Search Results (891)

Plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) are plant-based fluid products that are marketed as substitutes for regular milk. The nutrient composition of PBMA products can vary widely, depending on the plant source, processing methods, potential additives, etc., and in recent years, considerable research effort has been devoted to the exploration of the nutritional content of PBMAs, which are increasingly consumed worldwide. In the present study, an established UHPLC–Orbitrap MS method was employed for the extensive characterization of phenolic compounds in PBMAs available in the Greek market. Twenty-eight PBMAs were studied, including a variety of almond-, soy-, coconut-, oat-, walnut-, and rice-based products. In almond-based milk products, low total concentrations and a broad distribution across compound classes were observed, with trans-chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid being the most abundant constituents, whereas coconut-based milk samples were generally not rich in phenolic compounds. In soy-based milk samples, the presence of isoflavones including daidzein, genistein, and glycitein was uniquely detected, while oat-based products were the samples richer in phenolic content, in particular for hydroxycinnamic acids, such as trans-chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid. In addition, a suspect screening approach, using Exactive Plus Orbitrap, enabled the exploration and semi-quantification of three avenanthramides (A, B, C) in the studied oat-based milk samples and six isoflavonoids, namely daidzein and genistein derivatives, in soy-based milk. Such compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and their occurrence in PBMAs highlights the potential health-promoting effects of these dairy alternatives. Full article

Soybeans (Glycine max) are nutrient-dense legumes and a high-quality plant-based protein source containing all essential amino acids. With a protein content of 36–40%, soy surpasses many other plant-derived proteins in nutritional value. Its bioactive components, particularly peptides and isoflavones, contribute to reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and the risk of chronic diseases. In undernourished regions such as Pakistan, where protein-energy malnutrition is prevalent among women and children, soy offers a sustainable and cost-effective nutritional intervention. This review synthesizes findings from biochemical analyses, nutritional profiling, and clinical trials evaluating the impact of soybean protein and its bioactive compounds on growth, metabolic health, immune function, and disease prevention. Emphasis was placed on studies relevant to food-insecure populations and technological innovations enhancing soy product bioavailability. Soy protein has been shown to have positive effects on hormonal regulation, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and immune support. Technological approaches such as fortification and fermentation improve nutritional bioavailability and sensory acceptance. The integration of soy into local diets enhanced nutritional adequacy, promoted environmental sustainability, and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. Soybeans represent a sustainable, nutrient-rich solution to combat protein-energy malnutrition in vulnerable communities. Their high-quality protein profile, therapeutic properties, and adaptability to local food systems make them an effective strategy for improving public health and supporting environmental resilience. Full article

This study systematically analyzed the multidimensional effects of Lactobacillus fermentation on Pueraria lobata (PL) and investigated the potential mechanisms underlying its hypolipidemic activity. Results indicated that fermentation significantly increased the total acid content from 1.02 to 3.48 g·L⁻¹, representing a 2.41-fold increase. Although slight reductions were observed in total flavonoids (8.67%) and total phenolics (6.72%), the majority of bioactive components were well preserved. Other antioxidant capacities were retained at >74.71% of baseline, except hydroxyl radical scavenging. Flavor profiling showed increased sourness and astringency, accompanied by reduced bitterness, with volatile compounds such as β-pinene and trans-2-hexenyl butyrate contributing to a distinct aromatic profile. Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that fermentation specifically enhanced the abundance of low-concentration isoflavone aglycones, including daidzein and genistein, suggesting a compositional shift that may improve hypolipidemic efficacy. Integrated network pharmacology and computational modeling predicted that eight key components, including genistein, could stably bind to ten core targets (e.g., AKT1 and MMP9) primarily through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, potentially regulating lipid metabolism via the PI3K-AKT, PPAR, and estrogen signaling pathways. This study reveals the role of Lactobacillus fermentation in promoting the conversion of isoflavone glycosides to aglycones in PL and constructs a multi-dimensional “components-targets-pathways-disease” network, providing both experimental evidence and a theoretical foundation for further research on the lipid-lowering mechanisms of fermented PL and the development of related functional products. Full article

