Added insult to injury? The response of meat-associated pathogens to proposed antimicrobial interventions

Modern requirements for 'green label' meat products have led to the design of novel antimicrobial innovations which prioritise quality, safety and longevity. Plasma-functionalised water (PFW), ultraviolet light and natural antimicrobial compositions have been investigated and optimised for control of foodborne pathogens like Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. However, given the adaptive mechanisms present in bacteria under external stresses, it is imperative to understand the effect that sublethal treatment may have on the bacterial transcriptome. In this study, Salmonella Typhimurium and C. jejuni were treated with sublethal doses of ultraviolet light, a citrus juice/essential oil marinade, and 'spark' or 'glow' cold plasma generation system-produced PFW. Immediately after treatment, cells were lysed and RNA was extracted and purified. mRNA was converted to cDNA by reverse transcription-PCR and sequenced by an Illumina MiSeq® system. Sequences were filtered and analysed using the Tuxedo workflow. Sublethal treatment of Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella Typhimurium led to increased immediate cellular and metabolic activity, as well as diversification in protein and metabolic functioning. There was further expression of pathogenesis and virulence-associated traits associated with spark PFW and marinade treatment of Salmonella Typhimurium. However, similar concerns were not raised with glow PFW or UV-treated samples. This study provides science-based evidence of the efficacy of multi-hurdle antimicrobial system using green-label marinades and PFW or UV to inactivate pathogens without upregulating virulence traits in surviving cells. This study will inform policymakers and food industry stakeholders and reinforces the need to incorporate in-line novel technologies to ensure consumer safety. KEY POINTS: • Salmonella and C. jejuni showed increased cell activity in immediate response to stress. • Virulence genes showed increased expression when treated with natural antimicrobials and sPFW. • Reduced immediate transcriptomic response to gPFW and UV treatment indicates lower risk.

Development of a processing factor prediction model for pesticides in processed tomato foods using elastic net regularization

A novel regularized elastic net regression model was developed to predict processing factor (PF) for pesticide residues, which represents a change in the residue levels during food processing. The PF values for tomato juice, wet pomace and dry pomace in the evaluations and reports published by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues significantly correlated with the physicochemical properties of pesticides, and subsequently the correlation was observed in the present tomato processing study. The elastic net regression model predicted the PF values using the physicochemical properties as predictor variables for both training and test data within a 2-fold range for 80-100% of the pesticides tested in the tomato processing study while overcoming multicollinearity. These results suggest that the PF values are predictable at a certain degree of accuracy from the unique sets of physicochemical properties of pesticides using the developed model based on a processing study with representative pesticides.

Regulating the defects of MIL-101(Cr) for the efficient and simultaneous determination of eleven plant growth regulators in fresh fruit juice

This work presents an efficient sorbent for plant growth regulators (PGRs) by regulating the defects of a metal-organic framework MIL-101(Cr). Using the regulated MIL-101(Cr), we developed a simple and effective method for the simultaneous determination of eleven PGRs in fresh fruit juice. The extraction conditions were optimized by an orthogonal array design. Under optimal conditions, the method showed a satisfactory limit of detection (0.1-1.2 ng/g), recovery rates (83.4-110.2 %), and precision (2.9-18.0 % for intra-day and 2.7-10.8 % for inter-day), as well as a greatly suppressed matrix effect. Notably, regulating the defects significantly enhanced the desorption of PGRs on MIL-101(Cr). The sorbent didn't need to be destroyed to release the adsorbed PGRs and could be reused at least 6 times. Furthermore, the defects of MIL-101(Cr) and interactions between the sorbent and PGRs were studied by TGA, ATR-IR, XPS, NH3-TPD and UV-Vis DRS.

Pyrococcus furiosus argonaute based Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestrsis detection in fruit juice

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is the major threat to fruit juice for its off-odor producing characteristic. In this study, Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute (PfAgo), a novel endonuclease with precise DNA cleavage activity, was used for A. acidoterrestrisdetection, termed as PAD. The partially amplified 16 S rRNA gene of A. acidoterrestris can be cleaved by PfAgo activated by a short 5'-phosphorylated single strand DNA, producing a new guide DNA (gDNA). Then, PfAgo was activated by the new gDNA to cut a molecular beacon (MB) with fluorophore-quencher reporter, resulting in the recovery of fluorescence. The fluorescent intensity is positively related with the concentration of A. acidoterrestris. The PAD assay showed excellent specificity and sensitivity as low as 101 CFU/mL, which can be a powerful tool for on-site detection of A. acidoterrestris in fruit juice industry in the future, reducing the economic loss.

Food and environmental safety monitoring platform based on Tb(III) functionalized HOF hybrids for ultrafast detection of thiabendazole and 2-chlorophenol

Development of efficient and intelligent method for detecting harmful agrochemicals in resource-limited settings remains an urgent need to ensure food and environmental safety. Herein, a novel dual-emitting Tb3+-modified hydrogen-bonded organic framework (Tb@TBTC, TBTC is the ligand of HOF-TBTC.) with visible green fluorescence has been prepared through coordination post-synthetic modification. Tb@TBTC can be designed as a fluorescence sensor for the identification of two harmful carcinogenic pesticides, thiabendazole (TBZ) and 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) with high sensitivity, high efficiency and excellent selectivity. Tb@TBTC can also adsorb 2-CP with high adsorption rate. In realistic fruit juice and river water samples, the detection limits of Tb@TBTC toward TBZ and 2-CP are as low as 2.73 μM and 2.18 μM, respectively, demonstrating the feasibility in practical application. Furthermore, an intelligent real-time and on-site monitoring platform for 2-CP detection is constructed based on Tb@TBTC-agarose hydrogel films with the assistance of back propagation neural network, which can efficiently and accurately determine the concentration of 2-CP from fluorescence images through human-machine interaction. This work presents a facile pathway to prepare Tb@HOF fluorescent sensor for food and ecological environment safety, which is highly promising for preventing human disease and improving global public health.

Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation Has No Effect on Upper- and Lower-Body Maximal Isokinetic Strength and Muscular Endurance in International-Level Male Gymnasts

Nitrate (NO3-) has properties that can improve muscle function, leading to improvements in metabolic cost of exercise as well as enhance force production. Gymnastics is a whole-body sport, involving events that demand a high level of strength and fatigue resistance. However, the effect of NO3- supplementation on both upper- and lower-body function in gymnasts is unknown. This study examined the effect of acute beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation on isokinetic strength and endurance of the upper- and lower-body in highly trained international-level male gymnasts. In a double-blind, randomized crossover design, 10 international-level male gymnasts completed two acute supplementation periods, consuming either 2 × 70 ml NO3--rich (∼12.8 mmol/L of NO3-) or NO3--depleted (PLA) BRJ. Maximal strength of the upper-leg and upper-arm at 60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s, and muscular endurance (50 repeated isokinetic contractions at 180°/s) were assessed. Plasma NO3- (BRJ: 663 ± 164 μM, PLA: 89 ± 48 μM) and nitrite (NO2-) concentrations (BRJ: 410 ± 137 nmol/L, PLA: 125 ± 36 nmol/L) were elevated following BRJ compared to PLA (both p < .001). Maximal strength of knee and elbow extensors and flexors did not differ between supplements (p > .05 for all velocities). Similarly, fatigue index of knee and elbow extension and flexion was not different between supplements (all p > .05). Acute BRJ supplementation, containing ∼12.8 mmol/L of NO3-, increased plasma NO3- and NO2- concentrations, but did not enhance isokinetic strength or fatigue resistance of either upper or lower extremities in international-level male gymnasts.

Pulsed electric field technology in vegetable and fruit juice processing: A review

The worldwide market for vegetable and fruit juices stands as a thriving sector with projected revenues reaching to $81.4 billion by 2024 and an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.27% until 2028. Juices offer a convenient means of consuming bioactive compounds and essential nutrients crucial for human health. However, conventional thermal treatments employed in the juice and beverage industry to inactivate spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, as well as endogenous enzymes, can lead to the degradation of bioactive compounds and vitamins. In response, non-thermal technologies have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional heat processing, with pulsed electric field (PEF) technology standing out as an innovative and sustainable choice. In this context, this comprehensive review investigated the impact of PEF on the microbiological, physicochemical, functional, nutritional, and sensory qualities of vegetable and fruit juices. PEF induces electroporation phenomena in cell membranes, resulting in reversible or irreversible changes. Consequently, a detailed examination of the effects of PEF process variables on juice properties is essential. Monitoring factors such as electric field strength, frequency, pulse width, total treatment time, and specific energy is important to ensure the production of a safe and chemically/kinetically stable product. PEF technology proves effective in microbial and enzymatic inactivation within vegetable and fruit juices, mitigating factors contributing to deterioration while maintaining the physicochemical characteristics of these products. Furthermore, PEF treatment does not compromise the content of substances with functional, nutritional, and sensory properties, such as phenolic compounds and vitamins. When compared to alternative processing methods, such as mild thermal treatments and other non-thermal technologies, PEF treatment consistently demonstrates comparable outcomes in terms of physicochemical attributes, functional properties, nutritional quality, and overall safety.

