Investigation of new products of quercetin formed in boiling water via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-MS analysis

Quercetin is one of most important flavonoids in foods with multi-benefits for human health. The thermal processing is the main food processing approach. Here, the stability of quercetin in boiling water (100 °C) was investigated by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-MS. With the increasing boiling time, quercetin gradually degraded, and the initial degradation time is 17.57 min and the half-degradation time is 169.72 min. The degradation mechanisms included oxidation, hydroxylation and nucleophilic attack cleavage. Combining the retention time and characteristic fragment ion information of the corresponding standards, the degraded products of quercetin in boiling water were identified as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglyoxylate, 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid and 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid. Moreover, 2,3-dihydro-2,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxy-3-oxoflavone, quercetin dimers and quinones were also formed.

Extraction of lipids from microalgae using classical and innovative approaches

Microalgae, as a photosynthetic autotrophic organism, contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, which have been applied in food, medicine, and fuel industries, among others. Microalgae are considered a good source of marine lipids due to their high content in unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and can be used as a supplement/replacement for fish-based oil. The high concentration of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) in microalgae lipids, results in important physiological functions, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation, being also a prerequisite for its development and application. In this paper, a variety of approaches for the extraction of lipids from microalgae were reviewed, including classical and innovative approaches, being the advantages and disadvantages of these methods emphasized. Further, the effects of microalgae lipids as high value bioactive compounds in human health and their use for several applications are dealt with, aiming using green(er) and effective methods to extract lipids from microalgae, as well as develop and extend their application potential.

Comparative aroma and nutrients profiling in six edible versus nonedible cruciferous vegetables using MS based metabolomics

Cruciferous vegetables, also known as brassicaceae vegetables, are widely consumed worldwide for their nutritive and substantial health benefits. Compositional heterogeneity was explored in six cruciferous vegetables viz, cauliflower, turnip, broccoli, watercress, radish and cabbage leaves targeting their aroma and nutrients profile. A headspace solid-phase micro extraction (HS-SPME) technique combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for metabolite profiling. Results revealed extensive variation in volatiles and nonvolatile profiles among the six cruciferous vegetables. A total of 55 nutrient metabolites were identified, whereas a total of 190 volatiles were detected. Aldehydes and ketones appeared as the most discriminatory among leaves, accounting for its distinct aroma. Furthermore, chemometric analysis of both datasets showed clear classification of the six vegetables, with several key novel markers. This study provides the first comparative study between edible and inedible parts of cruciferous vegetables, suggesting novel uses as functional foods.

Development of nanofiber indicator with high sensitivity for pork preservation and freshness monitoring

A visual Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) fibrous film incorporated with Roselle anthocyanin (RS) and Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) (PRC film) was designed via electrospinning technology for pork preservation and freshness monitoring. The PRC film presented well structural integrity and stability in buffer solutions without leaking out RS. And PCR film had well hydrophobic and high permeability with water contact angle (WCA) of 109.52° and water vapor permeability (WVP) of 2.63 × 10^-7 g m^-1h^-1Pa^-1. Importantly, PRC film exhibited good antibacterial activity with the inhibition diameter at 29.0 mm and 27.1 mm which against Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Finally, the PRC film was employed as a colorimetric sensor for monitoring pork freshness. It presented visible color changes from pink to blue and effectively prolonged the pork shelf-life by 2 days at 4 °C. These results indicate a great potential in intelligent and active packaging.

A high-stable and sensitive colorimetric nanofiber sensor based on PCL incorporating anthocyanins for shrimp freshness

A novel bilayer colorimetric film incorporating polycaprolactone (PCL) with clitoria ternatea Linn anthocyanin (CA) via electrospinning was designed. The PCL nanofibers layer acted as a protective layer against harsh environments as the strong hydrophobic with the WCA (water contact angle) values of 101.79°. The PCL-CA layer worked as an indicator for its significant color changes for pH. The sensitivity test verified the ammonia cycler reversibility of the nanofibers is promising for re-use packaging. And the PCL/PCL-CA film was characterized as suitable WVP (water vapour permeability), and the lower velocity of water penetrating. Moreover, higher elongation at break (240.431%), and color stability were achieved. Besides, the film exhibited the color change from pale-blue to yellow-green response as an indication of shrimp spoilage (21 h). These results suggested the potential application of the PCL/PCL-CA film for a reusable freshness sensor tool in food packaging.

Coarse cereals modulating chronic low-grade inflammation: review

Chronic low-grade inflammation (CLGI) is closely associated with various chronic diseases. Researchers have paid attention to the comprehensive application and development of food materials with potential anti-inflammatory activity. Owing to their abundant nutrients and biological activities, coarse cereals have emerged as an important component of human diet. Increasing evidence has revealed their potential protective effects against CLGI in chronic conditions. However, this property has not been systematically discussed and summarized. In the present work, numerous published reports were reviewed to systematically analyze and summarize the protective effects of coarse cereals and their main active ingredients against CLGI. Their current utilization state was investigated. The future prospects, such as the synergistic effects among the active compounds in coarse cereals and the biomarker signatures of CLGI, were also discussed. Coarse cereals show promise as food diet resources for preventing CLGI in diseased individuals. Their active ingredients, including β-glucan, resistant starch, arabinoxylan, phenolic acids, flavonoids, phytosterols and lignans, function against CLGI through multiple possible intracellular signaling pathways and immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, coarse cereals play a crucial role in the food industry due to their health effects on chronic diseases and are worthy of further development for possible application in modulating chronic inflammation.

