Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100366
Qingyuan Ouyang , Yuanbo Song , Jing Li , Jian Xiao , Zehe Song , Haihan Zhang , Xi He
To better understand the regulatory mechanisms of breast muscle growth in small-sized local breeds, this study aimed to investigate metabolic and transcriptional networks during the initiation of sexual maturation in Huanglang chickens. We hypothesized that sex-specific metabolic and gene expression patterns regulate muscle growth and fat deposition in these chickens. To test this hypothesis, multi-omics approaches were used to analyze chickens at 80 and 120 days post-hatch (dph). Both male and female chickens showed a significant increase in intramuscular fat (IMF) at 120 dph, but with sex-specific changes: females exhibited a significantly higher liver index, while males had a significantly greater breast muscle index. We identified 2627 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in males and 2991 in females, along with 473 and 232 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs), respectively. The sex-shared ABC transporter pathway supports muscle growth via substrate transport, while the Steroid biosynthesis pathway is female-specific, and the Glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway is male-specific. These results demonstrate that sex-specific regulatory networks shape muscle growth and fat deposition during early sexual maturation, and they provide potential molecular targets for improving intramuscular fat content and meat quality in local chicken breeding programs.
{"title":"Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveals sex-specific regulation of breast muscle development during sexual maturation in Huanglang chicken","authors":"Qingyuan Ouyang , Yuanbo Song , Jing Li , Jian Xiao , Zehe Song , Haihan Zhang , Xi He","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100366","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100366","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To better understand the regulatory mechanisms of breast muscle growth in small-sized local breeds, this study aimed to investigate metabolic and transcriptional networks during the initiation of sexual maturation in Huanglang chickens. We hypothesized that sex-specific metabolic and gene expression patterns regulate muscle growth and fat deposition in these chickens. To test this hypothesis, multi-omics approaches were used to analyze chickens at 80 and 120 days post-hatch (dph). Both male and female chickens showed a significant increase in intramuscular fat (IMF) at 120 dph, but with sex-specific changes: females exhibited a significantly higher liver index, while males had a significantly greater breast muscle index. We identified 2627 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in males and 2991 in females, along with 473 and 232 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs), respectively. The sex-shared ABC transporter pathway supports muscle growth via substrate transport, while the Steroid biosynthesis pathway is female-specific, and the Glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway is male-specific. These results demonstrate that sex-specific regulatory networks shape muscle growth and fat deposition during early sexual maturation, and they provide potential molecular targets for improving intramuscular fat content and meat quality in local chicken breeding programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100366"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-26DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100365
Liping Yang , Zhehong Shen , Lirong Song , Zhixin Lu , Yaqi Zeng , Jianwen Wang , Wanlu Ren , Xinkui Yao , Jun Meng
Fat deposition is a key economic trait in livestock, yet distinct adipose depots often display marked functional heterogeneity. The molecular basis underlying this divergence in Yili horses, however, remains poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that the heterogeneity in fatty acid composition between subcutaneous (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissues (PCAT) in Yili horses is associated with distinct transcriptional programs, which can be explored using an integrated multi-omics approach. Using targeted metabolomics, we found that PCAT contained significantly higher levels of total, saturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but lower monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) compared with SAT. Transcriptomic profiling identified 1513 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were primarily enriched in metabolic, endocrine, and signal transduction pathways. Integrative analysis further highlighted IGF1, LEP, BMP2, SOX9, COL1A2, and FGF9 as key regulators associated with depot-specific fatty acid differences. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the molecular heterogeneity between SAT and PCAT in Yili horses, support our original hypothesis, and provide a molecular basis for understanding adipose depot-specific lipid metabolism, with potential implications for improving fat deposition traits in Yili horses.
