NPJ Science of Food最新文献

Cultured seafood offers a sustainable alternative to traditional seafood by eliminating the need for animal sacrifice and reducing environmental impacts. 3D bioprinting enables precise manufacturing of these products by combining animal cells with plant-based materials. This study introduces novel (bio)inks: (i) κ-CAM bioinks (κ-carrageenan, alginate, and methylcellulose) compatible with seabass cells; and (ii) mFAT inks, plant-based fat inks containing microalgae for enhanced organoleptic properties. κ-CAM bioinks revealed Young's modulus between 14.62 and 25.70 kPa values, suitable for cultured seafood products. Both κ-CAM and mFAT formulations presented adequate printability (Pr~1). Dicentrarchus labrax Embryonic Cells, encapsulated in κ-CAM bioinks, maintained viabilities >76.14% for up to 15 days. A preliminary assessment confirmed that specific microalgae can enhance the sea-like smell and flavor of the mFAT ink, and a 3D-printed calamari was fabricated to showcase its potential in the manufacturing of complex structures. Finally, hybrid structures combining both types of (bio)inks were also developed.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. H. pylori infection and overweight have been implicated in AD via the gut-brain axis (GBA). This study aimed to determine whether supplementation of BRBs has a meaningful effect on H. pylori infection, overweight, and AD development in a clinical trial setting. We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with mild clinical dementia who also had H. pylori infection and were overweight. The study was conducted over 10 weeks, consisting of an 8-week intervention period (25 g powder of black raspberries, BRBs, or placebo twice daily, morning and evening) and a 2-week follow-up. The primary outcomes were changes in Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Urea Breath Test (UBT), and Body Mass Index (BMI). Consumption of BRBs improved cognitive functions (p < 0.00001), compared to the placebo group (p > 0.05). Besides, BRBs ingestion decreased H. pylori infection and BMI (p < 0.00001 and p < 0.05 respectively) while the placebo group stayed statistically the same (p = 0.98 and p = 0.25 respectively). BRBs significantly decreased inflammatory markers, improved oxidative index, and adiponectin (p < 0.05) compared to the placebo group, while adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and leptin did not significantly change. BRBs modulated the abundance of several fecal probiotics, particularly, Akkermansia muciniphila. Our results provided that BRBs suppressed H. pylori infection, decreased BMI, and rebalanced the gut microbiome, which could improve cognitive functions in mild dementia patients. Longer and larger randomized clinical trials of BRB interventions targeting H. pylori infection, overweight, or mild dementia are warranted to confirm the results from this pilot trial. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05680532.

The Western diet (WD) leads to hepatic lipid metabolism disorders. Previous studies have shown that the bile salt hydrolase 1 (bsh1) gene of Lactobacillus plantarum AR113 attenuates colitis under WD. In this study, we preliminarily explored how AR113 attenuates the hepatic inflammatory response in colitis mice on the WD. Our study suggests that the WD leads to abnormalities in hepatic lipid metabolism and dysbiosis of the gut microflora, and furthermore, there may be a correlation between abnormalities in lipid metabolism and hepatic inflammatory responses. AR113 significantly regulated lipid and bile acid metabolism in the liver of mice treated by WD and Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), affected the structure of the mouse intestinal flora, and inhibited the expression of Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C (SREBP-1C) and P-NF-κB p65 at the protein level, thereby attenuating the hepatic injury phenotype. However, the bsh1 knockout strain did not exhibit the above function.

