Search Results (188)

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely utilized in the production of various fermented foods. Lacticaseibacillus casei (Ls. casei) fermentation has been demonstrated to enhance antioxidant activity, flavor, and nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties, proximate chemical compositions, antioxidant activities, and volatile profiles of pineapple juice fermented by Ls. casei LK-1. Strain growth, physicochemical parameters, phenolics and flavonoids, carbohydrates, organic acids (by HPLC), free amino acids (FAAs), antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP methods), and volatile profiles (by GC-MS) of fermented pineapple juice were characterized. After 30 h of fermentation, the cell count reached 9.07 log CFU/mL. The fermentation process led to a significant decrease in pH, total soluble solids (TSS), and the a* value (p < 0.05), with an increase in the L* and b* values (p < 0.05). Lactic acid and total umami amino acids were elevated, whereas sucrose and total sweet amino acid levels remained unchanged. The fermented juice exhibited enhanced DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP values. In terms of volatile profiles, esters and terpenes were the dominant volatiles in the fermented pineapple juice. The fermentation resulted in the production of 2-heptanone, 2-undecanone, and a significant reduction in 2-furaldehyde (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using Ls. casei LK-1 for fermentation to develop novel fermented pineapple juice with improved antioxidant properties and a modified volatile profile. Full article

Growing consumer awareness of the link between diet and health has increased interest in functional foods, including fermented juices. Grapefruit juice has potential health-promoting properties, but its bitter taste limits its acceptance by consumers. This study aimed to develop a fermentation process for debittering grapefruit juice at natural pH using Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and naringinase. Grapefruit juice was fermented with Lactic. rhamnosus using free naringinase and naringinase immobilized on carob gum and chitosan supports at 30 ± 0.2 °C for 72 h. Naringin concentration, bacterial cell count, total phenol content, organic acids, carbohydrates, antioxidant activity, and pH were analyzed. Naringinase immobilized on carob gum demonstrated the highest efficiency, hydrolyzing over 42% of naringin after 24 h (from 418.20 to 241.19 μg/mL). The free enzyme reduced the naringin concentration to 155.28 μg/mL after 48 h. The highest Lactic. rhamnosus cell count (2.05 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) was achieved with the free enzyme. Total phenol content decreased from 42.24 to 16.58 mg GAE/100 mL when using naringinase immobilized on chitosan. The combined use of naringinase and Lactic. rhamnosus enables the development of an integrated process that improves consumer acceptance with potential applications in the functional beverage industry. Full article

In many hardwood forests, resprouting is a common response to disturbance and basal resprouts may represent a substantial component of the forest understory, especially post-wildfire. Despite this, resprouts are often overlooked in biomass assessments and drivers of resprouting responses in certain species are still unknown. These knowledge gaps are problematic as the contribution of resprouts to understory fuel loads are needed for wildfire risk modeling and effective forest stewardship. Here, we validated the handheld mobile laser scanning (HMLS) of basal resprout volume and field measurements of stem count and clump height as methods to estimate the mass of California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) basal resprouts at Pepperwood and Saddle Mountain Preserves, Sonoma County, California. In addition, we examined the role of tree size and wildfire severity in predicting post-wildfire resprouting response. Both field measurements (clump height and stem count) and remote sensing (HMLS-derived volume) effectively estimated dry mass (total, leaf and wood) of U. californica resprouts, but underestimated dry mass for a large resprout. Tree size was a significant factor determining post-wildfire resprouting response at Pepperwood Preserve, while wildfire severity significantly predicted post-wildfire resprout size at Saddle Mountain. These site differences in post-wildfire basal resprouting predictors may be related to the interactions between fire severity, tree size, tree crown topkill, and carbohydrate mobilization and point to the need for additional demographic and physiological research. Monitoring post-wildfire changes in U. californica will deepen our understanding of resprouting dynamics and help provide insights for effective forest stewardship and wildfire risk assessment in fire-prone northern California forests. Full article

