Search Results (16,281)

Grapevine branch and leaf silage (GBLS), a polyphenol-rich unconventional forage, exhibits antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that can benefit animal health and productivity. A total of 60 healthy six-month-old Kazakh rams (43.29 ± 4.55 kg, p > 0.05 for initial body weight among groups) were randomly assigned to three dietary groups, each consisting of four replicates with five rams per replicate. The control group (CK) was fed a basal diet based on whole-plant corn silage, whereas the experimental groups received diets in which 50% (GBLS50%) or 100% (GBLS100%) of the corn silage was replaced with GBLS. A 10-day adaptation period preceded the 90-day formal feeding trial. Results showed a significant quadratic response for average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) across GBLS substitution rates (p < 0.05), with the 50% level yielding the highest values. Specifically, ADFI at the 50% replacement level was significantly higher than that of the control (p < 0.05), confirming an inverted U-shaped response with 50% as the optimal substitution rate. However, in-depth analysis of serum biochemical parameters revealed that GBLS supplementation significantly reduced serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea nitrogen, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA), while significantly increasing levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05). Rumen fermentation analysis showed that the GBLS50% group had significantly lower concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) (p < 0.05). In the rumen microbiota study, no significant differences were observed in alpha or beta diversity or at the phylum level between groups (p > 0.05); however, the abundance of Lactobacillus gasseri was significantly reduced in the GBLS50% group (p < 0.05). Metabolomic profiling identified 43 significantly altered metabolites—27 upregulated (e.g., PE (18:1(9Z)/0:0) and 12,14-pentacosadiynoic acid) and 16 downregulated (e.g., deoxyadenosine). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis highlighted purine metabolism as a significantly altered pathway (p < 0.05), providing insight into the potential metabolic mechanisms underlying the physiological effects of GBLS in rams. In conclusion, replacing 50% of whole-plant corn silage with grapevine branch and leaf silage improves growth performance trends and significantly enhances immunity and antioxidant capacity in Kazakh rams. Full article

Superhydrophobic photothermal coatings have great potential in anti-icing and de-icing applications. However, how to construct superhydrophobic coatings with high photothermal conversion performance and an appropriate rough structure is still a challenge. In this study, we first constructed the photothermal nanosphere coating by in situ co-deposition of tannic acid (TA) and (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and then by the coordination of iron ions (Fe³⁺). A superhydrophobic photothermal coating with a micro–nano–nano hierarchical rough structure was constructed by further applying a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/hydrophobic fumed silica (SiO₂) coating. The coating has excellent superhydrophobic (water contact angle (WCA) of 158°) and efficient photothermal conversion performance (75 °C). Based on this, the coated fabric shows ideal performance in passive anti-icing and active de-icing tests. At the same time, the coated fabric also has an ideal UV shielding effect, which can ensure the long-term and efficient operation of the coated fabric in the outdoor sunlight. This preparation strategy provides an innovative method for the development of superhydrophobic photothermal coating materials and has broad application prospects in the field of flexible anti-/de-icing applications. Full article

The use of underutilized biomass improves resource-use efficiency and reduces agricultural waste, particularly in temperate systems cultivating tropical crops. Papaya (Carica papaya L.), grown as an annual crop in these systems, produces substantial trunk biomass that is typically discarded after harvest. This study evaluated the potential of papaya trunk xylem rays as an edible resource through compositional, sensory, and functional analyses. Trunks were harvested at the end of the fruiting period (December) and after exposure to a cold wave (January) and were classified by organ types and maturity level. Xylem rays showed moisture and carbohydrate contents comparable to those of green papaya fruit, and were judged as edible by all panelists (100%) in December-harvested samples. However, exposure to a cold wave reduced sweetness and increased bitterness, resulting in decreased overall acceptability. Nevertheless, boiling effectively reduced bitterness and improved palatability even in cold-exposed samples. In addition, xylem rays exhibited higher total polyphenol content than green papaya fruit, while showing comparable DPPH radical scavenging activity. These results suggest that xylem rays have potential as an edible plant resource with antioxidant-related properties, contributing to resource-use efficiency and potentially providing opportunities for biomass valorization in temperate production systems. Full article