{"title":"Integrated targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals heterogeneity of subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissues in Yili horses","authors":"Liping Yang , Zhehong Shen , Lirong Song , Zhixin Lu , Yaqi Zeng , Jianwen Wang , Wanlu Ren , Xinkui Yao , Jun Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100365","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fat deposition is a key economic trait in livestock, yet distinct adipose depots often display marked functional heterogeneity. The molecular basis underlying this divergence in Yili horses, however, remains poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that the heterogeneity in fatty acid composition between subcutaneous (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissues (PCAT) in Yili horses is associated with distinct transcriptional programs, which can be explored using an integrated multi-omics approach. Using targeted metabolomics, we found that PCAT contained significantly higher levels of total, saturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but lower monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) compared with SAT. Transcriptomic profiling identified 1513 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were primarily enriched in metabolic, endocrine, and signal transduction pathways. Integrative analysis further highlighted <em>IGF1</em>, <em>LEP</em>, <em>BMP2</em>, <em>SOX9</em>, <em>COL1A2</em>, and <em>FGF9</em> as key regulators associated with depot-specific fatty acid differences. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the molecular heterogeneity between SAT and PCAT in Yili horses, support our original hypothesis, and provide a molecular basis for understanding adipose depot-specific lipid metabolism, with potential implications for improving fat deposition traits in Yili horses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100365"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100359
Yujie Chen , Zhaoxiang Wang , Qingqing He , Haiyan Xing , Simin Shen , Rui Feng , Yixuan Wu , Baomin Wang , Qing X. Li
Enrofloxacin (ENR) is a widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic in animal husbandry, aquaculture, and humans. Here, a monoclonal antibody (mAb 2D3) and a nanobody (Nb22) against ENR were generated with the same immunogen. Nb22 had the nanobody common property of greater stability in harsh conditions, but its assay sensitivity was approximately 30-fold lower than that of mAb 2D3. Nb22 showed better selectivity, which the cross-reactivity to each of ENR analogs was less than or equal to that of mAb 2D3. The VH and VL gene sequences were amplified from the hybridoma cell line 2D3. Molecular docking revealed that mAb 2D3 had stronger hydrogen bonds and formed a flat and wide binding pocket to accommodate other analogs of ENR. The average recoveries of ENR from milk, milk powder, egg and fish determined by mAb 2D3 and Nb22 based ic-ELISAs ranged from 77.7% to 119% and 88.2% to 116%, respectively. This study confirmed that the direct application of nanobody in immunoassay is no better than the conventional monoclonal antibody. Improving the sensitivity of nanobody is an essential prerequisite for taking advantage of its stability and specificity.
{"title":"Performance difference of enrofloxacin monoclonal antibody and nanobody elicited from the same immunogen and the underlying molecular mechanism","authors":"Yujie Chen , Zhaoxiang Wang , Qingqing He , Haiyan Xing , Simin Shen , Rui Feng , Yixuan Wu , Baomin Wang , Qing X. Li","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100359","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100359","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enrofloxacin (ENR) is a widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic in animal husbandry, aquaculture, and humans. Here, a monoclonal antibody (mAb 2D3) and a nanobody (Nb22) against ENR were generated with the same immunogen. Nb22 had the nanobody common property of greater stability in harsh conditions, but its assay sensitivity was approximately 30-fold lower than that of mAb 2D3. Nb22 showed better selectivity, which the cross-reactivity to each of ENR analogs was less than or equal to that of mAb 2D3. The VH and VL gene sequences were amplified from the hybridoma cell line 2D3. Molecular docking revealed that mAb 2D3 had stronger hydrogen bonds and formed a flat