Food frontiers最新文献

An enantioselective analytical method based on automated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) was developed for the detection of chiral triazole fungicides (TFs) in food samples. Fatty acids were used as extractants and bio-derived solvents as dispersants, thereby eliminating the need for toxic reagents. An eight-channel automated pipetting workstation with deep-hole plates precisely dispensed four batches of extractant (octanoic acid) and dispersant (γ-valerolactone) into four sample sets simultaneously, enhancing sample throughput and pipetting accuracy while minimizing manual errors. Using sodium chloride solution as a demulsifier allowed rapid phase separation within a short time, eliminating the need for traditional centrifugation. The DLLME–UHPLC–MS/MS method indicated good linearity in the concentration range of 0.05–5 µg L⁻¹ with the limits of detection and quantification of 0.015 and 0.05 µg L⁻¹, respectively. This method was successfully applied to water, juice, wine, and tea, yielding recoveries ranging from 70.3% to 101.8%. It achieved good enrichment efficiency with a pre-concentration factor range of 29.3–42.4. The automated sample pretreatment strategy developed in this study offers an efficient, accurate, and environment-friendly approach for analyzing chiral fungicide residues in food matrices.

An enantioselective analytical method based on automated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) was developed for the detection of chiral triazole fungicides (TFs) in food samples. Fatty acids were used as extractants and bio-derived solvents as dispersants, thereby eliminating the need for toxic reagents. An eight-channel automated pipetting workstation with deep-hole plates precisely dispensed four batches of extractant (octanoic acid) and dispersant (γ-valerolactone) into four sample sets simultaneously, enhancing sample throughput and pipetting accuracy while minimizing manual errors. Using sodium chloride solution as a demulsifier allowed rapid phase separation within a short time, eliminating the need for traditional centrifugation. The DLLME–UHPLC–MS/MS method indicated good linearity in the concentration range of 0.05–5 µg L⁻¹ with the limits of detection and quantification of 0.015 and 0.05 µg L⁻¹, respectively. This method was successfully applied to water, juice, wine, and tea, yielding recoveries ranging from 70.3% to 101.8%. It achieved good enrichment efficiency with a pre-concentration factor range of 29.3–42.4. The automated sample pretreatment strategy developed in this study offers an efficient, accurate, and environment-friendly approach for analyzing chiral fungicide residues in food matrices.

Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS) remains a controversial condition lacking a clear pathophysiological mechanism and specific biomarkers. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to explore whether probiotic supplementation may allow the reintroduction of gluten/wheat in NCGWS individuals. Thirty NCGWS participants were randomized to receive either a probiotic formulation (n = 15) (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, and Ligilactobacillus salivarius) or placebo (n = 15) for 6 weeks. The intervention included a 4-week gluten-free diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (T1), followed by a 2-week gluten reintroduction (T2). At baseline (T0), T1, and T2, participants completed a modified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire and provided fecal samples. Gut microbiome was analyzed using shotgun sequencing. Volatilomic profiling was performed via comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. In probiotic-treated group, 47% of participants exhibited improved tolerance to gluten reintroduction, whereas no improvement was observed in the placebo arm (p = 0.003). At T2, probiotic-treated participants showed a shift in gut microbiome composition and displayed higher relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (such as L. plantarum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Coprococcus catus) and lower species correlated to gut inflammation (such as Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides dorei). Changes in metagenomic functions related to bacteriocin transport and biosynthesis, carbohydrates metabolism, and protein degradation occurred in probiotic-treated individuals. Furthermore, individuals with improved short-term gluten tolerance exhibited higher abundance of genes involved in gliadin hydrolysis and increased propanoic acid levels. Our results suggest that probiotics treatment may improve gluten tolerance in individuals with NCGWS. The beneficial effect might be related to the increased abundance of microbial genes involved in gluten digestion.