An Overview of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Compositions and Biological Activities of Edible Fruits of European and Asian Cornus Species

Cornus species are widely distributed in central and southern Europe, east Africa, southwest Asia, and America. Several species are known for edible fruits, especially Cornus mas and Cornus officinalis. These delicious fruits, characterized by their remarkable nutritional and biological values, are widely used in traditional medicine. In contrast to the other edible Cornus species, C. mas and C. officinalis are the most studied for which little information is available on the main phytochemicals and their biological activities. Fruits are characterised by several classes of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, anthocyanins, tannins, triterpenoids, and iridoids. The available phytochemical data show that the different classes of metabolites have not been systematically studied. However, these edible species are all worthy of interest because similarities have been found. Thus, this review describes the traditional uses of Cornus species common in Europe and Asia, a detailed classification of the bioactive compounds that characterize the fruits, and their beneficial health effects. Cornus species are a rich source of phytochemicals with nutritional and functional properties that justify the growing interest in these berries, not only for applications in the food industry but also useful for their medicinal properties.

Mycotoxins in food and feed: toxicity, preventive challenges, and advanced detection techniques for associated diseases

Mycotoxins are produced primarily as secondary fungal metabolites. Mycotoxins are toxic in nature and naturally produced by various species of fungi, which usually contaminate food and feed ingredients. The growth of these harmful fungi depends on several environmental factors, such as pH, humidity, and temperature; therefore, the mycotoxin distribution also varies among global geographical areas. Various rules and regulations regarding mycotoxins are imposed by the government bodies of each country, which are responsible for addressing global food and health security concerns. Despite this legislation, the incidence of mycotoxin contamination is continuously increasing. In this review, we discuss the geographical regulatory guidelines and recommendations that are implemented around the world to control mycotoxin contamination of food and feed products. Researchers and inventors from various parts of the world have reported several innovations for controlling mycotoxin-associated health consequences. Unfortunately, most of these techniques are restricted to laboratory scales and cannot reach users. Consequently, to date, no single device has been commercialized that can detect all mycotoxins that are naturally available in the environment. Therefore, in this study, we describe severe health hazards that are associated with mycotoxin exposure, their molecular signaling pathways and processes of toxicity, and their genotoxic and cytotoxic effects toward humans and animals. We also discuss recent developments in the construction of a sensitive and specific device that effectively implements mycotoxin identification and detection methods. In addition, our study comprehensively examines the recent advancements in the field for mitigating the health consequences and links them with the molecular and signaling pathways that are activated upon mycotoxin exposure.

Effects of Torreya grandis Kernel Oil on Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Flora in C57BL/6J Mice

Background

Recent experimental studies have shown that vegetable oil supplementation ameliorates high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in mice via modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and the composition of the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the Torreya grandis kernel oil (TKO) rich in unpolysaturated fatty acid against hyperlipidemia and gain a deep insight into its potential mechanisms.

Methods

Normal mice were randomly divided into three groups: ND (normal diet), LO (normal diet supplement with 4% TKO), and HO (normal diet supplement with 8% TKO). Hyperlipidemia mice were randomly divided into two groups: HFN (normal diet) and HFO (normal diet supplement with 8% TKO). Blood biochemistry and histomorphology were observed; liver RNA-seq, metabolomics, and gut 16S rRNA were analyzed.

Results

Continuous supplementation of TKO in normal mice significantly ameliorated serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation, decreased blood glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA), and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. According to GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid pathways, and significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) might be involved in the metabolism of lipids. High-dose TKO improved gut alpha diversity and beta diversity showing that the microbial community compositions of the five groups were different.

Conclusion

Supplementation of TKO functions in the prevention of hyperlipidemia via regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and enhancing microbiota richness in normal mice. Our study is the first to reveal the mechanism of TKO regulating blood lipid levels by using multiomics and promote further studies on TKO for their biological activity.

Applications of algae to obtain healthier meat products: A critical review on nutrients, acceptability and quality

Meat constitutes one the main protein sources worldwide. However, ethical and health concerns have limited its consumption over the last years. To overcome this negative impact, new ingredients from natural sources are being applied to meat products to obtain healthier proteinaceous meat products. Algae is a good source of unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, essential amino acids, and vitamins, which can nutritionally enrich several foods. On this basis, algae have been applied to meat products as a functional ingredient to obtain healthier meat-based products. This paper mainly reviews the bioactive compounds in algae and their application in meat products. The bioactive ingredients present in algae can give meat products functional properties such as antioxidant, neuroprotective, antigenotoxic, resulting in healthier foods. At the same time, algae addition to foods can also contribute to delay microbial spoilage extending shelf-life. Additionally, other algae-based applications such as for packaging materials for meat products are being explored. However, consumers' acceptance for new products (particularly in Western countries), namely those containing algae, not only depends on their knowledge, but also on their eating habits. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore the nutritional properties of algae-containing meat products to overcome the gap between new meat products and traditional products, so that healthier algae-containing meat can occupy a significant place in the market.

