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26 pages, 6503 KB  
Article
Acai Berry Extracts Can Mitigate the L-Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity Mediated by N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors
by Maryam N. ALNasser, Nirmal Malik, Abrar Ahmed, Amy Newman, Ian R. Mellor and Wayne G. Carter
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(10), 1073; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15101073 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 349
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. There is an unmet need to manage stroke pathophysiology, including L-glutamate (L-Glu)-mediated neurotoxicity. The acai berry (Euterpe sp.) contains phytochemicals with potentially nutraceutical content. The aim of this study was to assess [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. There is an unmet need to manage stroke pathophysiology, including L-glutamate (L-Glu)-mediated neurotoxicity. The acai berry (Euterpe sp.) contains phytochemicals with potentially nutraceutical content. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of acai berry extracts to counter L-Glu neurotoxicity using human differentiated TE671 cells. Methods: The cytotoxicity of L-Glu and acai berry extracts was quantified using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Mitochondrial function was examined by a quantitation of cellular ATP levels, the maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings monitored the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Candidate phytochemicals from acai berry extracts were modeled in silico for NMDAR binding. Results: L-Glu significantly reduced cell viability, ATP levels, the MMP, and increased cellular ROS. Generally, acai berry extracts alone were not cytotoxic, although high concentrations were detrimental to ATP production, maintenance of the MMP, and elevated ROS levels. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that the combined addition of 300 µM L-Glu and 10 µM glycine activated currents in differentiated TE671 cells, consistent with triggering NMDAR activity. Acai berry extracts ameliorated the L-Glu-induced cytotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated ROS levels, and limited the NMDAR-mediated excitotoxicity (p < 0.001–0.0001). Several virtual ligands from acai berry extracts exhibited high-affinity NMDAR binding (arginine, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, threonine, protocatechuic acid, and histidine) as possible candidate receptor antagonists. Conclusions: Acai berry phytochemicals could be exploited to reduce the L-Glu-induced neurotoxicity often observed in stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neuropharmacology and Neuropathology)
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20 pages, 2611 KB  
Article
Effects of Phenanthrene Soil Pollution on Cadmium Bioaccumulation and Metabolic Responses in Maize (Zea mays L.)
by Guangwei Zhang, Guohui Ning, Yukun Zhang, Qingyu Meng, Jiahui Li, Mingyue Qi, Liqian Chen, Liang Mi, Jiayuan Gao, Meng Zhang, Xiaoxue Zhang, Xiaomin Wang and Zhixin Yang
Agriculture 2025, 15(18), 1957; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15181957 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Co-contamination of cadmium (Cd) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in agricultural soils poses a critical threat to crops and food safety, but how PAHs affect Cd uptake and plant metabolism is still unclear. Maize (Zea mays L.) of the variety Hanyu 702 [...] Read more.
Co-contamination of cadmium (Cd) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in agricultural soils poses a critical threat to crops and food safety, but how PAHs affect Cd uptake and plant metabolism is still unclear. Maize (Zea mays L.) of the variety Hanyu 702 (HY702) was previously identified by our group asaccumulating Cd at low levels when grown in soil containing Cd and phenanthrene (Phe). These contaminants were used here as model pollutions, alone and in combination, to assess the accumulation, growth, physiological, and metabolic responses of HY702 seedlings. Four treatments were compared, including a control without pollution, single Phe pollution, single Cd pollution, and Cd and Phe combined pollution. The experiments followed a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment. The results revealed that Cd accumulation in the plants was significantly reduced when Phe was present as well (9% reduction in roots and 44% in stems and leaves compared to Cd single pollution). The combined Cd-Phe pollution had no significant impact on the height or chlorophyll content of the maize plants but markedly reduced their malondialdehyde (MDA) content. In addition, it increased the proline content by 56% and antioxidant enzyme activity by 15% (peroxidase, POD), 24% (superoxide dismutase, SOD), and 57% (catalase, CAT) compared to the control treatment. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the coexistence of Phe and Cd activated four key metabolic pathways: (a) alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; (b) valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; (c) aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; and (d) histidine metabolism. This activation resulted in increased levels of six differential metabolites: L-asparagine, L-methionine, L-glutamate, (S)-2-acetyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, urocanic acid, and 2-isopropylmalic acid. These metabolites induced detoxification pathways and reduced Cd accumulation. The findings reported here offer new insights into how plants metabolically adapt to the combined pollution of Cd and PAHs and provide an important scientific basis for pollution control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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15 pages, 2884 KB  
Article
Integration of Physiological Analysis and Untargeted Metabolomics to Explore Differences in Quality Among Four Sweet Cherry Cultivars
by Guoqin Li, Xiaosa Yang, Zhonghua Cao, Fei Li, Guifeng Li and Erihemu
Foods 2025, 14(18), 3207; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14183207 - 15 Sep 2025
Viewed by 446
Abstract
This study compared the quality parameters of four popular sweet cherry fruits (“Tieton”, “Pioneer”, “Sunburst”, and “Huangmi”) in Shanxi Province and used untargeted metabolomics to analyze the differential metabolites (DMEs) among them. The results showed that the four fruits have distinct differences in [...] Read more.
