Recent advances in food, nutrition & agriculture最新文献

Meat products are highly susceptible to microbial contamination by antimicrobialresistant foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. Conventional preservation methods rely on synthetic preservatives and antibiotics, which are becoming increasingly ineffective due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), toxicological concerns, and consumer demand for clean-label alternatives. This review contrasts traditional chemical-based approaches with emerging plantderived nanotechnological solutions. Nano-phytochemicals, polymer, and metal nanoparticles prepared through green synthesis from plant extracts, exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity at low doses by disrupting bacterial membranes, generating reactive oxygen species, and inhibiting quorum sensing and biofilm formation. The article compares different classes of nanoparticles, including AgNPs, SeNPs, curcumin nanoemulsions, and chitosan nanocarriers, with respect to their physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and applications in meat systems through direct incorporation, edible coatings, active packaging, and integration with other preservation techniques. Plant materials such as herbs, fruit peels, and mycelial extracts are examined for their ability to act as nanoparticle synthesizers and for variations in antimicrobial performance. The review also contrasts nano-phytochemical antimicrobial activity against major resistant pathogens, emphasizing their enhanced bioavailability and site-specific disruption capabilities. Despite their substantial potential, challenges remain regarding scale-up reproducibility, phytochemical variability, interactions with meat matrices, and regulatory uncertainties. Future progress may be driven by innovations such as stimulus-responsive delivery systems and pathogen-targeting nanocomposites. Overall, this comparative review positions nanophytochemicals as multifaceted, environmentally friendly, and safe alternatives to traditional preservatives, contributing to improved meat safety while addressing AMR and sustainability concerns.

Heavy metal (HM) exposure is a critical abiotic stress that adversely affects plant growth, development, and agricultural sustainability. While trace amounts of HMs are essential for cellular processes, excessive accumulation disrupts osmotic balance, induces oxidative stress, and leads to severe metabolic disorders. This leads to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and methylglyoxal. These compounds cause lipid peroxidation, protein and enzyme damage, DNA disruption, and overall cellular dysfunction. To mitigate HM toxicity, plants employ a range of physiological, biochemical, and molecular defense mechanisms, including antioxidant enzyme systems, metal chelation, phytohormonal regulation, and genetic adaptations. Recent advancements in genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and OMICs approaches have further enhanced our understanding of plant responses to HM stress, paving the way for innovative remediation strategies. This review explores the multifaceted impact of HMs on plant physiology and highlights adaptive responses that contribute to HM tolerance and stress mitigation.

Introduction: Tea is consumed in large quantities throughout the world as a recreational and medicinal drink. The use of tea bags for brewing tea has increased tremendously due to their convenience. Apprehensions have been expressed regarding the tea bags being made with chemical compounds to give the required structural and functional properties. Tea is brewed in boiling water, and the tea bags may leach harmful chemical compounds into the tea, causing health hazards. It is necessary to consider the need for the identification of natural and biodegradable alternative materials for making tea bags.

Methods: Banana leaves have been proposed as a natural material for making tea bags. The method of preparation and design of the banana leaf tea bag has been suggested.

Results: The teabag made from banana leaf fulfilled the function of making tea without breaking when it was repeatedly dipped in freshly boiled water.

Discussion: Analysis of the moisture content of the banana leaves at various stages of teabag fabrication, and other tests concerning physical and chemical parameters, insecticides, fumigants, heavy metals, microbiological tests, and life cycle analysis may be performed to ascertain the shelf life of the banana leaf teabag and commercialize the teabag made of banana leaf.

Conclusion: Tea bags made using banana leaves are easily biodegradable and environment-friendly, besides having medicinal properties, and are, therefore, a commercially profitable and sustainable option for brewing healthy tea.

Metabolic disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes, and obesity, are increasingly linked to disruptions in the gut-liver axis and microbiome. Probiotics have gained attention for modulating metabolic health, but their translation from preclinical to clinical use remains limited. Stem cell-derived liver and gut organoids provide advanced in vitro platforms for studying host-microbe interactions and evaluating probiotic therapies in a physiologically relevant context. This review systematically synthesized studies published between 2014 and 2025, obtained from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on the generation, biological relevance, and translational applications of liver and gut organoids in probiotic therapy research. Key inclusion criteria were studies demonstrating organoid-based modelling of metabolic diseases, microbiome interactions, and high-throughput screening approaches. Gut and liver organoids successfully replicated key tissue functions and host-microbiota dynamics. Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium breve, have been shown to improve gut barrier function, reduce hepatic lipid accumulation, and modulate inflammatory signalling. Integration with high-throughput screening and microbiome co-culture platforms will enhance their predictive value. Organoid-based models bridge the gap between traditional in vitro systems and human clinical relevance, providing detailed insights into the action of probiotics on metabolic pathways. However, challenges remain in terms of reproducibility, vascular and immune integration, and clinical translatability. Stem cell-derived gut and liver organoids represent promising tools for advancing probioticbased therapies in metabolic diseases. Their continued refinement could have a significant impact on personalized medicine and accelerate therapeutic development.