Influence of acute dietary nitrate supplementation timing on nitrate metabolism, central and peripheral blood pressure and exercise tolerance in young men

PURPOSE

Dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation can lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and improve exercise performance. Salivary flow rate (SFR) and pH are key determinants of oral NO3- reduction and purported to peak in the afternoon. We tested the hypotheses that NO3--rich beetroot juice (BR) would increase plasma [nitrite] ([NO2-]), lower SBP and improve exercise performance to a greater extent in the afternoon (AFT) compared to the morning (MORN) and evening (EVE).

METHOD

Twelve males completed six experimental visits in a repeated-measures, crossover design. NO3--depleted beetroot juice (PL) or BR (~ 13 mmol NO3-) were ingested in the MORN, AFT and EVE. SFR and pH, salivary and plasma [NO3-] and [NO2-], brachial SBP and central SBP were measured pre and post supplementation. A severe-intensity exercise tolerance test was completed to determine cycling time to exhaustion (TTE).

RESULTS

There were no between-condition differences in mean SFR or salivary pH. The elevation in plasma [NO2-] after BR ingestion was not different between BR-MORN, BR-AFT and BR-EVE. Brachial SBP was unchanged following BR supplementation in all conditions. Central SBP was reduced in BR-MORN (- 3 ± 4 mmHg), BR-AFT (- 4 ± 3 mmHg), and BR-EVE (- 2 ± 3 mmHg), with no differences between timepoints. TTE was not different between BR and PL at any timepoint.

CONCLUSION

Acute BR supplementation was ineffective at improving TTE and brachial SBP and similarly effective at increasing plasma [NO2-] and lowering central SBP across the day, which may have implications for informing NO3- supplementation strategies.

Warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice: evaluation of 27 different labels on health effects, sugar content, energy and exercise equivalency

OBJECTIVES

Front-of-pack warning labels may reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, potentially mitigating negative health outcomes. Comparisons between different warning label types to inform future research and policy directions are lacking. This study compared 27 warning labels across six message types for their potential to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A national sample of regular soda (n = 2578) and juice (n = 1048) consumers aged 14-60 years participated in an online survey. Participants evaluated randomly allocated labels; one from each of six warning label sets (health-graphic, sugar-pictogram, sugar-text, exercise equivalents, health-text, energy information) on four measures of perceived effectiveness (PE: overall effectiveness, discourage from drinking, emotional response, persuasive potential). Participants could also provide open comments. A general linear model compared differences in mean scores across label sets for each measure of PE.

RESULTS

PE ratings differed significantly between label sets. Labels clearly quantifying sugar content (sugar-teaspoons) received consistently high PE ratings, whereas 'high in sugar' labels did not. Health-graphic labels were rated highly across all PE measures except persuasive potential. Exercise labels only rated highly on persuasive potential. Health-text results were mixed, and energy labels were consistently low.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple, factual labels were easily interpreted and perceived as most effective. Labels quantifying sugar content were consistently high performers and should be advanced into policy to help decrease overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Effects of Hardaliye, a Fermented Grape Drink, on Oxidative Stress, Lipid Profile, and Blood Pressure in Young Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Hardaliye, a traditional fermented grape juice, can prevent imbalances in the antioxidant defense systems of soccer players. Hardaliye is mainly produced through the fermentation of grapes, sour cherry leaves, and mustard seeds and is consumed as a drink. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of hardaliye consumption on oxidative stress parameters, lipid profile, and blood pressure in young elite soccer players.

METHODS

In this single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-design study, while the participants in one of the groups consumed 250 mL/d of hardaliye drink (Hardaliye Group), the participants in the other group consumed placebo drink (Placebo Group) for 28 days. Three-day food record and blood samples were taken from the soccer players and their blood pressure was measured.

RESULTS

Nutrient intakes in both groups were similar at the beginning and end of the study (p > 0.05). Dietary carbohydrates and vitamin A, E, and C intakes were below the recommended levels in both groups. Hardaliye consumption significantly increased the serum total antioxidant capacity level but significantly decreased serum total oxidation status, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels compared to the Placebo Group (p < 0.05). Lipid parameters and diastolic blood pressure levels were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). Hardaliye consumption significantly decreased systolic blood pressure compared to that in the Placebo Group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hardaliye consumption in young elite soccer players showed antioxidative effects and decreased systolic blood pressure but did not affect their lipid profiles.

Noni enhances the anticancer activity of cyclophosphamide and suppresses myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in tumor-bearing mice

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Morinda citrifolia fruit juice (noni) is an herbal remedy documented to have antioxidant properties. It has been suggested that prevention of carcinogen-DNA adduct formation and the antioxidant activity of NJ may contribute to the cancer preventive effect. In the present study, the antitumor activity of noni was investigated in the presence of cyclophosphamide (CYL) in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

In vitro breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-468) were used to measure the percentage of inhibition and the IC50. The in vivo antitumor activity of noni was studied by monitoring the mean survival time (MST), percentage increase in life span (%ILS), viable and non-viable cell count, tumor volume, body weight, and hematological and serum biochemical parameters in mice. Treatment with noni and CYL exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity toward breast cancer cells.

RESULTS

Individual treatment of noni and CYL exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity on breast cancer cell lines, while in combination therapy of noni and CYL, noni enhances cytotoxic effect of CYL at 48 h than that at 24 h. Similar result was found in in vivo studies, the results of which revealed that alone treatment of CYL and noni suppressed tumor growth. However, combination treatment with CYL and noni presented better tumor inhibition than that of alone treatment of CYL and noni. On the contrary, CYL alone drastically attenuated hematological parameters, i.e., RBC, WBC, and Hb compared to normal and control groups, and this change was reversed and normalized by noni when given as combination therapy with CYL. Moreover, the levels of serum biochemical markers, i.e., AST, ALP, and ALT, were significantly increased in the control and CYL-treated groups than those in the normal group. In the combination treatment of noni and CYL, the above biochemical marker levels significantly decreased compared to CYL alone-treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggested that CYL treatment can cause serious myelotoxicity and hepatic injury in cancer patients. In conclusion, the combined use of noni with CYL potentially enhances the antitumor activity of CYL and suppresses myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity induced by CYL in tumor-bearing mice.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of American Elderberry Juice for Improving Cognition and Inflammation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Despite data showing that nutritional interventions high in antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties (anthocyanin-rich foods, such as blueberries/elderberries) may decrease risk of memory loss and cognitive decline, evidence for such effects in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is limited. This study examined preliminary effects of American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) juice on cognition and inflammatory markers in patients with MCI. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with MCI (n = 24, Mage = 76.33 ± 6.95) received American elderberry (n = 11) or placebo (n = 13) juice (5 mL orally 3 times a day) for 6 months. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, patients completed tasks measuring global cognition, verbal memory, language, visuospatial cognitive flexibility/problem solving, and memory. A subsample (n = 12, 7 elderberry/5 placebo) provided blood samples to measure serum inflammatory markers. Multilevel models examined effects of the condition (elderberry/placebo), time (baseline/3 months/6 months), and condition by time interactions on cognition/inflammation outcomes. Attrition rates for elderberry (18%) and placebo (15%) conditions were fairly low. The dosage compliance (elderberry-97%; placebo-97%) and completion of cognitive (elderberry-88%; placebo-87%) and blood-based (elderberry-100%; placebo-100%) assessments was high. Elderberry (not placebo) trended (p = 0.09) towards faster visuospatial problem solving performance from baseline to 6 months. For the elderberry condition, there were significant or significantly trending decreases over time across several markers of low-grade peripheral inflammation, including vasorin, prenylcysteine oxidase 1, and complement Factor D. Only one inflammatory marker showed an increase over time (alpha-2-macroglobin). In contrast, for the placebo, several inflammatory marker levels increased across time (L-lactate dehydrogenase B chain, complement Factor D), with one showing deceased levels over time (L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain). Daily elderberry juice consumption in patients with MCI is feasible and well tolerated and may provide some benefit to visuospatial cognitive flexibility. Preliminary findings suggest elderberry juice may reduce low-grade inflammation compared to a placebo-control. These promising findings support the need for larger, more definitive prospective studies with longer follow-ups to better understand mechanisms of action and the clinical utility of elderberries for potentially mitigating cognitive decline.

