Search Results (4,540)

Elaeagnus mollis oilseed (EMO) meal is a protein-rich by-product that may serve as a novel source of food-derived α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides. This study aimed to obtain EMO peptide fractions with enhanced α-glucosidase inhibition and to clarify the activity, stability and mechanism of the most active fraction. Fourteen proteases were compared, and 3.350 acidic protease was selected to establish an optimized hydrolysis process. The resulting EMO hydrolysate showed an IC₅₀ of 9.11 mg/mL against α-glucosidase and no detectable cytotoxicity towards HEK-293T cells at 0.1–12.0 mg/mL. Ultrafiltration yielded four fractions, among which the 3–10 kDa fraction exhibited the highest inhibition and maintained substantial activity under acidic pH (2–6), −20–50 °C, NaCl ≤ 5% and simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Kinetic analysis indicated mixed-type inhibition, while fluorescence, circular dichroism and molecular docking suggested that peptides in this fraction bind near the catalytic site of α-glucosidase and induce local conformational changes. These findings support EMO-derived 3–10 kDa peptides as stable, non-cytotoxic α-glucosidase inhibitors with potential as functional ingredients for dietary management of type 2 diabetes. Full article

Astaxanthin (AST), despite its high bioactivity, exhibits poor stability and low bioavailability due to its strong lipophilicity and inherent degradation susceptibility. To overcome such a challenge, we developed a food-grade oleogel delivery system using a soy protein–arabinoxylan (SA) glycosylated complex modulated by different concentrations (0.5–3%) of sucrose ester (SE) or soy lecithin. We show that the emulsifier concentration has a non-linear effect on the oleogel microstructure: an optimal level of 1% had a significant impact on the interfacial compactness and network density, giving rise to improved thermal stability, rheological strength and AST encapsulation efficiency (81.27%). During in vitro digestion, the SA matrix in combination with emulsifiers allowed gastric protection and intestinal-targeted release of AST with a bioaccessibility of up to 88.84% (SAO-SE-AST). This controlled release profile directly translated into enhanced in vivo antioxidant efficacy in wild-type Bristol N2 Caenorhabditis elegans, as evidenced by reduced lipofuscin accumulation, elevated thermotolerance (survival rate: 64.44–73.33%), suppressed reactive oxygen species levels and activation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase as well as glutathione peroxidase). Collectively, this research has uncovered that food-grade emulsifiers are not only stabilizers, but also key regulators of oleogel architecture and bioactive functionality. These results provide a structure–digestion–bioactivity correlation for protein–polysaccharide oleogels, representing a rational design strategy for high-performance delivery systems of lipid-soluble nutraceuticals. Full article

Global demand for sustainable protein has intensified amid environmental, public health, and ethical concerns surrounding conventional animal agriculture. Edible mushrooms have emerged as promising next-generation protein sources, delivering 19–35% protein (dry weight) with complete essential amino acid profiles and digestibility rates of 60–80%. Beyond protein, mushrooms provide bioactive compounds, including β-glucans, ergothioneine, phenolic acids, and vitamin D₂, supporting immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory functions. Enzymatically derived bioactive peptides further demonstrate antihypertensive and antimicrobial activity. This review systematically examines mushroom protein properties, processing technologies, and product performance across three application categories: meat analogs, functional snacks, and beverages. Advanced processing technologies including high-moisture extrusion, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and microencapsulation have improved bioactive preservation and digestibility. From an environmental perspective, mushroom cultivation requires 85–90% less water and land than animal agriculture, with 80% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. However, critical gaps remain: extraction efficiency varies 3-fold across studies, only 15–23% of commercial products are supported by clinical trials, and techno-economic analyses are largely absent. Standardized processing protocols, large-scale clinical validation, and harmonized quality standards are essential to establish mushrooms as viable, commercially scalable protein alternatives. Full article

