Search Results (6,731)

In this study glycerol-plasticized sodium caseinate/polyvinyl alcohol NaC/PVA composite films were prepared by solution casting, and the effects of incorporating caffeic acid powder at different concentrations 0% 2.5% 5% and 15% w/w on structural mechanical barrier and postharvest performance were investigated. Caffeic acid (CA) (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound commonly found in plant tissues and food sources such as apples, blueberries, and coffee. FTIR analysis revealed that shifts and broadening in OH bands indicated hydrogen bonding interactions between caffeic acid and the polymer matrix influencing structural organization. The pure NaC/PVA film exhibited high WVTR due to glycerol while maintaining low OTR. Adding 2.5% caffeic acid reduced WVTR but increased OTR through structural disruption. At 5% a continuous hydrogen-bonded network formed, restricting chain mobility and reducing free volume, thus lowering WVTR and OTR while preserving mechanical integrity. SEM micrographs revealed that high CA concentrations, particularly at 15%, led to aggregation-induced partial phase separation and consequent performance loss. Packaging treatments mainly affected physical and color attributes rather than primary metabolites. The NaC/PVA/5CA reduced weight loss and delayed sugar accumulation compared with NaC/PVA. Sugars peaked earlier in NaC/PVA but increased continuously in NaC/PVA/5CA, reaching maximum at the final storage stage. These findings indicate concentration-dependent mechanisms and highlight the potential of caffeic acid-based active packaging to regulate metabolism and extend postharvest quality. Overall results support its application in sustainable packaging systems for improved shelf life management. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent contaminants that require very strict performance criteria from the methods that want to analyze them in food for research or regulatory purposes. This systematic literature review tried to evaluate Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe (QuEChERS) extraction methodologies coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for PFAS determination in food. Peer-reviewed articles (2010–2025) were eligible if they analyzed PFAS in food matrices using QuEChERS extraction protocols with LC-MS/MS or HRMS and reported performance and/or validation data. Scopus, WoS and Google Scholar were searched up to 18 December 2025. Due to heterogeneity in matrices, PFAS panels and reported validation metrics, no meta-analysis was performed, and the results were synthesized narratively. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Most methods used acidified acetonitrile (ACN)-based QuEChERS workflows and achieved limits of quantification (LOQ) reported to be compatible with EU Regulation 2023/915 and Commission Implementing Regulation 2022/1428. Analytical scope expanded from 9 to 15 legacy PFAS to >40 analytes. Short-chain PFAS analyses in vegetable matrices and methods from developing countries are underrepresented. QuEChERS-based LC-MS/MS and HRMS methods support regulatory PFAS monitoring and PFAS research. The main limitation of this review is the heterogeneity of included studies and the absence of formal meta-analysis. Full article

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and progressive β-cell dysfunction. Chronic hyperglycemia in T2D causes multi-organ and systemic damage, leading to a wide range of complications, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Brown seaweeds are increasingly recognized as promising marine-derived functional foods because they contain structurally unique bioactive compounds, including fucoidan, alginate, phlorotannins, and fucoxanthin. A growing body of evidence suggests that these compounds influence glucose homeostasis through multiple mechanisms, including improvement of pancreatic β-cell function, regulation of gut-mediated metabolic processes, and modulation of glucose metabolism and insulin signaling in the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle, and attenuation of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Brown seaweed-derived bioactive compounds have also been reported to improve abnormal lipid metabolism, a key pathological process implicated in metabolic disorders associated with T2D, including MASLD. This review provides an overview of the antidiabetic potential of brown seaweeds, with a particular focus on the mechanisms of action of their major bioactive compounds, including fucoidan, alginate, phlorotannins, and fucoxanthin. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of tamarind seed polysaccharides (TSP) on the quality characteristics and in vitro starch digestibility of steamed buns made from doughs with different freezing storage times (0, 30, and 60 days). The pore structure, specific volume, water distribution, and starch digestibility were analyzed. TSP significantly altered the dough microstructure by increasing pore density and pore volume while reducing the average pore area, forming a more uniform pore network. During freezing storage, the specific volume of control samples decreased, whereas steamed buns with 1–2% TSP maintained a relatively high specific volume (~1.65) after 60 days, indicating improved gas retention and structural stability. TSP also increased bound water and restricted water migration. Additionally, TSP increased resistant starch (RS) from 15.96% to 24% and reduced rapidly digestible starch (RDS). Overall, TSP improved the structural stability of frozen steamed buns by regulating water distribution, strengthening the gluten-starch network, and altering starch digestibility. These findings provide insights into the use of natural polysaccharides to enhance the quality and nutritional function of frozen wheat-based foods. Full article

