Search Results (3,788)

Fava bean (Vicia faba L.) is a nutritionally valuable and sustainable legume with strong potential for plant-based food applications. However, similar to other lipid-containing food systems, fava bean-based spreads are susceptible to lipid oxidation during storage, leading to quality deterioration and reduced shelf life. This study evaluated the effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), winter savory (Satureja montana L.), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) essential oils (EOs) (0.1 μL/g) on the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of fava bean-based spreads during 90 days of storage at 4 °C. Four treatments were prepared: control spread without essential oil (B-CO), basil essential oil-enriched spread (B-BA), winter savory essential oil-enriched spread (B-WS), and cumin essential oil-enriched spread (B-CU). Water activity and pH remained stable in all samples throughout storage. Color changes were most pronounced in the control, while B-WS exhibited the highest color stability (ΔE = 1.81 vs. 6.07 in B-CO). Winter savory and cumin significantly reduced peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation and improved oxidative stability (Rancimat: 9.11 and 9.10 h vs. 7.73 h in B-CO), whereas basil showed no protective effect. Cumin was characterized by the highest flavonoid and phenolic acid contents, while winter savory exhibited the highest total polyphenols. Sensory evaluation revealed that EOs significantly influenced consumer acceptance, particularly taste and aroma. Although the control sample achieved the highest overall scores, cumin-containing formulations provided the most favorable balance between oxidative stability and sensory quality, whereas winter savory negatively affected overall acceptability. Taken together, winter savory and cumin EOs effectively enhanced oxidative stability, highlighting their potential as natural antioxidants in the development of plant-based spreads. Full article

Cowpea is a multipurpose leguminous crop that plays an important role in human dietary nutrition and agricultural sustainability due to its rich nutritional quality. Improving the nutritional quality of pods in new cultivars has become a priority objective in cowpea breeding. However, the genetic architecture of pod nutritional quality in the cowpea remains unclear. In the current study, five cowpea pod nutritional quality traits, including the amino acid content (AA), cellulose content (CC), crude protein content (PR), starch content (PTS), and soluble sugar content (PSS), were evaluated in a diversity panel of 215 cowpea landraces. It was found that all five traits showed substantial variation in this population, and the two subspecies, vegetable cowpea and grain cowpea, had different nutritional patterns in fresh pods. Using GWAS, a total of 20 genomic regions were identified as significantly associated with the five nutritional quality traits. Haplotype analysis further determined the corresponding favorable haplotype for each locus. In addition, 275 predicted genes were identified as the candidate genes for the selected regions, of which three predicted genes—VuG9806G012380, encoding an oligopeptide transporter protein, VuG9806G016720, encoding an α-glucosidase-like protein, and VuG9811G017840, encoding a glycoside hydrolase protein—were regarded as the likely candidate genes for AA_6.2, AA_6.3, and PSS_11.1, respectively. These results unravel the genetic basis of pod nutritional quality and will facilitate the molecular breeding of high-nutritional-quality cowpea varieties. Full article

Gluten-free fermented products remain technologically challenging due to the absence of gluten, which plays a key role in stabilizing batter structure and gas retention. This study proposes a mixture design-driven approach to develop gluten-free Algerian pancakes based on rice and teff formulations enriched with legumes and seeds, aiming to restore techno-functional properties while improving nutritional quality. Two formulations, a teff-based (TBF) and a rice-based (RBF) system, were optimized using a simplex centroid mixture design and evaluated in comparison with durum wheat pancakes. The results demonstrated that formulation strongly influenced batter rheology and final structure. The TBF system exhibited superior technological performance, with higher specific volume (1.77 cm³/g), lower density (0.56 g/cm³), and enhanced porosity, associated with improved protein and fiber content. In contrast, the RBF formulation showed higher antioxidant activity. The findings highlight the critical role of component interactions in modulating batter viscosity and foam stability, which directly affected pore development and product airiness. Both optimized formulations successfully reproduced the characteristic “light and airy” structure of traditional pancakes, achieving good sensory acceptability. Overall, this study demonstrates that mixture design can effectively guide the development of gluten-free fermented systems by linking composition, rheology, and structural properties, providing a strategy for improving the quality of traditional gluten-free foods. Full article