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is one of the major by-products of the brewing industry and an abundant lignocellulosic stream with potential for energy recovery and broader biorefinery use. This review evaluates the main BSG-to-energy pathways, including anaerobic digestion (AD), combustion/co-combustion, pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal processes (HTC/HTL), with emphasis on technical performance, environmental aspects, implementation constraints, and integration into brewery systems. Particular attention is given to the effect of BSG heterogeneity, high moisture content, protein and ash composition, and storage instability on process selection and operability. In addition to summarizing pathway-specific evidence, the manuscript proposes a harmonized comparative framework and an integrated technical–economic–environmental interpretation of BSG valorization options. The analysis shows that wet-feed-compatible pathways, especially AD and hydrothermal processing, are generally better aligned with the intrinsic properties of fresh BSG, whereas thermochemical routes usually require more intensive feedstock conditioning and tighter control of ash-related and gas cleaning risks. The review also highlights that long-term operational reliability, scale-up constraints, and utility integration are as important as nominal conversion efficiency when assessing practical deployment. Current evidence suggests that the most realistic implementation strategies are context-dependent and should be selected according to brewery scale, energy demand profile, available heat integration, and acceptable operational risk. Future research should prioritize harmonized reporting, long-term industrial validation, and the development of robust hybrid systems and brewery-integrated biorefinery configurations. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of forage-free diets with reduced starch levels on the productive performance, metabolism, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and meat quality of feedlot beef cattle. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, forty uncastrated Nellore steers were distributed into 20 pens in a completely randomized design, receiving diets with increasing inclusion levels of ground corn in the total diet: C400 (400 g kg⁻¹), C200 (200 g kg⁻¹), C100 (100 g kg⁻¹), and C50 (50 g kg⁻¹), formulated without forage and based on fibrous co-products. Increasing ground corn inclusion promoted linear improvements in final body weight and average daily gain, while dry matter intake and feed efficiency showed quadratic responses. Meat quality parameters were not affected by dietary treatments. In Experiment 2, eight crossbred steers were assigned to a double 4 × 4 Latin square design and fed the same experimental diets. Higher corn inclusion increased starch and fat intake, whereas dry matter, organic matter, and protein intake showed quadratic responses. Apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and starch also followed a quadratic pattern. Ruminal fermentation parameters were affected by dietary treatments, with greater ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations at higher corn levels and quadratic responses for propionate, butyrate, and methane production. Nitrogen metabolism indicated increased urinary nitrogen and uric acid excretion with increasing dietary corn inclusion. These results demonstrate that forage-free diets based on citrus pulp and soybean hulls with different levels of ground corn can be effectively used in finishing beef cattle, improving performance without impairing meat quality while modulating ruminal fermentation and nutrient utilization. Full article

This study demonstrates a hierarchical spectral modelling approach for predicting pasture nutrition metrics using TabPFN (Tabular Prior-Data Fitted Network), a transformer-based machine learning architecture. In the face of climate variability, aligning stocking rates with pasture resources is crucial for sustainable livestock grazing, requiring accurate assessments of both pasture biomass and nutrient composition. Our research, conducted across diverse growth stages at five tropical and subtropical savanna rangeland properties in Queensland, Australia, with native and introduced C4 grasses, employed a hierarchical sampling and modelling strategy that scales from laboratory spectroscopy to Sentinel-2 satellite predictions via uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) hyperspectral imaging. Spectral data were collected from leaf (laboratory spectroscopy) through field (point measurements), UAV hyperspectral imaging, and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. Traditional laboratory wet chemistry methods determined plant leaf and stem nutrient content, from which crude protein (CP = total nitrogen (TN) × 6.25) and dry matter digestibility (DMD = 88.9–0.779 × acid detergent fibre (ADF)) were derived. TabPFN models were trained at each spatial scale, achieving validation ${\mathrm{R}}^2$ of 0.76 for crude protein at the leaf scale, 0.95 at the UAV scale, and 0.92 at the Sentinel-2 satellite scale. For dry matter digestibility, validation ${\mathrm{R}}^2$ was 0.88 at the UAV scale and 0.73 at the Sentinel-2 scale. A pasture classification masking approach using a deep neural network with 98.6% accuracy (7 classes) was implemented to focus predictions on productive pasture areas, excluding bare soil and woody vegetation. The Sentinel-2 models were trained on 462 samples from 19 site–date combinations across 11 field sites. The TabPFN architecture provided notable advantages over traditional neural networks: no hyperparameter tuning required, faster training, and superior generalisation from limited training samples. These results demonstrate the potential for accurate and efficient prediction and mapping of pasture quality across large areas (100 s–1000 s ${\mathrm{k}\mathrm{m}}^2$) using freely available satellite imagery and open-source machine learning frameworks. Full article