Modulation of the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production by gac fruit juice and its fermentation in in vitro colonic fermentation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of gac fruit juice and its probiotic fermentation (FGJ) utilizing Lactobacillus paracasei on the modulation of the gut microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We conducted a comparison between FGJ, non-fermented gac juice (GJ), and control samples through in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation using the human gut microbiota derived from fecal inoculum. Our findings revealed that both GJ and FGJ led to an increase in the viability of Lactobacilli, with FGJ exhibiting even higher levels compared to the control. The results from the 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing technique showed that both GJ and FGJ exerted positive impact on the gut microbiota by promoting beneficial bacteria, notably Lactobacillus mucosae and Bacteroides vulgatus. Additionally, both GJ and FGJ significantly elevated the levels of SCFAs, particularly acetic, propionic, and n-butyric acids, as well as lactic acid, in comparison to the control. Notably, FGJ exhibited a more pronounced effect on the gut microbiota compared to GJ. This was evident in its ability to enhance species richness, reduce the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, promote Akkermansia, and inhibit pathogenic Escherichia coli. Moreover, FGJ displayed enhanced production of SCFAs, especially acetic and lactic acids, in contrast to GJ. Our findings suggest that the probiotic fermentation of gac fruit enhances its functional attributes in promoting a balanced gut microbiota. This beverage demonstrates potential as a functional food with potential advantages for sustaining intestinal health.

Development of microencapsulated grape juice powders using black 'Isabel' grape peel pectin and application in jelly formulation with enhanced in vitro bioaccessibility of anthocyanins

In this study, pigmented pectin (grape pectin, GP) was extracted from the peels of black Isabel grapes. This highly methoxylated GP was composed mainly of galacturonic acid, arabinose, and other neutral monosaccharides. Its red color was ascribed to the anthocyanin content, and the main contribution was from malvidin-3-O-glucoside. To improve the yield and color properties of spray-dried Isabel grape juice powders, maltodextrin (MD) was substituted with this colored GP. When 25% of MD was substituted with GP, the powder yield increased from 46.0% to 60.4%, but it decreased to 21% when the substitution was 40%. GP inclusion increased the encapsulation efficiency of total anthocyanin in powders from 55.70% to 88.66%. When this spray-dried grape juice powder containing GP was utilized in a jelly recipe (4%-10%), a higher level of inclusion yielded stronger and more brittle jellies. When the jellies containing varying amounts of GP were subjected to in vitro digestion, the formulation with a higher amount of GP yielded a higher recovery of anthocyanins. In addition to being utilized as a carrier agent for spray-drying applications, this pigmented GP can also be tailored for a variety of applications, such as the development of pH-sensitive edible films and functional beverage formulations.

Aqueous two-phase extraction and characterization of thermotolerant alkaliphilic Cladophora hutchinsiae xylanase: biochemical properties and potential applications in fruit juice clarification and fish feed supplementation

Xylanase finds extensive applications in diverse biotechnological fields such as biofuel production, pulp and paper industry, baking and brewing industry, food and feed industry, and deinking of waste paper. Here, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-phosphate aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was applied for the purification of an alkaline active and thermotolerant xylanase from a marine source, Cladophora hutchinsiae (C. hutchinsiae). In the purification process, the effects of some experimental factors such as PEG concentration and PEG molar mass, potassium phosphate(K2HP04) concentration, and pH on xylanase distribution were systematically investigated. Relative enzymatic activity and purification factor obtained were 93.21% and 7.18, respectively. A single protein band of 28 kDa was observed on SDS-PAGE. The optimum temperature and pH of xylanase with beechwood xylan were 30 °C and 9.0, respectively. The Lineweaver-Burk graph was utilized to determine the Km (4.5 ± 0.8 mg/mL), Vmax (0.04 ± 0.01 U) and kcat (0.001 s-1) values of the enzyme. It was observed that the purified xylanase maintained 70% of its activity at 4 °C and was found stable at pH 4.0 by retaining almost all of its activity. Enzymatic activity was slightly enhanced with Na+, K+, Ca2+ and acetone. The highest increase in the reducing sugar amount was 53.6 ± 3.8, for orange juice at 50 U/mL enzyme concentration.

A consumer evaluation of salt-reduced tomato soup and vegetable juice made with grape pomace

Obesity and obesity-related illness have become an increasingly prevalent problem and there is a critical need to combat this by reducing sugar, salt, and fat consumption. Due to this concern, the food industry has been developing salt-reduced foods, however, these products need to maintain their sensory appeal and flavors, which has proven to be a challenge. Grape pomace (GP), the solids left after pressing grapes for winemaking and consisting of grape seeds and skins, has been proposed as an environmentally friendly solution that can enhance the acceptability of salt-reduced food products. However, GP is associated with a large number of flavor compounds. As such, the objective of this research is to investigate the acceptability of GP addition in salt-reduced foods. Two trials were conducted using hedonic scales and temporal check-all-that-apply (TCATA) to evaluate tomato soup (n = 88) and vegetable juice (n = 99). Each trial included a control and sample containing grape pomace. The addition of the GP decreased the consumers' overall liking and the liking of the flavor, as well as increasing consumers' perception of saltiness intensity. The samples made with GP were associated with bitterness, sourness, and wine flavor during the TCATA evaluations. The study identified that GP increased saltiness perception, however, it also adds other flavors to the food product, which decreased the acceptability of the food items. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: There is a consumer demand to create salt-reduced foods that do not have altered sensory properties. Furthermore, consumers are interested in sustainable and environmentally friendly ingredients. Grape pomace is a byproduct of the wine industry and has been proposed as an ingredient that can increase the saltiness perception of food products. Grape pomace was added to tomato soup and vegetable juice to evaluate its effect on consumer acceptability and saltiness perception. The grape pomace did increase saltiness perception, but also added bitterness, sourness, and wine flavor to the food products.

A fluorescence "turn-on" sensor for ascorbic acid in fruit juice and beverage based on ascorbate oxidase-like activity of citric acid-derived carbon dots

Citric acid-derived carbon dots (CA-CDs) without any modifications were found to have the ascorbate oxidase (AAO)-like activity. The CA-CDs have high affinity for ascorbic acid (AA), which is similar to natural AAO. The robustness of CA-CDs is greater than that of AAO. Based on the AAO mimetic activity of CA-CDs, a sensitive turn-on mode and natural enzyme-free fluorescence detection method has been developed for AA in some fruit juice and beverage samples with satisfied recoveries. This study provides CDs-based AAO mimetic nanozymes to replace the expensive natural enzymes or heavy metal-based nanozymes, which will show great potential in biological and food assays.

3D-printed solid phase microextraction fiber based on Co-Al layered double hydroxide nanosheets; application in determination of phenolic acids in fruit juice samples

3D printing technology has attracted great attention in various fields of science and technology. Application of this technology in manufacturing analytical tools is developing fast. High precision in manufacturing designed objects, fast production and low cost also green production approach by using biodegradable materials like polylactic acid is promising bright future in scientific researches. The development of new approaches in improving the functional groups of the surface of 3D printed objects in order to make 3D printed parts more functional with conventional 3D printed materials, causes the entry of many advanced materials in this field. In this study, a novel solid phase microextraction fiber was prepared based on Co-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets in-situ growth on 3D-printed aluminum-polylactic acid (PLA) composite and its application for determination of phenolic acids (PAs) including vanillic acid (VA), ferulic acid (FA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), protocatechuic acid (PCA) and caffeic acid (CA) in fruit juice samples was investigated. The proposed fiber was prepared via a robust one-step hydrothermal synthesis of Co-Al LDH on an anodized 3D-printed Al-PLA fiber. Factors crucial for the extraction, including pH, extraction and desorption time and ionic strength were explored in detail. Under the optimal experimental conditions, for all PAs except PCA, LOD, LOQ and LDR were obtained as 0.03, 0.1 and 0.1-100.0 µgL-1, respectively. For PCA, LOD, LOQ and LDR were obtained as 0.15, 0.50 and 0.5-100.0 µgL-1, respectively.