Background/Objective: Transitioning towards plant-based dietary patterns is essential to improve health and reduce environmental impact. Hospitals represent a key setting to implement such dietary shifts, yet data on the availability of plant-based meals in healthcare institutions remain scarce. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across Dutch-speaking hospitals in Belgium to assess the meal plans and whether vegetarian or fully plant-based meal options were available for patients. Besides availability, the frequency and perceived barriers were assessed. Furthermore, the meal plans were analyzed to get an overview of the vegetarian and plant-based food options that were offered in different types of Belgian hospitals. Results: The availability of plant-based meal options was limited across hospitals. No meaningful differences were observed between general hospitals and other hospital types, including psychiatric, rehabilitation, and specialized hospitals. While plant-based fats and oils were widely available, key protein-rich plant foods such as legumes and minimally processed meat alternatives were rarely offered in all types of hospitals. Knowledge gaps among food service staff were observed, and structural barriers—including the need to accommodate diverse dietary requirements—were reported. Conclusions: Belgian hospitals currently underutilize the potential of vegetarian and plant-based nutrition to support patient health and sustainability goals. Strengthening institutional food environments by increasing the availability of nutritionally adequate plant-based meals represents a feasible and impactful strategy to align hospital practice with dietary guidelines and preventive healthcare priorities. Full article

The co-occurrence of mucilage and phenolic compounds within the same secretory cell is rarely documented in plants. Recently, such cells were reported in vegetative and floral organs of sensitive legumes (Mimosa), but without detailed subcellular analysis. To address this gap, we used transmission electron microscopy to examine the organelles involved in biosynthesis, the intracellular sites of metabolite storage, and the secretion processes across floral and foliar organs in five Mimosa species. Secretory epidermal cells of sepals, petals, and leaf blades produce both mucilage and phenolics, with no significant differences between organ types. Dictyosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and plastids predominated in the cytoplasm of the secretory cell during biosynthesis. Dictyosomes may mediate mucilage production, the rough endoplasmic reticulum may be involved in phenolic synthesis, and plastids may contribute to the biosynthesis of both compounds. These metabolites are stored in distinct cellular domains: phenolics accumulate in a large vacuole near the outer periclinal wall, while mucilage is deposited between the microfibrils of the inner periclinal wall. This spatial separation is evident by the distention of the inner periclinal wall due to mucilage accumulation. The absence of karyokinesis and phragmoplast formation during metabolite segregation confirms that these secretory cells have two different functional domains, forming a uniseriate rather than biseriate epidermis. Notably, the inclusion of several species in the ultrastructural analyses enhances the significance of these findings. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a globally crucial food crop and a model plant for studying symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes. Triacontanol (TRIA) is a natural plant growth regulator that enhances photosynthetic efficiency, stress tolerance, antioxidant enzyme activities and yield in crops. However, its regulatory role in nodulation and nitrogen fixation in legumes remains unclear. In this study, soybean seedlings inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA110 were treated with different concentrations of TRIA (0, 0.33, 0.5, 1 and 2 μg/mL). Then, oxidative stress indicators and comparative transcriptomic analysis were performed to check the oxidative status and screen the candidate genes under TRIA treatment. Our results showed that the 0.5 μg/mL TRIA treatment produced the greatest nodule number. TRIA treatment significantly induced antioxidant responses in soybean roots. Comparative transcriptome identified 867 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses of DEGs revealed that a large number of genes were enriched in pathways related to oxidative activity. Combined with the expression pattern, we identified a Glutathione S-Transferase family gene, GmHSP26 (Glyma.07G139700), whose expression was induced by both TRIA and rhizobial infection, with its promoter activity was activated throughout the entire process of nodule development. Further function study using overexpression and gene editing proved that GmHSP26 was a positive regulator of soybean nodulation. Collectively, this study identifies the optimal TRIA concentration for promoting soybean nodulation, reveals the function and mechanism of GmHSP26 in response to TRIA-regulated nodulation, and provides a theoretical basis and genetic resource for enhancing nodulation and nitrogen fixation in leguminous crops through exogenous growth regulators. Full article