Sour camel milk, as a nutritious fermented dairy product, faces challenges in terms of quality stability. Sparassis crispa, due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, shows potential in improving food quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different active components of Sparassis crispa on the quality of sour camel milk. The results indicated that Component I was the most effective Sparassis crispa component in enhancing the quality of sour camel milk. The components of Component I were identified as LysoPC(0_0_18_2(9Z,12Z)), LysoPC(18_1(11Z)_0_0), and N-(2-hydroxymethyl-3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl) anthranilic acid, among others. It increased the total viable count of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and water-holding capacity (WHC) while improving the texture of sour camel milk. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the first component of sour camel milk (FCS) and Sparassis crispa sour camel milk (SS) have a high degree of similarity in the composition of flavor substances. The characteristic flavor metabolites included 2-amylfuran, isoamyl alcohol, 2-methylbutyraldehyde, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Additionally, the supplementation of Component I increased the levels of metabolites such as amino acids, free fatty acids, organic acids, and carbohydrates, thereby contributing to the enhanced taste and nutritional quality of sour camel milk. This intervention also strengthened carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in LAB. These findings provide a theoretical basis for utilizing Component I to improve the quality of sour camel milk. Full article

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is globally recognized for its high nutritional value and potential as a sustainable food source. However, the influence of targeted nutrient supplementation on its biochemical composition and microbial safety under tropical open-pond conditions remains underexplored, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the effects of three nutrient supplementation regimes (compositions A, B, and C) and a control on Spirulina cultivated over 30 days in raceway ponds at the Nomayos Spirulina Production Farm in Cameroon. All treatments maintained physicochemical parameters within ranges favorable for Spirulina growth. Composition A significantly enhanced protein content (60.38 ± 0.68%), while composition C promoted carbohydrate accumulation (28.02 ± 0.41%). Microbial assessments revealed variable contamination levels, with composition B exhibiting the highest Escherichia coli (1.05 ± 0.075 × 10⁵ CFU/g) and Salmonella/Shigella (4.09 ± 1.81 × 10⁵ CFU/g) counts, potentially due to nutrient-induced changes or post-harvest handling factors. Correlation analyses revealed a moderate positive relationship between nitrogen input and protein synthesis (r = 0.309), which was not statistically significant (p = 0.329). Additionally, higher pH was significantly correlated with total mesophilic counts (r = 0.661, p = 0.019) and E. coli (r = 0.655, p = 0.020). These findings highlight the importance of nutrient formulation and environmental management in improving nutritional quality while minimizing microbial risks during Spirulina cultivation in tropical, low-tech settings. Full article

Drought is the single largest abiotic threat to soybean yield, yet the lectin genes that mediate drought perception and signaling in this crop have never been systematically mapped. We reanalyzed the public RNA-seq dataset GSE237798 (Williams 82 leaves, 7-day water withdrawal) with an updated fastp–HISAT2–featureCounts–DESeq2 pipeline and a curated catalog of 359 soybean lectin loci. Of the 127 lectin transcripts showing any drought-dependent shift, only 15 were stringently differentially expressed with substantial fold changes: 7 were upregulated and 8 downregulated. These genes span four families, GNA, legume, LysM and Nictaba-related lectins, and are heavily biased toward lectin receptor-like kinases (11 of 15), pinpointing the plasma membrane as the main control node. Gene Ontology enrichment highlights protein autophosphorylation and signal-transduction terms, and the inspection of AlphaFold models together with established lectin knowledge indicates that G- and L-type lectin domains have largely lost canonical carbohydrate-binding residues, whereas LysM and Nictaba proteins retain conserved folds compatible with ligand binding. The data expose a focused, modular lectin program rather than the broad activation often assumed: most soybean lectins stay silent under drought conditions, and only a defined subset toggles their expression, albeit mildly. Full article

Background: T1D is generally associated with increased psychological burden, but evidence from Middle Eastern populations remains scarce. The present study assessed the gender differences in management, prevalence, and risk factors of perceived depression and anxiety among people with T1D in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among people withT1D across Saudi Arabia to collect demographic, clinical, and diabetes management data. Perceived depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of severe depression and anxiety. Results: Among 1073 PwT1D (303 males and 770 females), perceived depressive and anxiety symptoms were highly prevalent. Females had higher perceived anxiety compared with males (p = 0.003). Age- and BMI-adjusted regression analysis showed that, overall, higher income (p = 0.008), no neuropathy (p = 0.002), above-average benefit from the diabetes education clinic (p = 0.02), practicing carbohydrate counting (p = 0.002), and HbA1c < 7.0% (p = 0.01) were protective against perceived severe depression. Friends with T1D as the preferred education source (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8, p = 0.04) and a rejected request for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) (OR = 1.88, p = 0.02) or insulin pump (OR = 2.8, p = 0.001) were significant risk factors. Perceived severe anxiety was associated with insulin pump rejection (OR = 2.4, p < 0.001) and self-reading as the preferred education source (OR = 2.0, p = 0.03). Being male (p = 0.02), no neuropathy (p = 0.01), practicing carbohydrate counting (p < 0.001), and HbA1c < 7.0% (p = 0.001) were protective. Conclusions: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among people with T1D in Saudi Arabia, with females and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals at greater risk. The findings highlight an urgent need for integrated mental health support within diabetes care and improved access to resources. Full article