A multidimensional evaluation of the effects of sweetener selection and UV-C treatment on orange juice and pectin-based confectionery gels

BACKGROUND

Consumers are seeking healthier alternatives to traditional confectioneries. They value the use of sugar replacers, more natural ingredients and/or environmentally friendly preservation technologies. UV-C light is considered an emerging alternative to thermal pasteurization that leaves no residue and requires minimal energy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of novel sweetener combinations and juice UV-C assisted by mild heat treatment (UV-C/H) on the physicochemical, microbiological, morphological, rheological and sensory properties of orange juice pectin-based confectioneries stored at 5 ± 1 °C for 35 days.

RESULTS

For orange juice processing, UV-C/H (pilot-scale Dean-flow reactor; 892 mJ cm-2 ; 50 ± 1 °C) and thermal (T-coil, 80 °C; 6 min) treatments were used. Low-calorie confectionery gels were elaborated using the treated juices, low-methoxyl pectin and various sweetener combinations. UV-C/H and T-coil effectively inactivated juice native microbiota. The proposed formulations, derived from a previous Box-Behnken optimization study, included partial (F1: 3%-sucrose-S + 0.019%-rebaudioside-A-RA) or complete sucrose replacement (F2: 5.5%-erythritol-E + 0.019%-RA), and one control (C:10%-S). In general, the microbiota of the gels prepared with the UV-C/H or T-coil treated juices did not recover during storage. The physicochemical and mechanical parameters of the formulations were significantly influenced by the choice of sweetener and the duration of storage. The gel surface got smoother and had fewer holes when the sucrose level dropped, according to a scanning electron microscopy study. The UV-C/H-treated samples did not differ in acceptability, whereas the measured sensory attributes approached ideal levels. F1 and F2 showed distinctive temporal-dominance-of-sensations profiles, mainly dominated by sweetness and orange taste, respectively. However, consumers perceived sourness and astringency in C during consumption.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides significant evidence in support of the development of confectionery gels F1 and F2 made from fruit juice treated by UV-C light assisted by mild heat and combinations of sucrose-alternative sweeteners. In terms of the properties investigated, these confectionery gels were comparable to, or even outperformed the full-sucrose option. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Improvement of fruit juice quality: novel endo-polygalacturonase II from Aspergillus tubingensis FAT 43 for enhanced liquefaction, clarification, and antioxidant potential

This study focuses on the isolation, purification, and characterisation of endo-polygalacturonase II from Aspergillus tubingensis FAT43, particularly emphasising its potential applications in the fruit juice industry. A comprehensive screening test revealed the temporal dynamics of endo-polygalacturonase production during a 96-hour fermentation process. The purification process, involving ammonium sulfate and ethanol precipitation followed by ion-exchange chromatography, resulted in a 3.3-fold purification of PG II with a yield of 16% and a specific activity of 6001.67 U mg-1. Molecular analysis confirmed the identity of PG II, its gene (pgaII), and a high degree of sequence identity with Aspergillus tubingensis in the SWISS-PROT database. The optimal pH for PG II activity was 3.5-4.5, with robust stability across a broad pH spectrum (3-7). The enzyme exhibited optimal temperature activity at 45 °C, with a retention of 90% activity at 50 °C. The calculated activation energy for PG II was 62.1 kJ mol-1, indicating good stability. Inactivation kinetics revealed a half-life of 13.7 h at 40 °C, 5.4 h at 50 °C, and 0.85 h at 60 °C, with an activation energy of denaturation of 32.8 kJ mol-1. Compared to literature-reported PGs, PG II from A. tubingensis FAT43 demonstrated superior thermal stability. Hydrolysis experiments on different pectins revealed the highest specificity for non-methylated substrates (polygalacturonic acid). In fruit juice processing, PG II significantly increased juice yield and clarity, with the highest impact observed in strawberry juice. Antioxidant activity assays indicated enhanced antioxidant potential in enzyme-treated juices, especially strawberry, quince, and apple juices. The study highlights PG II's potential as an industrially valuable enzyme for fruit juice processing, offering improved thermostability and versatility across various fruit types.

Multiblock data applied in organic grape juice authentication by one-class classification OC-PLS

A new strategy has been developed to enhance the assessment of the authenticity of whole grape juice within the organic class. This approach is based on the analysis of data from different analytical sources. The novel method employs a multiblock regression technique, specifically the one-class partial least squares (OC-PLS) classifier, to establish a relationship between each predictor block and the response variable. Sequential calculations are performed after orthogonalization with respect to the preceding regression scores. The proposed method has demonstrated effectiveness in detecting targeted samples. The results achieved of the best models for the test set had rates of up to 100 % sensitivity, 89 % specificity, and 83 % accuracy. To compare with the multiblock models, the DD-SIMCA method was employed, but it yielded inferior results when applied to visible data. The multiblock approach proved to be efficient in evaluating from different datasets of varied sources to classification of organic grape juice.

The effect of adding pomace on the bioactive composition and flavor volatiles in fermented orange juice with Lactobacillus

BACKGROUND

The consumption of oranges generates huge amounts of pomaces, which are the potential raw materials to increase the nutritional value of the products.

RESULTS

In this study, the bioactive composition and flavor volatiles in Lactobacillus fermented orange juice with added pomaces were researched. Results showed that the orange juices blended with pomaces were favorable substrates for Lactobacillus growth and the colony counts reached above 9.0 log CFU mL-1 , total phenolics, total flavonoids, and the antioxidant activity in orange juices were increased significantly after adding pomaces. Some amino acids, such as threonine (P < 0.0001), isoleucine (P < 0.01), and glycine (P < 0.01) were markedly higher in fermented orange juices with pomaces. The flavonoid diversity was more abundant by adding pomace fermentation and most flavonoids showed higher levels in fermented juices with the pomace, Lactobacillus fermentum 252 may transform some flavonoids through deglycosylation and reduction reaction. Furthermore, orange pomace mainly improved the flavor volatiles by increasing terpenoids and alcohol, such as d-limonene and benzyl alcohol, and decreasing volatile acids.

CONCLUSION

This study presented a novelty in elevating the nutritional value of juice by the utilization of pomaces, its findings can provide a new way to mine the bioactive ingredient from Citrus by Lactobacillus, and can be used as a guide for the development of new Citrus processing technologies and functional foods. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inactivation activity and mechanism of pulsed light against Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris vegetative cells and spores in concentrated apple juice

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris has received much attention due to its unique thermo-acidophilic property and implication in the spoilage of pasteurized juices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sterilization characteristics and mechanisms of pulsed light (PL) against A. acidoterrestris vegetative cells and spores in apple juice. The results indicated that bacteria cells in apple juice (8-20°Brix) can be completely inactivated within the fluence range of 20.25-47.25 J/cm2, which mainly depended on the soluble solids content (SSC) of juice, and the spores in apple juice (12°Brix) can be completely inactivated by PL with the fluence of 54.00 J/cm2. The PL treatment can significantly increase the leakage of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteins from cells and spores. Fluorescence studies of bacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) indicated that the loss of ATP was evident. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscope presented that PL-treated cells or spores had serious morphological damage, which reduced the integrity of cell membrane and led to intracellular electrolyte leakage. In addition, there were no significant negative effects on total sugars, total acids, total phenols, pH value, SSC and soluble sugars, and organic acid content decreased slightly during the PL treatment. The contents of esters and acids in aroma components had a certain loss, while that of alcohols, aldehydes and ketones were increased. These results demonstrated that PL treatment can effectively inactivate the bacteria cells and spores in apple juice with little effect on its quality. This study provides an efficient method for the inactivation of A. acidoterrestris in fruit juice.