This study compared the quality parameters of four popular sweet cherry fruits (“Tieton”, “Pioneer”, “Sunburst”, and “Huangmi”) in Shanxi Province and used untargeted metabolomics to analyze the differential metabolites (DMEs) among them. The results showed that the four fruits have distinct differences in their skin color, texture, size, weight, and solid-to-acid ratio. Notably, “Huangmi” fruit showed greater physical damage and bitterness and lower overall likeability than the other three fruits after short-distance road transportation. Untargeted metabolomics identified 97 DMEs among the four fruits. Specifically, the levels of 44 DMEs (such as cellobionate, allose, L-histidine, kaempferol, ascorbic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and Qing Hau Sau), 22 DMEs (such as raffinose, neochlorogenic acid, epicatechin, carvone, and (S)-norcoclaurine), 9 DMEs (such as melibiitol, 3′-ketolactose, and all-trans-retinoic acid), and 3 DMEs (D-maltose, shikimic acid, and selenocysteine) were highest in the “Huangmi”, “Sunburst”, “Pioneer”, and “Tieton” fruits, respectively. Moreover, the red cultivars (“Tieton”, “Pioneer”, and “Sunburst”) showed a higher citrulline content than the yellow cultivar (“Huangmi”). This study can serve as a reference for cultivar breeding, market segmentation, growers, and related industries, laying a foundation for further research on food nutrition and human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Quality and Safety)
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17 pages, 3007 KB  
Article
Effects of Fermented Liquid Feed on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Intestinal Microbiota of Yuedong Black Pigs
by Guoqing Han, Shuai Liu, Chunxiu Zhao, Lei Lei, Ran Yi, Zewei Ma, Jinhao Liu, Canjun Zhu, Songbo Wang, Lina Wang, Gang Shu, Qingyan Jiang and Ruifan Wu
Animals 2025, 15(18), 2657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15182657 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 474
Abstract
Fermented liquid feed (FLF) is a microbiologically fermented, highly nutritious and easily digestible feed. This study investigated the effects of FLF on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbes of Yuedong black pigs. The pigs were divided into a [...] Read more.
Fermented liquid feed (FLF) is a microbiologically fermented, highly nutritious and easily digestible feed. This study investigated the effects of FLF on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbes of Yuedong black pigs. The pigs were divided into a control group and FLF group. Compared with the control, FLF increased (p < 0.05) the ADG and body weight of Yuedong black pigs. FLF increased (p < 0.05) the loin muscle area, and reduced cooking loss and meat color brightness (L*) of longissimus thoracis. Furthermore, FLF reduced (p < 0.05) the contents of bitter amino acids, including histidine and arginine. The expression of MYH4 (a fast glycolytic fiber gene) and TNNI1 (an inhibitor of muscle contraction) was increased (p < 0.05) in longissimus thoracis from the fermentation group. FLF increased (p < 0.05) the lipogenesis-related gene expression of FABP4, CEBPα, and PPARγ and the protein level of FATP4. Moreover, FLF increased (p < 0.05) serum T-AOC and GPx activity. In addition, FLF improved colonic microbial diversity and increased (p < 0.05) the abundance of Fibrobacterota (Phylum)-degrading cellulose and Lachnospiraceae-AC2044-group (genus)-generating butyric acid. In conclusion, FLF has a broad perspective for improving growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota composition of Yuedong black pigs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
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14 pages, 3021 KB  
Article
Formation of Supramolecular Structures in Oxidation Processes Catalyzed by Heteroligand Complexes of Iron and Nickel: Models of Enzymes
by Ludmila Ivanovna Matienko, Elena M. Mil, Anastasia A. Albantova and Alexander N. Goloshchapov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 8024; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26168024 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 486
Abstract
In some cases, the catalytic processes involve the formation of self-organized supramolecular structures due to H-bonds and other non-covalent interactions. It has been suggested that the construction of self-assembled catalytic systems is a promising strategy to mimic enzyme catalysis at the model level. [...] Read more.