Food safety inspection systems generate rich historical records, yet converting these records into actionable pre-inspection risk signals remains challenging under limited regulatory resources. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a temporally valid, leakage-free, multimodal screening framework for identifying high-risk food service inspections before the upcoming inspection outcome is known. Existing studies have improved inspection prediction with machine learning, but many focus on contemporaneous classification rather than temporally valid high-risk screening, and few jointly model historical numeric behavior, prior narrative context, and predictive uncertainty. To address this gap, this study proposes a temporal high-risk food inspection screening framework based on multimodal evidential learning. Using New York State food service inspection data, we constructed a event-level dataset of 55,454 inspections from 20,082 establishments and predicted whether an upcoming inspection would be high-risk using only pre-inspection information. The proposed evidential deep learning multilayer perceptron integrates current metadata, longitudinal numeric history, and historical inspection comments while producing calibrated uncertainty estimates for selective prediction. On the held-out test set, the proposed model achieved the best overall performance, with an AUROC of 0.846, AUPRC of 0.424, F1 score of 0.431, Brier score of 0.063, and ECE of 0.012, outperforming strong tabular baselines including CatBoost and TabM. Under selective prediction, its retained-set F1 increased from 0.431 at full coverage to 0.542 at 80% coverage. Explainability analysis further showed that predictive gains were driven primarily by historical compliance dynamics, with historical text providing complementary contextual value. These findings support the use of temporally valid, uncertainty-aware multimodal models for risk-based food inspection prioritization. Full article

The integration of exosomes into professional cosmetics marks a significant paradigm shift from traditional passive formulations to advanced regenerative esthetics. Rather than being defined solely by their nanometric dimensions or classical association with endosomal biogenesis, these vesicles function as highly targeted intercellular messengers capable of delivering complex bioactive payloads to modulate tissue repair and collagen synthesis. While robust preclinical and clinical trials validate their remarkable potential in skin rejuvenation, hair restoration, and hyperpigmentation management, significant translational barriers remain. A critical analysis of the current literature reveals that successful clinical outcomes frequently rely on physical penetration enhancers, such as microneedling or fractional lasers, making it challenging to isolate the autonomous efficacy of topical vesicles from the trauma-induced regenerative response. Furthermore, commercial viability is dictated by stringent regulatory frameworks. In the European Union, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 strictly prohibits human-derived biologicals, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aggressively monitors the unsubstantiated marketing of cellular therapies. To navigate these biosafety and legal constraints, the aesthetic industry is increasingly pivoting toward non-human and legally compliant alternatives. Consequently, Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (PDEVs), microbiome-derived exosomes (such as those obtained from bacterial fermentation), and bioengineered synthetic analogues have become the focal point of market innovation. A practical evaluation of the MCCM Medical Cosmetics portfolio illustrates this strategic shift, demonstrating the clinical versatility of botanical sources. To secure the long-term credibility of exosome technology, the industry must overcome current manufacturing heterogeneity by aligning with international standardization frameworks, such as the MISEV2023 guidelines, thereby ensuring reliable delivery systems, batch-to-batch consistency, and uncompromised consumer safety. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biological mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and translational challenges associated with exosome-based cosmetics. Full article

Cadmium (Cd), a highly mobile and phytotoxic heavy metal, threatens plant growth and food safety and has increased interest in woody plant-based phytoremediation. However, the genome-wide characteristics of the NAC transcription factor family and its role in Cd tolerance remain largely unknown in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a stress-tolerant woody plant. In this study, 121 PgNAC genes were identified from the chromosome-level genome of the pomegranate cultivar ‘Tunisia’. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into two major groups and 16 subgroups. PgNAC genes were unevenly distributed across the eight chromosomes and showed evident clustered distribution patterns. Synteny and Ka/Ks analyses further revealed that segmental and tandem duplication jointly shaped the expansion of the PgNAC family, while the duplicated pairs have largely evolved under strong purifying selection. Conserved motif and gene structure analyses showed that PgNAC proteins possessed a highly conserved N-terminal NAM domain, whereas their C-terminal regions were relatively divergent. Promoter analysis further identified abundant hormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements, suggesting diverse regulatory roles of the PgNAC family. Transcriptome profiling identified PgNAC87, a member of the NAP subfamily, as a Cd-responsive candidate gene that was consistently upregulated in both roots and leaves under Cd stress. Heterologous overexpression of PgNAC87 in tobacco significantly enhanced Cd tolerance, as reflected by alleviated growth inhibition, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and osmotic adjustment substances, and reduced oxidative damage. Collectively, our results clarify the evolutionary features of the PgNAC family and its involvement in Cd-induced transcriptional regulation, while highlighting PgNAC87 as a potential genetic target for enhancing Cd tolerance in pomegranate and related woody species. Full article

