Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)最新文献

The colonic mucus layer is the primary interface between the host and the gut microbiota. It serves both as an ecological niche for bacteria and a barrier protecting the host from microbial exposure. Disruption of the mucus layer, particularly under Western-style diet (WSD) feeding, increases the risk of infection and inflammation. Here, we identify casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP), a milk-derived glycopeptide, as a novel dietary supplement capable of preserving mucus function under WSD consumption. Notably, we demonstrate that the sialylation level of CGMP is a key determinant of its protective effects. Supplementation of highly sialylated CGMP not only prevented WSD-induced mucus defects but also altered the gut microbiota composition, enhancing beneficial bacterial genera, particularly Bifidobacterium. Mechanistically, bacterial shifts were associated with increased production of the short-chain fatty acid propionate, which can induce mucus growth. Our findings thus reveal sialylated CGMP as a promising prebiotic supplement to counteract diet-induced mucus dysfunction, highlighting the importance of protein-bound glycan structures in modulating host-microbiota interaction.

Olive (Olea europaea) leaves are a valuable source of bioactive compounds with numerous associated health benefits. These beneficial effects may arise from metabolites generated in vivo rather than from the native constituents of the extract. However, the human metabolism of these compounds remains underexplored. This study profiles urinary metabolites of olive leaves in humans, demonstrating extensive metabolism and identifying key derivatives. Urine samples from seventeen healthy volunteers were collected pre- and post-supplementation with an olive leaf extract and analyzed using an untargeted metabolomics workflow based on HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. Over 18,500 molecular features were detected, which were subsequently filtered and examined using a combination of R-based data processing packages and both supervised and unsupervised statistical analyses. Results revealed 513 significant features related to olive leaf extract intake, 176 of which were successfully annotated. Key metabolites included 28 oleuropein conjugates (e.g., hydroxyoleuropein) and 48 compounds derived from oleuropein degradation and attributed to hydroxytyrosol and elenolic acid metabolism (e.g., homovanillic acid and oleoside), along with several flavonoids and phenolic acids. Both phase I and phase II modifications dominated, while intact parent compounds were scarcely detected, highlighting extensive biotransformation and rapid urinary excretion, predominantly within the first 6 h. Moreover, 19 metabolites overlapped with those previously identified in plasma from the same volunteers, underscoring coordinated systemic processing. These findings emphasize the power of untargeted metabolomics to uncover novel bioactive structures and metabolic pathways, and provide a basis for future research on the health potential of olive-derived metabolites, which remains limitedly studied.

Pulses such as faba bean and pea are a promising source of proteins in the current protein transition. For their use in food products, they are processed into protein ingredients through dry or wet fractionation routes. The use of these ingredients is currently hampered by their inherent off-flavours, partly arising from lipid oxidation. In this study, both commercial and pilot-scale-produced faba bean and pea protein ingredients were used to determine their endogenous lipid profile, as well as the lipids' oxidative status. All protein ingredients contained considerable amounts of endogenous lipids compared to the raw material (4.4-6.6 g/100 g dry matter for concentrates and 7.4-7.5 g/100 g dry matter for isolates), and more than half these lipids were phospholipids. In addition, minor lipophilic compounds (tocopherols, carotenoids) were present in substantial amounts (240-2700 μg/g lipids) that varied both with the seed cultivar or growing conditions and with the seed-to-ingredient processing method. The endogenous lipids had undergone oxidation, as high and highly variable levels of hydroperoxides were found (2.7-57 μmol/g lipids). Yet, levels of secondary lipid oxidation markers were fairly low, and no strong occurrence of off-flavour associated volatiles, e.g., hexanal, was detected. Nonetheless, considering the high initial hydroperoxide concentration, it is expected that these off-flavours can quickly be formed upon hydroperoxide decomposition if these ingredients are applied in typical food matrices, such as plant-based dairy alternatives. These results substantiate the origin of lipid-derived off-flavours in pulse protein applications.

The spatial architecture of cross-linked protein networks plays a critical role in modulating gel formation and functionality. Given that the functional properties of gluten are highly dependent on disulfide bonds, this study investigated how controlled disulfide bond cleavage regulates the structural and functional characteristics of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-gluten composite gels. Through systematic sodium metabisulfite treatment, we demonstrated that moderate disulfide bond cleavage optimally balances protein unfolding and polyphenol conjugation, resulting in gels with superior mechanical strength and gelling properties. Progressive disulfide bond cleavage induced structural expansion of gluten proteins, exposing hydrophobic domains and enhancing the covalent binding efficiency between gluten and EGCG. This structural modification facilitated the formation of a more homogeneous and robust gel network, thereby improving mechanical integrity. However, excessive cleavage led to over-crosslinking between EGCG and gluten, ultimately disrupting the gel matrix and diminishing its structural stability. Notably, the EGCG-gluten covalent gels exhibited exceptional thermal, pH, and oxidative stability, along with potent antioxidant activity. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, the gels demonstrated sustained EGCG release, significantly enhancing its bioaccessibility. These findings highlight that precise modulation of disulfide bond cleavage can effectively tailor the physicochemical and digestive properties of protein-polyphenol covalent gels. This strategy offers a promising approach for designing advanced functional food ingredients with enhanced bioactivity and controlled nutrient delivery capabilities, broadening their potential applications in nutraceutical and bioactive delivery systems.