Cellular antioxidant potential and inhibition of foodborne pathogens by a sesquiterpene ilimaquinone in cold storaged ground chicken and under temperature-abuse condition

A sesquiterpene quinone, ilimaquinone, was accessed for its cellular antioxidant efficacy and possible antimicrobial mechanism of action against foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) in vitro and in vivo. Ilimaquinone was found to be protective against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress as validated by the reduction in the ROS levels, including increasing expression of SOD1 and SOD2 enzymes. Furthermore, ilimaquinone evoked MIC against S. aureus and E. coli within the range of 125-250 µg/mL. Ilimaquinone established its antimicrobial mode of action against both tested pathogens as evident by bacterial membrane depolarization, loss of nuclear genetic material, potassium ion, and release of extracellular ATP, as well as compromised membrane permeabilization and cellular component damage. Also, ilimaquinone showed no teratogenic effect against zebrafish, suggesting its nontoxic nature. Moreover, ilimaquinone significantly reduced the S. aureus count without affecting the sensory properties and color values of cold-storaged ground chicken meat even under temperature abuse condition.

Natural Polyphenols for the Preservation of Meat and Dairy Products

Food spoilage makes foods undesirable and unacceptable for human use. The preservation of food is essential for human survival, and different techniques were initially used to limit the growth of spoiling microbes, e.g., drying, heating, salting, or fermentation. Water activity, temperature, redox potential, preservatives, and competitive microorganisms are the most important approaches used in the preservation of food products. Preservative agents are generally classified into antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-browning agents. On the other hand, artificial preservatives (sorbate, sulfite, or nitrite) may cause serious health hazards such as hypersensitivity, asthma, neurological damage, hyperactivity, and cancer. Thus, consumers prefer natural food preservatives to synthetic ones, as they are considered safer. Polyphenols have potential uses as biopreservatives in the food industry, because their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities can increase the storage life of food products. The antioxidant capacity of polyphenols is mainly due to the inhibition of free radical formation. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of plants and herbs is mainly attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. Thus, incorporation of botanical extracts rich in polyphenols in perishable foods can be considered since no pure polyphenolic compounds are authorized as food preservatives. However, individual polyphenols can be screened in this regard. In conclusion, this review highlights the use of phenolic compounds or botanical extracts rich in polyphenols as preservative agents with special reference to meat and dairy products.

Starch-digesting product analysis based on the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry method to evaluate the inhibition of flavonoids on pancreatic α-amylase

An accurate hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS) method is presented to characterize starch digestion by α-amylase and measure the inhibition properties of flavonoids against α-amylase in vitro. Eleven products were found as 1 → 4 linkage glucose oligosaccharides with different degrees of polymerization (DPs) from 2 to 12. The products with DPs of 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9 had higher yields. The product with DP of 9 had the highest yields, which first increased and then decreased with the reaction time. Pelargonidin has the best inhibition activity on all enzyme products. The 3'-hydroxyl of B-ring enhanced the inhibition activity of flavonol and flavone but weakened that of anthocyanin. The C-ring 3-hydroxyl increased the inhibition effect of flavonol on maltose but decreased that on the products with higher DPs than flavone. The HILIC-MS method can provide more detailed information on enzyme products for the study of flavonoids inhibiting α-amylase.

Coffee silverskin: Characterization of B-vitamins, macronutrients, minerals and phytosterols

The present study assessed the nutritional composition of coffee silverskin (CSS) obtained from arabica roasted coffee. Following validated analytical methods, CSS resulted to be a high source of proteins (14.2 g/100 g) and dietary fibers (51.5 g/100 g). Moreover, the mineral analysis revealed high contents of calcium (1.1 g/100 g) and potassium (1.0 g/100 g). To date, this study provided the widest mineral profile of CSS with 30 minerals targeted including 23 microminerals with high levels of iron (238.0 mg/kg), manganese (46.7 mg/kg), copper (37.9 mg/kg), and zinc (31.9 mg/kg). Moreover, vitamins B₂ (0.18-0.2 mg/kg) and B₃ (2.5-3.1 mg/kg) were studied and reported for the first time in CSS. β-sitosterol (77.1 mg/kg), campesterol, stigmasterol, and Δ5-avenasterol, were also observed from the phytosterol analysis of CSS with a total level of 98.4 mg/kg. This rich nutritional profile highlights the potential values of CSS for innovative reuses in bioactive ingredients development.

Evaluating the effects of a standardized polyphenol mixture extracted from poplar-type propolis on healthy and diseased human gut microbiota

INTRODUCTION

A large body of evidence suggests that propolis exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, mostly ascribed to its polyphenol content. Growing evidence suggests that propolis could modulate gut microbiota exerting a positive impact on several pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro impact of a poplar-type propolis extract with a standardized polyphenol content, on the composition and functionality of gut microbiota obtained from fecal material of five different donors (healthy adults, and healthy, obese, celiac, and food allergic children).

