Food frontiers最新文献

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in sociability and communication. Prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been associated with autism-like behaviors in preclinical models. Interest has grown in the gut–brain axis and the role of microbiota modulation through dietetic supplementation to reduce this autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like phenotype. This study examines the effects of prenatal CPF exposure in Wistar rats and assesses the potential of gestational probiotic and vitamin D (VitD) supplementation to mitigate these effects in offspring. CPF exposure significantly impaired sociability in adolescence, and supplementation did not reverse these deficits. However, in control animals, supplementation induced neurodevelopmental changes, including alterations in metabolic status, the pattern of expression of ASD-related genes, the regulation of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors, and the GABAergic system in the brain. Additionally, supplementation accelerated overall development, increased ultrasonic vocalization emission, and modified the typical responses to social novelty. CPF exposure blocked most of these effects at both behavioral and molecular levels. Although supplementation did not block CPF-induced impairments, CPF exposure altered the observed effects of supplementation in controls, possibly indicating shared molecular mechanisms. These findings highlight the need for further research into the safety of probiotic and VitD supplementation during pregnancy.

While US and PEF treatments have been studied for native corn starch, their effects on the 3D printing behavior of pregelatinized corn starch (PGCS) remain largely unexplored. This study is among the first to link these non-thermal treatments to enhanced functionality and printability of PGCS. Therefore, this study focused on the impact of US and PEF treatments on the physicochemical properties and 3D printability of PGCS, which is significant for the development of customized food products and innovative applications in the food industry. PGCS was subjected to US at amplitudes of 60%–90% for 30 min in 0.5 s on and off cycles and PEF at an electric field of 9.4 kV/cm, 20 µs pulse width at a frequency of 20 Hz for 100–400 pulses. Both treatments disrupted native granular architecture and induced changes in structural organization. US promoted amylose leaching, resulting in higher amylose contents (up to 36.18%) and improved water and oil absorption capacities (up to 3.86 and 5.37 g/g, respectively). PEF had minimal effect on composition but improved pasting viscosities and gel texture. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results revealed reduced crystallinity and elevated gelatinization temperatures for modified PGCS. PEF-treated PGCS hydrogels exhibited improved gel hardness and rheological parameters correlated to high-fidelity, superior 3D printed constructs compared to weak US counterparts. Overall, modifications from both techniques enhanced functionalities, with PEF conferring rheological attributes preferable for 3D bioprinting PGCS-based foods. The findings highlight the potential for rationally manipulating the physicochemical and processing behavior of starch through non-thermal technologies.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common nutritional disorder in mammals, particularly affecting neonates and neonatal piglets. Parenteral iron supplementation is widely used but carries toxicity risks at high doses. Due to rapid growth and low iron stores at birth, piglets serve as an ideal model for investigating early life iron supplementation and its impact on gut health. In this study, neonatal piglets were assigned to three groups: control (CON, no iron supplementation), moderate-dose (MI, two low doses), and high-dose (HI, a single high dose), all administered via intramuscular iron dextran. We found that both iron supplementation protocols significantly increased hemoglobin levels (p < 0.01) and effectively alleviated IDA. However, the HI group exhibited significant adverse effects, including elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.01), suppressed anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, p < 0.01), and increased tissue iron accumulation, whereas the MI group showed no such adverse effects. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that the HI group disrupted the gut microbiota, with a greater impact on fungal diversity than bacterial diversity, as indicated by α-diversity metrics (p < 0.05), and also altered the intestinal metabolite profiles. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified key genera and metabolites, including Fusarium, Geotrichum, Parabacteroides, Candida, and cholest-4-en-3-one, associated with duodenal iron accumulation. This study demonstrates that although high-dose parenteral iron effectively corrects IDA, it causes liver dysfunction, immune suppression, systemic iron overload, and altered gut microbiota. Our findings highlight the importance of appropriate iron dosing and reveal broader roles of trace elements in shaping gut microbiota.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a refractory condition caused by autoimmune disorders. The recurrent nature and poor prognosis of this disease necessitate long-term treatment, substantially increasing the financial burden on patients. Human lysozyme (HLZ) possesses the function of ameliorating intestinal inflammation. Meanwhile, maize is the world's most popular food crop, valued for its easy cultivation and low cost. In this study, the HLZ gene was introduced into maize. HLZ transgenic maize showed specific high accumulation of HLZ in kernels with no negative effect on maize yield, protein content and protein quality. Moreover, the total protein extracted from the transgenic endosperm exhibited strong lysozyme activity (291.15 U/mg). Using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, we observed that HLZ transgenic maize restored colon length and intestinal barrier function in mice. The results of further molecular analyses indicated that HLZ transgenic maize inhibited intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and altered the intestinal microbiota. Furthermore, HLZ transgenic maize inhibited the cGAS/STING signaling pathway by ameliorating DSS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, the results of transcriptomic sequencing revealed that HLZ transgenic maize reversed DSS-induced alterations in the expression of genes related to colonic inflammation (e.g., IFN-β and IL6). This research deepened the understanding of the functional mechanisms for HLZ in improving intestinal immune system. Our results indicate that HLZ transgenic maize provides an effective and low-cost approach for clinically ameliorating IBD symptoms. As a food resource, HLZ transgenic maize might benefit a wider range of people than drugs.