Background: Methods applied under explicit causal assumptions can provide estimates that support potential causal interpretations of the effects of dietary factors on health outcomes. However, the high dimensionality inherent in dietary data presents a challenge. Objectives: Using multivariate analysis methods under causal assumptions, we identified dietary patterns and estimated their associations with all-cause mortality, as well as the effects of a 100 g/day increase in individual components. Methods: Data from 12,635 individuals aged 20 years and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), United States, were analyzed. K-means clustering was first used to identify dietary patterns, and then their associations with mortality risk were estimated both with and without inverse probability weighting (IPW). Second, the multivariate generalized propensity score (mvGPS) method was employed to estimate the average effects of dietary components on all-cause mortality under causal assumptions. Third, mutually adjusted models (non-mvGPS) were utilized to determine the effects of each dietary component. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using fully adjusted Poisson generalized linear models. Results: In a 15-year follow-up period, 400 (3.2%) deaths were recorded. ‘Healthy’, ‘unhealthy,’ and ‘mixed’ dietary patterns were identified. Variations in estimates of ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ patterns with mortality were observed in non-IPW (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.67–1.13 and RR = 0.79; 0.56–1.11) and IPW models (RR = 0.75; 0.55–1.04 and RR = 0.92; 0.63–1.36, respectively) compared to the ‘mixed’ pattern. In the mvGPS model, added sugar (RR = 1.21; 1.06–1.36), processed meat (RR = 1.20; 0.96–1.48), and legumes (RR = 0.82; 0.73–0.90) showed the strongest effects. Only whole grains (RR = 0.68; 0.46–0.98) had an effect in the non-mvGPS model. Conclusions: Applying mvGPS to multidimensional dietary data may help improve covariate balance across measured confounders and support more interpretable analysis of correlated dietary components. However, findings from this observational study should be interpreted as estimates under explicit causal assumptions, rather than definitive causal effects. Future studies should apply and further evaluate these approaches in larger and more diverse populations. Full article

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) progresses through three stages: iron deficiency stores (IDS), iron deficiency erythropoiesis (IDE), and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Neglecting subclinical ID may be harmful to school-aged children and increase the public health burden. Although diet is a key modifiable factor, most studies only focus on overall ID or merely the clinical IDA stage. This study combines a dietary index with pattern analysis to take advantage of their complementary strengths and explore their associations with ID progression. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2493 participants from rural Guangzhou between June 2022 and May 2023. Demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, and dietary data were collected via structured questionnaires. Blood samples were analyzed for iron status. Factor analysis identified dietary patterns, and the Chinese Dietary Guidelines Index for Children and Adolescents [CDGI(2021)-C] assessed dietary quality. We used ordinal logistic regression, multivariable logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models to examine dietary associations with ID stages. Results: IDS, IDE, and IDA proportions were 68.22%, 17.45%, and 14.33%, respectively. All four dietary patterns correlated positively with CDGI(2021)-C, most strongly for the fruit–vegetable (r_s = 0.552) and cereal–tuber–legume patterns (r_s = 0.386). Higher CDGI(2021)-C (OR = 0.852, 95% CI: 0.751–0.966, p-trend = 0.012), fruit–vegetable (OR = 0.866, 95%CI: 0.748–0.993, p-trend = 0.047), and meat–offal patterns (OR = 0.733, 95%CI: 0.611–0.868, p-trend < 0.001) were inversely associated with advancing ID stages, while the snack–fast food pattern was positively associated (OR = 1.233, 95% CI: 1.094–1.381, p-trend < 0.001). In IDS, higher adherence to CDGI(2021)-C, fruit–vegetable, and meat–offal patterns was associated with lower odds (all p-trend < 0.05). RCS showed nonlinear associations for the snack–fast food and cereal–tuber–legume patterns, with risk peaking at moderate-to-high adherence to these patterns (both p-nonlinear < 0.05). In IDE and IDA, the snack–fast food pattern risk rose steeply at moderate-to-high adherence (p-nonlinear = 0.036), whereas the cereal–tuber–legume pattern’s ORs fluctuated near 1 (p-nonlinear = 0.020). Conclusions: Dietary pattern and index analyses showed consistent associations across ID stages. Adherence to dietary guidelines slows ID progression, especially in early subclinical stages. More fruits, vegetables, and heme-iron-rich foods, alongside less fast food and snacks, slow ID progression. Though dietary intervention effects weaken in later stages, reducing fast food and snacks confers long-term benefits. These findings inform targeted nutrition policies to prevent ID progression in children. Full article