Vertical farming allows for precise control of environmental conditions, including light quality, enabling the optimization of plant growth and the synthesis of specific phytochemicals. However, the effects of such conditions on postharvest quality remain underexplored. In this study, butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. ‘Alyssa’) was grown for three weeks under light-emitting diode (LED) lighting (190 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹; 89% red, 11% blue), with or without supplemental far-red light (ca. 50 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Growth and quality parameters were assessed at harvest, followed by postharvest evaluation of fresh-cut lettuce stored under equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP: 3% O₂, balance N₂) at 7 °C in darkness for 13 days. The respiration rate of the produce was also determined. Far-red light supplementation increased dry weight (+17%) and elevated glucose (+57%) and fructose (+64%) levels at harvest, without affecting fresh weight, pigment content, vitamin C, or sucrose levels. Although respiration rates during storage were about 54% higher for lettuce grown under far-red light, visual quality seemed slightly better preserved. Total aerobic psychrotrophic counts showed no significant differences between treatments at harvest or during storage. These findings suggest that far-red light can enhance certain quality traits of lettuce, particularly carbohydrate accumulation and dry weight, but the associated rise in respiration may limit these benefits postharvest. Further research is needed to clarify its long-term impact in vertical farming systems. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of vitamin C (L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate) on the physiological condition, biochemical antioxidant activity, immune responses, and gene expression in the reproductive tract, as well as on sperm quantity and quality in male white shrimp Penaeus vannamei broodstock. Four diets containing 42.5% protein, 11.5% lipids, and 23.5% carbohydrates were formulated with L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate as a source of vitamin C at the following concentrations: 0.016 g/kg (Basal), 0.322 g/kg (A), 0.628 g/kg (B), and 0.934 g/kg (C). Shrimp fed diet C exhibited the highest SOD and CAT activity and serum cholesterol levels, but the lowest expression of hemocyanin (Hemo) mRNA transcripts (p ˂ 0.05). Shrimp fed diet A showed the highest Hemo mRNA expression and phenoloxidase (PO) activity, while those fed diet B had the highest serum triglyceride levels (p ˂ 0.05). In contrast, shrimp fed diets A and B exhibited the lowest serum cholesterol levels (p ˂ 0.05). There were no differences in sperm quality between the diets. In relation to sperm quantity, the shrimp fed diet B had the highest sperm cell count (2,750,000 cel/mL), and those fed diet A had the lowest (585,000 cel/mL) (p ˂ 0.05). These results indicate that vitamin C influences the reproductive aspects of male P. vannamei broodstock. A dietary inclusion level of 0.628 g/kg promotes optimal physiological, oxidative stress, and immunological conditions for increased sperm cell production, whereas an excessive level may promote oxidative stress. Full article