and wide binding pocket to accommodate other analogs of ENR. The average recoveries of ENR from milk, milk powder, egg and fish determined by mAb 2D3 and Nb22 based ic-ELISAs ranged from 77.7% to 119% and 88.2% to 116%, respectively. This study confirmed that the direct application of nanobody in immunoassay is no better than the conventional monoclonal antibody. Improving the sensitivity of nanobody is an essential prerequisite for taking advantage of its stability and specificity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100359"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) seeds are rich in proteins (∼24%), thus they have been considered as a viable dietary protein substitute. Despite its advantages, allergenicity risks of cowpea seeds need to be taken into account. Herein, the protein expression and potential allergens in cowpea seeds were analyzed using LC/timsTOF Pro 2, PEAK studio and multiple in silico analysis. Based on functional classification using STRING analysis, the result revealed response to stimuli, e.g., oxidative stress and temperature, as the major cluster (187 proteins), followed by biosynthesis of secondary metabolite (117 proteins) and immune system (108 proteins). These suggest involvement of protein functions in maintaining homeostasis during seed development under stress conditions. By using webtool Allermatch™ and the Pfam database, 131 potential allergenic proteins were found from cowpea seeds. The findings revealed that cowpea seeds contain a number of recognized allergens, including endochitinase, beta-conglycinin, and vicilin, as well as numerous allergenic proteins not previously described, such as endochitinase 1B and 5-methyltetrahydropteroyltriglutamate–homocysteine methyltransferase (MetE). Additionally, use of the Kolaskar & Tongaonkar method predicted B-cell epitopes such as 30VSGFGVI36, 152VPVLVGP158 and 153PVLVGPV159, increasing the possibility of cowpea allergenicity. In conclusion, this study provides useful information on the potential allergens in cowpea seeds, providing a foundation for future cowpea allergenicity assessment including experimental IgE-binding or clinical validation.
豇豆（Vigna unguiculata L. Walp）种子富含蛋白质（约24%），因此它们被认为是可行的膳食蛋白质替代品。尽管豇豆种子有其优点，但也需要考虑其致敏性风险。本文采用LC/timsTOF Pro 2、PEAK studio和多重硅分析方法分析豇豆种子的蛋白表达和潜在过敏原。基于STRING分析的功能分类结果显示，对氧化应激和温度等刺激的反应是主要的簇（187个蛋白），其次是次生代谢产物的生物合成（117个蛋白）和免疫系统（108个蛋白）。这表明在胁迫条件下种子发育过程中，蛋白质功能参与维持稳态。利用webtool Allermatch™和Pfam数据库，从豇豆种子中发现了131种潜在的致敏蛋白。研究结果表明，豇豆种子含有许多已知的过敏原，包括内源性几丁质酶、β -甘氨酸和维西林，以及许多以前未描述的过敏原蛋白，如内源性几丁质酶1B和5-甲基四氢甘油三酯-同型半胱氨酸甲基转移酶（MetE）。此外，使用Kolaskar &； Tongaonkar方法预测b细胞表位如30VSGFGVI36、152VPVLVGP158和153PVLVGPV159，增加了豇豆过敏原的可能性。总之，本研究为豇豆种子中潜在的过敏原提供了有用的信息，为今后豇豆的致敏性评估包括实验ige结合或临床验证提供了基础。
{"title":"Proteomic and in silico identification of potential allergenic proteins in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) seeds","authors":"Daranee Chokchaichamnankit , Pantipa Subhasitanont , Toollayaporn Audsasan , Jisnuson Svasti , Theetat Ruangjaroon , Chantragan Srisomsap","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100360","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100360","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cowpea (<em>Vigna unguiculata</em> L. Walp) seeds are rich in proteins (∼24%), thus they have been considered as a viable dietary protein substitute. Despite its advantages, allergenicity risks of cowpea seeds need to be taken into account. Herein, the protein expression and potential allergens in cowpea seeds were analyzed using LC/timsTOF Pro 2, PEAK studio and multiple <em>in silico</em> analysis. Based on functional classification using STRING analysis, the result revealed response to stimuli, <em>e.g.</em>, oxidative stress and temperature, as the major cluster (187 proteins), followed by biosynthesis of secondary metabolite (117 proteins) and immune system (108 proteins). These suggest involvement of protein functions in maintaining homeostasis during seed development under stress conditions. By using webtool Allermatch™ and the Pfam database, 131 potential allergenic proteins were found from cowpea seeds. The findings revealed that cowpea seeds contain a number of recognized allergens, including endochitinase, beta-conglycinin, and vicilin, as well as numerous allergenic proteins not previously described, such as endochitinase 1B and 5-methyltetrahydropteroyltriglutamate–homocysteine methyltransferase (MetE). Additionally, use of the Kolaskar & Tongaonkar method predicted B-cell epitopes such as <sup>30</sup>VSGFGVI<sup>36</sup>, <sup>152</sup>VPVLVGP<sup>158</sup> and <sup>153</sup>PVLVGPV<sup>159</sup>, increasing the possibility of cowpea allergenicity. In conclusion, this study provides useful information on the potential allergens in cowpea seeds, providing a foundation for future cowpea allergenicity assessment including experimental IgE-binding or clinical validation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100360"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100358