In some cases, the catalytic processes involve the formation of self-organized supramolecular structures due to H-bonds and other non-covalent interactions. It has been suggested that the construction of self-assembled catalytic systems is a promising strategy to mimic enzyme catalysis at the model level. As a rule, the real catalysts are not the primary catalytic complexes, but rather, those that are formed during the catalytic process. In our earlier works, we have established that the effective catalysts M(II)xL1y(L1ox)z(L2)n(H2O)m (M = Ni, Fe, L1 = acac, L2 = activating electron-donating ligand) for the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene to α-phenyl ethyl hydroperoxide are the result of the transformation of primary (Ni(Fe)L1)x(L2)y complexes during the oxidation of ethylbenzene. In addition, the mechanism of the transformation to active complexes is similar to the mechanism of action of NiFeARD (NiFe-acireductone dioxygenase). Based on kinetic and spectrophotometric data, we hypothesized that the high stability of effective catalytically active complexes may be associated with the formation of stable supramolecular structures due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds and possibly other non-covalent bonds. We confirmed this assumption using AFM. In this work, using AFM, we studied the possibility of forming supramolecular structures based on iron complexes with L2-crown ethers and quaternary ammonium salts, which are catalysts for the oxidation of ethylbenzene and are models of FeARD (Fe-acireductone dioxygenase). The formation of supramolecular structures based on complexes of natural Hemin with PhOH and L-histidine or Hemin with L-tyrosine and L-histidine, which are models of heme-dependent tyrosine hydroxylase and cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases (AFM method), may indicate the importance of outer-sphere regulatory interactions with the participation of Tyrosine and Histidine in the mechanism of action of these enzymes. Full article
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15 pages, 2101 KB  
Article
Anesthetic-Induced Disruption of Amino Acid and Carnitine Profiles: A Metabolomic Comparison of Propofol and Thiopental in Hepatocytes
by Veli F. Pehlivan, Basak Pehlivan, Erdogan Duran, Ismail Koyuncu and Hamza Erdogdu
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(8), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081221 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 576
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Propofol and Thiopental are widely used anesthetic agents, yet their cumulative and high-dose effects on hepatic metabolism remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of supra-therapeutic concentrations of these agents on carnitine and amino acid metabolism in AML12 hepatocytes, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Propofol and Thiopental are widely used anesthetic agents, yet their cumulative and high-dose effects on hepatic metabolism remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of supra-therapeutic concentrations of these agents on carnitine and amino acid metabolism in AML12 hepatocytes, with a focus on their toxicometabolic profiles. Methods: AML12 mouse hepatocytes were exposed to escalating concentrations (2.5–500 µg/mL) of Propofol and Thiopental to assess cytotoxicity. IC50 values (~255 µg/mL for both) were determined, and two high-dose concentrations (100 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL) were selected for metabolic profiling. Cell viability was assessed via the MTT assay. Intracellular carnitine and amino acid levels were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA with post hoc tests, unpaired t-tests, and effect size estimations (Cohen’s d). Results: Propofol significantly suppressed carnitine metabolism in a dose-dependent manner, with a 79% reduction in free carnitine (C0), indicative of impaired mitochondrial β-oxidation. Thiopental, however, preserved or partially restored several acylcarnitines, including C16:1. While both agents reduced intracellular amino acid levels, 200 µg/mL Thiopental partially restored key metabolites such as glutamine, alanine, and histidine. Propofol exhibited broader metabolic suppression. Effect size analysis further confirmed the stronger inhibitory impact of Propofol. Conclusion: Although the concentrations used exceed typical clinical plasma levels, they may reflect prolonged or high-dose exposure scenarios observed in ICU settings. The findings highlight distinct toxicometabolic signatures for each agent and underscore the utility of metabolite profiling in modeling anesthetic-induced hepatic stress and guiding anesthetic selection in vulnerable populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
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19 pages, 18888 KB  
Article
Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum-Fermented Feed on Growth and Intestinal Health in Haliotis discus hannai
by Ling Ke, Chenyu Huang, Song Peng, Mengshi Zhao, Fengqiang Lin and Zhaolong Li
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1603; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071603 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 769
Abstract
This study multidimensionally investigates the comprehensive effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP)-fermented feed on growth performance, intestinal health, and metabolic regulation in Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). The results demonstrate that LP fermentation significantly alters feed’s physical properties and nutritional profile, softening [...] Read more.