This study introduces a novel, simplified, and scalable two-step process for generating bioactive eggshell membrane (ESM) formulations by combining jet-O-mizer ultra-fine milling of ESM (yielding JEM biomaterial) with KOH-mediated hydrolysis, achieving ~50% solubilization of proteins and peptides and enabling the first evaluation of ESM-derived bioactives for gut health applications. The soluble protein fraction (SJ) was separated from the whole hydrolysate (WJ), and subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion to assess stability and bioavailability. The antioxidant capacities of the JEM-derived material showed a significant 15-fold increase compared to soluble non-hydrolyzed JEM (NJEM). SJ inhibited E. coli bacterial growth by 50% within 24 h, compared to the untreated bacterial culture. The formulations demonstrated superior anti-inflammatory properties with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW macrophages, resulting in a 80% reduction in NO production compared to untreated cells. Proteomics analysis of SJ revealed key anti-inflammatory (YBX1, YWHAE) and antimicrobial (OCX36, OC-17, TENP, and histones) effectors whose coordinated activities could modulate gut microbial composition. The permeability of the intestinal barrier model Caco-2 monolayer was not significantly affected by treatment with any JEM-derived formulation, thereby predicting maintenance of intestinal integrity. This study provides safe, novel ESM derivatives with high bioavailability and multifunctional bioactivities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, positioning them as promising candidates for dietary supplements to promote gut health. Full article

Sheep and goat milk are mainly used for cheese manufacture in small livestock farms, giving rise to a large volume of whey. Sheep and goat cheese whey possess excellent and specific functional and nutritional characteristics. The valorization of these valuable by-products through physicochemical or biotechnological processes compatible with artisanal production are important in terms of sustainability, i.e., economic, social, and environmental impacts. The main challenges for whey processing in small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) are the lack of equipment, construction and information as well as the small amounts of cheese whey generated from these plants. Membrane technology can be convenient to produce valuable by-products for small dairy plants in the presence of enough investment cost and whey amount. Biotechnological treatments covering anaerobic digestion systems and fermentation processes are advantageous for SMEs over physicochemical methods on investment cost. In these processes, efficient microorganisms are able to produce high-value natural products, biofuels, and biopolymers. Anaerobic digestion is a suitable method for goat and sheep cheese whey valorization in SMEs due to the small volumes. Additionally, bioconversion into fermented beverages is a good choice for cheese whey valorization in SMEs because of its low operational and equipment cost. Full article

Liquid infant formula has garnered increasing attention due to its mild thermal processing and superior retention of bioactive nutrients. Within such matrices, the lipid source is a critical determinant of protein digestion behavior, yet its influence on peptide bioavailability and intestinal homeostasis remains undefined. Given that efficient peptide absorption is vital for the systemic delivery of bioactivity in infants, understanding the lipid–protein synergy is essential for formula optimization. Moreover, excessive oxidative stress is closely associated with impaired intestinal health and developmental disorders in infants, making the regulation of oxidative stress crucial for maintaining intestinal function. The present study evaluated the effects of three distinct lipid sources—soybean oil (SM), bovine milk fat (BM), and goat milk fat (GM)—on the physicochemical stability, proteolytic digestion, peptide release, intestinal absorption, and oxidative stress modulation of goat-milk-based infant formula. An integrated approach combining physicochemical characterization, in vitro simulated infant digestion, and a Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cell model was employed. we demonstrate that all three lipids (3% w/w) formed stable emulsions with uniform spherical structures and mean particle diameters of 117–300 nm, as visualized by laser confocal microscopy. Following in vitro simulation of infant gastrointestinal digestion, the SM group exhibited the most extensive protein hydrolysis, yielding the highest total peptide content (4.28 ± 0.10 mg/mL) and generated the highest number of peptides identified by LC-MS/MS (474 types). Bioinformatic analysis predicted that peptides from all groups possess potential antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory activities. The Caco-2 monolayer cell model demonstrated that although the GM group produced fewer identified peptide species than the SM group (365 types), it achieved significantly higher intestinal peptide absorption rate (55.34 ± 1.05%). Furthermore, the GM digests provided superior protection against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells, markedly reducing reactive oxygen species levels and suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Collectively, these findings reveal that while soybean oil promotes more extensive proteolysis, the use of homologous goat milk lipid enhances peptide bioaccessibility and confers potential cytoprotective effects on intestinal epithelial cells, underscoring its potential as a preferred lipid source in infant formula formulations. Full article

The rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC^®) is a known model for research in rumen microbiology and fermentation. However, our research group observed inconsistencies in gas production across trials. This study investigated the effects of different gas outlet locations on digestibility, ruminal fermentation, gas production, and microbial protein synthesis. Fifteen fermenters tested three different gas outlet locations within the RUSITEC^® equipment: (1) gas outlet directly on the effluent vessel for output liquid (EV); (2) gas outlet directly on fermenter cap (F); and (3) gas outlet on both effluent vessel and fermenter cap (EVF). Data were analyzed using a completely randomized design in SAS (v. 9.4) with the MIXED procedure, and significance was set at p < 0.10. Results showed that altering the gas outlet location did not affect nutrient digestibility (p > 0.10), microbial protein synthesis (p > 0.10), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production when expressed on a molar basis (p > 0.10). However, total gas production (p = 0.108) was higher in the EVF group and ammonia nitrogen produced in the fermenter was higher in group F (p = 0.081). Furthermore, methane (CH₄) production was underestimated when the gas outlet location was in just one of the locations when compared to the EVF group (p = 0.006). VFA proportion was also affected, with lower acetate (p = 0.005) and higher butyrate (p = 0.014) for group EV. These results indicate that the location of the gas outlet is an important methodological factor affecting fermentation measurements in the RUSITEC system, with outlets positioned in both the effluent and fermenter vessels enhancing gas recovery. Full article

Dietary phytogenic additives and microalgae are increasingly investigated as natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in rabbit production due to their potential effects on gut health and nutrient utilisation. This study evaluated the nutraceutical potential of Chlorella vulgaris and Laurus nobilis as plant-based additives for growing New Zealand White rabbits. A 45-day feeding trial was conducted using control and experimental diets enriched with 0.1% Chlorella and 0.1% Laurus. Productive performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry and faecal composition were monitored, and polyphenolic compounds were analysed in feed, blood, faeces and caecal microbiota using HPLC-DAD. Final body weight (3097 vs. 2909 g) and feed intake (142.7 vs. 145.0 g day⁻¹) did not differ significantly between treatments. However, crude protein digestibility was significantly lower in the supplemented group than in the control group (54.39–47.79% vs. 63.73–62.33%; p < 0.05). Faecal chemical composition differed significantly between groups, particularly for dry matter, which was higher in the supplemented group across sampling times. Polyphenols detected across biological matrices confirmed the bioavailability of selected phytochemicals, with ferulic acid showing the highest stability. Correlation analysis indicated shared metabolic or absorptive pathways among several compounds. Overall, low-dose supplementation with C. vulgaris and L. nobilis appears safe and may support improved digestive physiology and nutrient utilisation without compromising rabbit health. Further research with larger sample sizes and detailed microbiome profiling is needed to clarify metabolic interactions and long-term effects of these nutraceutical strategies. Full article

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat.) is a globally popular ornamental plant, but most cultivars lack efficient petal-based transient transformation systems, limiting floral trait molecular mechanism exploration. Protoplasts are versatile tools for gene localization, interaction, and functional characterization. Here, we established a petal protoplast isolation and transient transformation system for C. morifolium ‘Wandai Fengguang’ via L₉(3⁴) orthogonal design: optimal isolation (0.6 M mannitol, 8 h enzymatic digestion time, 0.4% macerozyme R-10, 4% cellulase R-10) and transformation (40% PEG4000, 12 μg plasmid, 10 min transfection, a protoplast density of 1 × 10⁶ protoplasts mL⁻¹). Under these conditions, protoplast yield was 5.14 × 10⁶ protoplasts g⁻¹·FW, viability 87.41%, and transformation efficiency 51.50%, with good applicability for six additional germplasms. We further analyzed CmVIT1 protein localization. Compared with the previous system, this system significantly improved protoplast yield and transformation efficiency, facilitating the transient transformation of genes related to floral traits in chrysanthemum and providing a methodological framework for other horticultural crops. Full article