A Single Dose of Beetroot Juice not Enhance Performance during Intervallic Swimming Efforts

Despite the numerous scientific evidence on the topic, there is no clear and consistent answer that clarifies the true effects of beetroot juice (BJ) supplementation on different types of physical performance. This study examined whether an acute intake of BJ improves swimming performance, physiological variables of anaerobic metabolism, or subjective measures during high-intensity interval exercise with incomplete rest in competitive swimmers. Eighteen competitive swimmers (nine females and nine males) participated in this cross-over randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind and counterbalanced study. In two trials, swimmers ingested BJ (70 mL, 6.4 mmol/400 mg NO3-) or placebo (PLA) (70 mL, 0.04 mmol/3 mg NO3-) three hours before a 2×6×100 m maximal effort with 40 seconds rest between repetitions and three minutes between blocks. The 100 m times showed no differences between groups (p > 0.05), but there was an interaction between block×repetition×condition (F5 = 3.10; p = 0.046; ηp2 = 0.54), indicating that the BJ group decreased the time of the sixth repetition of block2 compared to block1 (p = 0.01). Lactate concentration showed no differences between conditions (p > 0.05), but there was a main effect of block (ηp2 = 0.60) and a block×repetition interaction (ηp2 = 0.70), indicating higher values in block2 and increasing values between repetitions in block1. The subjective scales, perception of exertion (RPE) and Total Quality Recovery (TQR), showed no effects of condition (p > 0.05), but BJ swimmers had a greater TQR in the last repetitions of each block. In conclusion, a single dose of BJ did not enhance intermittent swimming performance or modified the physiological (lactate and heart rate) or subjective (RPE and TQR) variables; although there was a possible positive effect on the exercise tolerance at the end of effort.

Nano‑selenium functionalized chitosan gel beads for Hg(II) removal from apple juice

The presence of potentially toxic elements and compounds poses threats to the quality and safety of fruit juices. Among these, Hg(II) is considered as one of the most poisonous heavy metals to human health. Traditional chitosan-based and selenide-based adsorbents face challenges such as poor adsorption capacity and inconvenient separation in juice applications. In this study, we prepared nano‑selenium functionalized chitosan gel beads (nanoSe@CBs) and illustrated the synergistic promotions between chitosan and nanoSe in removing Hg(II) from apple juice. The preparation conditions, adsorption behaviors, and adsorption mechanism of nanoSe@CBs were systematically investigated. The results revealed that the adsorption process was primarily controlled by chemical adsorption. At the 0.1 % dosage, the adsorbent exhibited high uptake, and the maximum adsorption capacity from the Langmuir isotherm model could reach 376.5 mg/g at room temperature. The adsorbent maintained high adsorption efficiency (> 90 %) across a wide range of Hg(II) concentrations (0.01 to 10 mg/L) and was unaffected by organic acids present in apple juice. Additionally, nanoSe@CBs showed negligible effects on the quality of apple juice. Overall, nanoSe@CBs open up possibilities to be used as a safe, low-cost and highly-efficient adsorbent for the removal of Hg(II) from juices and other liquid foods.

Bimetallic AuNR@AgNCs for ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensing of dithianon in apple juice

In this study, a bimetallic surfaced-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active substrate consisting of AuNR@AgNCs was proposed for the rapid detection of dithianon. Due to the significant synergistic enhancement of the core-shell nanocuboids, the obtained AuNR@AgNC substrate exhibited excellent SERS performance. The simulation findings supported the practical SERS results and demonstrated that interactions were mainly maintained by the nitrile functional group. The AuNR@AgNCs could be used to detect dithianon with an LOD value of 20 nM. Moreover, dithianon in river water and apple juice could be detected with recovery in the satisfactory ranges of 97.41%-98.35% and 97.77%-98.70%, respectively, by using this substrate under optimal conditions, indicating that the AuNR@AgNC substrate could serve as an excellent SERS detection platform for pesticide residues in fruit.

Antibacterial effects of various molecular weight chitosans against Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in orange juice

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris has been gaining attention due to its unique thermo-acidophilic properties and being associated with the deterioration of pasteurized beverages. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of chitosan with various molecular weights (MWs) (164, 85, 29.2, and 7.1 kDa) and concentrations (0-100 μg/mL) against A. acidoterrestris and its effect on guaiacol production. Various chitosan MWs were co-incubated for 7 days, and the bacterial growth, guaiacol, and vanillic acid contents during storage were determined. The chitosans performed antibacterial effects against A. acidoterrestris. Further, 164 kDa chitosan showed excellent results in controlling the growth and guaiacol formation in A. acidoterrestris. These findings demonstrated the efficacy of chitosan antibacterial activity against A. acidoterrestris and mitigating the guaiacol formation. Chitosan's antibacterial properties are attributed to the elimination of cells and suppression of guaiacol production. This study introduces a new approach for reducing A. acidoterrestris contamination in fruit juices, with potential product quality and safety advantages.

Consumption of 100% Fruit Juice and Body Weight in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Concerns have been raised that frequent consumption of 100% fruit juice may promote weight gain. Current evidence on fruit juice and weight gain has yielded mixed findings from both observational studies and clinical trials.

Objective

To synthesize the available evidence on 100% fruit juice consumption and body weight in children and adults.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched through May 18, 2023.

Study Selection

Prospective cohort studies of at least 6 months and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of at least 2 weeks assessing the association of 100% fruit juice with body weight change in children and adults were included. In the trials, fruit juices were compared with noncaloric controls.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data were pooled using random-effects models and presented as β coefficients with 95% CIs for cohort studies and mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs for RCTs.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Change in body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) was assessed in children and change in body weight in adults.

Results

A total of 42 eligible studies were included in this analysis, including 17 among children (17 cohorts; 0 RCTs; 45 851 children; median [IQR] age, 8 [1-15] years) and 25 among adults (6 cohorts; 19 RCTs; 268 095 adults; median [IQR] age among cohort studies, 48 [41-61] years; median [IQR] age among RCTs, 42 [25-59]). Among cohort studies in children, each additional serving per day of 100% fruit juice was associated with a 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01-0.05) higher BMI change. Among cohort studies in adults, studies that did not adjust for energy showed greater body weight gain (0.21 kg; 95% CI, 0.15-0.27 kg) than studies that did adjust for energy intake (-0.08 kg; 95% CI, -0.11 to -0.05 kg; P for meta-regression <.001). RCTs in adults found no significant association of assignment to 100% fruit juice with body weight but the CI was wide (MD, -0.53 kg; 95% CI, -1.55 to 0.48 kg).

Conclusion and Relevance

Based on the available evidence from prospective cohort studies, in this systematic review and meta-analysis, 1 serving per day of 100% fruit juice was associated with BMI gain among children. Findings in adults found a significant association among studies unadjusted for total energy, suggesting potential mediation by calories. Further trials of 100% fruit juice and body weight are desirable. Our findings support guidance to limit consumption of fruit juice to prevent intake of excess calories and weight gain.

Structural switching aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for mycotoxin patulin detection

In this study, an electrochemical and aptamer-based aptasensor was developed for the sensitive detection of patulin, a mycotoxin commonly found in fruits and fruit-based products. The aptasensor used an innovative structural switching signal-off platform for detecting patulin. The aptamer immobilization on screen-printed carbon electrodes was achieved through Au electrodeposition and thiol group (-SH) route. Response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal incubation times for the aptamer, blocking agent, and target molecule, which were found to be 180 min, 40 min, and 89 min, respectively. The response of the aptamer to different concentrations of patulin was measured using square wave voltammetry by exploiting the structural switching mechanism. The sensor response was determined by quantifying differences in the aptasensor's background current. The aptasensor exhibited a linear working range of 1-25 μM and a low detection limit of 3.56 ng/mL for patulin. The aptasensor's relative standard deviation and accuracy were determined to be 0.067 and 94.4%, respectively. A non-specific interaction was observed at low concentrations of two other mycotoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone. The interference from ochratoxin A in the measurements was below 10%. In real sample tests using apple juice, interference, particularly at low concentrations, had changed the recovery of patulin negatively with a significant effect on the structural switching behavior. Nevertheless, at a concentration of 25 ng/mL, the interference effect was eliminated, and the recovery standard deviation improved to 6.6%. The aptasensor's stability was evaluated over 10 days, and it demonstrated good performance, retaining 13.12% of its initial response. These findings demonstrate the potential of the developed electrochemical aptasensor for the sensitive detection of patulin in fruit-based products, with prospects for application in food safety and quality control.

Method for Glucose and Fructose Quantitation in Beverages Using an Off-the-Shelf Glucose Test Strip

A method was developed for quantifying both glucose and fructose in solutions and grape juice using commercially available glucose test strips connected to a mini-potentiostat. The first step of this sensing approach involved exposing the sample solution to an Accu Chek Aviva glucose test strip, which allowed for the direct quantitation of glucose. To quantify fructose, the solution was exposed to glucose isomerase, which led to the conversion of glucose to fructose and vice versa until an equilibrium was reached. Once equilibrium was reached, the solution was exposed to another glucose test strip; the signal obtained was shown to be related to the total amounts of glucose and fructose in solution. Finally, fructose was quantified by subtracting the glucose concentration (from the initial measurement) from the total concentration of glucose and fructose (from the second measurement after the reaction with glucose isomerase). The method yielded a limit of detection of 0.047 g L-1 for glucose and 0.49 g L-1 for fructose. Importantly, this method was shown to work well for analyzing glucose and fructose concentration in grape juice, which contains >60 g L-1 glucose and fructose. Since the ratio of glucose and fructose concentration in ripe grapes is close to 1, this method can be used to aid in the determination of grape ripeness to guide harvesting times.

Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility test and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella in ready-to-eat fruit juices and salads in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Food borne diseases is a challenging problem nowadays. Salmonella and Shigella species are great concern of food-born outbreaks. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility test and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella species in fruit juices and salads.

METHODS

A community based cross sectional study design was carried out on 50 juice houses from December to March 2020 in Mekelle. One hundred fifty samples were collected aseptically from the juice houses for laboratory analysis. Information related to risk factors was obtained using a structured questionnaire. In the laboratory, samples were homogenized using peptone water and incubated overnight for enrichment. Then, Salmonella and Shigella species were isolated on Salmonella-Shigella agar and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar. Disc diffusion method was used to perform antimicrobial susceptibility test. Using SPSS (version 22) package, descriptive statistics and Chi square test (χ2) were used to analyze the data, and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULT

The overall prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species was 41/150 (27.33%; 95% CI: 20.20 - 34.46) with 33 (22%) Salmonella spp. and 8(5.33%) Shigella spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests of both Salmonella and Shigella spp.showed high resistance against ampicillin (100%), tetracycline (63.6 and 62.5%, respectively) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (100%). Accessibility of fruits to flies and dust had statistical association (p = 0.021) with occurrence of Salmonell a and/or Shigella spp.

CONCLUSION

The overall prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella spp. was found to be significant. The resistant rate of isolates against ampicillin, tetracycline and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was high. Storage sites for fruits should be inaccessible to flies and dust. Therefore, routine monitoring of juice houses should be promoted and regular evaluation of bacterial resistance pattern should be done for selective antimicrobial therapy. Furthermore, consistent training of juice makers on food safety and hygiene should be implemented by the concerned body.

Acute and short-term beetroot juice nitrate-rich ingestion enhances cardiovascular responses following aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women with arterial hypertension: A triple-blinded randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The increase in blood pressure (BP) levels in the postmenopausal period can be partly explained by the decrease in nitric oxide synthases (NOS).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the acute and one-week effects of beetroot juice nitrate-rich (BRJ-NO3-rich) ingestion on cardiovascular and autonomic performance in response to submaximal aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) who are physically inactive.

METHODS

Fourteen postmenopausal women with SAH [mean (SD) age: 59(4) y; BMI (kg/m2): 29.2(3.1)] completed submaximal aerobic exercise bouts after an acute and a one-week intervention with BRJ in a placebo-controlled, randomized, triple-blind, crossover design. Participants ingested either BRJ (800 mg of NO3-) or placebo acutely and drank either BRJ (400 mg of NO3-) or placebo every day for the next six days. After two and ½ hours, they performed a session of aerobic submaximal aerobic exercise, and their systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), heart rate (HR) recovery, and HR variability were measured.

RESULTS

In the post-exercise recovery period, SBP dropped significantly in the BRJ-NO3-rich group (-9.28 mmHg [95%CI: -1.68 to -16.88] ES: -0.65, p = 0.019) compared to placebo after acute ingestion. The FMD values increased after acute BRJ-NO3-rich on post-exercise (3.18 % [0.36 to 5.99] ES: 0.87, p = 0.031). After the one-week intervention, FMD values were higher in the BRJ-NO3-rich group before (4.5 % [1.62 to 7.37] ES: 1.21, p = 0.005) and post-exercise measurements (4.2 % [1.52 to 6.87] ES: 1.22, p = 0.004) vs. placebo. HRV indices with remarkable parasympathetic modulation to heart recovered faster on the BRJ-NO3-rich group than placebo group. No between-group differences were identified in values of HR post-exercise recovery in the 30s, 60s, 120s, 180s, and 300s.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute and short-term BRJ-NO3-rich ingestion may enhance cardiovascular and autonomic behavior in response to aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women diagnosed with SAH.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05384340.

Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice and Sodium Nitrate on Selected Blood Metabolites and Response to Transient Ischemia: A Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Modification of the nitrate (NO3)-nitrite (NO2)-nitric oxide (NO) pathway can be induced by oral intake of inorganic NO3 (NIT) or NO3-rich products, such as beetroot juice (BRJ).

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma changes in betaine, choline, trimethylamine (TMA), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and NO3/NO2 (NOx) concentrations over 4 h after single oral ingestion of NIT or BRJ. The flow-mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF) method was applied to measure the changes in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced form (NADH) in response to transient ischemia and reperfusion. We hypothesized that various sources of NO3 may differently affect endothelial and mitochondrial functions in healthy human subjects.

METHODS

In a randomized crossover trial, 8 healthy young adults ingested 800 mg NO3 from either NIT or BRJ on 2 separate days with ≥3 d apart. Venous blood samples were collected every hour, and FMSF determination was applied bihourly.

RESULTS

Plasma betaine and choline concentrations peaked at 1 h after BRJ ingestion, and remained significantly higher than baseline values at all time points (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, compared to preingestion values). Over time, BRJ was more effective in increasing NOx compared with NIT (fixed-trial effect P < 0.001). Baseline fluorescence decreased after both NIT and BRJ consumption (fixed-time effect P = 0.005). Transient ischemia and reperfusion response increased because of NO3 consumption (fixed-time effect P = 0.003), with no differences between trials (P = 0.451; P = 0.912; P = 0.819 at 0, 2, and 4 h, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute ingestion of BRJ elevated plasma betaine and choline, but not TMA and TMAO. Moreover, plasma NOx levels were higher in the BRJ trial than in the NIT trial. Various sources of NO3 positively affected endothelial and mitochondrial functions. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05004935.

An analytical approach to determine the health benefits and health risks of consuming berry juices

Food products composition analysis is a prerequisite for verification of product quality, fulfillment of regulatory enforcements, checking compliance with national and international food standards, contracting specifications, and nutrient labeling requirements and providing quality assurance for use of the product for the supplementation of other foods. These aspects also apply to the berry fruit and berry juice. It also must be noted that even though fruit juices are generally considered healthy, there are many risks associated with mishandling both fruits and juices themselves. The review gathers information related with the health benefits and risk associated with the consumption of berry fruit juices. Moreover, the focus was paid to the quality assurance of berry fruit juice. Thus, the analytical methods used for determination of compounds influencing the sensory and nutritional characteristics of fruit juice as well as potential contaminants or adulterations.

Plasma proteome profiling reveals molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of daily consumption of 'Bahia' and 'Cara Cara' orange juices

Orange juice is an important food source of bioactive compounds, mainly the flavanones hesperidin and narirutin. This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of orange juice's health properties by analyzing changes in the plasma proteome of healthy Brazilian volunteers after consuming juices made from 'Bahia' (BOJ-source of flavanones) and 'Cara Cara' (CCOJ-source of flavanones and carotenoids) oranges cultivated in Brazil. We used an untargeted proteomic approach, with a particular emphasis on the juices' effects on blood coagulant activity. We identified 247 differentially expressed proteins, of which 170 significantly increased or decreased after BOJ consumption and 145 after CCOJ. These proteins are involved in 105 processes that can significantly regulate cell adhesion, cell signaling, cell metabolism, inflammation, or others. Bioinformatic analysis evidenced proteins with major cellular regulatory capacity (e.g., FN1 and GAPDH) and predicted transcription factors (TFs) (e.g., SP1 and CEBPA) and miRNAs (e.g., miR-1-3p and miR-615-3p) that could be involved in the regulation of differentially expressed proteins. In-silico docking analyses between flavanone metabolites and TFs evidenced the higher binding capacity of narirutin phase II metabolites with akt1 and p38, interactions that suggest how the expression of genes of differentially expressed proteins were activated or inhibited. Moreover, the study shed light on proteins of coagulation cascade that presented expression modulated by both juices, proposing the modulation of blood coagulant activity as a potential benefit of OJ (mainly CCOJ) consumption. Taken together, this study revealed that BOJ and CCOJ consumption affected plasma proteome in healthy individuals, suggesting potential molecular targets and mechanisms of OJ bioactive compounds in humans.