This study multidimensionally investigates the comprehensive effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP)-fermented feed on growth performance, intestinal health, and metabolic regulation in Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). The results demonstrate that LP fermentation significantly alters feed’s physical properties and nutritional profile, softening texture, increasing viscosity, and emitting an acidic aroma. Notably, it enhanced contents of cis-9-palmitoleic acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA), and functional amino acids (GABA, L-histidine, and L-asparagine), indicating that fermentation optimized ω-3 fatty acid accumulation and amino acid profiles through the modulation of fatty acid metabolic pathways, thereby improving feed biofunctionality and stress-resistant potential. Further analyses revealed that fermented feed markedly improved intestinal morphology in abalone, promoting villus integrity and upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Claudin) to reinforce intestinal barrier function. Concurrently, it downregulated inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-16) while upregulating anti-inflammatory factors (TLR4) and antioxidant-related genes (NRF2/KEAP1 pathway), synergistically mitigating intestinal inflammation and enhancing antioxidant capacity. Sequencing and untargeted metabolomics unveiled that fermented feed substantially remodeled gut microbiota structure, increasing Firmicutes abundance while reducing Bacteroidetes, with the notable enrichment of beneficial genera such as Mycoplasma. Metabolite profiling highlighted the significant activation of lipid metabolism, tryptophan pathway, and coenzyme A biosynthesis. A Spearman correlation analysis identified microbiota–metabolite interactions (such as Halomonas’ association with isethionic acid) potentially driving growth performance via metabolic microenvironment regulation. In conclusion, LP-fermented feed enhances abalone growth, immune response, and aquaculture efficiency through multi-dimensional synergistic mechanisms (nutritional optimization, intestinal homeostasis regulation, microbiota–metabolome crosstalk), providing critical theoretical foundations for aquafeed development and probiotic applications in aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiome in Fish and Their Living Environment)
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18 pages, 8398 KB  
Article
Application of Predictive Modeling and Molecular Simulations to Elucidate the Mechanisms Underlying the Antimicrobial Activity of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Components in Fresh Cheese Production
by Dajana Vukić, Biljana Lončar, Lato Pezo and Vladimir Vukić
Foods 2025, 14(13), 2164; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14132164 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 648
Abstract
Plant-derived materials from Salvia officinalis L. (sage) have demonstrated significant antimicrobial potential when applied during fresh cheese production. In this study, the mechanism of action of sage components against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus was investigated through the development of [...] Read more.