In this study, a novel combination strategy of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) phosphorylation and dextran (DX) glycosylation was employed to modify soy protein isolate (SPI). The phosphorylated protein–dextran conjugate (TSPI-DX) was successfully prepared and then was used as an emulsifier to prepare the astaxanthin emulsion, with the aim to enhance the emulsion delivery performance. Structural analysis revealed that phosphorylation and glycosylation altered the microenvironment of the side chains, leading to changes in protein secondary structure, which consequently loosened the protein architecture and enhanced molecular flexibility. The functional properties of TSPI-DX, including its solubility, emulsifying activity (EAI) and emulsifying stability (ESI), were markedly enhanced. Furthermore, the concurrent modification through phosphorylation and the Maillard reaction yielded a synergistic effect, boosting the DPPH radical scavenging rate by 86.5% and increasing the ferric-ion reducing power nearly fourfold. The astaxanthin emulsion prepared by modified SPI also exhibited several advantages. The TSPI-DX emulsion exhibited a markedly smaller mean particle size and a larger absolute Zeta-potential value. Consequently, with the higher electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance among the droplets, the astaxanthin emulsion prepared by TSPI-DX demonstrated superior encapsulation efficiency and stability across various conditions, including storage, oxidation, thermal, and pH challenges. Moreover, in vitro digestion experiments revealed that the modified SPI emulsion facilitated a higher extent of lipolysis and astaxanthin bioaccessibility. Therefore, this work proposes a novel strategy for constructing plant-protein emulsion systems with enhanced delivery and release capabilities. Full article

Yeast culture (YC), a complex functional feed additive containing fermentation metabolites, has demonstrated potential in dairy production systems. However, its mechanistic effects on rumen function and host metabolism in lactating dairy cattle warrant further investigation. This study evaluated the impacts of YC supplementation on production performance, systemic antioxidant status, and rumen function in late-lactation Holstein cows. Fourteen multiparous Holstein cows (body weight 655 ± 28 kg; days in milk 270.4 ± 1.6 d) were randomly allocated into two groups, a control group (CON, basal diet) and a YC-supplemented group (YC, basal diet + 50 g/d YC), in a 28-day feeding trial. YC supplementation significantly increased dry matter intake (p < 0.01), nutrient digestibility (p < 0.01 for DM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF), and milk yield (p < 0.05) compared to CON. Systemic antioxidant capacity was enhanced, as evidenced by elevated serum superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). Rumen fermentation was improved with higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (p < 0.01) and microbial protein (p < 0.01) and reduced ammonia nitrogen levels (p < 0.01). Macrogenomic analysis revealed a YC-mediated restructuring of the rumen microbiota, characterized by an increased relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroidota. Untargeted metabolomic profiling identified significant alterations in rumen metabolite profiles, with differential metabolites enriched in pyrimidine metabolism and vitamin digestion and absorption pathways. These results indicate that YC supplementation improves production performance in late-lactation dairy cows through multi-faceted mechanisms involving rumen microbial community modulation and metabolic pathway activation, ultimately enhancing nutrient utilization and metabolic efficiency. Full article

As the world progresses towards more sustainable food systems, an increasing number of individuals are inclined to reduce meat consumption and transition to plant-based protein sources. Given the implications of climate change and escalating public health issues, plant-based protein sources appear to be a viable alternative; yet, this transition will be challenging to implement. Legumes, cereals, oilseeds, microalgae, and mycoprotein constitute the primary sources of plant-derived protein. Each possesses distinct functional attributes; yet, they also exhibit certain nutritional constraints. The restrictions mostly pertain to the composition of essential amino acids and the body’s efficacy in utilizing micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B₁₂. From an ecological perspective, plant-based proteins often exert a significantly lesser impact on the environment compared to conventional meat. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and optimizes resource utilization. Recent technological advancements, including fermentation methods, shear cell structuring, and high-moisture extrusion, have significantly improved the texture and flavor of plant-based products. However, consumer perceptions of the sensory attributes of these products significantly influence their acceptance. Current research priorities include improving protein digestibility, mitigating antinutritional factors, reducing salt content, and generating robust long-term data on health effects/health benefits. Ultimately, replacing meat with plant-based proteins involves not only scientific and nutritional considerations but also requires significant cultural and societal transformations to establish a more balanced and sustainable food system. Full article