Enzyme-Assisted Endogenous Guide DNA Generation-Mediated Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute for Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris Detection

Pyrococcus furiosusArgonaute (PfAgo) emerged as a novel endonuclease for the nucleic acid test recently. However, the input of exogenous guide DNA (gDNA) to activate PfAgo has reduced its flexibility. In this work, an enzyme-assisted endogenous gDNA generation-mediated PfAgo for the target detection strategy, termed EGG-PAD, was proposed. With the aid of EcoR Ι, the target double-strand DNA was cut, producing a phosphate group at the 5' end, functioning as gDNA to activate PfAgo for nucleic acid detection. The applicability of this assay was tested in the detection ofAlicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, a bacterium causing the spoilage of fruit juice, showing excellent sensitivity and specificity, ascribed to the "duplex amplification and triple insurance" mechanism. Moreover, EGG-PAD exhibited superior versatility in the identification of common foodborne pathogens. This powerful platform could also be an on-site test tool for detecting nucleic acid-containing organisms such as tumor cell, pathogen, and virus in the future.

Effect of 100% Orange Juice and a Volume-Matched Sugar-Sweetened Drink on Subjective Appetite, Food Intake, and Glycemic Response in Adults

Dietary recommendations to reduce the consumption of free sugars often group 100% fruit juice with other sugar-containing beverages. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of consuming 100% orange juice compared to an orange drink on next-meal food intake (FI), glycemic response, average appetite, emotions, and sensory characteristics in normal-weight adults. Thirty-six normal-weight adults (age: 26.8 ± 0.9 years) consumed, in random order and at least 5 days apart, three 240 mL test beverages as follows: (a) 100% orange juice, (b) orange drink, or (c) water. Subjective sweetness and pleasantness were determined immediately after test beverage consumption. Glycemic response, average appetite, and subjective emotions were measured every 15 min for 60 min. Food intake was determined at a pizza lunch 60 min later. Rest-of-day glycemic response and energy intake (EI) were determined using a continuous glucose monitor and food record, respectively. Lunch FI (p = 0.054) and total EI (p = 0.01) were both lower after 100% orange juice compared with the orange drink. Caloric compensation was 84% after 100% orange juice and -25% after the orange drink (p = 0.047). Average appetite was not significantly different between the test beverages (p > 0.05). Blood glucose iAUC adjusted for available carbohydrate was lower after 100% orange juice compared with the orange drink (p < 0.001). Rest-of-day blood glucose concentrations were lower after 100% orange juice compared with the orange drink (p = 0.03) and water control (p < 0.001). In conclusion, consumption of 100% orange juice as a preload resulted in higher caloric compensation, lower total daily EI, and lower blood glucose concentrations compared to the orange drink.

Modeling sunset yellow removal from fruit juice samples by a novel chitosan-nickel ferrite nano sorbent

Analysis of food additives is highly significant in the food industry and directly related to human health. This investigation into the removal efficiency of sunset yellow as an azo dye in fruit juices using Chitosan-nickel ferrite nanoparticles (Cs@NiFe2O4 NPs). The nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using various techniques. The effective parameters for removing sunset yellow were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite design (CCD). Under the optimum conditions, the highest removal efficiency (94.90%) was obtained for the initial dye concentration of 26.48 mg L-1 at a pH of 3.87, a reaction time of 67.62 min, and a nanoparticle dose of 0.038 g L-1. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model had a better fit for experimental data (R2 = 0.98) than the other kinetic models. The equilibrium adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 212.766 mg g-1. The dye removal efficiency achieved for industrial and traditional fruit juice samples (91.75% and 93.24%), respectively, confirmed the method's performance, feasibility, and efficiency. The dye adsorption efficiency showed no significant decrease after five recycling, indicating that the sorbent has suitable stability in practical applications. variousThe synthesized nanoparticles can be suggested as an efficient sorbent to remove the sunset yellow dye from food products.

Magnitude of Fruit Juice-Drug Interactions Due to Osmolality-Dependent Fluid Secretion: Differences among Apple, Orange, and Grapefruit Juices

We recently reported that the gastrointestinal (GI) fluid volume is influenced by the solution osmolality, and proposed that this effect may play a role in beverage-drug interactions. Here, we investigated whether osmolality-dependent fluid secretion can explain the difference in the magnitudes of fruit juice-drug interactions depending on the type of fruit juice (grapefruit juice (GFJ), orange juice (OJ), and apple juice (AJ)). The osmolality of GFJ, OJ, and AJ used in this study was found to be 552, 686, and 749 mOsm/kg, respectively. Measurements of intestinal fluid movement following beverage administration by the in situ closed-loop technique revealed the following rank order for fluid volume in rat ileum: AJ > OJ > GFJ > purified water, suggesting that water movement is dependent on the osmolality of these beverages. Such changes in GI fluid volume are expected to alter the luminal drug concentration, potentially contributing to the magnitude of beverage-drug interactions. Indeed, in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats revealed that the plasma concentration of atenolol, a low-permeability drug, was the highest after oral administration in purified water, followed by GFJ and OJ, and was the lowest after administration in AJ. In contrast, antipyrine, a high-permeability drug, showed no significant difference in plasma concentration after administration in purified water and fruit juices, suggesting that the absorption of high-permeability drugs is less affected by solution osmolality. Our findings indicate that differences in the magnitude of beverage-drug interactions can be at least partly explained by differences in the osmolality of the beverages ingested.

Development of a colorimetric sensor based on nanofiber cellulose film modified with ninhydrin to measure the formalin index of fruit juice

In this research, a color sensor based on nanofiber cellulose film modified with ninhydrin was designed to measure amino acids and formalin index in fruit juice. For this purpose, three types of cellulose films with porosity of 5, 30 and 125 μm were used. These films were treated with standard solution of ninhydrin. The characteristics of modified films were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) tests. The color factors of the sensors (a and b) changed in the presence of amino acids and juice with different levels of formalin index. Therefore, the modified films with ninhydrin as a colorimetric sensor were calibrated using 7 types of amino acids and based on the formalin index of 4 types of juice. Then the sensors were used to measure the formalin index in 4 types of juice. The results showed that the sensors have relative selectivity towards methionine amino acid. The formalin index values calculated in the juices by the sensor were compared with the titration method as a reference method. All three types of sensors were able to detect formalin index. The results of the sensor performance verification showed that the sensors can measure formalin index in different juices with 95-98 % accuracy. These sensors showed fast sensitivity and selectivity to the amino acids in juice, also these sensors are safe and the measurement method is fast and simple.

Rapid quantification of the adulteration of pomegranate juices by Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics

The juice drink industry has repeatedly been exposed to adulteration. Unscrupulous producers, for example, use cheap juice for substitution in the pursuit of more significant economic benefits, which presents a tremendous challenge for the control of the quality of drinks. The objective of this study was to apply Raman spectroscopy combined with chemometrics to rapidly quantify the adulteration concentration of apple juice or grape juice in pomegranate juice. Two supervised learning algorithms: partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector machine regression (SVR) were used to analyze the Raman spectra of 114 samples. The coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and residual prediction deviation (RPD) of the prediction set when using PLSR and SVR to predict the adulterated concentration of apple juice in pomegranate juice were 0.9357 and 0.9465, 6.446% and 5.974%, 3.945 and 4.322, respectively. The R2, RMSE, and RPD of the prediction set when using PLSR and SVR to predict the adulteration concentration of grape juice in pomegranate juice were 0.9501 and 0.9502, 6.334% and 5.571%, and 4.475 and 4.481, respectively. It was concluded that Raman spectroscopy combined with chemometrics has excellent potential for application as a rapid quantitative method to detect adulterated concentrations of pomegranate juice.

Impact of Fruit and Fruit Juice on Death and Disease Incidence: A Sex-Specific Longitudinal Analysis of 18 603 Adults

BACKGROUND

The health benefits of fruits are well established, but fruit juice has been more controversial. Fruit and juice are often ingested with other foods, which prompted our investigation to determine whether fruit consumed as juice may negate the beneficial effects of consuming whole fruit in people with cardiovascular disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively analyzed data from a population-based study in Australia (the 45 and Up Study) linked with hospitalization and mortality data up to September 2018. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine effects of fruit, fruit juice, and the combination of fruit and fruit juice in relation to death and disease incidence among men and women living with cardiovascular disease. A total of 7308 deaths occurred among 18 603 participants diagnosed with cardiovascular disease over a 13-year follow-up. After multivariable adjustment, inadequate fruit intake (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12 [95% CI, 1.01-1.24]) and high fruit juice intake (HR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.12-1.41]) predicted all-cause mortality in women. Also, high fruit juice intake plus either adequate fruit intake (HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.02-1.37]) or inadequate fruit intake (HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.21-1.69]) predicted mortality in women. No relationships were found in men after multivariable adjustments. Also, we found no prognostic value for fruit and fruit juice intake on disease incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with cardiovascular disease, we found that fruit juice (in combination with adequate or inadequate fruit intake) predicted mortality in women but not in men. These effects became less clear when focusing on disease incidence.