METHODS

The standardized polyphenol mixture was submitted to a simulated in vitro digestion-fermentation process, designed to mimic natural digestion in the human oral, gastric, and intestinal chambers. The antioxidant profile of propolis before and after the digestion-fermentation process was determined. 16 S rRNA amplicon next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to test the effects on the gut microbiota of propolis extract. The profile of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by the microbiota was also investigated through a chromatographic method coupled with UV detection.

RESULTS

In vitro digestion and fermentation induced a decrease in the antioxidant profile of propolis (i.e., decrease of total polyphenol content, antiradical and reducing activities). Propolis fermentation exhibited a modulatory effect on gut microbiota composition and functionality of healthy and diseased subjects increasing the concentration of SCFA.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these data suggest that propolis might contribute to gut health and could be a candidate for further studies in view of its use as a prebiotic ingredient.

Investigation and dynamic profiling of oligopeptides, free amino acids and derivatives during Pu-erh tea fermentation by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Microbial fermentation is the critical step of Pu-erh tea manufacture, which will induce dramatic changes in the chemical composition and content of tea. In this research, we applied multi-methods based on UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS to profile the dynamic changes of oligopeptides, free amino acids, and derivatives (OPADs) during Pu-erh fermentation and predicted the potential bioactivities in silico. A total of 60 oligopeptides, 18 free amino acids, and 42 amino acid derivatives were identified, and the contents of most of them decreased after fermentation. But several N-acetyl amino acids increased 7-36 times after fermentation, and they might be the potential inhibitors of neurokinin-1 receptor. Moreover, the results of metamicrobiology showed Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus luchuensis were more prominent to metabolize protein, oligopeptides, and amino acids. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights about dynamic variations of OPADs during Pu-erh tea fermentation and are beneficial for guiding practical fermentation and quality control of Pu-erh tea.

Valorization of kiwi agricultural waste and industry by-products by recovering bioactive compounds and applications as food additives: A circular economy model

Currently, agricultural production generates large amounts of organic waste, both from the maintenance of farms and crops (agricultural wastes) and from the industrialization of the product (food industry waste). In the case of Actinidia cultivation, agricultural waste groups together leaves, flowers, stems and roots while food industry by-products are represented by discarded fruits, skin and seeds. All these matrices are now underexploited and so, they can be revalued as a natural source of ingredients to be applied in food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries. Kiwifruit composition (phenolic compounds, volatile compounds, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, etc.) is an outstanding basis, especially for its high content in vitamin C and phenolic compounds. These compounds possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial activities, among other beneficial properties for health, but stand out for their digestive enhancement and prebiotic role. Although the biological properties of kiwi fruit have been analyzed, few studies show the high content of compounds with biological functions present in these by-products. Therefore, agricultural and food industry wastes derived from processing kiwi are regarded as useful matrices for the development of innovative applications in the food (pectins, softeners, milk coagulants, and colorants), cosmetic (ecological pigments) and pharmaceutical industry (fortified, functional, nutraceutical, or prebiotic foods). This strategy will provide economic and environmental benefits, turning this industry into a sustainable and environmentally friendly production system, promoting a circular and sustainable economy.

Phage-based technologies for highly sensitive luminescent detection of foodborne pathogens and microbial toxins: A review

Foodborne pathogens and microbial toxins are the main causes of foodborne illness. However, trace pathogens and toxins in foods are difficult to detect. Thus, techniques for their rapid and sensitive identification and quantification are urgently needed. Phages can specifically recognize and adhere to certain species of microbes or toxins due to molecular complementation between capsid proteins of phages and receptors on the host cell wall or toxins, and thus they have been successfully developed into a detection platform for pathogens and toxins. This review presents an update on phage-based luminescent detection technologies as well as their working principles and characteristics. Based on phage display techniques of temperate phages, reporter gene detection assays have been designed to sensitively detect trace pathogens by luminous intensity. By the host-specific lytic effects of virulent phages, enzyme-catalyzed chemiluminescent detection technologies for pathogens have been exploited. Notably, these phage-based luminescent detection technologies can discriminate viable versus dead microbes. Further, highly selective and sensitive immune-based assays have been developed to detect trace toxins qualitatively and quantitatively via antibody analogs displayed by phages, such as phage-ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and phage-IPCR (immuno-polymerase chain reaction). This literature research may lead to novel and innocuous phage-based rapid detection technologies to ensure food safety.

Organic vs conventional plant-based foods: A review

Organic farming is characterized by the prohibition of the use of chemical synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, feed additives and genetically modified organisms and by the application of sustainable agricultural technologies based on ecological principles and natural rules. Organic products are believed to be more nutritious and safer foods compared to the conventional alternatives by consumers, with the consequent increase of demand and price of these foodstuffs. However, in academic circles there is much debate on these issues, since there is not a clear scientific evidence of the difference on the environmental impact and on the nutritional quality, safety and health effects between conventional and organic foods. Therefore, this work aims to describe and update the most relevant data on organic foods, by describing the impact of this practice on environment, producers, consumers and society, as well as by comparing the physicochemical, nutritional and phytochemical quality of conventional and organic plant foods.