Xukai Hou , Rui Zhang , Xinmeng Zhou , Lu Li , Sumin Qi , Nan Wang , Zongying Zhang , Xuesen Chen
Postharvest loss constitutes a critical issue during the storage period of pears. Based on previous studies, both 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can delay fruit senescence and softening. To investigate whether the combination of these treatments achieves a superior storage effect, ‘Shannong Su’ pears were treated with 1 μL/L 1-MCP for 24 h, then packaged in sealed or perforated film bags or left unpackaged, and stored at 4.00 ± 0.50 °C for 120 days. Firmness, ethylene release, quality indicators, gene expression, and metabolite profiles were analyzed. Results showed that 1-MCP inhibited ethylene production and the expression of PbACS1/2 and PbACO1. The combined treatment (1-MCP + sealed film bag) achieved the lowest expression levels of nine key cell wall-degrading enzyme genes (PbXTH1/28, PbPL8/18, PbCGR3, PbPG, Pbα/β-GAL, Pbβ-GLU) and maintained higher firmness, antioxidant capacity, total sugar, protopectin, and cellulose content. Metabolomic analysis revealed that 1-MCP treatment altered the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites and fatty acids, suggesting it may influence the anabolic metabolism of defensive compounds and lipids in plants. Film bag packaging affected antioxidant stress responses, nitrogen metabolism, specific amino acid derivative metabolism, and cofactor biosynthesis, indicating that sealed film packaging may induce oxidative stress responses and activate specific defensive or protective metabolic pathways. In conclusion, the combined treatment preserves pear quality through synergistic inhibition of ethylene synthesis, suppression of cell wall-degrading genes, and modulation of metabolic pathways. This cost-effective method can reduce postharvest losses in ‘Shannong Su’ pears and guide the storage of other similar climacteric fruits.
{"title":"The impact of 1-MCP treatment combined with polyethylene film bag packaging on the quality of ‘Shannong Su’ pears during storage","authors":"Xukai Hou , Rui Zhang , Xinmeng Zhou , Lu Li , Sumin Qi , Nan Wang , Zongying Zhang , Xuesen Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest loss constitutes a critical issue during the storage period of pears. Based on previous studies, both 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can delay fruit senescence and softening. To investigate whether the combination of these treatments achieves a superior storage effect, ‘Shannong Su’ pears were treated with 1 μL/L 1-MCP for 24 h, then packaged in sealed or perforated film bags or left unpackaged, and stored at 4.00 ± 0.50 °C for 120 days. Firmness, ethylene release, quality indicators, gene expression, and metabolite profiles were analyzed. Results showed that 1-MCP inhibited ethylene production and the expression of <em>PbACS1/2</em> and <em>PbACO1</em>. The combined treatment (1-MCP + sealed film bag) achieved the lowest expression levels of nine key cell wall-degrading enzyme genes (<em>PbXTH1/28</em>, <em>PbPL8/18</em>, <em>PbCGR3</em>, <em>PbPG</em>, <em>Pbα/β-GAL</em>, <em>Pbβ-GLU</em>) and maintained higher firmness, antioxidant capacity, total sugar, protopectin, and cellulose content. Metabolomic analysis revealed that 1-MCP treatment altered the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites and fatty acids, suggesting it may influence the anabolic metabolism of defensive compounds and lipids in plants. Film bag packaging affected antioxidant stress responses, nitrogen metabolism, specific amino acid derivative metabolism, and cofactor biosynthesis, indicating that sealed film packaging may induce oxidative stress responses and activate specific defensive or protective metabolic pathways. In conclusion, the combined treatment preserves pear quality through synergistic inhibition of ethylene synthesis, suppression of cell wall-degrading genes, and modulation of metabolic pathways. This cost-effective method can reduce postharvest losses in ‘Shannong Su’ pears and guide the storage of other similar climacteric fruits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100358"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100361