Radishes are rich in health-promoting organosulfur compounds. This study investigated the effects of gastrointestinal digestion (GID) on glucosinolates (GSLs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs) of two radish microgreens cultivars (Raphanus sativus; cv. Daikon, and cv. Red Rambo) grown in a closed vertical system under either White (W) or Red+Blue (R + B) LEDs, combined with varying applications of UV-C radiation (0, 1, or 3 pulses). The individual and combined effects of LEDs and UV-C on GSLs and ITCs were evaluated before and after GID (INFOGEST static in vitro GID model). Relationships between compounds before/after digestion were explored through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Both cultivars are good sources of aliphatic GSLs (Daikon: 513.4 ± 23.1-681.5 ± 31.9, Red Rambo: 447.5 ± 38.5-532.0 ± 20.2 mg 100 g^-1) and ITCs (Daikon: 0.9 ± 0.1-1.8 ± 0.3, Red Rambo: 1.3 ± 0.2-5.2 ± 1.0 mg 100 g^-1). LED type was more impactful than UV-C radiation. Generally, R + B LEDs enhanced GSLs due to increasing dehydroerucin in Daikon, while improving ITCs in Red Rambo. Post-digestion, Red Rambo showed markedly higher sulforaphene levels compared to Daikon. Red Rambo's SEM significantly confirmed the conversion of glucoraphenin into sulforaphene and sulforaphane during GID. In Daikon, no significant relationships between compounds before/after GID were found. These findings suggest cultivar-specific metabolic pathways and responses to light, which can be optimized to enhance the accumulation of health-related compounds. The innovative use of SEM provided deeper insights into the metabolic conversions occurring during GID. The abundant sulforaphene levels from Red Rambo highlight this cultivar as an excellent source of this metabolite and its potential health benefits.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo impact of the consumption of buriti yogurt and fermented milk containing orange bagasse on serum retinol content, the endogenous antioxidant system, and the expression of endogenous stress response proteins (HSPs) in male Wistar rats (n = 6 in each group). The rats received variations of fermented products containing buriti pulp and orange bagasse for 60 days. The retinol content was analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Antioxidant status was assessed in serum and liver by GSH content and activity of the enzymes GR, GPX, SOD, and CAT. Stress response was evaluated by expression of HSP 25, 60, 70, and 90 in the liver and muscle and TNF-α levels in the liver. Overall, consumption of yogurts containing buriti pulp or fermented milks containing orange bagasse and the pre-subjection of probiotic cultures to oxidative stress increased the activity of the endogenous antioxidant system (GSH, GR, GPX, and CAT) in the liver, the expression of heat shock proteins HSP 70 and 90 in muscle, and/or the vitamin A content in the serum of the animals. Furthermore, expression of HSP 70 was reduced in the liver after consumption of formulations containing orange bagasse. Finally, no increase or reduction in TNF-α levels was observed in the liver of the animals. Thus, it is concluded that consumption of yogurts and fermented milks containing fruits and byproducts and the pre-subjection of probiotic cultures to oxidative stress impacted the antioxidant response of the organism of healthy animals, indicating a possible cytoprotective and antioxidant response.

The increasing use of pesticides in agriculture has significantly improved crop quality and yield; however, concerns regarding their toxicity and environmental impact remain pressing. Acephate (ACE), an organophosphorus insecticide widely used in tomato cultivation, has been associated with various health risks, including neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and metabolic disorders. Traditional methods for ACE detection, such as gas and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), offer high sensitivity and specificity but are time-consuming, solvent-intensive, and unsuitable for rapid on-site analysis. In this context, ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) has emerged as a promising alternative, enabling direct analysis with minimal sample preparation. Paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) stands out as an effective AIMS technique, offering rapid, low-cost pesticide residue analysis compared to traditional chromatographic systems. However, unmodified chromatographic paper lacks selectivity for diverse analytes. To enhance ACE detection, this study introduces a novel PSI-MS substrate modified with polyhydroxamicalkanoate (PHA), a polyacrylamide functionalized with hydroxamic and carboxylic acid groups. This functionalized paper improves ionization efficiency and sensitivity for ACE analysis in tomato samples. The successful functionalization of the polyacrylamide polymer was confirmed through PHA characterization, ensuring its suitability for analysis. The proposed optimized method enables a rapid analysis time of just 3 min, demonstrating excellent linearity, precision, and accuracy. It also achieved low limits of detection and quantification, at 0.24 and 13.25 μg/kg, respectively, providing an innovative and efficient approach for pesticide residue determination in food matrices. ACE was detected in commercially available tomatoes, revealing regulatory non-compliance despite its prohibition under Brazilian legislation.