A substantial proportion of fresh fruit undergoes processing, resulting in underutilized fruit by‑products (FBPs) that are rich in dietary fiber and bioactive compounds. Recent FBP valorization trends demonstrate that fermentation significantly enhances microbiological, nutritional, and sensory attributes, yielding value‑added food supplements. The fermentation‑based valorization harnesses microbiological processes to produce and release a broad range of bioactive compounds, enhance digestibility, and mitigate potential anti‑nutritional and toxic compounds, positioning these FBPs as viable alternatives to conventional foods. Similarly, integrating FBP fermentation into conventional food fermentations (e.g., yogurt and beer) yields novel, nutrient-dense functional products with enhanced properties. Tailored fermentation processes can enhance the microbiological characteristics of FBPs, including microbial safety, probiotic potential, and antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Beyond its role in biopreservation, fermentation enhances the nutritional properties of FBPs by synthesizing proteins, lipids, terpenoids, and vitamins, releasing more bioavailable phenolic compounds, improving digestibility, and mitigating anti‑nutritional factors, toxic compounds, and pesticide residues. Moreover, both the direct fermentation of FBPs and their incorporation as food additives can influence sensory attributes; however, these effects can be fine-tuned through precise control of FBP concentration. Several challenges persist in scaling up, regulatory oversight, and product safety, particularly in defining approved microbial strains and permissible limits for undesirable substances in fermented products. Looking ahead, standardized regulations, advanced biotechnologies, and robust clinical validation will be essential for optimizing fermentation efficiency, ensuring product consistency, and securing market acceptance of fermented FBPs. Coupled with rigorous screening of microbial starters, fermentation enables the development of novel functional foods, beverages, and nutraceutical supplements.

Selenium-sand melon (SSM), a unique melon variety rich in selenium, is an economically and nutritionally significant crop, which is very suitable for processing into juice, but microbial inactivation is the biggest challenge in its processing. In order to address this problem, in this study, an innovative combination of metagenomic analysis, inactivation assay, and kinetic modeling techniques was used to first screen 7 bacterial and 5 fungal strains as target strains from the results of macro genomic analysis of SSM and soil samples. Then, after inoculating these microorganisms into SSJ respectively, we applied the liquid food UV-C sterilization equipment over a wide irradiation dose range of 28–168 J/mL to comprehensively cover the inactivation study of bacteria and fungi, and focused on constructing an inactivation model of fungi in selenium sapodilla juice. The results showed that UV-C exhibited significant bactericidal effects, and bacteria population decreased by approximately 7 log₁₀ at 56 J/mL, while fungal loads were reduced by nearly 5 log₁₀ at 168 J/mL. Fungal inactivation kinetics were modeled using multiple mathematical approaches. Among them, SWeibull2 model provided the best fit (R² ≥ 0.999, lowest RMSE, AIC, and BIC values, and smallest D-value), outperforming the Allometric1 model and Linear models. Notably, resistance to UV-C varied across fungal species, with Mortierella circinelloides demonstrating stronger resistance. This study highlights UV-C as a viable nonthermal alternative for SSJ processing, validating SWeibull2 as reliable for predicting fungal inactivation kinetics under UV-C.

Polysaccharide is considered as one of the main bioactive constituents in Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis), one of the well-known traditional Chinese medicines. In this study, novel polysaccharide fractions were isolated and fractionated from the mycelium of fermented Cordyceps by Sephadex G-200 gel permeation chromatography and DEAE-52 cellulose chromatography. The structure of the polysaccharide was investigated by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), monosaccharide composition, partial acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy. Three fractions with different molecular weight (CSP-1 2.95 × 10⁶ Da, CSP-2 3.06 × 10⁴ Da, CSP-3 6.4 × 10³ Da) isolated by gel permeation chromatography showing resemble structural properties, so the major and high-purity fraction, CSP-2, showing as both flexible and rod chain conformation in solution, was selected to further fractionate to obtain CSP2-F0.05. The results showed that the polysaccharide in fermented Cordyceps mycelium was highly branched complex polysaccharide, mainly composed of galactose, glucose, and mannose in 42.27%:7.87%:39.86%. The backbone was mainly composed of α-(1→6)-Manp units with branching substituted at C-2 and C-4. Galactose and glucose were probably located at branches. This study contributed to add basic information in understanding the polysaccharide fractions in C. sinensis.