Dietary proanthocyanidins on gastrointestinal health and the interactions with gut microbiota

Many epidemiological and experimental studies have consistently reported the beneficial effects of dietary proanthocyanidins (PAC) on improving gastrointestinal physiological functions. This review aims to present a comprehensive perspective by focusing on structural properties, interactions and gastrointestinal protection of PAC. In brief, the main findings of this review are summarized as follows: (1) Structural features are critical factors in determining the bioavailability and subsequent pharmacology of PAC; (2) PAC and/or their bacterial metabolites can play a direct role in the gastrointestinal tract through their antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative properties; (3) PAC can reduce the digestion, absorption, and bioavailability of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids by interacting with them or their according enzymes and transporters in the gastrointestinal tract; (4). PAC showed a prebiotic-like effect by interacting with the microflora in the intestinal tract, and the enhancement of PAC on a variety of probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. could be associated with potential benefits to human health. In conclusion, the potential effects of PAC in prevention and alleviation of gastrointestinal diseases are remarkable but clinical evidence is urgently needed.

Pigment Composition of Nine Brown Algae from the Iberian Northwestern Coastline: Influence of the Extraction Solvent

Brown algae are ubiquitously distributed in the NW coastline of the Iberian Peninsula, where they stand as an underexploited resource. In this study, five solvents were applied to the extraction of pigments from nine brown algae, followed by their determination and quantification by HPLC-DAD. A total of 13 compounds were detected: Six were identified as chlorophylls, six were classified as xanthophylls, and one compound was reported as a carotene. Fucoxanthin was reported in all extracts, which is the most prominent pigment of these algae. Among them, L. saccharina and U. pinnatifida present the highest concentration of fucoxanthin (4.5-4.7 mg∙g-1 dry weight). Ethanol and acetone were revealed as the most efficient solvents for the extraction of pigments, showing a maximal value of 11.9 mg of total pigments per gram of dry alga obtained from the ethanolic extracts of H. elongata, followed by the acetonic extracts of L. ochroleuca. Indeed, ethanol was also revealed as the most efficient solvent according to its high extraction yield along all species evaluated. Our results supply insights into the pigment composition of brown algae, opening new perspectives on their commercial exploitation by food, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical industries.

Hyperoside attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats via cholesterol metabolism and bile acid metabolism

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results from increased hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and total triglyceride (TG) accumulation. In our previous study, we found that rats treated with hyperoside became resistant to hepatic lipid accumulation.

Objectives

The present study aims to investigate the possible mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of hyperoside on the lipid accumulation in the liver tissues of the NAFLD rats.

Methods

Label-free proteomics and metabolomics targeting at bile acid (BA) metabolism were applied to disclose the mechanisms for hyperoside reducing hepatic lipid accumulation among the NAFLD rats.

Results

In response to hyperoside treatment, several proteins related to the fatty acid degradation pathway, cholesterol metabolism pathway, and bile secretion pathway were altered, including ECI1, Acnat2, ApoE, and BSEP, etc. The expression of nuclear receptors (NRs), including farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and liver X receptor α (LXRα), were increased in hyperoside-treated rats' liver tissue, accompanied by decreased protein expression of catalyzing enzymes in the hepatic de novo lipogenesis and increased protein level of enzymes in the classical and alternative BA synthetic pathway. Liver conjugated BAs were less toxic and more hydrophilic than unconjugated BAs. The BA-targeted metabolomics suggest that hyperoside could decrease the levels of liver unconjugated BAs and increase the levels of liver conjugated BAs.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results suggest that hyperoside could improve the condition of NAFLD by regulating the cholesterol metabolism as well as BAs metabolism and excretion. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which hyperoside lowers the cholesterol and triglyceride in NAFLD rats.

A dual-signal fluorescent sensor based on MoS2 and CdTe quantum dots for tetracycline detection in milk

A dual-signal fluorescent sensor was developed for tetracycline (TET) detection in milk with excellent reproducibility and stability. In this protocol, molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS₂ QDs) with blue fluorescence and cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) with yellow fluorescence were synthesized to establish the MoS₂/CdTe-based sensor with two fluorescence emission peaks at 433 nm and 573 nm. With the addition of TET, the fluorescence of MoS₂/CdTe were quenched by photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and the fluorescence of CdTe QDs were quenched more obvious than MoS₂ QDs. With the strategy, a calibration curve was established between the TET concentration in the range of 0.1-1 μM and the ratio of fluorescence intensity at 573 nm and 433 nm (F₅₇₃/F₄₃₃). Furthermore, the dual-signal sensor was applied for TET detection in milk samples with the recovery of 95.53-104.22% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 5%, indicating the strong application potential.

Effects of Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Interconnected Pathways during Spinal Cord Injury

Despite the progression in targeting the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a lack of effective treatments. Moreover, conventional therapies suffer from associated side effects and low efficacy, raising the need for finding potential alternative therapies. In this regard, a comprehensive review was done regarding revealing the main neurological dysregulated pathways and providing alternative therapeutic agents following SCI. From the mechanistic point, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways are major upstream orchestras of cross-linked dysregulated pathways (e.g., apoptosis, autophagy, and extrinsic mechanisms) following SCI. It urges the need for developing multitarget therapies against SCI complications. Polyphenols, as plant-derived secondary metabolites, have the potential of being introduced as alternative therapeutic agents to pave the way for treating SCI. Such secondary metabolites presented modulatory effects on neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory, and extrinsic axonal dysregulated pathways in the onset and progression of SCI. In the present review, the potential role of phenolic compounds as critical phytochemicals has also been revealed in regulating upstream dysregulated oxidative stress/inflammatory signaling mediators and extrinsic mechanisms of axonal regeneration after SCI in preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, the coadministration of polyphenols and stem cells has shown a promising strategy for improving post-SCI complications.