This study investigated the effects of individual and combined supplementation of eucalyptus essential oil (EEO) and soy isoflavones (SI) on the growth performance, intestinal health and meat quality of weaned meat rabbits. A total of 120 Ira female rabbits were stratified by body weight (BW) and randomly allocated into four treatment groups. The rabbits were fed for 35 days using (a) basal diet (Control), (b) basal diet + 150 mg/kg EEO, (c) basal diet + 25 mg/kg SI, or (d) basal diet + 150 mg/kg EEO + 25 mg/kg SI. The results showed that supplementing EEO and SI in the diet had a synergistic effect on production performance by increasing BW and average daily gain and reducing the feed intake/gain ratio. The EEO + SI group exhibited the most pronounced improvement in growth performance. Compared with the Control group, individual or combined supplementation significantly increased both semi-clean slaughter and total eviscerated slaughter rates, and showed a synergistic effect when supplemented together. The antioxidant capacity of the rabbits was enhanced, with the EEO + SI group showing the largest improvement. Serum biochemical analysis revealed that the combined treatment improved hepatic and cardiovascular functions. Additionally, we observed that the combined addition of EEO and SI has a synergistic effect on increasing the height of intestinal villi and the villus height/crypt depth ratio. Moreover, EEO and SI synergistically improved meat quality by elevating pH value, water-holding capacity, tenderness, and fat proportion. Notably, supplementation of EEO and SI in the diet regulated the composition of the intestinal microbiota, demonstrating increased relative abundance of beneficial Bacteroides and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. In conclusion, the combination of EEO and SI outperformed individual supplements in promoting growth and intestinal barrier function, potentially through enhancing antioxidant activity, attenuating oxidative stress, protecting the hepatic/cardiovascular systems, and improving intestinal morphology and microbial composition, thereby collectively enhancing growth performance, slaughter traits, and meat quality. Full article

Infectious diseases present a significant global health challenge, further exacerbated by the rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the limited availability of effective antiviral and antimicrobial agents. The Erythrina genus has garnered scientific interest due to its diverse array of bioactive phytoconstituents, with potential therapeutic relevance. This review aims to synthesize and critically assess the existing literature on the antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiplasmodial properties of Erythrina species. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant studies were identified through keyword searches combining pathogen-specific terms with “Erythrina”. The extracted data were categorized based on the pathogen type and its associated bioactive compounds. Several Erythrina species exhibited substantial antiviral activity against prominent viral pathogens, such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Notably, strong antibacterial efficacy was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, including multidrug-resistant strains. Antifungal activity was most pronounced against Candida albicans, while potent antiplasmodial effects were reported against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. These pharmacological effects were predominantly attributed to prenylated flavonoids, isoflavones, pterocarpans, and erythrina-type alkaloids. Further mechanistic studies and in vivo evaluations are essential to fully assess their clinical efficacy and support the development of plant-derived antimicrobial agents. Full article