Rice protein has limited gelation properties, restricting its food applications. This study added four polyphenols—catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), tannic acid (TA), and proanthocyanidins (PC)—to rice protein to investigate their effects on gel rheology, in vitro digestibility, and microstructure. Multi-spectroscopy and molecular docking were used to explore interaction mechanisms. During the temperature sweep (95 °C), PC- and TA-composite gels (GRP-PC, GRP-TA) showed storage moduli slightly higher than the pure rice protein gel (GRP), while GRP-C and GRP-EC (C- and EC-composite gels) were similar to GRP. In frequency sweep (25 °C), GRP had the highest modulus, followed by GRP-PC > GRP-TA > GRP-EC > GRP-C. Polyphenols reduced total digestibility (from 77.4% to 67.6–75.2%). All polyphenol-complexed gels showed markedly improved ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activities. C and EC induced loosely crosslinked microstructures, whereas TA and PC formed sheet-like aggregates. Fluorescence quenching was predominantly static, with quenching rates TA > PC > EC > C. Binding constants followed the same order. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH > 0, ΔS > 0, ΔG < 0) indicated hydrophobic interactions as the driving force. Molecular docking revealed that PC formed the most hydrogen bonds (8) with rice glutelin, followed by TA (4), C (5), and EC (3). These findings provide data support for designing rice protein-based functional foods. Full article

Atraphaxis virgata and Atraphaxis pyrifolia are xerophytic species of the Polygonaceae family that remain insufficiently characterized from pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and toxicological perspectives. This study provides an integrated evaluation of both species through anatomical authentication, sequential extraction of CO₂-extracted residual biomass, GC–MS and LC–MS metabolite profiling, and acute oral toxicity assessment. Anatomical analysis revealed shared xeromorphic traits, including cuticular protection, dorsiventral mesophyll organization, structured vascular bundles, and calcium oxalate druses. It also identified species-specific differences in leaf thickness, mesophyll arrangement, vascular architecture, and druse morphology. GC–MS analysis showed distinct chemical profiles: A. virgata displayed a concentrated profile dominated by acetophenone- and benzofuran-related constituents, whereas A. pyrifolia showed a broader spectrum of carbohydrate-derived, phenolic-related, and oxygenated constituents. LC–MS analysis supported the tentative annotation of diverse polyphenolic classes, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, and phenylpropanoid derivatives. Acute oral toxicity testing showed no mortality at doses up to 2000 mg/kg, supporting a low acute oral toxicity classification under the tested conditions. However, histological examination revealed mild to moderate dose-dependent alterations in liver and kidney tissues at higher doses. The novelty of this work lies in linking diagnostic anatomical traits, species-specific metabolite patterns, residual biomass valorization, and preliminary safety evidence within a single comparative framework. These findings provide a basis for pharmacognostic authentication, phytochemical standardization, and future bioactivity-guided evaluation of Atraphaxis species. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing prevalence of antifungal resistance among Candida albicans (C. albicans) strains necessitates the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenolic compound, has attracted attention due to its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of curcumin (CUR) and its effects on cellular and nuclear morphometric parameters (area, width, height, and perimeter), cytoplasmic area, and the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio in an in vivo Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) infection model. Methods: The experimental design consisted of four groups: (i) healthy control receiving phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (ii) C. albicans-infected group (1.5 × 10⁸ CFU/mL), (iii) infected group treated with CUR (10 mg/kg), and (iv) healthy group treated with CUR. Survival was monitored for 96 h. Hemolymph samples were collected from larvae, smeared onto slides, and stained using May–Grünwald–Giemsa and Giemsa methods. Morphological evaluation and cytomorphometric analyses, including cellular area, nuclear area, cytoplasmic area, perimeter, width, height, and nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, were performed. Results: A higher dose (100 mg/kg) resulted in 100% mortality within 24 h and was therefore defined as lethal, whereas 10 mg/kg showed no toxicity in healthy larvae. Hemolymph was collected from surface-sterilized larvae, pooled per group, and a 10 µL aliquot was smeared onto slides. Conclusions: CUR exhibited significant antifungal activity against C. albicans and modulated host immune cell morphometry in the G. mellonella model. Its effects were dose-dependent, with potential cytotoxicity at higher concentrations. Further studies involving quantitative fungal burden analyses and mammalian models are required to clarify its therapeutic potential. Full article

