Search Results (492)

Nutritional strategies based on sourdough fermented breads with wholemeal ancient grains and legumes are emerging as promising modulators of (neuro)immune processes. This study investigated whether prolonged consumption of a sourdough bread enriched with a mixture of ancient cereals and legumes, commercially available in Italy (Primus^® bread, P^®B), modulates neuroimmune systemic responses to repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in mice. For this study, male C57BL/6J mice were fed for 14 days with either a standard diet (SD) or P^®B. Animals then received intraperitoneal LPS (3 mg/kg/day for 3 days) or vehicle. Body weight and food intake were monitored throughout. Pain-like behaviours were assessed by von Frey, plantar and tail flick tests, and plasma cytokine (32-plex panel), splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage cytokine expression, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in sciatic nerves, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the spinal cord were analyzed by Reverse Transcription–quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). P^®B prevented LPS-induced body weight loss and reduced splenomegaly. Unlike SD mice, which exhibited widespread plasmatic cytokine upregulation, P^®B-fed mice displayed only limited increases Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-12p40 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)α. Ex vivo cultures of splenocytes and macrophages confirmed attenuated cytokine overexpression. LPS-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical, thermal and nociceptive stimuli was significantly reduced in P^®B mice. Molecular analyses revealed that the P^®B diet blunted the pro-inflammatory cytokine expression present after LPS challenge in the sciatic nerves and DRG, with partial attenuation in the spinal cord. Our findings highlight the great potential of functional foods as affordable dietary strategies to mitigate systemic immune and neuroimmune dysregulation. Full article

The cosmetic and personal care industry is increasingly shifting toward plant-derived ingredients that combine multifunctional biological activity with favorable safety and sustainability profiles. Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek), a leguminous plant traditionally used in food and medicine, has recently attracted growing attention as a potential cosmetic and cosmeceutical ingredient. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of current knowledge on fenugreek in the context of skin and hair care applications. First, the phytochemical profile of fenugreek relevant to cosmetics is examined, with emphasis on polyphenols and flavonoids, steroidal saponins, alkaloids (notably trigonelline), and mucilage-rich galactomannans. The biological activities of these constituents are then discussed in relation to key cutaneous and scalp mechanisms, including antioxidant defense, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, anti-glycation and dermal matrix protection, skin hydration and barrier support, as well as hair growth promotion and scalp health. Particular attention is given to recent in vitro, ex vivo, and emerging clinical evidence supporting anti-aging, moisturizing, and hair-care claims. Current formulation strategies and green extraction technologies enabling the incorporation of fenugreek-derived ingredients into topical products are reviewed, alongside considerations of safety, toxicity, and regulatory status under EU cosmetic legislation. Finally, existing research gaps are identified, highlighting the need for standardized extracts, robust clinical validation, and advanced omics-based approaches. This review highlights fenugreek’s strong potential as a versatile plant-based ingredient in cosmetics, despite remaining understudied in topical applications. Full article

Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the acute effect of L-leucine supplementation and high-intensity sprint exercise on appetite-controlling neuropeptides and their association with the subjective perception of appetite (SPA), satiety (SPS), food intake, and inflammatory response in overweight participants. Methods: In a double-masked, randomized, counterbalanced, and crossover design, 12 sedentary overweight adult men performed four experiments: (1) exercise and L-leucine (EX-Leu), (2) exercise and placebo (EX-PLA), (3) L-leucine without exercise (SED-Leu), and (4) placebo without exercise (SED-PLA). The supplementation consisted of three daily doses of 70 mg/kg body weight of L-leucine or placebo (on the day of exercise and one day after). During the experiments, we recorded the food intake, SPA, and SPS, and evaluated the neuropeptides (GLP-1, PYY, CCK, and ghrelin) and cytokines (IL1-beta, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) in peripheral blood. The acute exercise trial consisted of four sets of 30 sec cycle ergometer sprint exercises. Results: EX-Leu, EX-PLA, and SED-Leu decreased SPA, compared to SED-PLA; only EX-PLA improved SPS; EX-PLA and EX-Leu reduced food intake. GLP-1 decreased in the EX-PLA trial compared to SED-Leu. IL-6 and IL1-β levels increased in the EX-Leu trial compared to SED-PLA. An anti-inflammatory profile was identified in the EX-PLA trial compared to the other trials. Both neuropeptides (increased) and cytokines (a pro-inflammatory profile) were associated with changes in SPA, SPS, and food intake. Conclusions: The acute inflammatory balance induced by EX-Leu seems to improve appetite control. Sprint exercise had a consistent acute anorexic effect, while isolated L-leucine decreased SPA, but their impact on SPS and food intake is not clear (FAPESP grants: 2020/09936-2 and 2021/03601-1). Full article