High-fat diets are increasingly used to improve feed efficiency in aquaculture but may deteriorate fillet quality and health; soy isoflavones, plant-derived polyphenols, have emerged as promising modulators of muscle growth, antioxidant defense, and lipid metabolism in fish. This study investigated the effects of dietary soy isoflavone supplementation on myogenesis, collagen synthesis, fatty-acid composition, and antioxidant capacity in muscle of Monopterus albus fed a high-fat diet. Fish were assigned to four diets: control (CON, 6.16% crude fat), high-fat without soy isoflavones (HSIF0, 11.98% crude fat), and high-fat with 50 mg/kg (HSIF50) or 100 mg/kg (HSIF100) soy isoflavones. HSIF0 significantly elevated whole-body/muscle lipids, reduced ΣSFA/ΣMUFA/Σn-3/Σn-6 ratios (p < 0.05), increased Σn-6 (p < 0.05), impaired water-holding capacity/texture (higher losses, lower hardness/cohesiveness/gumminess/chewiness/resilience) (p < 0.05), induced loosely arranged myofibers with enlarged inter-fiber spaces, downregulated myogenesis (upregulated mstn; downregulated myod/tcap/mrf4/mrf5) and collagen genes (ets1/sp1/p4ha1) (p < 0.05), decreased collagen/hydroxyproline (p < 0.05), and weakened antioxidants (higher MDA/H₂O₂; lower T-AOC/GSH; downregulated nrf2/sod/cat/gpx1/gpx8) (p < 0.05). HSIF50 reversed these effects, enhancing ΣPUFA/Σn-3/EPA+DHA (p < 0.05), restoring structure/gene expression (p < 0.05), and boosting antioxidants (p < 0.05). In contrast, HSIF100 partially diminished benefits, indicating dose-dependency. Overall, 50 mg/kg soy isoflavones optimally mitigated high-fat-induced muscle quality decline via lipid remodeling, structural improvement, collagen promotion, and antioxidant enhancement. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the most important global economic crops, extensively utilized in the production of food, animal feed, and industrial raw materials. As the demand for soybeans continues to rise, improving both the yield and quality of soybeans has become a central focus of agricultural research. To accelerate the genetic improvement of soybean, genome selection (GS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as effective tools and have been widely applied in various crops. In this study, we conducted GWAS and GS model evaluations across five soybean phenotypes (Glycitin content, Oil, Pod, Total isoflavone content, and Total tocopherol content) to explore the effectiveness of different GWAS methods and GS models in soybean genetic improvement. We applied several GWAS methods, including fastGWA, BOLT-LMM, FarmCPU, GLM, and MLM, and compared the predictive performance of various GS models, such as BayesA, BayesB, BayesC, BL, BRR, SVR_poly, SVR_linear, Ridge, PLS_Regression, and Linear_Regression. Our results indicate that markers selected through GWAS, when used in GS, achieved a prediction accuracy of 0.94 at a 5 K density. Furthermore, Bayesian models proved to be more stable than machine learning models. Overall, this study offers new insights into soybean genome selection and provides a scientific foundation for future soybean breeding strategies. Full article

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) remains one of the most important pathogens, resulting in huge economic losses to the global pig industry. Ipriflavone is an isoflavone derivative involved in various biological processes, showing anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. However, the role of ipriflavone in antiviral immune response to PRRSV is unknown. In this study, we discovered that ipriflavone could significantly inhibit PRRSV replication. Moreover, ipriflavone inhibited PRRSV replication regardless of whether ipriflavone was added pre-, co-, or post-PRRSV infection, and ipriflavone mainly inhibited virus replication and assembly stages. Importantly, ipriflavone had the capacity to upregulate the expression levels of IFN-β and ISG56. Additionally, ipriflavone promoted the expression of RIG-I and MAVS, and induced phosphorylation of IRF3 and STAT1, while reducing PRRSV replication. Collectively, ipriflavone could enhance the RIG-I/IRF3 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting PRRSV replication. These findings will provide an important theoretical basis for the development of therapeutic agents against PRRSV infection. Full article

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of dietary soy isoflavones (SIF) to counteract growth inhibition, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation induced by oxidized fish oil in Monopterus albus (initial body weight: 26.0 g). The fish were reared in outdoor pond-based net cages (2.0 m × 1.5 m × 1.5 m; 3 cages per treatment, 50 fish per cage) and fed five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets: a control diet (CON) containing 2.2% fresh fish oil, and oxidized fish oil diets (2.2% oxidized oil) supplemented with 0 (SIF0), 25 (SIF25), 50 (SIF50), or 100 (SIF100) mg/kg SIF. The fish were fed to satiation daily at 4:00 pm at a rate of 3–5% of initial body weight. Compared with the CON group, the SIF0 group showed significantly reduced growth performance, with a final weight gain rate of 84.13%, and decreased intestinal digestive enzyme activity. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities declined to 1.78 U/mgprot and 4.13 U/mgprot, respectively, while serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels increased to 24.95 U/L and 37.56 U/L. The SIF0 diet also up-regulated the expression of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes (perk, ire1, atf6) and pro-inflammatory genes (tnfα, il-1β). Dietary SIF supplementation alleviated these adverse effects, with the most pronounced improvements observed at 50 mg/kg SIF based on overall performance. These results demonstrate that SIF can serve as a functional feed additive to mitigate oxidative stress and related metabolic disorders in M. albus. Full article