Within the intricate network of oncogenic pathways that orchestrate the insidious growth and spread of cancer, the Notch signaling pathway is well known for its multiple roles in regulating cell differentiation, influencing metastasis, cancer stem cells, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. This pathway can suppress tumors by promoting differentiation and inhibiting proliferation or, conversely, stimulate tumorigenesis by inhibiting apoptosis and maintaining stem cell properties. While current research proposes monoclonal antibodies as possible tools to regulate the Notch pathway, natural products offer a complementary approach, potentially providing a more nuanced and adaptable means of modulating this complex signaling cascade. With their long-standing history of serving as a mainstay in developing successful cancer chemotherapeutic agents, natural products possess immense potential against cancer. The objective of this article is to examine the potential of natural products as therapeutic agents that modulate the Notch pathway in cancer, specifically focusing on its sophisticated role in both promoting and suppressing tumorigenesis in preclinical and clinical settings while comprehensively covering the state-of-the-art research concerning Notch signaling in cancer. The article stands out by analyzing the preclinical and clinical scope of natural products targeting Notch signaling in cancer, especially mentioning the limitations in pharmacological and biopharmaceutical performance and highlighting the novelty of nanotechnology tools to overcome such limitations. It also highlights new aspects in the study of the Notch pathway.

One of the most pressing challenges for the cocoa industry is cadmium (Cd) accumulation, which poses serious health risks and limits access to international markets. Notably, Cd concentrations in many cocoa products exceed the European Union's maximum permissible threshold of 0.60 mg kg⁻¹ in finished chocolate, threatening exports and farmer livelihoods. Previous studies have explored different methods for Cd remediation; however, they have been found to be costly and inefficient at the Cd concentrations typical of cocoa. Microorganisms, such as Bacillus spp., offer a promising alternative for Cd bioremediation during cocoa processing. In this study, we present a systematic screening of natural Bacillus isolates from cocoa fermentations as a sustainable approach for Cd remediation. Our multidisciplinary approach, integrating metagenomics, in vitro functional assays, microscopic imaging, genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and functional annotation underscores the potential of Bacillus spp. as an effective, scalable, and natural solution for Cd mitigation. Bacillus, a dominant genus in industrial cocoa fermentations, exhibited diverse Cd tolerance profiles across 69 natural isolates. Notably, we identified two isolates—Bacillus subtilis Luk29 and Bacillus paranthracis Luk27—with demonstrated Cd removal capabilities in synthetic media under fermentation-relevant conditions. Growth kinetics were assessed under varying Cd concentrations, pH, and temperature conditions for Cd removal. Genome annotation revealed that both strains possess strong Cd resistance mechanisms, including efflux systems, ATPases, and MerR-family regulators. This work contributes to our understanding of microbial impacts on cocoa safety while providing a scalable strategy for enhancing the sustainability and marketability of cocoa products worldwide.

Previous studies have found some cognitive benefits from ginger consumption, but there are little data on this among older Chinese. To explore the relationship between ginger consumption and dementia and explore the possible mechanism of ginger consumption on cognitive decline. A total of 410 elderly patients with dementia and 2426 non-dementia individuals were analyzed using data from the Shanghai Brain Health Foundation. Each participant's cognitive diagnosis was made by an attending psychiatrist, and their overall cognitive function was assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to investigate their consumption of ginger. To explore the possible mechanisms of ginger prevention of dementia, 408 non-dementia patients (331 ginger consumers and 77 non-ginger consumers) completed head MRI and plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers such as amyloid-beta peptides (Aβ) 42, Aβ40, total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau-181 (p-tau-181), and neurofilament light chain (NfL). The incidence of dementia was found to be reduced by ginger consumption through multiple logistic regression analysis. Compared to non-ginger consumers, ginger consumers had higher MoCA scores and lower plasma NfL and Aβ40 levels. Regression analysis and mediated models then showed that ginger consumption reduced plasma NfL concentrations, affecting overall MoCA scores. Ginger consumption may be a protective factor against dementia in elderly Chinese and may prevent cognitive decline by affecting plasma NfL concentration.