Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture最新文献

Background: Fomes fomentarius is a medicinal mushroom from the Northern Hemisphere, recognized for its therapeutic and biotechnological applications. In contrast, tropical Fomes species remain poorly characterized, and information on their properties and cultivation is limited. We evaluated the biotechnological potential of the Neotropical species Fomes fasciatus. Four strains from Paraguay were isolated and assessed for growth on solid media, using both potato dextrose agar and oat seeds, and for indoor basidiomata production using a sawdust-based substrate. The strain showing the best performance on solid media was further evaluated for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production in liquid culture. Additionally, the nutritional and mineral composition of wild and cultivated basidiomata and mycelium was analyzed.

Results: Fomes fasciatus optimal growth on solid media was observed at approximately 32 °C, with no significant differences in basidiomata yield across strains under indoor cultivation. Successful domestication was achieved for three of the four strains studied. Exopolysaccharide production remained statistically unaffected by elicitor supplementation (i.e., CaCl₂ or Tween 40) or variation in carbon and nitrogen sources of the liquid media. In contrast, mycelial biomass was significantly higher in the basal medium than in modified treatments. The wild and domesticated basidiomata and mycelium exhibited high protein content, a balanced amino acid profile, dietary fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, along with essential macroelements such as zinc.

Conclusion: These findings highlight that F. fasciatus is a promising medicinal mushroom species with potential for indoor cultivation, characterized by fast mycelial growth and valuable nutritional and bioactive properties. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: This study investigated the effect of the stewing temperature on digestion and absorption of edible bird's nest. Specifically, edible bird's nest was stewed at 95, 105 and 115 °C, respectively, and the resultant edible bird's nest soups were digested.

Results: The contents of free and bound sialic acid, protein and free amino group in the edible bird's nest soup were positively correlated with the stewing temperature, suggesting that increasing the stewing temperature promoted the dissolution of edible bird's nest. After digestion, the protein content in groups stewed at different temperatures was in the order 95°C > 105°C > 115°C, and the free amino group content was in the reverse order. Electrophoretic analysis demonstrated that glycopeptides were produced after digestion, and increasing the stewing temperature led to more low-molecular-weight peptide products and fewer high-molecular-weight peptide products. These results show that increasing the stewing temperature promoted digestion of edible bird's nest. Subsequently, the absorption ratio of sialic acid was measured by the Caco-2 cell transport assay. It was found that bound sialic acid was absorbed, and a higher stewing temperature led to a higher absorption ratio.

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested that sialylated glycopeptides from digestion of edible bird's nest were absorbed, and increasing the stewing temperature promoted their absorption because of the increased production of small fragments. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Due to its high glutenin content, walnut protein isolate (WPI) exhibits low solubility, limiting its applications in the food industry.

Results: WPI was modified with succinic anhydride (SA), and the potential of the resulting curcumin-loaded emulsions was evaluated. The degree of succinylation of WPI was measured as 89.52 ± 0.66% when 40% SA was used. Succinylation enhanced the surface charge of WPI, reduced its surface hydrophobicity and disulfide bond content, and involved both lysine residues and free sulfhydryl in the acylation reaction. Structural analyses, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy, revealed that SA modification induced significant conformational changes in WPI. Notably, at 20% SA addition, WPI exhibited optimal functional properties, achieving solubility as high as 98.24%. In vitro digestion assays demonstrated that succinylation decreased the release of free fatty acids from emulsions and improved the bioavailability of curcumin to 86.81%.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that SA modification is an effective way for enhancing the structural and functional properties of WPI. The SA-modified WPI shows potential as a carrier for improving the solubility and bioavailability of hydrophobic bioactive compounds. Moreover, this work provides new insights into the significance of WPI modification and offers practical guidance for its application in the food industry. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Temperature and moisture content are recognized as the main factors responsible for mycotoxin production in stored grain, while the role of gaseous environment, particularly interstitial CO_2, remains unexplored. This study investigated the relationship between interstitial CO₂ concentration (generated metabolically in air spaces between grain kernels) and deoxynivalenol (DON) production in stored wheat under varying moisture contents (13%, 15%, 17%, 20%, or 23%), Fusarium treatments (naturally infected, Fusarium-inoculated, disinfected, or disinfected + Fusarium-inoculated), and airtight durations (1, 3, 6, or 12 days).

Results: Moisture was the dominant factor affecting both CO₂ and DON production, explaining most of the observed variance. Fusarium inoculation significantly increased interstitial CO₂ concentration, daily CO₂ production (generated interstitially depending on airtight duration), and accumulated CO₂ production (accumulated interstitially until the end of the storage period). Airtight duration significantly affected CO₂ production and influenced DON concentrations. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.87, P < 0.001) between interstitial CO₂ and log₁₀-transformed DON concentration was obtained.

Conclusion: Wheat with <20% interstitial CO₂ concentration remained below safety thresholds for DON concentration, and >30% interstitial CO₂ was found in 60% of DON-contaminated samples, suggesting a cut-off for safe storage and that monitoring of interstitial CO₂ concentration during grain storage may provide a helpful indication of the risk of grain quality loss. These findings offer a practical approach to minimizing DON accumulation in stored wheat. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Fusarium culmorum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereals, leading to significant yield losses and contamination with type B trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated derivatives 3-ADON and 15-ADON. Due to the limitations of chemical fungicides, there is increasing interest in sustainable alternatives. Naturally occurring antioxidants have shown potential in modulating fungal growth and mycotoxin production.

