells and positively modified the expression of insulin pathway factors, also benefiting in regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, blood lipids, and oxidative reactions in the body.

Inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis, is a chronic disorder characterized by inflammation, impaired intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota imbalance. Citrus fruits, particularly their peels, are rich in bioactive flavonoids such as narirutin and hesperidin, which possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, citrus peels are often discarded and wasted during juice processing, presenting a missed opportunity for therapeutic use. This study aims to compare the therapeutic potential of Citrus unshiu peel (CPE) and pulp (CPU) extracts in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced colitis. Six-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided into nine groups, including controls and treatment groups receiving CPE or CPU at varying doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). Colitis was induced using 3% DSS for 14 days. Results showed that CPE at 200 mg/kg significantly improved colitis symptoms: It reduced body weight loss, spleen enlargement, and disease activity index scores. CPE treatment was associated with the enhancement of intestinal barrier function, which was evidenced by the upregulation of occludin and claudin levels. CPE also favorably modulated gut microbiota diversity, increasing beneficial species such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides acidifaciens. CPE contained higher levels of narirutin and hesperidin compared to CPU, correlating with its more pronounced therapeutic effects. These findings suggest that CPE could serve as a valuable functional ingredient for colitis management, addressing both health and environmental concerns.