Benefits, toxicity and current market of cannabidiol in edibles

The commercialization of products with cannabidiol (CBD) has undergone a significant increase. These products can be presented in different forms such as baked goods, gummies or beverages (such as kombucha, beer or teas, among others) using wide concentrations ranges. The use of CBD in edibles favors its consumption, for medicinal users, during the work week, avoid its possible social stigma and facilitates its transport. These products can be purchased on store shelves and online. There is a large number of specialized studies, in which the possible advantages of CBD consumption are described in the preclinical and clinical trials. It is also necessary to recognize the existence of other works revealing that the excessive consumption of CBD could have some repercussions on health. In this review, it is analyzed the composition and properties of Cannabis sativa L., the health benefits of cannabinoids (focusing on CBD), its consumption, its possible toxicological effects, a brief exposition of the extraction process, and a collection of different products that contain CBD in its composition.

The Formation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Bacterial Communities During Garlic Powder Processing

Chinese garlic powder (GP) is exported to all countries in the world, but the excess of microorganisms is a serious problem that affects export. The number of microorganisms has a serious impact on the pricing of GP. It is very important to detect and control the microorganism in GP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contamination and drug resistance of microorganisms during the processing of GP. We used metagenomics and Illumina sequencing to study the composition and dynamic distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), but also the microbial community in three kinds of garlic products from factory processing. The results showed that a total of 126 ARG genes were detected in all the samples, which belonged to 11 ARG species. With the processing of GP, the expression of ARGs showed a trend to increase at first and then to decrease. Network analysis was used to study the co-occurrence patterns among ARG subtypes and bacterial communities and ARGs.

Antidiabetic Phytochemicals From Medicinal Plants: Prospective Candidates for New Drug Discovery and Development

Diabetes, a chronic physiological dysfunction affecting people of different age groups and severely impairs the harmony of peoples' normal life worldwide. Despite the availability of insulin preparations and several synthetic oral antidiabetic drugs, there is a crucial need for the discovery and development of novel antidiabetic drugs because of the development of resistance and side effects of those drugs in long-term use. On the contrary, plants or herbal sources are getting popular day by day to the scientists, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies all over the world to search for potential bioactive compound(s) for the discovery and development of targeted novel antidiabetic drugs that may control diabetes with the least unwanted effects of conventional antidiabetic drugs. In this review, we have presented the prospective candidates comprised of either isolated phytochemical(s) and/or extract(s) containing bioactive phytoconstituents which have been reported in several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies possessing noteworthy antidiabetic potential. The mode of actions, attributed to antidiabetic activities of the reported phytochemicals and/or plant extracts have also been described to focus on the prospective phytochemicals and phytosources for further studies in the discovery and development of novel antidiabetic therapeutics.

A review on processing methods and functions of wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides

Wheat germ protein is a potential resource to produce bioactive peptides. As a cheap, safe, and healthy nutritional factor, wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides (WGBPs) provide benefits and great potential for biomedical applications. The objective of this review is to reveal the current research status of WGBPs, including their preparation methods and biological functions, such as antibacterial, anti-tumor, immune regulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, etc. We also reviewed the information in terms of the preventive ability of WGBPs to treat serious infectious diseases, to offer their reference to further research and application. Opinions on future research directions are also discussed. Through the review of previous research, we find that there are still some scientific issues in the basic research and industrialization process of WGBPs that deserve further exploration. Firstly, based on current complex enzymolysis, the preparation and production of WGBPs need to be combined with other advanced technology to achieve efficient and large-scale production. Secondly, studies on the bioavailability, biosafety, and mechanism against different diseases of WGBPs need to be carried out in different in vitro and in vivo models. More human experimental evidence is also required to support its industrial application as a functional food and nutritional supplement.HighlightsThe purification and identification of wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides.The main biological activities and potential mechanisms of wheat germ hydrolysates/peptides.Possible absorption and transport pathways of wheat germ hydrolysate/peptide.Wheat germ peptide shows a variety of health benefits according to its amino acid sequence.Current food applications and future perspectives of wheat germ protein hydrolysates/peptide.

The reciprocal interaction between polyphenols and other dietary compounds: Impact on bioavailability, antioxidant capacity and other physico-chemical and nutritional parameters

Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites, whose biological activity has been widely demonstrated. However, the research in this field is a bit reductive, as very frequently the effect of individual compound is investigated in different experimental models, neglecting more complex, but common, relationships that are established in the diet. This review summarizes the data that highlighted the interaction between polyphenols and other food components, especially macro- (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and fibers) and micronutrients (minerals, vitamins and organic pigments), paying particular attention on their bioavailability, antioxidant capacity and chemical, physical, organoleptic and nutritional characteristics. The topic of food interaction has yet to be extensively studied because a greater knowledge of the food chemistry behind these interactions and the variables that modify their effects, could offer innovations and improvements in various fields ranging from organoleptic, nutritional to health and economic field.