Xin Yang , Xuewen Chai , Jishang Gong , Wen Luo , Jiguo Xu
The flavor of chicken meat is a major determinant of consumer preference, yet its genetic basis remains poorly understood. Here, we integrated volatile metabolomics, RNA-seq, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics of breast muscle from Qingyuan partridge chicken (QPC) and Cobb broiler (CB). 318 volatile compounds were detected, among which eight (2-pentylfuran, isophorone, 2-undecanone, benzaldehyde, pentanal, 2-heptanone, ethyl acrylate, and 1-octanol) were key differentiators between breeds. Multi-omics analysis revealed carbohydrate metabolism genes (GPI, PGM1, FBP2, LDHA, PGAM1, PGK2, LDHB, PFKM, PKLR, ALDOA, LOC107050559) significantly correlated with key volatile compounds, with GPI and LDHA correlated with all key compounds across expression and phosphorylation levels. Importantly, we identified a PPP1R3A-PPP1CA-GYS1 phosphorylation axis that regulates glycogen metabolism and thereby influences precursor content for Maillard reactions. These findings suggest that carbohydrate metabolism and its phosphorylation cascades may contribute to meat flavor, providing a molecular basis for genetic improvement in poultry.
{"title":"Carbohydrate metabolism and phosphorylation cascades regulate flavor formation in chicken meat","authors":"Xin Yang , Xuewen Chai , Jishang Gong , Wen Luo , Jiguo Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100361","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100361","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The flavor of chicken meat is a major determinant of consumer preference, yet its genetic basis remains poorly understood. Here, we integrated volatile metabolomics, RNA-seq, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics of breast muscle from Qingyuan partridge chicken (QPC) and Cobb broiler (CB). 318 volatile compounds were detected, among which eight (2-pentylfuran, isophorone, 2-undecanone, benzaldehyde, pentanal, 2-heptanone, ethyl acrylate, and 1-octanol) were key differentiators between breeds. Multi-omics analysis revealed carbohydrate metabolism genes (GPI, PGM1, FBP2, LDHA, PGAM1, PGK2, LDHB, PFKM, PKLR, ALDOA, LOC107050559) significantly correlated with key volatile compounds, with GPI and LDHA correlated with all key compounds across expression and phosphorylation levels. Importantly, we identified a PPP1R3A-PPP1CA-GYS1 phosphorylation axis that regulates glycogen metabolism and thereby influences precursor content for Maillard reactions. These findings suggest that carbohydrate metabolism and its phosphorylation cascades may contribute to meat flavor, providing a molecular basis for genetic improvement in poultry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100361"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-18DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100357
Yuzhu Zhang , Shilpa R. Bhardwaj , Mathis Carrere , Xiaohua He , Tengchuan Jin , Yixiang Xu
Small-sized nanobodies (NBs) offer many advantages over traditional antibodies and antibody fragments. β-Galactosidase (β-gal) has been used as a detection enzyme in immunoassays when horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) could not be used. However, more research is needed to fully realize the benefits of using β-gal in immunoassays. This study fused a previously isolated NB specific to peanut allergen Ara h 3 (Nb16) with the tetrameric Escherichia coli β-gal. Kinetic signals generated using ONPG demonstrated the advantage of using β-gal in ELISA experiments. Peanut allergen Ara h 3 was successfully detected with the Nb16-β-gal, with a detection limit of 0.3 ppm, outperforming detection with the same NB and HRP. For detecting peanut proteins in baked foods, the detection limit was better than 1.56 ppm. Stable signals produced with S-Gal/X-Gal showed the benefits of using β-gal in immunoblots. The readily available, stable β-gal substrates and the ease of recombinant production of NB-β-gal chimeras are among the advantages of using β-gal over HRP and ALP as detection enzymes in immunoassays.