The study aimed to prepare allicin in large quantities and evaluate the effects of different conditions and endogenous substances (polyphenols and free amino acids) in garlic on its stability. The optimized synthesis conditions of allicin (DADS:HAc = 2:9, H₂O₂:DADS = 2:1.6, reacted for 6.5 h) were established based on response surface design. Allicin with 92.57% purity was obtained by high-speed counter-current chromatography. The results of allicin degradation experiment indicated that the degradation rate of allicin accelerated with the increases of initial concentration and temperature, the degradation process of allicin was good fit with two first-order kinetics (R² > 0.97). The stability of allicin was higher in pH 2-5.8 than in pH 8-9. Apigenin, myricetin, and quercetin combined with peroxidase enhanced the stability of allicin. Cysteine, arginine, and histidine could react with allicin. These findings provide insights for optimizing for allicin storage and food processing applications.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading global liver disorder. Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), rich in dietary fiber and medicinal properties, has shown health benefits, but its effects on MASLD are largely unexplored. This study evaluated the prebiotic and anti-MASLD effects of parsnip root water-soluble extract (PRE) in a mouse model. Mice fed a high-fat diet with 50 or 100 mg/kg PRE for eight weeks showed reduced fat accumulation, improved serum metabolic profiles, and decreased liver injury markers. PRE also lowered hepatic lipogenic protein levels induced by the high-fat diet. Additionally, PRE enhanced gut health by reducing endotoxins, improving intestinal permeability, and upregulating tight junction proteins. These results indicate that PRE can improve gut health, prevent MASLD, and support its potential as a dietary supplement to enhance metabolic health.

This work provides a database of the U.S. food system's energy consumption and GHG emissions at the national and state levels by food supply chain (FSC) stage, fuel type, and food commodity. We estimate that the U.S. FSC consumed a total 4660 TBTU (4900 PJ) of site energy, 7130 TBTU (7500 PJ) of primary energy, and generated 970 MMT of GHG emissions in 2016. Among all the stages, on-farm production is the largest energy consumer (31% primary energy) and GHG emissions contributor (70%), largely due to raising animals. Optimizing distribution can reduce the stage's energy consumption and GHG emissions and increase products' shelf-life. Reducing food loss and waste is another good option, as it decreases the amount of food necessary to grow, thus impacting the overall FSC. The database can help stakeholders identify stage- and region-specific strategies and measures to curtail the environmental footprint of the U.S. food system.

Chenpi, or dried tangerine peel, is a traditional Chinese ingredient valued in medicine and edible for its digestive and respiratory benefits. The geographical origin of Chenpi is important, as it can impact its quality, active compounds and market value. This study develops a strategy to distinguish Chenpi samples on its origin. Thirty-nine samples from eight regions in Xinhui district (Guangdong, China) are analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and mid-infrared (MIR) technique. Four machine learning methods are employed to establish discrimination models based on GC and MIR data, with two mid-level data fusion strategies to combine the data. The results show that data fusion significantly improves Chenpi origin discrimination. The K-nearest neighbors and artificial neural network models, using modified mid-level data fusion, provide the best performance, misclassified only one sample. Machine learning in combination with modified mid-level data fusion strategy provides effective classification of Chenpi samples from different geographical origins.

Research indicated that berberine (BBR) plays a protective role in modulating Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to explore the target genes of BBR associated with AD therapy using a network pharmacology study. Through network pharmacology analysis, two main potential target genes, β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), of BBR for AD therapy were screened out. Further experiments demonstrated that BV2 and C8-D1A treated with BBR were decreased in the mRNA and protein expression of APP and presenilin 1 while PPARG was increased with a reduction in the NF-κB pathway. A similar result was shown in vivo. Through a network pharmacology study, this study supported that BBR played a protective role in the AD mice model via blocking APP processing and amyloid plaque formation. It also promotes PPARG expression to blockage of NF-κB pathway-mediated inflammatory response and neuroinflammation.

This study developed a health assessment tool to analyze dynamic stress responses and resilience with the PhenFlex challenge. This study integrated a health space model and machine learning to quantify and visualize the impact of herbal extracts on inflammatory and metabolic health at the individual level. Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trials were conducted involving participants with PhenFlex challenge after overnight fasting. Blood samples were collected, and a machine learning algorithm was used to predict health estimation scores based on metabolic and inflammatory responses. The resulting health space model visually represents individuals' health status in a 2-D space. Intervention with herbal extracts (e.g., Angelica keiskei, AK, and Capsosiphon fulvescens, CF) resulted in higher health scores in the health space, indicating improved health. This research emphasizes the quantification of phenotypic changes for personalized nutrition and health optimization. Overall, this study provides a valuable toolkit for validating herbal extract efficacy and extends its application to personalized nutrition.