Medicinal plants represent a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential antidiabetic activity, while the efficacy of plant extracts depends on both plant matrix and extraction conditions. This study aimed to systematically compare selected medicinal plants and extraction solvents to evaluate their impact on extracts’ in vitro α-amylase inhibitory activity, total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial properties. Extracts of sage (Salvia officinalis), blueberry leaf (Vaccinium myrtillus), nettle (Urtica dioica), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), and green and roasted coffee (Coffea arabica) were prepared using different solvent systems (50% (v/v) ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and water), as well as a traditional aqueous infusion protocol. Extraction solvent strongly affected bioactivity: ethanol extracts showed the highest α-amylase inhibition, particularly in sage extract (79.60%) and blueberry leaf (57.71%). No significant correlation with TPC was observed (r = 0.229, p = 0.108), but aqueous ethanol yielded the highest TPC, with blueberry leaf being richest (64.16 ± 0.82 mg GAE/g), followed by roasted coffee (49.36 ± 0.83 mg GAE/g). Ethanol extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, sage and blueberry leaves showed the most promising multifunctional activity, highlighting their potential for further investigation as functional food ingredients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthy longevity depends on not only lifespan but also the maintenance of physiological, metabolic, physical, and cognitive functions throughout aging. Identifying early determinants of health is crucial for preventing age-related decline. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on how diet and specific nutrients relate to these early risk factors and indicators of healthy longevity. Methods: A review was performed to identify the links between dietary factors, energy balance, and gut microbiota composition and normal body weight; blood cholesterol, pressure, and glucose; healthy sleep; an active lifestyle; and normal physical function and cognitive performance. Particular attention was given to Mediterranean and other plant-based dietary models as sources of key nutrients. Evidence from observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses was considered. Results: Across all markers, dietary quality and nutrient adequacy emerged as consistent determinants of health outcomes. Key nutrients were associated with favorable cardiometabolic, cognitive, and musculoskeletal functions, such as omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamins D and B, minerals like magnesium and potassium, and polyphenols. Common nutrition gaps included insufficient intake of fiber, unsaturated fats, and micronutrients, which was often linked to a shift toward less plant-based diets. Gut microbiota diversity may mediate several of these associations, influencing metabolism, inflammation, sleep quality, and cognitive performance, although inter-individual variability and causal pathways remain incompletely understood. Conclusions: An integrated dietary approach emphasizing the consumption of whole and plant-rich foods, with moderate amounts of animal foods, supports multiple early markers, risk factors, and indicators of healthy longevity. The modulation of the gut microbiota through plant-based diets and fermented foods represents a promising strategy for maintaining health across aging trajectories. Full article

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of enriching carrot slices by NFC (not from concentrate) juices from chokeberry (CH), sea buckthorn (SB), cherry (CHE) and carrot (CA) before microwave-vacuum (MVD) and freeze-drying (FD) carrot on the physicochemical and thermal properties. While water activity (AW) was not dependent on enrichment treatment but only on drying method, NFC juices significantly enriched carrot slices with biocomponents. Freeze-dried samples, as a reference, had significantly lower AW than those dried by the MVD method. Both FD and MVD-dried samples had comparable polyphenol content and DPPH antioxidant activity (AA), but the MVD-dried samples exhibited higher ABTS antioxidant activity. Carrot enrichment in chokeberry and cherry juices resulted in up to six and 10 times higher TPC than in the raw material. In addition, samples enriched in these juices and dried with FD proved to be the most stable in terms of water state and glass transition temperature (61.4 and 69.6 °C) and water activity (approx. 0.10). In FTIR analysis, all samples exhibited similar spectral shapes, indicating similar chemical composition and functional group composition. Only in the spectral region below 900 cm⁻¹ were unique molecular vibrations induced by various organic compounds present. Enriching carrot in juices and MVD can lead to increased hardness (Fmax and breaking work), although this is associated with increased crispness, resulting from the microstructure with a large number of small pores, especially in MVD samples enriched with cherry, chokeberry, and carrot juices, with scores of 8.0–8.4 In this respect, the average crispness rating of the MVD samples (7.2) exceeded that of the FD samples (6.8). If there is a requirement for crunchiness in the future production of dried vegetables as snacks, changes in hardness should be prioritized, along with color and biocomponent content. Full article