{"title":"Usage of nanobody-beta-galactosidase fusion in immunoassays and its application in detecting a peanut allergen","authors":"Yuzhu Zhang , Shilpa R. Bhardwaj , Mathis Carrere , Xiaohua He , Tengchuan Jin , Yixiang Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100357","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100357","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small-sized nanobodies (NBs) offer many advantages over traditional antibodies and antibody fragments. β-Galactosidase (β-gal) has been used as a detection enzyme in immunoassays when horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) could not be used. However, more research is needed to fully realize the benefits of using β-gal in immunoassays. This study fused a previously isolated NB specific to peanut allergen Ara h 3 (Nb16) with the tetrameric <em>Escherichia coli</em> β-gal. Kinetic signals generated using ONPG demonstrated the advantage of using β-gal in ELISA experiments. Peanut allergen Ara h 3 was successfully detected with the Nb16-β-gal, with a detection limit of 0.3 ppm, outperforming detection with the same NB and HRP. For detecting peanut proteins in baked foods, the detection limit was better than 1.56 ppm. Stable signals produced with S-Gal/X-Gal showed the benefits of using β-gal in immunoblots. The readily available, stable β-gal substrates and the ease of recombinant production of NB-β-gal chimeras are among the advantages of using β-gal over HRP and ALP as detection enzymes in immunoassays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100357"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100355
Zhiwei Wu , Qinghua Qiao , Zhen Wang , Tiancui Shang , Shifang Wu , PengPeng He , Zhisheng Lin , Zhenxin Ren
Although lychee peel extract (LPE) is rich in bioactive compounds, its potential for postharvest fruit preservation remains unexplored. We hypothesised that LPE would act synergistically with chitosan (CH) to delay mango ripening by simultaneously modulating cell wall integrity, pigment metabolism, and hormone signaling pathways. Here, we demonstrate that chitosan combined with lychee peel extract (CHL) delays mango ripening through a multi-targeted mechanism. Specifically, CHL outperformed chitosan alone by significantly suppressing peel yellowing, maintaining fruit firmness, and reducing decay over 12 days of storage. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that LPE reprogrammed ripening-associated pathways by (1) upregulating cell wall remodeling genes (CSLE1, XTH23) to stabilize pectin architecture, (2) retaining chlorophyll via suppressed CRTISO and PSY (carotenoid synthesis) and enhanced CHLP (chlorophyll biosynthesis), and (3) decoupling sugar-acid dynamics through γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and succinic acid accumulation. Notably, LPE attenuated ethylene-auxin- abscisic acid (ABA) crosstalk by downregulating ripening-specific transcription factors (ERF003, bZIPs) while activating stress-responsive WRKYs. These findings establish LPE as a sustainable alternative to synthetic preservatives, leveraging agricultural byproducts for eco-friendly fruit preservation.