Considering the present environmental concerns, nanomaterial-based methods should be applied to achieve the bioeconomic sustainability initiatives and climate change mitigation. Plants and plant extracts are one of the most underused biomass and bioactive ingredients resources. Moreover, nowadays crop loss is one of the main problems that the world faces, together with the depletion of natural resources, increasing population and limited arable land, leading to increased food scarcity and demand. To correctly attribute/use plant-based bioresources or to rapidly decide which farming operations should be performed before crop loss, we should be able to properly characterize plants or plant-based resources by the desired useful characteristics, such as (bio)chemical characteristics, rather than simply observing physical traits of plants (because, when these traits become visible, it may be too late for crop loss mitigation). Plant crops could be optimized, for example, using electrochemical methods that assess the nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) or the oxidative stress burst encountered before crop loss, in order to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other different important analytes (such as hormones, pathogens, metabolites, etc.) or plant characteristics (such as genus, species, phylogenetic analysis, etc.) can be evaluated with these electrochemical sensors and methods. In the present review, we focus on the application of nanomaterials/nanotechnologies for the development of fast, accurate, accessible, cost-effective, sensitive and selective analytical electrochemical methods for the detection of different relevant biomolecules in plants or plant-related samples (plant extracts, plant cells, plant tissues, and/or plant-derived natural drinks/foods, as well as entire plants/plant parts), both in vivo vs. ex vivo and in situ vs. ex situ. This review systematically presents and critically discusses the outcomes of current electrochemical methods (both applied in the lab or as wearable/implantable sensors) and the future perspectives of these nanotechnology-based sensors, with an accent on wearable sensors for smart and precision agriculture, as real-world sensing technologies with significant practical impact. The novelty of this article is the abundance of electrochemical analytical parameters gathered and discussed, for such a large number of analyte categories. Full article

Recovery of nutritional and bioactive molecules by pomegranate peel (PP) has found wide applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. We investigated protective effects of a PP extract (PPE) from Mediterranean (Mazara del Vallo, Italy) on intestinal inflammation by using in vitro and ex vivo models. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, as well as tight junction protein-1 (ZO-1) expression, were determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injured Caco-2 cells treated with PPE. We evaluated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of PPE in isolated colon specimens of adult male mouse (C57/BL6) stimulated by LPS. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), as well as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) gene expression was determined. We also characterized phytochemical composition of the extract through chromatographic (HPLC-UV) and spectrophotometric techniques. PPE was rich in punicalagins A and B, along with other polyphenols such as hydroxytyrosol (HT), catechin, p-coumaric acid, and rosmarinic acid. In Caco-2 cells, PPE reduced ROS generation and LDH release, restoring intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating ZO-1 expression. In addition, PPE increased SOD, CAT, and GPX and suppressed COX-2, NF-kB, TNF-α, IL-1β and i-NOS LPS-induced gene expression in colon. PPE mitigates inflammation and oxidative stress, restoring intestinal barrier function. The beneficial effects induced by the extract could be related to the pattern of polyphenolic composition, with particular regard to HT, rosmarinic acid, p-coumaric acid, catechin, as well as punicalagins A and B. Full article

In the absence of ex-post empirical evidence on the implementation effects of the EU-Mercosur agreement, assessments of expected risks and benefits for the agri-food sector must rely on ex-ante reasoning rather than statistical identification. This paper develops a deductive ex-ante framework to assess how partial market integration under EU–Mercosur may affect the prices and profitability of two groups: agri-food processors and agricultural producers. Methodologically, we formalize a two-market setting (final food products and agricultural raw materials) and derive comparative-statics implications for microeconomic profitability indicators that guide agents’ choices. The main propositions are as follows. First, the integration of the sourcing base for processors is likely to increase the relative profitability of processing by improving the ratio of output to raw-material inputs and, crucially, by widening the price wedge between final food prices and agricultural input prices. Second, the same mechanism implies that agricultural producers in the EU face greater downside risk, as increased competition on the raw-material market tends to depress farm-gate prices; the resulting revenue effect is unlikely to be fully offset by higher sales volumes in the short run. Third, these asymmetric effects rationalize the divergence of perceived risks and benefits across processors and farmers, even when both operate within the same integrated market environment. In addition, we highlight a complementary risk channel: market integration can affect not only price levels but also price volatility in raw-material markets, which may further increase downside risk for farms. The proposed framework provides a disciplined basis for scenario and simulation analyses relevant to agricultural and trade policy, and yields testable predictions for future ex-post evaluation. Full article