For the first time, a regulatory network linking melanin, genes, pathways, and edible quality was constructed for 138 Auricularia cornea strains sourced domestically and internationally. This marks the inaugural study of A. cornea spanning from cellular to physical-mechanical properties. Correlation analysis between melanin and edible quality traits (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience) revealed that hardness, cohesiveness, and gumminess increased with rising melanin content, while springiness correspondingly decreased. Genome-wide association analysis identified 15,597,589 SNP loci. A total of 39 genes related to food quality were annotated, including one melanin-related lacquer enzyme gene, ACW004924. Real-time quantitative PCR validation of key genes identified for melanin and edible quality traits revealed results consistent with those from correlation analysis. The lacquer enzyme genes ACW004736, ACW006232, which regulate melanin synthesis, and the tyrosinase genes ACW001451, ACW002443, and ACW001003 were also identified in edible quality traits. These genes perform similar functions in GO-enriched metabolic processes, catalytic activity, and cellular structural complexes, as well as in KEGG-enriched pathways such as carbon metabolism and polysaccharide synthesis. They catalyze melanin synthesis and promote interactions between melanin and cell wall polysaccharides, chitin, and structural proteins, thereby stabilizing the cellular scaffold structure, jointly mediating the effect of melanin on the edible quality of A. cornea. The results supplement the downstream regulatory chain of catalytic enzymes and edible quality in the γ-L-glutaminyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzene (GDHB) pigment synthesis pathway, and form an information network of melanin synthesis, cell wall structure optimization, and edible quality regulation. Full article

Essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids are key nutritional indicators. The human body preferentially absorbs these compounds, which have beneficial effects on health. In aquatic ecosystems, plankton communities serve as the primary food source for aquatic organisms, playing a crucial role in shaping their nutritional composition. In this study, we collected populations of Macrobrachium nipponense and corresponding water samples from ten distinct geographical locations across China. These sites included five freshwater resources and five saline–alkaline water resources. This study measured the ionic composition and plankton community structure of water samples, and analyzed the nutritional components of M. nipponense, aiming to identify indicator taxa linked to the nutritional value in this species. The results show significant differences in both nutritional components and plankton community structures between freshwater and saline–alkaline environments. This suggests a correlation between specific plankton taxa and the nutritional value of M. nipponense. Using relative sequence abundance data from metabarcoding, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis identified six plankton indicator taxa at the genus level. Their abundance differed significantly between the two habitat types. The saline–alkaline region had three associated taxa: Cyclotella, Brachionus, and Chaetoceros. In contrast, Arctodiaptomus, Cryptomonas, and Limnoithona were identified as indicator taxa for freshwater regions. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and Pearson correlation analysis revealed that, with the exception of the SY site, the abundance of Chaetoceros and Brachionus in saline–alkaline waters tracked with levels of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and HCO₃⁻. Meanwhile, at the SZ site, plankton community richness rose with CO₃²⁻. Furthermore, the potential correlations between plankton indicator taxa and the formation of specific nutritional components in M. nipponense were explored. These findings highlight the complex interactions among ionic composition, plankton indicator taxa, and nutritional value in M. nipponense. Ultimately, this study can support the development of artificial techniques to regulate the nutritional components of this commercially important species. Full article