Obesity is a multifactorial condition characterized by adipose tissue dysfunction, insulin resistance, and low-grade systemic inflammation, contributing to metabolic disturbances. The search for natural compounds with protective actions against obesity and its complications has attracted increasing attention. Puerarin, an isoflavone derived from Pueraria lobata, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of puerarin, a natural isoflavone, on metabolic and inflammatory alterations in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated orally with puerarin (50 mg/kg) for 14 weeks. The administration of puerarin resulted in a 17% reduction in weight gain, improved glucose tolerance by 6.2%, and decreased insulin resistance by 11% compared to the HFD group. Histological analysis revealed a marked reduction in hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy. Additionally, puerarin lowered the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A, and IFN-γ, while increasing IL-10 levels. These findings suggest that puerarin may provide protective effects on glucose metabolism, liver steatosis, and adipose tissue inflammation in obesity, highlighting its possible potential as an immunometabolic modulator. Full article

Background/Objectives: Soy foods and isoflavones are inversely associated with cognitive decline; however, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show mixed results. Fermented soy contains bioactive compounds not found in unfermented soybeans, such as peptides and aglycone isoflavones, which may support cognition by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Fermented soy RCTs on older adults with mild cognitive impairment show cognitive benefits; however, the effects of fermented soy on cognitively healthy older adults are not known. Methods: We investigated the effects of a non-probiotic fermented soy powder, added to the usual diet, compared to a placebo matched for energy on global cognition, memory, verbal fluency, processing speed, and executive function in a 12-week RCT on 61 adults aged 65 years and older (74 ± 5 y; 47 completers). Results: The fermented soy group showed significant improvement (p = 0.041) in memory scores (1.81%, 95% CI: −2.10, 5.72) vs. placebo (1.16%, 95% CI: −3.64, 5.97) using analysis of variance, adjusted for sex and baseline scores. Post hoc analyses on women 70 years and older (n = 29) found significant improvement in global cognition (p = 0.028) and memory (p = 0.049) in the fermented soy group. Global cognition mean change adjusted for baseline scores was 2.86% (95% CI: 1.52, 4.21) for fermented soy and 0.06% (95% CI: −1.43, 1.55) for placebo. Memory mean change adjusted for baseline scores was 8.47% (95% CI: 5.05, 11.89) in the fermented soy group, compared to 2.05% (95% CI: −1.75, 5.84) for placebo. Conclusions: These outcomes suggest that fermented soy has the potential to slow age-related cognitive decline, especially memory for women 70 and older. Further research to confirm these findings in older women, and in males and other age categories is warranted. Full article

Diabetic nephropathy is a major challenge in medicine. While a variety of mechanisms underlie the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy, oxidative stress is critical because it promotes inflammation and creates a vicious cycle that induces podocyte injury, extracellular matrix accumulation, glomerulosclerosis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tubular atrophy, and proteinuria. There are various treatments for diabetic nephropathy, and each has its own limitations. Although the exact mechanisms by which polyphenols suppress diabetic nephropathy have not been elucidated, they may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and/or anti-apoptotic effects. They may also suppress endoplasmic reticulum stress and ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction and dyslipidemia. Dietary polyphenols may be able to prevent the onset and slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy; they include resveratrol, quercetin, isoflavones, catechins, and anthocyanidins and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and anti-apoptotic effects through multiple molecular targets. Furthermore, they have shown few side effects. However, further research is needed to fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which polyphenols exert their effects and to clarify their optimal therapeutic use. In this review, we summarize reports published in the past five years regarding their effects on diabetic nephropathy and provide an overview of the potential of polyphenols. Full article