{"title":"Lychee peel extract and chitosan synergistically delay mango ripening: Molecular insights","authors":"Zhiwei Wu , Qinghua Qiao , Zhen Wang , Tiancui Shang , Shifang Wu , PengPeng He , Zhisheng Lin , Zhenxin Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100355","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although lychee peel extract (LPE) is rich in bioactive compounds, its potential for postharvest fruit preservation remains unexplored. We hypothesised that LPE would act synergistically with chitosan (CH) to delay mango ripening by simultaneously modulating cell wall integrity, pigment metabolism, and hormone signaling pathways. Here, we demonstrate that chitosan combined with lychee peel extract (CHL) delays mango ripening through a multi-targeted mechanism. Specifically, CHL outperformed chitosan alone by significantly suppressing peel yellowing, maintaining fruit firmness, and reducing decay over 12 days of storage. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that LPE reprogrammed ripening-associated pathways by (1) upregulating cell wall remodeling genes (CSLE1, XTH23) to stabilize pectin architecture, (2) retaining chlorophyll via suppressed CRTISO and PSY (carotenoid synthesis) and enhanced CHLP (chlorophyll biosynthesis), and (3) decoupling sugar-acid dynamics through γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and succinic acid accumulation. Notably, LPE attenuated ethylene-auxin- abscisic acid (ABA) crosstalk by downregulating ripening-specific transcription factors (ERF003, bZIPs) while activating stress-responsive WRKYs. These findings establish LPE as a sustainable alternative to synthetic preservatives, leveraging agricultural byproducts for eco-friendly fruit preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100355"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100356
Juan Xiong , Yuan Wang , Wufeng Li , Xi Wang
To investigate whether variations in donkey meat quality stem from breed-specific regulation of muscle metabolism, we employed headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), together with metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to compare the longissimus dorsi muscles of Guangling donkeys and Jinnan donkeys. The results indicated that the longissimus dorsi muscle of the Guangling donkeys group was more tender. Heptanal and nonenal make important contribution to the flavour of Guangling donkey meat, and the odor activity value (OAV) of heptanal was significantly higher than that in Jinnan donkey meat. Aldehydes were found to have the greatest influence on the flavour of donkey meat. The 932 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified through transcriptome analysis were primarily related to alanine, aspartate, glutamate, starch and sucrose metabolism, cGMP-PKG, MAPK, and estrogen signaling pathways. Metabolomics analysis revealed 76 differential metabolites that were significantly enriched in lipid-related pathways, including glucagon, AMPK, cAMP signaling, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Collectively, these findings support our original hypothesis that coordinated gene–metabolite interactions underlie breed-specific differences in donkey meat quality. The preliminary identification of DEGs and metabolites affected by breed differences, together with the screening of major flavour compounds, provides an important theoretical basis for subsequent molecular validation and for the improvement of meat quality in donkey breeding programmes.
{"title":"Effect of variety differences on the meat quality traits and flavour of donkey meat based on transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis","authors":"Juan Xiong , Yuan Wang , Wufeng Li , Xi Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100356","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100356","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To investigate whether variations in donkey meat quality stem from breed-specific regulation of muscle metabolism, we employed headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), together with metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to compare the longissimus dorsi muscles of Guangling donkeys and Jinnan donkeys. The results indicated that the longissimus dorsi muscle of the Guangling donkeys group was more tender. Heptanal and nonenal make important contribution to the flavour of Guangling donkey meat, and the odor activity value (OAV) of heptanal was significantly higher than that in Jinnan donkey meat. Aldehydes were found to have the greatest influence on the flavour of donkey meat. The 932 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified through transcriptome analysis were primarily related to alanine, aspartate, glutamate, starch and sucrose metabolism, cGMP-PKG, MAPK, and estrogen signaling pathways. Metabolomics analysis revealed 76 differential metabolites that were significantly enriched in lipid-related pathways, including glucagon, AMPK, cAMP signaling, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Collectively, these findings support our original hypothesis that coordinated gene–metabolite interactions underlie breed-specific differences in donkey meat quality. The preliminary identification of DEGs and metabolites affected by breed differences, together with the screening of major flavour compounds<strong>,</strong> provides an important theoretical basis for subsequent molecular validation and for the improvement of meat quality in donkey breeding programmes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100356"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100353