Marine by-products represent a promising source of bioactive peptides. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a low-molecular-weight peptide fraction with antioxidant activity from Argentine shortfin squid carcass by-products, and to evaluate in vitro its cytocompatibility and protective effects against corticosterone (CORT)-induced oxidative injury in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and human astrocyte (hACs) cells. Argentine squid antioxidant peptide (PASN) was obtained by size-exclusion chromatography and fractionation-based screening. PASN exhibited the strongest overall free-radical-scavenging activity and consisted predominantly of components below 1 kDa (211.73–1013.48 Da). Spectroscopic analyses indicated that enzymatic hydrolysis transformed its structure from a rigid triple-helix conformation to a more flexible conformation dominated by β-turns (50.78%) and random coils (17.38%). In addition, thermogravimetric analysis confirmed its excellent thermal stability, with an onset decomposition temperature as high as 244.81 °C, supporting its potential applicability in high-temperature food-processing matrices. In vitro assays demonstrated that PASN exhibited high biocompatibility and promoted proliferation of both PC12 cells and hACs, while significantly improving cell viability under CORT challenge. PASN also reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage (hACs: 38.31%; PC12: 31.17%) in both cell models and restored total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity (hACs: 69.46%, PC12: 66.40%). Immunofluorescence further revealed that PASN rescued the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (hACs: 35.23%, PC12: 12.50%) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD1/2) (hACs: 102.66%, PC12: 31.31%), key markers associated with synaptic plasticity and GABAergic sleep regulation. Collectively, PASN is a thermally stable squid-derived peptide fraction that exerts antioxidant and cytoprotective effects in neural cell models in vitro and represents a promising sustainable candidate for nutraceutical development. Full article

Primula nutans Georgi, a medicinal herb used in Mongolian and Tibetan medicine for treating respiratory ailments, is a natural agent with antiobesity potential. We investigated the antiobesity and insulin-sensitizing effects of P. nutans Georgi extract (PGE) using in vitro and in vivo models. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, PGE inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation without cytotoxicity, accompanied by the reduced expression of adipogenic transcription factors (PPARG, C/EBPA, and adiponectin) and lipogenic genes (FASN, SCD1, and ACC), particularly during the early stages of adipogenesis. Similar effects were observed in primary stromal vascular cells derived from mouse inguinal white adipose tissue. PGE upregulated C/EBP homologous protein and C/EBPB and was associated with altered cell cycle progression, increased G2/M phase distribution, and the potential disruption of mitotic clonal expansion during early adipogenesis. In HFD-induced obese mice, intraperitoneal administration of PGE (10 or 30 mg/kg) significantly reduced body weight gain, white adipose tissue mass, and hepatic steatosis, independent of food intake. PGE downregulated lipogenic and proinflammatory gene expression in adipose and hepatic tissues and increased AMPK phosphorylation in white adipose tissue. PGE improved glucose tolerance and was associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity, as evidenced by reduced areas under the curve in the glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests and increased circulating adiponectin levels. Feature-based molecular networking identified 61 compounds from PGE. Network pharmacology analysis revealed several antiobesity targets, including PPARG and AKT1. Molecular docking analyses suggested favorable binding affinities between major compounds and metabolic regulators. Collectively, these findings suggest that PGE may suppress adipogenesis and improve metabolic parameters in obese mice, supporting its potential as a natural candidate for obesity and related metabolic disorders. Full article

Soil salinization is increasingly threatening global agricultural productivity and food security, currently affecting over 6% of the world’s land and one-third of irrigated areas. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a major vegetable crop worldwide, exhibits moderate sensitivity to salinity, which limits both its yield and fruit quality. In recent years, epigenetic regulation has gained attention as a key mechanism enabling flexible and reversible control of gene expression without altering DNA sequences. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the epigenetic control of salt stress responses in tomato, focusing on three interconnected levels: DNA methylation dynamics, RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM), and histone modifications. We explore how DNA methyltransferases reshape the methylome under salinity, using examples such as PKE1 and SlGI to illustrate functional gene-body methylation. The RdDM pathway is discussed with emphasis on the unexpected role of SlAGO4A as a negative modulator of stress tolerance and the growing evidence for RdDM-mediated regulation of transcription factors. We also examine the balanced regulation of histone acetylation and deacetylation, highlighting the conserved role of GCN5 in maintaining cell wall integrity and the diverse functions of histone deacetylases, such as SlHDA1, SlHDA3, and SlHDA5, in stress adaptation. Additionally, insights from wild tomato species and grafting-induced epigenetic changes are presented, revealing new dimensions of stress memory. Collectively, these epigenetic mechanisms constitute a complex regulatory framework that integrates stress responses with growth and development, providing potential targets for epigenetic breeding of salt-tolerant tomatoes. Full article