Background: Daidzein, a secondary metabolite primarily obtained from soybean (Glycine max L.) and other legumes, has significant nutritional and pharmacological value. Chemically, daidzein is an isoflavone and plays a crucial role in the therapeutic amelioration of numerous disorders, including allergies, inflammation, diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging preclinical evidence suggests potential antineoplastic activity of daidzein against various cancers. This current work aims to perform a critical evaluation of daidzein’s potential as an anticancer molecule with an in-depth understanding of its mechanisms of action. Methods: The data for this review were obtained from various sources, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Daidzein, as a pure phytochemical or in combination with other phytochemicals and anticancer drugs, has been reported to induce apoptotic and autophagic cell death, impeding cell growth, viability, proliferation, and angiogenesis, and arresting cell division at various phases in vitro. Various daidzein formulations also exhibited similar anticancer effects by immunomodulation and genetic alteration in the cancer cells. In vivo anticancer studies of daidzein also suggest modulation of several hallmark pathways, such as inhibition of nuclear factor-κB, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, and rat sarcoma virus/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma. Conclusions: Irrespective of numerous promising preclinical studies, the absence of clinical studies provides a major challenge to establishing daidzein’s safety and efficacy in human cancers. Therefore, further advancements in clinical research of daidzein are vital for manifesting as an antineoplastic drug. Full article

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived phenolic compounds that structurally resemble endogenous estrogens and can exert both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects in animals. In ruminant nutrition, the main classes of phytoestrogens (isoflavones, lignans, stilbenes, coumestans and selected flavonoids) are supplied predominantly by legume forages and soybean-based feeds, in which concentrations can reach several mg/g of dry matter. After ingestion, these compounds are extensively metabolized by the rumen microbiota to derivatives with altered biological potency, such as equol and p-ethyl-phenol, which influence endocrine, immune and metabolic pathways. Experimental and field studies in cattle, sheep and goats indicate that dietary phytoestrogens may improve nitrogen utilization, immune competence, growth performance, antioxidant status and milk yield. However, they can also impair fertility, modify hormone profiles and compromise embryo survival in a compound-, dose-, and species-dependent manner. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the botanical and nutritional sources, ruminal metabolism and transfer of phytoestrogens in ruminants, and critically examine their effects on blood metabolites, immune responses, growth and carcass traits and lactational performance and reproductive function. A structured literature search based on PRISMA principles was used to identify and appraise experimental and observational studies in both grazing and intensive production systems up to 2025. Remaining knowledge gaps and practical implications for the safe use of phytoestrogen-rich feeds in livestock production are highlighted. Full article

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is an industrial crop cultivated worldwide with intensive management systems that include continuous cropping, conventional tillage and high use of agrochemicals. The increasing concerns about environmental and economic sustainability call for innovative practices to maintain yield while managing weeds and enhancing soil fertility. Our research investigated the effect of green manure or cover crops coupled with minimum tillage on Kentucky tobacco production and the level of control of weeds. Six integrated management systems were tested in a four-year trial in Tuscany, Italy: (TS1) conventional farming management as defined above; (TS2) reduction in fertilizers and compost application; (TS3) rotation of tobacco–leguminous green manure and reduction in fertilizers; (TS4) rotation of tobacco–leguminous green manure and compost application without fertilizers; (TS5) rotation of tobacco–mixture of cover crops, minimum tillage before tobacco transplant, reduction in fertilizers; (TS6) as in TS5 but with a compost amendment addition. The different farming practices represented an ecological filter for the weed communities. The combination of conventional tillage, compost application and green manure was sufficient to control weed development. On the other hand, cover crop termination via roller crimper and minimum tillage did not reduce weed pressure, thereby negatively affecting tobacco production. Further studies are needed to improve the effectiveness of mulching and minimal tillage on weed levels not detrimental to tobacco development. It would be advisable to alternate different weed management strategies to prevent community specialization, mitigate negative effects on crops and enhance biodiversity at the farm scale. Full article

Soil salinization is a source of major abiotic stress that severely limits the production of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a globally critical forage legume for sustainable livestock production. Its complex autotetraploid genome and self-incompatibility greatly hinder salt tolerance genetic improvement, while the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of alfalfa salt stress response remains largely uncharacterized. This study aimed to narrow the gap between genome-wide genetic signals and causal regulatory mechanisms and identify core post-transcriptional regulators of alfalfa salt tolerance via a multi-layered integrative analysis pipeline. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 220 globally collected alfalfa accessions, combined with public transcriptome integration, co-expression network analysis, 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) motif discovery, and AlphaFold2-based protein-RNA docking simulation. We identified 20 significant salt tolerance-associated loci and prioritized the CCCH-type zinc-finger RNA-binding protein (RBP) MsCCCH20 as the core candidate regulator. We further screened 35 high-confidence target genes of MsCCCH20, detected conserved AU/AG-rich 3′UTR motifs, and provided structural predictions consistent with potential sequence-specific interactions (ipTM 0.70–0.79). Our findings establish a robust framework linking genetic association signals to post-transcriptional regulatory networks and provide high-confidence candidate genes and functional markers for the molecular breeding of salt-tolerant alfalfa. Full article