Introduction: Elephant foot yam (Amorphophalluspaeoniifolius) is a versatile tuberous crop known for its nutritional value and functional properties.

Methods: This study investigates the effects of various pretreatment methods, including soaking in potassium metabisulfite and citric acid, blanching, and drying at different temperatures, on the physicochemical, functional, antioxidant, and thermo-pasting properties of elephant foot yam.

Results: The highest total phenolic content (TPC), recorded at 0.098 mg/100 g, was observed in control samples dried at 70°C. In terms of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), untreated samples exhibited the greatest activity (0.357 at 70°C), while blanched samples showed the lowest (0.303 at 70°C). The thermal pasting behavior, measured by rheological analysis, showed notable variation based on the type of pretreatment, impacting gelatinization temperature and peak viscosity. Peak viscosity of untreated samples ranged from 1012 to 2178 cP as the drying temperature increased from 50°C to 70°C, with the lowest viscosity (1012 cP) also noted at 70°C.

Discussion: Pretreatments were found to significantly influence moisture content, starch composition, and swelling power, which in turn affected the functional attributes like water absorption, solubility, and viscosity. Furthermore, pretreatment methods significantly influenced the antioxidant capacity of elephant foot yam (Amorphophalluspaeoniifolius) tubers, as reflected by changes in phenolic content and free radical scavenging activity. This effect is primarily attributed to the biochemical and structural alterations induced in the plant tissue during pretreatment.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that selecting appropriate pretreatment strategies can enhance the nutritional and functional quality of underutilized elephant foot yams, making them more suitable for diverse food industrial applications.

Sesamum indicum (sesame) is a globally valued oilseed crop renowned for its exceptional nutritional and bioactive properties. Despite extensive research on sesame, a comprehensive synthesis of its phytochemical diversity, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential remains necessary, particularly given emerging evidence on its unique lignans, biological effects, and applications in modern medicine. This review systematically consolidates current knowledge on sesame's botanical traits, bioactive composition, and health benefits by analyzing studies from various databases. Sesame seeds contain 50-60% oil (predominantly oleic [18:1, ~40%] and linoleic acids [18:2, ~45%]), 18-25% high-quality protein, 1.5-3% lignans (including sesamin and sesamolin), 0.5-1.5% phytosterols, and essential minerals (calcium: 975 mg/100 g; magnesium: 351 mg/100 g; iron: 14.6 mg/100 g). Its distinctive bioactive compounds-such as lignans (e.g., sesamol, sesaminol), phenylethanoid glycosides, and root-specific quinones-contribute to oxidative stability and diverse pharmacological effects, including cardioprotection, neuroprotection, and anticancer activity. Mechanistically, sesame exhibits antioxidant effects via Nrf2 activation, anticancer properties through apoptosis induction, and antimicrobial actions supported by molecular docking studies (e.g., anti- COVID-19 potential). While preclinical studies highlight its safety, its emergence as a major allergen warrants clear labelling. Future research should focus on enhancing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds, validating clinical efficacy, and leveraging byproducts for sustainable applications. This review underscores sesame's underexplored therapeutic potential and provides a foundation for future translational studies.

Antibiotic residues in food products and environmental matrices pose significant public health risks, including antimicrobial resistance and toxicological effects. Traditional detection methods face limitations regarding sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and field applicability, necessitating advanced technological solutions. A systematic literature review was conducted, examining publications from 2020 to 2024 using PubMed and academic databases. Keywords included "Artificial Intelligence," "Machine Learning," "Antibiotic Residue Detection," "Biosensors," "Spectroscopy," and "Food Safety." Studies integrating AI/ML with biosensors, optical systems, and electrochemical platforms were analysed. AI-enhanced detection systems demonstrated superior performance metrics. Electrochemical sensors with gradient boosting algorithms achieved a 99% classification accuracy for antibiotic identification. Machine learning-powered optical immunosensors achieved detection limits of 0.03-0.4 ng/mL for the simultaneous quantification of multiple antibiotics. Convolutional Neural Networks resolved spectral overlaps with R² values exceeding 0.984, while smartphone-based systems enabled portable detection with high precision and recall metrics. AI/ML integration significantly improves sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexing capabilities over conventional methods. These technologies enable real-time, on-site monitoring and address spectral interference challenges. However, standardisation protocols and cross-matrix validation remain critical gaps, requiring further research. AI/ML technologies represent a paradigm shift in antibiotic residue analysis, offering enhanced detection capabilities for food safety and environmental monitoring. Continued development of robust, standardised AI models is essential for regulatory adoption and widespread implementation in public health protection.