Plant-derived materials from Salvia officinalis L. (sage) have demonstrated significant antimicrobial potential when applied during fresh cheese production. In this study, the mechanism of action of sage components against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus was investigated through the development of predictive models that describe the influence of key parameters on antimicrobial efficacy. Molecular modeling techniques were employed to identify the major constituents responsible for the observed inhibitory activity. Epirosmanol, carvacrol, limonene, and thymol were identified as the primary compounds contributing to the antimicrobial effects during cheese production. The highest weighted predicted binding energy was observed for thymol against the KdpD histidine kinase from Staphylococcus aureus, with a value of −33.93 kcal/mol. To predict the binding affinity per unit mass of these sage-derived compounds against the target pathogens, machine learning models—including Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Boosted Trees Regression (BTR)—were developed and evaluated. Among these, the ANN model demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy and robustness, showing minimal bias and a strong coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.934). These findings underscore the value of integrating molecular modeling and machine learning approaches for the identification of bioactive compounds in functional food systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Bioinformatics in Food Science)
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16 pages, 1145 KB  
Article
Tissue-Specific Metabolic Changes During Postharvest Storage of Friariello Napoletano
by Giovanna Marta Fusco, Maria Grazia Annunziata, Laura Alberico, Rosalinda Nicastro, Pasqualina Woodrow and Petronia Carillo
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060673 - 12 Jun 2025
Viewed by 583
Abstract
Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort., commonly known as Friariello Napoletano, is a traditional Italian landrace valued for its distinctive flavor, nutritional richness, and cultural relevance in Mediterranean cuisine. The present study investigates the biochemical changes during postharvest [...] Read more.
Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort., commonly known as Friariello Napoletano, is a traditional Italian landrace valued for its distinctive flavor, nutritional richness, and cultural relevance in Mediterranean cuisine. The present study investigates the biochemical changes during postharvest storage at two temperatures (4 °C and 10 °C) for 2 and 20 days in its inflorescences and leaves. The experiment aimed to evaluate the evolution of primary and secondary metabolites, with a focus on pigments, amino acids, antioxidants, and glucosinolates. Significant degradation of chlorophylls was observed, particularly in leaves, with reductions of over 90% after 20 days at both temperatures. Conversely, α-tocopherol content increased significantly, especially in inflorescences, indicating an antioxidant response to storage stress. Amino acid analysis revealed a sharp decline in glutamate (up to 79%) and glutamine (up to 83%) in leaves, while proline levels increased across both tissues, reflecting an osmoprotective response. Essential amino acids (EAAs) showed variable responses, with certain EAAs, such as histidine and phenylalanine, accumulating under specific storage conditions. Soluble sugars, starch, and glucosinolates also decreased significantly, with soluble sugars dropping by 87% in inflorescences and 90% in leaves after 20 days at 10 °C. Pathway analysis revealed distinct tissue-specific metabolic responses, with inflorescences exhibiting more stable antioxidant levels and greater resilience to oxidative stress compared to leaves. These findings provide insights into the metabolic adjustments during postharvest senescence and may support future strategies aimed at preserving shelf life and nutritional quality of this traditional Mediterranean vegetable. Full article
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22 pages, 2482 KB  
Review
Research on the Characteristics of Electrolytes in Integrated Carbon Capture and Utilization Systems: The Key to Promoting the Development of Green and Low-Carbon Technologies
by Guoqing You, Yunzhi Li, Lihan Dong, Yichun Li and Yu Zhang
Energies 2025, 18(12), 3039; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18123039 - 8 Jun 2025
Viewed by 911
Abstract
The core challenge of integrated carbon capture and utilization (ICCU) technology lies in developing electrolytes that combine efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) capture with electrocatalytic conversion capabilities. This review analyzes the structure–performance relationship between electrolyte properties and CO2 electrochemical reduction (eCO [...] Read more.