Background: Polyamines, including putrescine (PU), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM), are ubiquitous bioactive compounds essential for cell proliferation, genomic stability, autophagy, and the regulation of oxidative and inflammatory responses. Growing evidence, particularly for SPD, suggests that polyamine-rich diets may protect against age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative disorders. As endogenous polyamine synthesis declines with age, dietary intake becomes increasingly important, especially in older adults. Methods: This study estimated each polyamine (PU, SPD and SPM) and total polyamine intake in the Spanish population using food consumption data from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Intakes were evaluated across four age groups, and major dietary sources were identified. Results: Total polyamine intake increased with age, reaching 393 µmol/day in adults over 65 years. PU accounted for 49% of total intake, followed by SPD (29%) and SPM (22%). Plant-based foods were the primary contributors to SPD intake, particularly vegetables (36%), fruits (26%), and cereals (18%). PU intake was also predominantly plant-derived, mainly from fruits (58%) and vegetables (23%), whereas SPM intake was largely associated with meat products (59%). A theoretical Mediterranean diet model yielded a slightly higher total polyamine intake of 406.6 µmol/day and a substantially greater SPD intake than that observed in older adults (193.99 µmol/day versus 121.62 µmol/day). Conclusions: Overall, estimated polyamine intake in the Spanish population fell below the optimal level of 540 µmol/day proposed in the literature. These findings highlight the need for public health strategies promoting consumption of polyamine-rich foods, particularly vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruits, to support healthy aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases. Full article

Development of innovative functional foods is a key sports nutrition strategy to enhance physical performance, support recovery, and promote overall health. Plant-based protein-rich products have emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional animal-protein sources, offering nutritional benefits and reducing environmental impact. This study aimed to develop high-protein plant-based cookies using a conventional formulation enriched with carrot, broccoli, and legume flour, and to evaluate their effects in a preclinical model. The nutritional composition was determined using standard food analysis methods and microbiological assays were conducted to ensure safety. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to either a standard diet group or a cookie-supplemented group. The intervention consisted of daily administration of cookies at a dose of 5.3 g/kg body weight for 15 days. Physiological and biochemical parameters, including body weight, glucose, lipid profile, renal function, muscle thickness, and grip strength, were assessed. Despite no significant differences in glucose and lipid profiles between groups, increased muscle thickness (pubococcygeus and gastrocnemius), improved grip strength and higher levels of urea and creatinine were observed in the supplemented group. These findings indicate that high-protein plant-based cookies are safe in preclinical conditions and may promote functional benefits such as enhanced muscle strength and lean mass development. Therefore, they represent a promising and sustainable functional food for sports nutrition applications. Full article

Crop yield responses to reduced solar radiation are central to the design of agrivoltaic systems, yet crop-specific patterns and critical shading thresholds remain insufficiently characterized across diverse environments. This study evaluates yield responses across a global dataset of 546 observations from 66 studies, including agrivoltaic, shading, and agroforestry systems. Relative yield was analyzed in relation to reduction in solar radiation (RSR), crop type, and environmental variables using exploratory analysis, multiple linear regression, and tree-based ensemble models. Crop responses varied systematically across crop types. Fruits, berries, and fruity vegetables maintained or increased yield under lower shading levels, while forages, leafy vegetables, cereals, and tubers showed gradual declines, and maize and grain legumes exhibited the strongest sensitivity. Across models, yield responses were non-linear, with relatively stable yields at lower shading levels followed by accelerated declines beyond approximately 50–60% RSR. Climatic conditions further influenced these patterns, with crops in higher-radiation and warmer environments maintaining yields more effectively under partial shade. These findings demonstrate that crop yield responses depend on crop type, shading intensity, and environmental context, providing an agronomic basis for crop selection and agrivoltaic system design. Full article