A multifunctional study of naturally occurring pyrazines in biological systems; formation mechanisms, metabolism, food applications and functional properties

Natural pyrazines, mainly methyl- or ethyl-substituted forms, are commonly applied as flavor ingredients in raw and roasted food. Meanwhile alkylpyrazines are used as food preservatives due to their effective antimicrobial action. These natural pyrazines are widely distributed in several biological systems such as plants, animals, and insects; each with respective physiological role. Besides, pyrazines are formed in food via thermal treatment and fermentation. This review presents the most comprehensive overview of pyrazines with correlation to their chemical structures and different applications with emphasis on their food applications. The major part deals with pyrazines generated in thermally treated food, reaction mechanisms highlighting factors and optimum conditions affecting their production. Additionally, the several metabolic reactions mediating for pyrazines metabolism in humans and excretion via the kidney are discussed and on context to their effects. Lastly, a review of the different techniques applied for pyrazines isolation, detection and quantitation is presented. The study provides future considerations and direction of research on this important dietary component and their applications. Pyrazines multifunctional chemistry is of value to the food sector, by presenting the best practices for their production whilst the detrimental effects are minimized.

Chitosan and flavonoid glycosides are promising combination partners for enhanced inhibition of heterocyclic amine formation in roast beef

The effects of different kinds of chitosan, oligomer (ChiO) and monomer (Gluco), and the combinations of polymer (Chi) or ChiO with flavonoid aglycones and glycosides against the formation of major HAs were investigated to find out potential combination partners for enhanced suppression of HA formation. Results in roast beef patties showed ChiO and Gluco significantly inhibited PhIP and MeIQx formation by 43-80% and 31-57%, respectively. Of which, ChiO was the most effective. In combinations with flavonoid glycosides (phloridzin, rutin and hesperidzin, respectively), Chi, but not ChiO, generated enhanced inhibitory effects. Further analysis showed Chi and phloridzin combined at a ratio of 1:1 was the most promising, especially in inhibiting PhIP, and the mechanism behind involved: 1) water retention by Chi, and 2) reduction of phenylalanine availability by phloridzin. These findings suggest that appropriate combination of Chi and flavonoid glycosides contributes to significant improvement in the safety of meat products.

Ginseng: A bibliometric analysis of 40-year journey of global clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Ginseng has a long history of widespread use and remarkable effects as traditional medicine, adjuvant and dietary supplement. The therapeutic value, diverse functionalities and rapid development of ginseng have driven a significant increase in the number of ginseng clinical trials, ranging from its use in various ailments, formulation to safety concerns. Despite the persistent interest in ginseng clinical research, the medical effectiveness of ginseng is inconclusive and there is a lack of bibliometric analysis of the hundreds of ginseng clinical trials.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review aims to provide an extensive overview of ginseng clinical trials over the past 40 years (1979-2018) in combination with a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The annual clinical trial analysis of time distribution, country and institution network analysis for space cooperation, statistical analysis for various functions, as well as efficiency and effect size were performed for global ginseng clinical trials. Besides, preparation categories, administration routes, and the safety of ginseng clinical trials were also investigated.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

The 40-year journey of ginseng clinical trials has experienced emerging, boom, and stable or transitional stages. The global network of ginseng clinical trials has relevant regional distribution in Asia, North America and Europe. South Korea makes a great contribution to building up large research clusters and strong cooperation links. Universities are the key contributors to ginseng clinical trials. The development of ginseng products could be focused on the clinical trial in diseases with higher effectiveness or effect size, such as sexual function and cognitive & behavior and require rigorous investigations and evidence to evaluate safety. More attention should be paid to different effects from different preparations. We believe this review will provide new insights into the understanding of global ginseng clinical trials and identifies potential future perspectives for research and development of ginseng.

Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharide Alleviates Intestinal Inflammation by Promoting Small Extracellular Vesicle Packaging of miR-433-3p

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) attenuates inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its role in regulating cross-talk between intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and macrophages against IBD is unclear. This study aimed to investigate DOP protective effects on the intestinal inflammatory response through regulation by miRNA in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Our results show that DOP interfered with the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (DIEs) by IEC, which reduced the levels of inflammatory mediators. Increased miR-433-3p expression in DIEs was identified as an important protector against intestinal inflammation. DOP regulated the loading of miR-433-3p by hnRNPA2B1 into the intestinal sEV to increase the abundance of miR-433-3p. DIEs delivered miR-433-3p to lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages and targeted the MAPK8 gene, leading to inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway and reduced production of inflammatory cytokines. One protective mechanism of DOP is mediated by intestinal sEV containing miR-433-3p, which is a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of inflammatory factor accumulation from excessive intestinal macrophage activity and for restoring homeostasis in the intestinal microenvironment.