Results: This study evaluated the effects of 11 natural antioxidant compounds on Fusarium culmorum growth and trichothecene production, both in vitro and in planta. In vitro: octyl gallate (7), honokiol (9), and magnolol (10) completely inhibited fungal growth and trichothecene production at 0.5 mmol L^-1. In planta: octyl gallate (7), reduced the disease index to 0.63% and total mycotoxin levels by 90% while honokiol (9), and ascorbic acid (1) exhibited notable inhibition in both disease severity and mycotoxin accumulation. The equimolar combination of ascorbic acid and tocopherol demonstrated synergistic inhibition of DON and 3-ADON in vitro, though its efficacy in planta was moderate. No correlation was found in vitro between the antioxidant or lipophilic properties and antifungal efficacy, whereas in planta experiments revealed a positive correlation between antioxidant activity and trichothecene suppression. Statistical analysis was performed using Shapiro-Wilks, Levene and analysis of variance tests (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions: Natural antioxidants, particularly octyl gallate and honokiol, represent promising candidates for controlling F. culmorum and reducing trichothecene contamination in cereals. Their application could contribute to safer food by reducing trichothecene levels through environmentally friendly strategies. Further research is needed to optimize formulations and assess field-level efficacy. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Transforming food systems is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3, particularly in reducing hunger and micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa. This requires prioritising the specific food micronutrients and establishing approaches to ensure their efficient delivery to the consuming public. This review examines the potential of nutrient-dense indigenous crops, with emphasis on orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), as sustainable food-based strategies for addressing vitamin A deficiency in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa at large. Evidence shows that, as a biofortified crop, OFSP is rich in β-carotene, essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and antioxidant bioactive compounds. The review establishes that incorporating OFSP into composite flour formulations significantly improves the nutritional quality, functional properties, and consumer acceptability of staple foods, thereby enhancing dietary vitamin A intake. Despite these benefits, the use of OFSP in commonly consumed Ghanaian foods remains limited due to processing challenges, low consumer awareness, and weak integration into formal food value chains. The review concludes that promoting OFSP utilisation in composite flours represents a culturally acceptable and sustainable approach to reducing vitamin A malnutrition, strengthening food system resilience, and supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Lilium lancifolium bulbs are edible-medicinal resources rich in polysaccharides, proteins, polyphenols, and saponins, but fresh bulbs are prone to browning, nutrient loss, and microbial contamination. Blanching combined with drying is a key postharvest strategy for maintaining quality. This study evaluated steam and hot-water blanching followed by hot-air drying to determine their effects on color, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity.

Results: Blanching markedly reduced browning, with steam for 15 min and hot water for 2 min showing the best color protection. Treatments enhanced polyphenol retention, reducing losses of regaloside A and promoting accumulation of regaloside E. Antioxidant capacity was highest after 6 min of hot-water blanching, while 10 min of steam blanching produced the strongest antiproliferative effect with good selectivity (selectivity index = 5.08). Multi-criteria decision analysis identified hot-water blanching for 6 min (B6-D) as optimal and steam blanching for 10 min (S10-D) as secondary.

Conclusion: Blanching-drying synergy effectively improved color stability, preserved key phenolics, and enhanced bioactivity in L. lancifolium bulbs. Hot-water blanching for 6 min followed by drying is recommended as the optimal method, providing a scientific basis for high-quality processing and functional product development. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Soft rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is a common disease in postharvest kiwifruit. Kiwifruit cultivars show varying susceptibility, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences are poorly understood.

Results: This study revealed that the 'Jinyan' (JY) kiwifruit cultivar exhibited greater resistance to B. dothidea and higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and lignin compared to 'Jinkui' (JK). Transcriptome analysis revealed that 4011 genes were differentially expressed, with 1892 being upregulated and 2119 downregulated, between the resistant (JY) and susceptible (JK) kiwifruit cultivars on the first day post-inoculation. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were primarily associated with defense response functions and metabolic pathways. The DEGs related to phenylalanine metabolism (DHQS, ADT, TAT, GOT2, 4CL, CHS, CHI, CCR, F5H, BGLU, BGLU2, BGLU4, POD12, POD55), calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling pathway (CALM2, CML23), transcription factors (WRKY22, MYC2), plant hormone signaling pathway (ATP7, ETR, EBF1_2, PP2C16, SAPK2), and MAPK signaling pathway (MKK4_5) were identified as key markers of resistance to B. dothidea. The expression patterns of these genes related to the key pathways were further validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; most of these genes show higher expression levels in JY than in JK. In total, these candidate genes and their associated pathways were found to be associated with kiwifruit resistance to B. dothidea-induced soft rot.

Conclusion: This study revealed the functional genes and defense pathways involved in governing soft rot resistance in kiwifruit against B. dothidea. These results contribute to understanding the molecular differences in disease resistance between resistant and susceptible kiwifruit cultivars. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.