Chlorella vulgaris is a microalga with well-established nutritional, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial potential. The current study aimed to explore the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the ethanolic extract of C. vulgaris and to assess how nanoparticle formation affects the chemical composition, antimicrobial potential, antioxidant capacity, and spasmolytic activity of the extract, building on earlier evidence for its modulatory effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Even though AgNPs from Chlorella have been obtained previously, to the best of our knowledge, their spasmolytic activity has not been evaluated. To assess their properties and stability, ATR-FTIR, TEM images, XRD, DLS, and zeta potential were used. The obtained AgNPs were mostly spherical (with a diameter between 10 and 50 nm) and showed good colloidal stability. The synthesis of AgNPs resulted in significant changes in lipid composition, pigment content, and fatty acid profiles, including a decrease in total chlorophylls and an increase in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed moderate to strong antibacterial activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. The most pronounced inhibitory effect was observed against A. niger and P. chrysogenum. In ex vivo organ bath experiments, AgNPs modulated the contractile activity and the spasmolytic profile of isolated rat gastric smooth muscle compared with C. vulgaris extract. These results demonstrate that green-synthesized AgNPs present systems with altered smooth muscle activity and improved antibacterial qualities, underscoring their potential for use in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and gastrointestinal therapeutics. Full article

This research aimed to conduct a bibliometric review on Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart., popularly known as “macaúba”, a palm tree of the Arecaceae family with great potential to promote sustainable practices. The review focused on the applications associated with the oil, pulp, and almonds of the fruit, products that can be used in industries such as food, cosmetics, and bioenergy, contributing to the development of more ecological production chains with less environmental impact. Data were collected from the Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases for publications related to phytochemical and bioactive aspects, while only Web of Science was used for data on energy aspects. The documents found were analyzed in the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20), allowing the creation of bibliometric networks (clusters) and tables on scientific production. The analyses included authors, co-authors, countries, institutions, journal sources, and keywords. For phytochemical and bioactive aspects, the search resulted in 1026 articles, of which 261 were selected after applying the exclusion criteria. For energy aspects, 99 publications were found. Based on the data, it was possible to analyze the existing research on A. aculeata, identifying the state of the research and possible gaps in studies related to this oilseed. The results highlight the importance of macaúba as a sustainable alternative for diversifying agricultural and bioindustrial products, promoting the bioeconomy and contributing to the mitigation of environmental impacts. In addition, the research allowed us to identify the universities and researchers most dedicated to this species, their main results and the areas that still require investment to advance research. Thus, A. aculeata emerges as a relevant option to strengthen sustainable practices in key sectors, integrating economic, social, and environmental benefits. Full article