Oleosomes are spherical subcellular organelles comprising triacylglycerols and sterol esters (lipid core) surrounded by a specialized monolayer membrane, composed of proteins, phospholipids, and phytochemicals (e.g., isoflavones, phytosterols, and tocopherols). This review addresses the biotechnological advancements on the composition and extraction of plant-derived oleosomes, oleosome-membrane proteins extraction methods to isolate proteins, and their utilization in commercial commodities to satisfy consumers' demand for healthier and sustainable products. Briefly, different techniques, including conventional aqueous extraction and advanced extraction (ultrasound-assisted, enzyme-assisted, and twin-screw press extractions), are applied to extract intact oleosomes. Oleosome-membrane proteins extraction methods that are advancing rapidly include organic-solvent-, Folch-, electroelution-, and ultrasound-assisted extractions to isolate functional membrane proteins for potential applications. Different fabrication methods such as magnetic-, artificial functionalized-, and tunable nano-oleosomes have been developed to formulate tailor-made oleosomes with desirable characteristics. The emerging industrial applications such as unique natural emulsions, functional delivery systems (e.g., flavors, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals with higher bioavailability and efficacy), oleosome-based meat analogs and oleogels to substitute saturated fatty acids and trans fats have been discussed.

Sepsis-associated acute lung injury (SALI) significantly jeopardizes the health and survival prospects of neonates. Although breast milk has been identified to decrease the incidence and mortality rates associated with sepsis, the specific protective components remain unclear. In our research, milk-derived antimicrobial peptide-1 (MAMP-1) is found to be significantly expressed and possessing favorable physicochemical properties within the breast milk for premature infants. In the experiment of MAMP-1 acting on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced SALI in neonatal mice, MAMP-1 pretreatment significantly increased survival rates, attenuated lung tissue damage, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in serum and lung tissue in LPS-challenged mice. Transcriptome analysis further revealed that MAMP-1 pretreatment inhibits the regulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway, upregulates lipid metabolism related genes, especially apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4). This results in a reduced expression of key pro-inflammatory factors and cholesterol levels, while simultaneously increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, thereby suppressing the dysregulated inflammatory response. These findings identify MAMP-1 as a promising breast milk-derived peptide for the prevention of neonatal SALI.

Ximenia americana (L.), known as “yellow plum,” “sea lemon,” or “Brazilian plum,” is a tropical/subtropical plant widely used in traditional medicine. Its roots, leaves, flowers, stem, and fruits are traditionally employed to treat various inflammatory disorders. To review the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical profile, and biological-pharmacological properties of X. americana related to inflammation. This systematic review followed the Cochrane Handbook and preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The research question was whether traditional uses of X. americana are supported by its phytochemical and biological properties in nonclinical studies. Article searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, SciELO, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently selected eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Ninety-six articles met the inclusion criteria: 21 in vivo (521.2%), 16 in vitro (39%), and four with both approaches (9.8%). X. americana is used in folk medicine for treating toothaches, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, and general inflammation. Scientific studies support these uses, showing anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, gastroprotective, and antioxidant properties. A total of 181 compounds have been identified, including 31 oil and fat compounds, 22 terpenes, 18 flavonoids, three phenolic acids, one alkaloid, one polyphenol, and 105 others. X. americana has validated anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective potential, supported by its rich phytochemical composition. It represents a promising natural source for identifying novel bioactive molecules for treating inflammatory diseases, with strong potential for pharmaceutical development.

The accurate estimation of caloric density in food products is a critical component of nutritional science and dietary management, yet experimental determination remains resource intensive. The research develops a robust computational framework for predicting caloric energy based on standard nutritional composition variables using advanced machine learning techniques. To achieve this, a dataset comprising 410 food items with seven predictors, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugar, dietary fiber, sodium, and potassium, was utilized to train a Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT) model. The study evaluated the efficacy of four exceptional hyperparameter optimization algorithms: BBO, BPI, GPO, and evolutionary strategies (ES). Performance was rigorously assessed using 5-fold cross-validation and statistical metrics including R², MSE, and AARE%. The results demonstrated that the GBDT-ES configuration achieved the best performance with a test R² of 0.982950 and an AARE% of 3.661596%, whereas GBDT-GPO offered a competitive balance of accuracy and computational efficiency with the lowest runtime. Furthermore, SHAP analysis revealed that carbohydrates and fats were the primary drivers of caloric estimation, ensuring the model aligned with biological energy densities. In conclusion, the integration of evolutionary optimization with gradient boosting provides a highly precise and scientifically interpretable tool for nutritional analysis, offering a viable alternative to traditional laboratory calorimetry.