The core challenge of integrated carbon capture and utilization (ICCU) technology lies in developing electrolytes that combine efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) capture with electrocatalytic conversion capabilities. This review analyzes the structure–performance relationship between electrolyte properties and CO2 electrochemical reduction (eCO2RR), revealing the key regulatory mechanisms. Research shows that the performance of bicarbonate electrolytes heavily depends on the cation type, where Cs+ can achieve over 90% CO selectivity by suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and stabilizing reaction intermediates, though its strong corrosiveness limits practical applications. Although amine absorbents excel in carbon capture (efficiency > 90%), they tend to undergo competitive adsorption during electrocatalysis, making formic acid the primary product (FE = 15%); modifying electrodes with ionomers can enhance their activity by 1.15 times. Ionic liquids (ILs) demonstrate unique advantages due to their tunability: imidazolium-based ILs improve formate selectivity to 85% via carboxylate intermediate formation, while amino-functionalized task-specific ILs (TSILs) achieve a 1:1 stoichiometric CO2 absorption ratio. Recent breakthroughs reveal that ternary IL hybrid electrolytes can achieve nearly 100% CO Faradaic efficiency (FE) through microenvironment modulation, while L-histidine additives boost CH4 selectivity by 23% via interface modification. Notably, constructing a “bulk acidic–interfacial neutral” pH gradient system addresses carbonate deposition issues in traditional alkaline conditions, increasing C2+ product efficiency to 50%. Studies also highlight that cation–anion synergy (e.g., K+/I) significantly enhances C-C coupling through electrostatic interactions, achieving 97% C2+ selectivity on Ag electrodes. These findings provide new insights for ICCU electrolyte design, with future research focusing on machine learning-assisted material optimization and reactor engineering to advance industrial applications. Full article
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17 pages, 5458 KB  
Article
Integrated Metabolome and Microbiome Analysis Reveals the Regulatory Effects of Fermented Soybean Meal on the Gut Microbiota of Late Gestation
by Yantao Li, Lele Fu, Yushi Chen, Hua Yang, Yingping Xiao, Ying Ren and Cheng Wang
Fermentation 2025, 11(6), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11060315 - 31 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1086
Abstract
Late gestation is a critical period for regulating maternal peripartum physiological metabolism and gut microbiota balance. Fermented diets have been widely recognized as effective exogenous nutritional interventions capable of modulating the maintenance of gut microbiota homeostasis. However, the mechanism through which fermented diets [...] Read more.
Late gestation is a critical period for regulating maternal peripartum physiological metabolism and gut microbiota balance. Fermented diets have been widely recognized as effective exogenous nutritional interventions capable of modulating the maintenance of gut microbiota homeostasis. However, the mechanism through which fermented diets modulate the gut microbiota in late-gestation remains poorly understood. In this study, an in vitro fermentation model combined with chemical composition analysis, untargeted metabolomics, and high-throughput sequencing was employed to investigate the metabolic alterations during soybean meal (SBM) fermentation and the regulatory effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on gut microbiota of late-gestation sows. The findings revealed that fermentation significantly increased the levels of crude protein, lactic acid, acid-soluble protein, lysine, histidine, and total amino acids of SBM. Conversely, the levels of crude fiber, NDF, ADF, starch, and non-starch polysaccharides were markedly reduced, compared to the unfermented group. A total of 941 differentially expressed metabolites were identified between SBM and FSBM. Specifically, FSBM elevated the levels of lactic acid, L-pyroglutamic acid, 2-aminoisobutyric acid, and tyrosine, while substantially decreasing the levels of raffinose, sucrose, and stachyose. Metabolic pathway analysis identified glutathione metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and pantothenate and coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis as the key pathways involved in SBM fermentation. In vitro fermentation experiments demonstrated that FSBM substantially increased the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and notably increased the relative abundance of sows gut commensal Lactobacillus and Limosilactobacillus in late gestation. In summary, this study demonstrated that co-fermentation with bacteria and enzymes pretreatment of soybean meal reduced fiber components and enriched bioactive metabolites, optimizing intestinal microbial composition and increasing SCFA production in late-pregnant period. The present study provides novel insights into the regulatory effects of fermented diets on gut microbiota in late-gestation period from the perspectives of nutritional composition and metabolites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Probiotic Strains and Fermentation)
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16 pages, 2228 KB  
Article
Dietary Supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri Modulates Amino Acid Metabolism and Extracellular Matrix in the Gut–Liver Axis of Weaned Piglets
by Yiyi He, Yangyang Wei, Shihui Ruan, Qiwen Wu, Yunxia Xiong, Li Wang, Zongyong Jiang, E Xu and Hongbo Yi
Animals 2025, 15(11), 1567; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111567 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 957
Abstract
Weaning stress leads to intestinal dysfunction and impaired growth performance and intestinal development in piglets. This study aims to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri LR1 on growth performance and amino acid metabolism in the gut–liver axis of weaned piglets. A total of [...] Read more.