Introduction: This research aimed to investigate the potential of Hordenine (HR) against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) induced by Streptozotocin (STZ) in Wistar rats by evaluating its impact on cognitive function, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and neuroprotective biomarkers in comparison to donepezil.

Methods: The study involved five groups of Wistar rats: a control group, a group with STZinduced AD, and three treatment groups receiving varying doses of HR (50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg) and donepezil (5 mg/kg). Over 28 days, the animals underwent various behavioural tests to assess cognitive function, along with biochemical analyses to measure A+cetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels, and histological examination. Additionally, molecular docking studies were performed to assess the interaction of HR with AChE.

Results: STZ administration caused significant cognitive decline, oxidative stress, and elevated inflammatory markers. HR supplementation, particularly at 75 mg/kg, significantly improved cognition, reduced oxidative stress, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), as well as NF-κB levels, while increasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding of HR to AChE, suggesting potential inhibitory effects.

Discussion: Hordenine demonstrated promising neuroprotective effects against STZ-induced neurotoxicity by improving cognition and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting HR's potential as an adjunct therapy for Alzheimer's disease, offering a protective mechanism that may complement existing treatments like donepezil.

Conclusion: The research shows that the medicinal plant HR exhibits neuroprotective potential against AD induced by STZ. Further research involving clinical trials is warranted to fully establish the efficacy and safety of HR in the treatment of AD.

Glucosinolates are plant-derived secondary metabolites with significant antimicrobial, anticancer, and gut microbiota-modulating properties. Their hydrolysis products, such as isothiocyanates, contribute to planting defense mechanisms and exhibit potential therapeutic applications. This study aimed to explore the metabolism, biosynthesis, antimicrobial activity, and therapeutic potential of glucosinolates, emphasizing their role in human health. This literature review focuses on the analysis of existing studies on glucosinolate biosynthesis, metabolism, and biological activity. Research data have been gathered from scientific databases, focusing on in vivo and in vitro studies that have examined the antimicrobial, anticancer, and gut microbiota- modulating effects of glucosinolates and their derivatives. Findings suggest that glucosinolates play a crucial role in human health by exerting antimicrobial properties against various bacterial strains, modulating gut microbiota composition, and reducing cancer risk through their bioactive breakdown products. Their biosynthetic pathway involves key enzymatic reactions, and variations in these processes affect their biological efficacy. However, bacterial resistance to isothiocyanates poses a challenge that requires further investigation. Glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products offer promising therapeutic applications, particularly in disease prevention and gut health modulation. Future research should focus on optimizing their bioavailability and understanding resistance mechanisms to enhance their efficacy in clinical applications.

Green synthesis has emerged as a cornerstone for advancing eco-friendly nanotechnology by utilizing plant extracts, microorganisms, and natural compounds as reducing and stabilizing agents. This sustainable approach mitigates the environmental and health hazards associated with conventional chemical and physical synthesis methods. Green-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit remarkable potential across diverse sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, environmental remediation, and materials science. By leveraging renewable resources, this process minimizes energy consumption, toxic byproducts, and waste generation. Recent studies highlight the use of plant metabolites, fungi, and bacteria for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles such as silver, gold, and zinc oxide, demonstrating enhanced biocompatibility and reduced toxicity. Characterization techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy confirm the structural integrity and functional properties of these nanoparticles. In agriculture, green NPs act as efficient nanofertilizers, pesticide carriers, and biosensors, enhancing crop yield and reducing chemical dependency. In the medical field, they play pivotal roles in drug delivery, imaging, and antimicrobial therapies. Furthermore, green nanoparticles contribute to wastewater treatment, pollutant adsorption, and air purification, addressing critical environmental challenges. This review underscores the transformative potential of green synthesis in promoting sustainable industrial practices, fostering innovation, and aligning with the global agenda for environmental responsibility. By integrating green nanotechnology into mainstream production, industries can achieve a balance between technological advancement and ecological preservation, paving the way for a greener, healthier future.