Fenghuang Shen , Dong Huang , Guoliang Sun , Zezhong Wu , Rui Ma , Yuqiong Meng
To investigate the fillet quality traits (texture, flavor, nutritional value) formation and the mechanism of muscular lipid deposition in triploid rainbow trout, low (20%) and high (30%) lipid diets were manufactured and fed market-size triploid rainbow trout (∼3.2 kg) for 77 days. Results showed that the width of the myosepta (MS) was significantly increased, and nonanal, (E, Z)-2,6-nonadienal, octanal, 1-octen-3-ol, and hexanal emerged as the top five contributors to the overall odor profile of the fish fillets, following exposure to the high-lipid (HL) diet. Lipidomic profiling demonstrated that triglycerides (TG) were the predominated lipid class in both muscle fibers (MF) and MS fractions. The HL diet differentially modulated lipid composition: it upregulated TG content in MF, while reducing TG content and promoting the accumulation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in MS. Gene expression analysis showed tissue-specific regulation of lipid metabolism. In MF, the upregulation of fatty acid binding protein 1 (fabp1) and perilipin-3 (plin3), and the downregulation of fabp2, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (pparα), pparβ, acyl-CoA oxidase (acox), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (cpt1), were induced by the HL diet, which collectively promoted TG synthesis and storage, which may be one of the underlying mechanisms contributing to the formation of a more intense odor profile in MF. In MS, HL diet exposure induced the upregulation of fabp2, pparα, pparβ, acox, and cpt1, and the downregulation of fabp1 and plin3, thereby promoting TG mobilization and catabolism, and stimulating PC accumulation, and represent a potential mechanism contributing to the increased width of MS. The findings of this study will lay a theoretical foundation for elucidating the quality formation and the heterogeneity of muscular lipid deposition in rainbow trout.
{"title":"From feed to fillet: Dietary lipid affects sensory quality and fillet lipid profile by modulating lipid metabolism in triploid rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)","authors":"Fenghuang Shen , Dong Huang , Guoliang Sun , Zezhong Wu , Rui Ma , Yuqiong Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100353","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fochms.2026.100353","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To investigate the fillet quality traits (texture, flavor, nutritional value) formation and the mechanism of muscular lipid deposition in triploid rainbow trout, low (20%) and high (30%) lipid diets were manufactured and fed market-size triploid rainbow trout (∼3.2 kg) for 77 days. Results showed that the width of the myosepta (MS) was significantly increased, and nonanal, (E, Z)-2,6-nonadienal, octanal, 1-octen-3-ol, and hexanal emerged as the top five contributors to the overall odor profile of the fish fillets, following exposure to the high-lipid (HL) diet. Lipidomic profiling demonstrated that triglycerides (TG) were the predominated lipid class in both muscle fibers (MF) and MS fractions. The HL diet differentially modulated lipid composition: it upregulated TG content in MF, while reducing TG content and promoting the accumulation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in MS. Gene expression analysis showed tissue-specific regulation of lipid metabolism. In MF, the upregulation of fatty acid binding protein 1 (<em>fabp1</em>) and perilipin-3 (<em>plin3</em>), and the downregulation of <em>fabp2</em>, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (<em>pparα</em>), <em>pparβ</em>, acyl-CoA oxidase (<em>acox</em>), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (<em>cpt1</em>), were induced by the HL diet, which collectively promoted TG synthesis and storage, which may be one of the underlying mechanisms contributing to the formation of a more intense odor profile in MF. In MS, HL diet exposure induced the upregulation of <em>fabp2</em>, <em>pparα</em>, <em>pparβ</em>, <em>acox</em>, and <em>cpt1</em>, and the downregulation of <em>fabp1</em> and <em>plin3</em>, thereby promoting TG mobilization and catabolism, and stimulating PC accumulation, and represent a potential mechanism contributing to the increased width of MS. The findings of this study will lay a theoretical foundation for elucidating the quality formation and the heterogeneity of muscular lipid deposition in rainbow trout.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34477,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100353"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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