Chinese yam (Dioscorea, CY) is a traditional medicinal and edible plant with potential health benefits. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of CY on colitis and associated psychiatric comorbidities in DSS-induced mice models, using oral administration of CY powder at 6.0 g/kg body weight per day. Supplementation with CY significantly alleviated colonic mucosal damage and reduced serum LPS levels, indicating improved gut barrier integrity. Behavioral phenotyping assays and hippocampal morphology further revealed that CY ameliorated anxiety and depressive symptoms. Mechanistically, CY inhibited the NFκB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, thereby suppressing neuroinflammation——a key mediator linking intestinal and CNS inflammation. Targeted metabolomics combined with transcriptional analysis was employed to investigate serotonin (5-HT) metabolism. Notably, CY supplementation upregulated colonic TPH1 and cerebral Maoa expression, increased levels of peripheral CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, and reversed DSS-induced reductions of fecal 5-HT, 5-HTP, and 5-HIAA. Additionally, CY normalized HPA axis dysfunction by downregulating HTR2C expression in the brain. These findings suggest that CY alleviates IBD-related mood disorders by maintaining gut mucus barrier, suppressing neuroinflammation, and restoring serotonergic homeostasis via the gut–brain axis.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is an inflammatory liver disorder caused by factors such as chronic excessive alcohol consumption, toxicity of ethanol metabolites, oxidative stress damage, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide (CMP) exhibits antioxidant effects and can modulate gut microbiota, but its role in ALD remains incompletely understood. This study demonstrates that oral administration of CMP to mice alleviate weight loss induced by alcohol consumption, reduce hepatic lipid accumulation, enhance the activity of key antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) in both serum and liver tissues, and significantly increase glutathione (GSH) levels. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that CMP improved the microbiological community composition, increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Actinobacteriota at the phylum level. At the genus level, CMP increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae and decreased that of Dubosiella and Alloprevotella. Interestingly, the abundances of Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Muribaculaceae, all of which are associated with ALD and possess antioxidant properties, were significantly enriched in CMP-treated mice. These results indicate that CMP has potential as a functional supplement for protecting against alcohol-induced liver injury, offering new strategies for its prevention.

Dietary fiber (DF) and phenolics are commonly used as two distinct natural active components to modify the properties of starch, particularly its digestibility. Their interaction causes property changes in related conjugates/complexes, but it remains unknown whether the pattern includes starch regulation. Given that citrus peel fiber is known for its abundant bound phenolics (BP), this study aimed to evaluate the effects of the presence or absence of BP in lemon peel soluble DF, as well as individual BP, on gelatinized corn starch (CS) properties. Compared with the fiber-phenolic conjugate (SDF-P), CS supplemented with 8% dephenolized fiber (dp-SDF) exhibited a weaker reduction in viscosity during gelatinization. Furthermore, the viscoelasticity, structural strength, and freeze-thaw stability of gelatinized gels in dp-SDF group were improved. While 8% BP supplementation decreased the hardness and chewiness of gels compared to the blank, it improved the storage/loss modulus and stability in the first few freeze-thaw cycles. In vitro simulated digestion tests showed that all three components increased resistant starch content in freeze-dried gelatinized samples, thereby enhancing overall digestibility resistance. BP had the strongest effect, whereas SDF-P was the least effective. Characterization of crystal, molecular, and microscopic structures revealed that they all formed reinforced structural networks with CS, though differential structural modifications likely contributed to their varying capacities to inhibit digestibility. This study highlights the critical role of phenolic conjugation in how DF affects the physicochemical properties and digestibility of starch, while providing novel insights into developing lemon peel for improving processing and nutritional attributes of starchy foods.