Immature soybean seeds, after steaming or boiling, are widely consumed in Northeast Asia. However, changes in isoflavones and antioxidant activities during processing at different seed stages remain underexplored. In this study, soybean seeds at four maturity stages (R5–R8) were analyzed for 12 isoflavones and evaluated after steaming. Total isoflavone content increased from R6 to R7 and remained stable to R8, presenting a 10-fold increase in R7 than in R6. Levels of malonyl derivatives, such as malonylgenistin, malonyldaidzin, and malonylglycitin, consistently decreased with longer steam treatment at all seed stages. In contrast, β-glycoside forms, such as genistin and daidzin, increased after steaming, with notably high content at R7. Additionally, ABTS radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content showed strong positive correlations with total and major isoflavones, whereas DPPH radical scavenging activity showed no correlation with maturity stage or steam treatment. These findings indicate that isoflavone stability and conversion are strongly affected by seed maturation and that the R7 stage offers a favorable balance for high isoflavone and antioxidant intake in soybean seeds. Full article

Salt–alkaline soil poses a significant challenge to soybean productivity. While plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer a sustainable strategy for stress mitigation, their field-level application remains underexplored. Here, a field experiment was conducted in the Yellow River Delta of Shandong, China, a typical salt–alkaline region. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Bacillus velezensis 41S2 in enhancing soybean performance under salt–alkaline soil through integrated field trials and transcriptomic analysis. Inoculation with strain 41S2 significantly improved plant biomass, yield components, and seed yield under salt–alkaline soil, and notably increased seed protein and isoflavone contents. Physiological analyses revealed that strain 41S2 markedly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, indicating alleviation of oxidative stress. Moreover, strain 41S2 modulated the levels of soluble sugars and amino acids, contributing to osmotic regulation and carbon–nitrogen (C-N) metabolic balance. Transcriptome profiling further indicated that strain 41S2 upregulated genes involved in antioxidant response, C–N metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, highlighting its role in coordinating multilayered stress response pathways. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of B. velezensis 41S2 as a multifunctional bioinoculant for improving salt tolerance and presents a promising tool for sustainable crop production and ecological restoration in salt–alkaline soil. Full article

The Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) is a valuable aquaculture species in East Asia. However, sex differentiation under culture conditions is often male-biased, complicating the production of female broodstock. This study evaluated the effects of dietary soy isoflavone (SI) supplementation on growth performance, sex differentiation, and sex-specific gene expression in juvenile eels. Juvenile eels (initial mean weight: 1.25 ± 0.02 g) were randomly assigned to 15 tanks, each containing 100 g eels, in a 30-week feeding trial. The control diet (SI0) contained 75% jack mackerel meal. The graded levels (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) of α-Starch were included at the expense of SI, referred to as SI0, SI2.5, SI5, SI7.5, and SI10 diets, respectively. Fish were hand-fed to satiation in triplicate groups of each diet, twice daily for 30 weeks. The SI2.5 and SI5 groups exhibited significantly enhanced final weights and specific growth rates compared to those in the control group (SI0). Histological analysis revealed the presence of differentiating gonads with oogonial proliferation and previtellogenesis in the SI-treated groups, particularly at the 2.5% and 5% inclusion levels. Additionally, the expression of key female-related genes (vasa, cyp19a1a, foxl2a, zp3, and zar1) was significantly upregulated in these groups. In contrast, relatively high SI levels (7.5% and 10%) did not provide any further benefits. These results suggest that low-dose supplementation of dietary SI can enhance feminization and promote growth in juvenile eels, thus offering a potential natural alternative to synthetic hormone treatment for broodstock development. Full article