Spectrophotometric determination of trace vanadium in fresh fruit juice samples by ion pair-based surfactant-assisted microextraction procedure with solidification of floating organic drop

An ion pair-based surfactant-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with solidification of floating organic drop (IP-SA-DLLME-SFOD) was developed for extraction of vanadium followed by spectrophotometric determination. Tannic acid (TA) and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were utilized as complexing and ion-pairing agents, respectively. Using ion-pairing, TA-vanadium complex became more hydrophobic and quantitatively extracted into 1-undecanol. Some factors that influence extraction efficiency were studied. Under optimized circumstances, the detection and quantification limits were 1.8 μg L-1 and 5.9 μg L-1, respectively. The method was linear up to 1000 μg L-1 and the enrichment factors was 19.8. For 100 μg L-1 vanadium, the intra-day, and inter-days relative standard deviations (n = 8) were 1.4% and 1.8%, respectively. The suggested IP-SA-DLLME-SFOD procedure has been effectively implemented for spectrophotometric quantification of vanadium in fresh fruit juice samples. Finally, the greenness of the approach was estimated using Analytical Greenness Calculator (AGREE), which proved its environmental friendliness and safety.

Biological effects of bergamot and its potential therapeutic use as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer agent

Context: Bergamot, mainly produced in the Ionian coastal areas of Southern Italy (Calabria), has been used since 1700 for its balsamic and medicinal properties. Phytochemical profiling has confirmed that bergamot juices are rich in flavonoids, including flavone and flavanone glycosides which are responsible for its beneficial effects.Objective: Recently, it was shown that the combination of natural compounds with conventional treatments improves the efficacy of anticancer therapies. Natural compounds with anticancer properties attack cancerous cells without being toxic to healthy cells. Bergamot can induce cytotoxic and apoptotic effects and prevent cell proliferation in various cancer cells.Methods: In this review, the antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of bergamot are described. Information was compiled from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the key words 'bergamot' accompanied by 'inflammation' and, 'cancer' for data published from 2015-2021.Results: In vitro and in vivo studies provided evidence that different forms of bergamot (extract, juice, essential oil, and polyphenolic fraction) can affect several mechanisms that lead to anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects that decrease cell growth, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.Conclusions: Considering the effects of bergamot and its new formulations, we affirm the importance of its rational use in humans and illustrate how bergamot can be utilized in clinical applications. Numerous studies evaluated the effect of new bergamot formulations that can affect the absorption and, therefore, the final effects by altering the therapeutic profile of bergamot and enhancing the scientific knowledge of bergamot.

Fruit Juices of Etcho (Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum) and Giant Cardon (Pachycereus pringlei) are Sources of Health-Promoting Ingredients with Potential Anticancer Properties

Mexico is one of the main diversification centers of cacti in the world, with more than 500 endemic species, most of which remain nutritionally and functionally uncharacterized. The columnar cacti of the genus Pachycereus comprise five underutilized endemic Mexican species, whose nutraceutical properties have only been studied in the P. weberi species. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality and bioactive properties of etcho (P. pecten-aboriginum) and giant cardon (P. pringlei) fruit. The physical, chemical, and nutritional composition of etcho and giant cardon fruits were characterized, as well as the profile and content of bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity (ABTS•+ and DPPH•), and antiproliferative capacity in cervical (HeLa) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and T-47D) cell lines. Our results suggest that etcho and giant cardon fruits are rich sources of essential nutrients and bioactive phytochemicals (including K, Mg, P, dietary fiber, polyphenolic compounds, vitamin C, betalains, and myo-inositol) with antioxidant and anticancer potential by inhibiting the proliferation of all evaluated cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 198 to 287 µg of gallic acid equivalents/mL. Therefore, etcho and giant cardon fruits could be used for nutraceutical purposes, and their consumption could promote health benefits.

High pressure homogenization applied to fruit juices: Effects on microbial inactivation and on maintenance of bioactive components

High-pressure homogenization (HPH) is a non-thermal technology widely studied to replace, partially or in total, the conventional thermal preservation processes used in the food industry, thus minimizing undesirable changes in the nutritional and sensory characteristics of liquid products. The main effect of HPH is the size reduction of dispersed particles thus affecting physical stability of the products, despite also inactivating microorganisms, preserving bioactive compounds, and maintaining sensory characteristics. During the process, the fluid is driven under high-pressure through a micrometric gap inside the valve. Phenomena including cavitation, shear and turbulence are responsible for the changes in the fluid. From this perspective, the present paper reviews the effects of HPH on the inactivation of microorganisms and preservation of bioactive compounds of fruit juices treated with this technology. The juice matrices reported were apple, apricot, banana, blackberry, carrot, kiwifruit, mandarin, mango, orange, peach, pomegranate, rosehip, strawberry and tomato. The paper elucidates the potential application of HPH to fruit juice processing aiming at producing safe products with high nutritional and sensory quality.

[Natural pigments in fruit and vegetable juices: the content of anthocyanins, carotenoids and betalaines]

The color of the juice is determined by the color of the corresponding fruit or vegetable from which the juice is made. The color of a fruit or vegetable, in turn, is determined by the presence of natural coloring pigments - secondary plant metabolites, which include mainly anthocyanins, carotenoids and betalains. These substances, in addition to bright colors, give the juices properties that largely provide a positive effect on health. The quantitative content of these pigments in juices (especially in commercially produced juices, the most commonly consumed by the population at present) is important for understanding of the contribution of that juices in real intake of these bioactive compounds with diet. The purpose of the work was to study the content of anthocyanins, carotenoids and betalaines in juices a nd nectars (cherry, pomegranate, red grapes, tomato, carrot, peach and vegetable juices containing red beetroot) widely represented on the Russian market. Material and methods. The content of natural coloring pigments was determined by HPLC: anthocyanins - according to GOST 32709-2014 "Juice products. Methods for the determination of anthocyanins», carotenoids - in accordance with R 4.1.1672-03 "Guidelines for methods of quality control and safety of biologically active food supplements", betalains by revised IFU method of analysis No 71 (rev. 2023) "Anthocyanins and Betalains by HPLC". The results of measurements in 66 samples selected from Russian retail chains were analyzed. Results. The highest content of anthocyanins (in terms of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) was found in cherry nectars - an average of 11.4 mg/100 cm3, lower values were obtained for red grape juices (an average of 2.5 mg/100 cm3) and pomegranate juices (0.9 mg/100 cm3). In tomato juices, in addition to lycopene (7.0-14.1 mg/100 cm3), β-carotene was found in an amount of 0.3- 1.2 mg/100 cm3. In carrot juices, the content of β-carotene was at the level of 5.7-12.5 mg/100 cm3, in peach nectars - 0.14- 0.38 mg/100 cm3. The highest concentrations of betalains were found in directly pressed red beet juice at a level of 156.2 mg/100 cm3, with a predominance of betacyanins (99.4 mg/100 cm3) over betaxanthins (56.8 mg/100 cm3). The content of betacyanins decreased to 51.5 mg/100 cm3 in directly pressed lacto-fermented juice and to 2-3 mg/100 cm3 in multi-vegetable juices; betaxanthins were not detected in these samples. Conclusion. The study showed high levels of natural coloring substances - anthocyanins, carotenoids and in some extent betalains in juice products. A serving (200 cm3) of cherry nectar can provide up to 100% of an adequate daily intake of anthocyanins, a serving of red grape juice and a serving of pomegranate juice can provide up to 20% and up to 10%, respectively. The content of β-carotene in a serving of carrot juice is several times higher than the daily requirement for adults; a serving of peach nectar contains up to 10% of the daily requirement for β-carotene. Tomato juice is rich in lycopene, this carotenoid content in a serving is several times higher than the adequate daily intake, while the content of β-carotene is also at a high level - up to 50% of the daily requirement for this substance. Despite the fact that direct data on the adequate daily intake of betalains have not yet been established, relatively high concentrations of betalains, especially in directly pressed red beet juices, determine their significant potential in increasing the nutritive value of the diet through beet-based juices intake.