Background: Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy and 5-fluorouracil (FU) remains a mainstay of chemotherapy despite its toxicity. As an important part of comprehensive tumor treatment, dual-protein (DP) nutritional intervention is attracting more and more attention. Methods: This study preliminarily evaluated the regulatory effects of DP intervention on colorectal cells of CT26 tumor-bearing mice, examining the dosage and administration methods of DP, as well as the anti-tumor effects of FU alone or in combination with DP. Results: The results showed that low- and medium-dose DP numerically increased spleen index and showed trends toward alleviating FU-induced thymic atrophy, splenic damage, nephrotoxicity, and myocardial injury. It also partly mitigated muscle wasting, prevented FU-induced shortening of the colorectal tract, and reduced intestinal injury. In addition, DP was associated with increased lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts and decreased granulocytes, suggesting possible alleviation of chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression and a potential effect on hematopoietic function. Flow cytometry results indicated possible effects of DP on CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T cell proliferation or apoptosis, modulation of effector and memory phenotypes, reduced splenic neutrophil levels, balanced B cell function, and maintained natural killer cell activity. In addition, DP intervention also showed trends toward regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and partially alleviating FU-induced dyslipidemia and muscle damage. In addition, DP and FU could increase IL-2, IL-10, GM-CSF and IFN-γ and decrease IL-6 and TNF-α. Conclusion: In conclusion, a moderate dose (0.67 g/kg) of DP had the most favorable trends, and the pre-intervention mode was more effective. This study also provided exploratory data on the potential of DP in reducing chemotherapy-related toxicity. These findings will provide preliminary scientific support for nutritional therapy in colorectal cancer patients, as well as for the research, development, and application of dual-protein foods for special medical purposes. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect and cryoprotective mechanism of melatonin (MT) on the physiological functions of Lactobacillus plantarum FQR during freezing and freeze-drying. Results indicated that the addition of 5 mg/mL MT as a cryoprotectant maximized the freeze-drying survival rate to 32.04 ± 2.14%. MT effectively alleviated low-temperature and freeze-drying stress by reducing extracellular alkaline phosphatase activity, enhancing intracellular lactate dehydrogenase activity, and decreasing extracellular β-galactosidase activity without significant differences. Higher survival rates in defining medium further suggested that MT reduced damage to cell wall and membrane structures during lyophilisation, decreased membrane permeability, and preserved cellular physiological functions. In addition, MT supported cellular energy metabolism and protein synthesis, enhanced transmembrane potential to facilitate ATP transport, and helped maintain intracellular and extracellular pH balance. The prepared freeze-drying protectant containing 69.80 mg/mL exopolysaccharides (EPS) and 4.25 mg/mL MT showed better protective effects than the control group. MT also increased bound water content, lowered the freezing point of the solution, and inhibited ice crystal formation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that amino acid biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, and ABC transport systems were the primary pathways affected by MT treatment. These findings demonstrate that MT improves freeze-drying tolerance by maintaining membrane integrity, regulating cellular metabolism, and enhancing oxidative stress resistance. Given its natural biosynthetic origin, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, and absence of residual solvents or allergenic proteins, MT can be safely considered for incorporation into food and nutraceutical products. This study underscores the practical relevance of MT as a functional component in compound cryoprotectants, providing a feasible strategy to enhance the viability, stability, and industrial applicability of Lactobacillus plantarum during freeze-drying and storage. Full article

Micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) are increasingly recognized as persistent contaminants in agricultural systems, where repeated inputs from mulch films, biosolids, composts, irrigation water, and atmospheric deposition create sustained exposure pathways for crops. Although various studies report effects on crop growth and physiology, mechanistic interpretation remains limited because outcomes vary widely across experiments and are often discussed without appropriate attention to exposure context, particle properties, and evidentiary strength. This review advances an agroecosystem-centered, evidence-aware framework for interpreting how MPs/NPs influence crops from environmental entry to plant phenotype. We argue that crop responses cannot be inferred from polymer identity alone, but must be interpreted through the interacting effects of particle size, morphology, surface chemistry, weathering state, aggregation behavior, co-contaminant associations, and exposure matrix. Within this framework, crop responses are organized along a mechanistic chain linking environmental entry and plant contact, interface behavior at root and leaf surfaces, conditional barrier crossing and transport, ROS-centered stress signaling with hormonal and ionic regulation, and downstream effects on germination, root function, photosynthesis, biomass, productivity, and quality-related traits. Particular emphasis is placed on distinguishing surface association, supported internalization, and supported systemic translocation, because these categories carry distinct implications for edible-tissue occurrence, crop quality, and food-system relevance. Current evidence suggests that the soil–plant–food pathway is plausible and increasingly supported, but its interpretation remains constrained by uneven analytical rigor and limited field realism. Future progress will require realistic agricultural exposure designs, stronger polymer-specific confirmation, and closer integration of mechanistic evidence with agronomic and food-system endpoints. Full article