Background/Objectives: Digestive problems are common in the general population and may be influenced by lifestyle, emotional status and diet. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of digestive problems in Spanish adults and examined associated factors. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional analysis of anonymized adult microdata from the 2023 Spanish Health Survey was performed. Data were collected using a mixed-mode design (self-administered web questionnaire with interviewer-administered follow-up). Digestive problems were recoded by combining gastric ulcer, constipation, and prescribed use of laxatives, astringent drugs, and stomach medication. Therefore, digestive problems are primarily defined as the presence of gastric ulcers, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Variables included sociodemographic, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8), World Health Organization Well Being Index (WHO-5), and macronutrient intake estimated from a Food-Frequency Questionnaire using the Spanish Food Composition Database (BEDCA). Group comparisons and multivariable logistic regression were conducted (95% CI; significance level set at p < 0.05). Results: Of 34,148 participants, 13,518 provided information on digestive problems; among these respondents, 3860 (28.6%) reported having digestive issues. Prevalence ranged from 5.2% to 36.5% among national territories. Higher odds (OR) of digestive problems were associated with age (OR 1.026, 95% CI 1.023–1.029), female sex (OR 1.168, 1.070–1.276), non-smoking (OR 1.240, 1.005–1.531) and ex-smoking (OR 1.447, 1.272–1.647) compared to current smokers, higher PHQ-8 scores (OR 1.040, 1.029–1.051), greater protein intake (OR 1.016, 1.009–1.023), consumption of sweet pastries (OR 1.058, 1.039–1.077), and dairy products (OR 1.027, 1.002–1.053); in contrast, lower odds were associated with higher WHO-5 scores (OR 0.985, 0.982–0.987), total fiber intake (OR 0.968, 0.949–0.987), and legume consumption (OR 0.894, 0.856–0.933). Conclusions: Digestive problems show considerable variability in prevalence among survey-based Spanish sample. Digestive problems were associated with older age, female sex, depressive symptoms, high-protein intake, and higher consumption of sweet pastries and dairy products, whereas higher well-being scores, higher fiber intake and legume consumption were associated with lower odds of digestive problems. Full article

The intensification of shrimp aquaculture is crucial for global food security, but poses significant environmental challenges. This review critically assesses the strengths and bottlenecks of two main treatment paradigms: in situ systems, chiefly biofloc technology (BFT), and advanced ex situ systems, such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs), constructed wetlands (CWs), and membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Although BFT enables nutrient recycling, it suffers from nitrate accumulation and a high energy demand. Likewise, ex situ technologies can achieve a high treatment efficiency, but contend with high costs, large footprints, or membrane fouling. In this review, we propose the strategic integration of microalgae, representing a universal and synergistic solution for overcoming these disparate bottlenecks. We dissect how a microalgal co-culture can simultaneously remove nitrate and reduce the aeration costs in BFT systems. Furthermore, we explore how microalgae-based units can serve as efficient polishing steps for RASs, enhance the performance of CWs, and mitigate fouling in MBRs. This review delves into the fundamental mechanisms of the microalgal–bacterial symbiosis that underpins these enhancements. Finally, we highlight the valorization of the resulting algal biomass as a high-value aquafeed ingredient, which can transform waste management into a value-creation opportunity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for developing next-generation, microalgae-enhanced aquaculture systems. Full article

Climate change poses a threat to global rice production by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The widespread cultivation of genetically uniform modern varieties has narrowed the genetic base of rice, increasing its vulnerability to these increased pressures. Rice landraces are traditional rice varieties that have been cultivated by farming communities for centuries and are considered crucial resources of genetic diversity. These landraces are adapted to a wide range of agro-ecological environments and exhibit valuable traits that provide tolerance to various biotic stresses, including drought, salinity, nutrient-deficient soils, and the increasing severity of climate-related temperature extremes. In addition, many landraces possess diverse alleles associated with resistance to biotic stresses, including pests and diseases. In addition, rice landraces exhibit great grain quality characters including high levels of essential amino acids, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and micronutrients. Hence, their preservation is vital for maintaining agricultural biodiversity and enhancing nutritional security, especially in vulnerable and resource-limited regions. However, rice landraces are increasingly threatened by genetic erosion due to widespread adoption of modern high-yielding varieties, habitat loss, and changing farming practices. This review discusses the roles of rice landraces in developing resilient and climate-smart rice cultivars. Moreover, the Pantiange Heigu landrace, cultivated at one of the highest altitudes globally in Yunnan Province, China, has been used as a case study for integrated conservation by demonstrating the successful combination of in situ and ex situ strategies, community engagement, policy support, and value-added development to sustainably preserve genetic diversity under challenging environmental and socio-economic challenges. Finally, this study explores the importance of employing advanced genomic technologies with supportive policies and economic encouragements to enhance conservation and sustainable development of rice landraces as a strategic imperative for global food security. By preserving and enhancing the utilization of rice landraces, the agricultural community can strengthen the genetic base of rice, improve crop resilience, and contribute substantially to global food security and sustainable agricultural development in the face of environmental and socio-economic challenges. Full article

Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a characteristic of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes. Despite recommendations to select low- or non-fat dairy foods over full-fat dairy foods for metabolic health, recent research suggests potential anti-inflammatory benefits of dairy fat consumption. We aimed to compare the systemic inflammatory tone (i.e., circulating inflammatory biomarker concentrations and ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell inflammatory responses) of individuals with prediabetes after consuming diets with full-fat (3.25%) or non-fat yogurt. We hypothesized that short-term consumption of three daily full-fat yogurt servings beneficially affects inflammatory tone. Thirteen participants aged 45–75 years completed an eight-week randomized, double-masked, controlled crossover study. The two, three-week experimental diets comprised three daily servings of full-fat or non-fat yogurt and were each preceded by a one-week run-in diet. Following each diet, circulating inflammatory biomarkers and cytokine concentrations in the supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells under control or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated conditions were measured. Compared with non-fat yogurt intake, circulating immature granulocyte concentrations were lower following full-fat yogurt intake, but there were no other differences in leukocyte concentrations. Circulating concentrations of cytokines or other inflammatory markers did not differ by diet. Cell supernatant interleukin-1β concentrations were lower following the full-fat yogurt diet under unstimulated conditions but were not different between diets under stimulated conditions. There were no differences by diet in supernatant concentrations of other cytokines under unstimulated or stimulated conditions. Together, minimal differences in inflammatory tone were observed following the short-term consumption of three daily servings of full-fat or non-fat yogurt in individuals with prediabetes. Full article

This study aimed to develop a non-invasive blood glucose estimation method by integrating wearable multimodal signals, including photoplethysmography (PPG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and skin temperature (ST), with food log–derived nutritional features, and to validate its clinical reliability. We analyzed data from 16 adults who underwent continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) while multimodal physiological signals were collected over 8–10 consecutive days, yielding more over 20,000 paired samples. Features from food logs and physiological signals were extracted, followed by feature selection using Boruta and minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (mRMR). Five machine learning models were trained and evaluated using five-fold cross-validation. Food log features alone demonstrated stronger predictive power than unimodal physiological signals. The fusion of nutritional, physiological, and temporal features achieved the best accuracy using LightGBM, reducing the RMSE to 12.9 mg/dL, with a MARD of 7.9%, a MAE of 8.82 mg/dL, and R² of 0.69. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis revealed that 24-h carbohydrate and sugar intake, time since last meal, and short-term EDA features were the most influential predictors. By integrating multimodal wearable and dietary information, the proposed framework significantly enhances non-invasive glucose estimation. The interpretable LightGBM model demonstrates promising clinical utility for continuous monitoring and early dysglycemia management. Full article

This study focuses on the development of antibacterial polymer nanocomposites based on biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the polymer matrix. Silver nanoparticles were produced using an aqueous extract from dried Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) leaves, which proved to be highly effective in reducing silver ions and stabilizing the resulting nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, TEM, SEM, and DLS analyses. The nanoparticles were predominantly spherical, with more than 70% having diameters below 20 nm. Subsequently, AgNPs were incorporated into the PVA matrix via an ex situ approach to fabricate nanocomposite fibers and thin films. SEM analysis confirmed successful incorporation and uniform distribution of AgNPs within the polymer structures. The nanocomposites exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus uberis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria, with nanofibers demonstrating superior performance compared to thin films. These findings highlight the potential of lavender-extract-mediated AgNPs as sustainable functional fillers for the fabrication of eco-friendly antibacterial materials applicable in biomedical and food packaging fields. Full article

Foodborne pathogens remain a major public health concern, and the early identification of unsafe conditions is essential for preventive control. Routine inspections generate rich textual and structured data that can support real-time assessment of pathogen-related risk. The objective of this study is to develop an explainable transformer-based framework for predicting food safety inspection grades using multimodal inspection data. We combine structured metadata with unstructured deficiency narratives and evaluate classical machine learning models, deep learning architectures, and transformer models. RoBERTa achieved the highest performance (F1 = 0.96), followed by BiLSTM (F1 = 0.95) and LightGBM (F1 = 0.92). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis revealed linguistically meaningful indicators of pathogen-related hazards such as temperature abuse, pests, and unsanitary practices. The findings demonstrate that transformer-based models, combined with explainable AI (XAI), can support pathogen-oriented monitoring and real-time risk assessment. This study highlights the potential of multimodal AI approaches to enhance inspection efficiency and strengthen public health surveillance. Full article