Weaning stress leads to intestinal dysfunction and impaired growth performance and intestinal development in piglets. This study aims to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri LR1 on growth performance and amino acid metabolism in the gut–liver axis of weaned piglets. A total of 48 weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 21 days old) were randomly assigned to the CON group (fed a basal diet) and the LR1 group (fed the basal diet supplemented with 5 × 1010 CFU/kg of Lactobacillus reuteri LR1) with six pens per group and 4 piglets each pen. The results demonstrated that LR1 significantly increased average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and final body weight (p < 0.05). Additionally, LR1 significantly enhanced the villus height of the ileum (p < 0.05) and upregulated the expression of SLC6A19 in the jejunum, as well as SLC6A19, SLC7A1, and SLC38A9 in the ileum (p < 0.05). Amino acid analysis revealed that LR1 elevated the serum concentrations of glycine and hydroxyproline, along with increased taurine in the liver. Masson staining indicated LR1 reduced ileum fiber deposition, with COL3A1 identified as a key component. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomic analysis identified 27 amino acid-related differential metabolites and 11 significantly up-regulated in the plasma of the hepatic portal vein, including L-asparagine, L-citrulline, His-Cys, N-acetyltryptophan, 4-hydroxy-l-isoleucine, Gly-Arg, creatine, ornithine, ectoine, 3-methyl-l-histidine, and stachydrine. Correlation analysis suggested that COL1A2 and COL3A1 were closely associated with these metabolic changes. Overall, these findings suggest that LR1 supplementation promotes growth, improves intestinal morphology, reduces fiber deposition, and enhances amino acid metabolism in the gut–liver axis of weaned piglets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pigs)
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20 pages, 5008 KB  
Article
Integration of Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveals Mechanisms of High-Temperature Stress Tolerance in the Hepatopancreas of Penaeus monodon
by Li Liu, Peng Zhao, Lishi Yang, Yundong Li, Zhong Huang, Qibin Yang, Yukai Yang, Jianzhi Shi, Yibiao Chen and Jianhua Huang
Biology 2025, 14(6), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060591 - 23 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 793
Abstract
High temperatures in summer often trigger disease outbreaks in shrimp, resulting in significant economic losses. To investigate the heat tolerance mechanisms of Penaeus monodon, juvenile tiger shrimp were subjected to a high-temperature stress of 38 °C for 144 h. The cumulative survival [...] Read more.
High temperatures in summer often trigger disease outbreaks in shrimp, resulting in significant economic losses. To investigate the heat tolerance mechanisms of Penaeus monodon, juvenile tiger shrimp were subjected to a high-temperature stress of 38 °C for 144 h. The cumulative survival rate of shrimp sharply decreased to 5.29% in the later 144 h. The heat-sensitive shrimps (S group) were collected in the first 24 h, while those that survived beyond 120 h were collected as the heat-tolerant group (T group). The hepatopancreas of two groups was subjected to transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. The results revealed that, compared to the S group, the T group exhibited a total of 3527 DEGs, including 2199 upregulated and 1328 downregulated genes. Additionally, 353 DAMs were identified in the T group, with 75 metabolites showing increased levels and 278 metabolites displaying decreased levels. The results revealed that the mechanisms of heat tolerance involve energy supply strategies, immune system regulation, amino acid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism. Energy supply strategies include the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and proteins, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, fructose and mannose metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism, all of which collectively meet energy demands in high-temperature environments. The immune system is regulated by C-type lectin receptor pathways and IL-17 signaling pathways, which together coordinate innate immunity to prevent pathogen invasion. In amino acid metabolism, various glycogenic amino acids, such as histidine, phenylalanine, valine, and serine, are metabolized for energy, while excess ammonia is converted to γ-glutamyl-glutamate and L-glutamate to mitigate ammonia accumulation. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses further indicate that glutathione metabolism plays a crucial role in the adaptation of P. monodon to high-temperature environments. This study explains the high-temperature tolerance mechanism of P. monodon from the aspects of gene expression regulation and material metabolism regulation and also provides a scientific basis and basic data for the selection and breeding of new varieties of P. monodon with a high-temperature tolerance. Full article
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16 pages, 15048 KB  
Article
Comparative Global Metabolome Profile and Transcriptome Sequence Analysis of the Rough and Smooth Peel of the Orah Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
by Hongming Liu, Chunrui Long, Xiaomeng Fu, Shaohua Wang, Yuqiang Lou, Jianmei Dong, Meichao Dong, Jiamei Mao, Jiandong Yang, Hongxia Yang, Yuxia Du and Xianyan Zhou
Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050496 - 4 May 2025
Viewed by 646
Abstract
Background: The Orah mandarin is an economically important variety of Citrus reticulata for citrus growers in Yunnan Province, China. Generally, the fruit peel is smooth, an attractive feature for consumer preferences. Recently, rough peels have been observed in several orchards, making the fruit [...] Read more.