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a high-priority foodborne pathogen contributing to several food poisoning outbreaks. Methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA and VRSA), pose significant public health concerns due to their potential for serious illness, antibiotic resistance, and transmission within both healthcare and community settings. These bacteria can cause numerous infections, ranging from skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening conditions like bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and endocarditis. Although several publications are concerned with Staphylococcus aureus contamination in ready-to-eat (RTE) food products, little published data is available about its prevalence in pizza, which is widely distributed and consumed worldwide. Methods: The current study is intended to determine the prevalence, virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of S. aureus in three hundred ready-to-eat pizza samples (100 each of meat, chicken, and canned tuna pizzas) collected from different restaurants in Mansoura City, Egypt. The typical colonies on Baird–Parker selective agar supplemented with egg yolk tellurite emulsion were counted and further confirmed based on Gram staining, coagulase testing, catalase testing, carbohydrate fermentation, and thermostable nuclease production. The genomic DNA of the confirmed coagulase-positive isolates was prepared and subjected to PCR analyses for detecting the nuc gene, mecA (methicillin resistance gene), and vancomycin resistance gene (vanA), as well as six selected S. aureus virulence genes: sea, seb, sec, sed, hla, and tsst. The antimicrobial resistance profile of the S. aureus isolates was determined against 16 antimicrobial agents belonging to six classes using the agar disc diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (CLSI), except for oxacillin and vancomycin, which were assessed using the MIC test. Results: The results revealed that 56% (56/100), 56% (56/100), and 40% (40/100) of chicken, meat, and canned tuna pizzas were positive for S. aureus, with an overall prevalence of 50.7% (152/300). All 560 isolates (100%) were verified as S. aureus based on molecular confirmation of the nuc gene. Interestingly, 48.6% (272/560) and 8.6% (48/560) of the isolates tested were identified as methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA and VRSA) through detection of mecA and vanA genes, respectively. Among the S. aureus isolates tested, the hla gene was detected in 87.1% (488/560), while the enterotoxin genes sea, seb, sec, and sed were identified in 50% (280/560), 78.6% (440/560), 9.8% (55/560), and 24.5% (137/560) of isolates, respectively. All recovered isolates (n = 560) were classified as multidrug-resistant and were resistant to penicillin, oxacillin, and ampicillin. Moreover, 77% (431/560), 24% (134/560), 8% (45/560), and 8.6% (48/560) of isolates were resistant to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and vancomycin, respectively. Conclusions: The current study emphasizes that ready-to-eat pizza is highly contaminated with multidrug-resistant S. aureus, highlighting the urgent need for rationalizing antibiotic use in both veterinary and human medicine to prevent the transmission of resistant bacteria through the food chain. Additionally, strict adherence to good hygienic practices throughout all stages of the food chain is essential to minimize overall contamination and enhance food safety. Full article

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of blanching various onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties on the process of lactic fermentation by probiotic strain Levilactobacillus brevis ŁOCK 0944. The materials for the research were twelve varieties of yellow onion: Venecia, Moondance, Sedona, Alonso, Hysky, Centro, Dormo, Hypark, Hybelle, Armstrong, EXP 2236, and Hysinger. We also studied the resulting changes in bioactive compound content. Acidic bacterial metabolites, the lactic acid bacteria count, and the polyphenol and carbohydrate contents were assessed in both raw onions and onions blanched at 60 °C, before and after fermentation. Onion varieties that showed morphological changes after blanching (Hysky, Centro, Dormo) demonstrated better growth of L. brevis and higher lactic acid production. Blanching loosened the tissue structure, reducing the carbohydrate content in the blanched and fermented onions, particularly Alonso, Centro, Dormo, and Hypark varieties. Although the combined process reduced the polyphenol content, four varieties showed no statistically significant differences, indicating variety-specific responses. The varying susceptibility of onion varieties to thermal treatment highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate variety for further processing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactic acid bacteria produce biofilms in meat products that contribute to the products’ deterioration, reduction in quality, and shortened shelf life. Although LAB are generally considered benign, certain strains create slime and cause significant drops in pH. The study’s goal was to identify and characterize LAB strains from sausage products that are capable of biofilm formation, and to evaluate the inhibitory effects of E. bicyclis methanol extract, its ethyl acetate fraction, and phloroglucinol, as well as to synthesize AuNPs, and assess their efficacy in controlling biofilm formation. Methods: Slime or biofilm-producing LAB bacteria were isolated from commercial sausages and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Lactobacillus sakei S10, which can tolerate high salt concentrations and cold temperatures, was chosen as a representative strain. The isolates were subsequently tested for hemolytic activity, salt and temperature tolerance, and carbohydrate consumption patterns. To evaluate antibiofilm potential, marine-derived compounds from Eisenia bicyclis, such as phloroglucinol (PG), crude methanolic extracts, ethyl acetate fractions, and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) formulations, were tested in situ on sausage surfaces against L. sakei S10 and common pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus). The biofilm-inhibitory effects of the extracts, PG, and PG-AuNPs were estimated using the colony-counting method. Results: The PG-AuNPs had an average particle size of 98.74 nm and a zeta potential of −29.82 mV, indicating nanoscale dimensions and considerable colloidal stability. Structural analysis confirmed their spherical form and crystalline structure, as well as the presence of phenolic groups in both reduction and stabilization processes. Among the studied treatments, the PG and PG-AuNPs had the strongest antibiofilm activities, dramatically lowering biofilm biomass, particularly for P. aeruginosa and L. sakei S10. However, the inhibitory effects were less prominent in in situ conditions than in in vitro testing, highlighting the complexity of real food matrices. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that polyphenolic compounds obtained from marine sources, particularly in nano-formulated forms, have a great deal of potential as natural antibiofilm products. Enhancing the microbiological safety of processed meat products and extending their shelf life could be accomplished through the application of these polyphenolic compounds in food packaging or surface treatments. Full article