Cancer Chemopreventive Role of Dietary Terpenoids by Modulating Keap1-Nrf2-ARE Signaling System—A Comprehensive Update

ROS, RNS, and carcinogenic metabolites generate excessive oxidative stress, which changes the basal cellular status and leads to epigenetic modification, genomic instability, and initiation of cancer. Epigenetic modification may inhibit tumor-suppressor genes and activate oncogenes, enabling cells to have cancer promoting properties. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the NFE2L2 gene, and is activated in response to cellular stress. It can regulate redox homoeostasis by expressing several cytoprotective enzymes, including NADPH quinine oxidoreductase, heme oxygenase-1, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, etc. There is accumulating evidence supporting the idea that dietary nutraceuticals derived from commonly used fruits, vegetables, and spices have the ability to produce cancer chemopreventive activity by inducing Nrf2-mediated detoxifying enzymes. In this review, we discuss the importance of these nutraceuticals in cancer chemoprevention and summarize the role of dietary terpenoids in this respect. This approach was taken to accumulate the mechanistic function of these terpenoids to develop a comprehensive understanding of their direct and indirect roles in modulating the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling system.

MUFA in metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors: is MUFA the opposite side of the PUFA coin?

Omega-9 fatty acids represent some of the main mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) found in plant and animal sources. They can be synthesized endogenously in the human body, but they do not fully provide all the body's requirements. Consequently, they are considered as partially essential fatty acids. MUFA represent a healthier alternative to saturated animal fats and have several health benefits, including the prevention of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its complications. This review concentrates on the major MUFA pharmacological activities in the context of MetS management, including alleviating cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dyslipidemia, central obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The beneficial effects of MUFA for CVD were found to be consistent with those of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for the alleviation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and high low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and triacylglcerol (TAG) levels, albeit MUFA had a more favorable effect on decreasing night systolic blood pressure (SBP). To reduce the obesity profile, the use of MUFA was found to induce a higher oxidation rate with a higher energy expenditure, compared with PUFA. For NAFLD, PUFA was found to be a better potential drug candidate for the improvement of liver steatosis in children than MUFA. Any advantageous outcomes from using MUFA for diabetes and insulin resistance (IR) compared to using PUFA were found to be either non-significant or resulted from a small number of meta-analyses. Such an increase in the number of studies of the mechanisms of action require more clinical and epidemiological studies to confirm the beneficial outcomes, especially over a long-term treatment period.

Effects of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites on Cardiovascular Health and Disease

Arachidonic acid (AA) is an essential fatty acid that is released by phospholipids in cell membranes and metabolized by cyclooxygenase (COX), cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, and lipid oxygenase (LOX) pathways to regulate complex cardiovascular function under physiological and pathological conditions. Various AA metabolites include prostaglandins, prostacyclin, thromboxanes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, leukotrienes, lipoxins, and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. The AA metabolites play important and differential roles in the modulation of vascular tone, and cardiovascular complications including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and myocardial infarction upon actions to different receptors and vascular beds. This article reviews the roles of AA metabolism in cardiovascular health and disease as well as their potential therapeutic implication.

Phytoremediation of Toxic Metals: A Sustainable Green Solution for Clean Environment

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by various sources has become a major worry all over the world. Pollutants can enter the human body through the food chain from aquatic and soil habitats. These pollutants can cause various chronic diseases in humans and mortality if they collect in the body over an extended period. Although the phytoremediation technique cannot completely remove harmful materials, it is an environmentally benign, cost-effective, and natural process that has no negative effects on the environment. The main types of phytoremediation, their mechanisms, and strategies to raise the remediation rate and the use of genetically altered plants, phytoremediation plant prospects, economics, and usable plants are reviewed in this review. Several factors influence the phytoremediation process, including types of contaminants, pollutant characteristics, and plant species selection, climate considerations, flooding and aging, the effect of salt, soil parameters, and redox potential. Phytoremediation’s environmental and economic efficiency, use, and relevance are depicted in our work. Multiple recent breakthroughs in phytoremediation technologies are also mentioned in this review.

Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates blood-brain barrier disruption and traumatic brain injury via attenuating macrophages derived exosomes miR-21 release

During the traumatic brain injury (TBI), improved expression of circulatory miR-21 serves as a diagnostic feature. Low levels of exosome-miR-21 in the brain can effectively improve neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, reduce nerve apoptosis, restore neural function and ameliorate TBI. We evaluated the role of macrophage derived exosomes-miR-21 (M-Exos-miR-21) in disrupting BBB, deteriorating TBI, and Rg1 interventions. IL-1β-induced macrophages (IIM)-Exos-miR-21 can activate NF-κB signaling pathway and induce the expressions of MMP-1, -3 and -9 and downregulate the levels of tight junction proteins (TJPs) deteriorating the BBB. Rg1 reduced miR-21-5p content in IIM-Exos (RIIM-Exos). The interaction of NMIIA–HSP90 controlled the release of Exos-miR-21, this interaction was restricted by Rg1. Rg1 could inhibit the Exos-miR-21 release in peripheral blood flow to brain, enhancing TIMP3 protein expression, MMPs proteolysis, and restricting TJPs degradation thus protected the BBB integrity. Conclusively, Rg1 can improve the cerebrovascular endothelial injury and hold the therapeutic potential against TBI disease.