Background: The Orah mandarin is an economically important variety of Citrus reticulata for citrus growers in Yunnan Province, China. Generally, the fruit peel is smooth, an attractive feature for consumer preferences. Recently, rough peels have been observed in several orchards, making the fruit aesthetically less desirable. Little is known about the mechanism of rough skin development. Methods: In this study, we used global metabolomics and a comparative transcriptomic approach to characterize the differences between smooth (CK) and rough (CP) Orah mandarin peels. Results: Our results indicate that CP fruits have a significantly larger diameter, peel weight and thickness, total soluble solids, and titratable acid content compared to CK. Metabolomic analysis detected 810 metabolites, of which 192 were differentially accumulated in CP and CK. CP is characterized by higher levels of flavonoids, amino acids and derivatives, terpenoids, and alkaloids. We also report nine compounds detected exclusively in CP, including dambonitol, 3-methyl-L-histidine, deacetylnomilinic acid, obacunoic acid, and 6-O-acetylarbutin. The transcriptome results showed that the expression of genes enriched in flavonoids, lipid, and amino acid metabolism and related pathways were consistent with the metabolome profiles. We also discuss the possible involvement of phytohormones in peel roughening. Conclusions: Overall, we present, for the first time, a detailed comparative metabolome and transcriptome profile in smooth and rough Orah mandarin peels. Our data and discussion highlight the potential mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of rough peel Orah mandarins. Full article
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25 pages, 10560 KB  
Article
Effects of Lactobacillus paracei JY062 Postbiotic on Intestinal Barrier, Immunity, and Gut Microbiota
by Jinfeng Guo, Ying Zhao, Wenqian Guo, Yilin Sun, Wei Zhang, Qianyu Zhao, Yu Zhang and Yujun Jiang
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071272 - 5 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2007
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Research on postbiotics derived from probiotic fermented milk bases require further expansion, and the mechanisms through which they exert their effects have yet to be fully elucidated. This study utilized in vitro cell co-culture, digestion, and fermentation experiments, combined with targeted T500 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Research on postbiotics derived from probiotic fermented milk bases require further expansion, and the mechanisms through which they exert their effects have yet to be fully elucidated. This study utilized in vitro cell co-culture, digestion, and fermentation experiments, combined with targeted T500 technology, to elucidate the mechanism by which postbiotic Pa JY062 safeguards intestinal health. Compared to the LPS group, Pa JY062 boosted phagocytic ability in RAW264.7 macrophages, decreased NO levels, and alleviated LPS-induced excessive inflammation. Pa JY062 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17α, and TNF-α) while elevating anti-inflammatory IL-10. It prevented LPS-induced TEER reduction in Caco-2 monolayers, decreased FITC-dextran permeability, restored intestinal microvilli integrity, and upregulated tight junction genes (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, and E-cadherin). The hydrolysis rate of Pa JY062 progressively rose in gastrointestinal fluids in 0–120 min. At 5 mg/mL, it enriched gut microbiota diversity and elevated proportions of Limosilactobacillus, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Lacticaseibacillus while augmenting the microbial production of acetic acid (120.2 ± 8.08 μg/mL), propionic acid (9.9 ± 0.35 μg/mL), and butyric acid (10.55 ± 0.13 μg/mL). Pa JY062 incorporated αs-casein/β-lactoglobulin hydrolysate (L-glutamic acid, alanine, lysine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, histidine, and arginine) to mitigate protein allergenic potential while harboring bioactive components, including tryptophan metabolites, vitamin B6 (VB6), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Pa JY062 represented a novel postbiotic with demonstrated intestinal health-promoting properties. These findings advance the current knowledge on postbiotic-mediated gut homeostasis regulation and expedite the translational development of dairy-derived postbiotic formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Functional Ingredients in Regulating Health Effects)
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