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are multifaceted biomarkers with significant potential for precision oncology, offering opportunities to refine diagnoses and personalize treatments across various cancer types, including colorectal and breast cancer. CTC assays serve as reliable prognostic indicators, even during chemotherapy and/or molecularly targeted therapies. Notably, CTCs exhibit heterogeneity that gradually develops during carcinogenesis and becomes more pronounced in advanced disease stages. These intra- and intertumoral heterogeneities pose challenges, particularly when drug-resistant clones emerge following therapy. The dynamic behavior of CTCs provides valuable insights into treatment response and prognosis. Extensive efforts have led to the development of technologies for effective CTC isolation, accelerating their clinical implementation. While both CTC and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tests offer prognostic value, they reflect different aspects of tumor biology: CTC counts indicate tumor progression, while ctDNA levels correlate with tumor burden. The combined analysis is expected to yield complementary insights. CTC tests are feasible in general hospitals and may serve as tumor markers comparable to, or even superior to, conventional markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for colorectal cancer, and CA15-3 for breast cancer. Early incorporation of CTC tests into routine blood panels appears to be a rational and promising approach. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus has physical, psychological and behavioral implications related to glycemic control and quality of life. Our aims were to evaluate glycemic control and disease-related quality of life among adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus and to study their relationships with sociodemographic, clinical and anthropometric characteristics. Methods: Eighty-five participants (49.4% females, mean age 36 years, mean BMI 25.3 kg/m²) attending endocrinology and/or nutrition consultations at ULS São João (Porto, Portugal) were assessed regarding quality of life (Diabetes Health Profile) and social desirability (Marlowe–Crowne’s scale). Anthropometric (weight and height), biochemical (A1c) and metabolic control data (time at glycemic target) were collected, as well as information on type and duration of insulin therapy, carbohydrate counting, use of mobile applications for carbohydrate counting and perceived health status. Results: Older patients had higher BMI (r = 0.227, p = 0.037) and worse quality of life in the ‘barriers to activity’ domain (r = 0.290, p = 0.007). In the multivariate analysis, sociodemographic, clinical and quality of life characteristics significantly explained A1c (p = 0.046, η²_p = 0.271) and perceived health status (p = 0.012, η²_p = 0.313). Higher eating self-efficacy significantly explained better perceived health status (p = 0.006, η²_p = 0.105), but no variable independently had a significant effect on glycemic control. Conclusions: Glycemic control results from the interaction between various clinical features that must be considered in personalized approaches. Eating self-efficacy significantly explained perceived health status, and may represent a potential target for intervention among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Full article

The literature describes an increased risk of eating disorders (EDs) in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared to the general population. This risk is mainly related to physical and psychosocial problems related to diabetes. EDs should be carefully assessed and treated in these patients since they are associated with poor glycemic control and significant repercussions of pathology. Background/Objectives: To study the presence of EDs in young Portuguese adults and adults with T1DM, and how gender; age group; method of insulin administration; carbohydrate counting; and body mass index [BMI] variables influence the risk of developing an ED. Methods: Data collection was carried out using an online questionnaire, which was disseminated through the media of several Portuguese diabetes associations. Results: The sample consisted of 47 participants, mostly female, with the age group between 26 and 35 years being most representative. A statistically significant association was found between the Eating Attitudes Test [EAT-26] scores and the BMI of the participants [p = 0.003]; other variables did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: To better understand the relationship between these two pathologies, further studies are needed, as well as the development of more screening instruments to assess the risk of EDs specific to T1DM, and preventive interventions and guidelines that can assist the various areas of health that support the population with T1DM. Full article