Elicitation is a powerful strategy for increasing bioactive metabolites in plant systems. This study is among the first to integrate growth responses, antioxidant enzyme activities, and metabolite profiling in G. paniculata adventitious roots (ARs). The study aims to evaluate the effects of yeast extract (YE) and salicylic acid (SA) on biomass traits, antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), and phenolic metabolite profiles. ARs were exposed to YE (0.25–2 g L⁻¹) and SA (50–400 µM) for 28 days. Yeast extract significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity by promoting enzyme activities, phenolics, and flavonoids. In contrast, SA exhibited concentration-dependent effects. Moderate concentrations improved antioxidant activity, while higher concentrations promoted the accumulation of specific flavonoids. Maximum biomass production was achieved with 1 g L⁻¹ YE, which also resulted in the highest metabolite productivity. Conversely, SA treatments caused a progressive reduction in biomass with increasing concentration, although they enhanced the accumulation of selected bioactive compounds. Notably, 100 µM SA resulted in the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity, whereas 400 µM SA markedly increased flavonoids such as rutin and quercetin. HPLC analysis identified seventeen phenolic compounds, demonstrating that YE acts as a broad-spectrum elicitor, whereas SA functions as a selective metabolic modulator. The differential enzymatic responses further highlight elicitor-specific regulatory patterns in antioxidant defense and secondary metabolism. Overall, these findings demonstrate that elicitor type and concentration differentially influence the balance between growth and secondary metabolism, providing a framework for optimizing metabolite production in controlled in-vitro systems. Full article

The aim of this study was to valorize by-products of blue poppy (Papaver somniferum), a widely used ingredient in the food industry. This study focused on the isolation of bioactive compounds from leaves, stems, roots, capsules and cold-pressed cake. All samples were subjected to conventional solid–liquid extraction (SLE) using ethanol–water solutions of varying concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 96%) as the extraction solvent. The obtained extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TP), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), flavonols (FL), total flavonoids (TF), condensed tannins (CT) and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the extracts were subjected to untargeted LC-MS analysis for qualitative characterization. Ethanol concentration significantly influenced the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds, with the optimal solvent varying depending on the plant part and the specific class of compounds analyzed. Based on TP and TF content, capsule extracts exhibited the highest polyphenol levels. HCAs were detected in extracts from leaves, capsules, and cold-pressed cake. In total, 62 compounds were identified, belonging to various biochemical classes, including organic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Overall, the results indicate that poppy by-products are a valuable source of bioactive components, with promising applications across different industrial sectors. Full article

Biological activity of diets consisting of dietary fibers, peptides and polyphenols is largely mediated by the gut microbiota, which converts these compounds into bioactive metabolites. This review examines the microbiota–epigenome axis, highlighting gut microbiota-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), urolithins, and phenolic acids, that modulate host gene expression through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation. Current evidence from molecular and microbiome studies indicates that these metabolites influence key metabolic and inflammatory pathways, including lipid absorption via CD36, SIRT1 activation, and one-carbon metabolism involving folate and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Inter-individual variability in metabolic responses is associated with differences in microbial composition and metabotypes, which determine the magnitude of epigenetic regulation. Furthermore, dietary polyphenols derived from pomegranate, berries, tea, cocoa, and grapes are shown to modulate gut microbiota composition and enhance epigenetic effects. A “butyrate–polyphenol synergy” model is proposed, in which combined microbial metabolites optimize host epigenetic programming. Overall, agri-food by-products are suggested to function as modulators of the host epigenetic landscape, providing a framework for microbiome-targeted dietary strategies to improve metabolic and inflammatory health. Full article

Rosehip (the “fruit” of Rosa canina L, commonly known as dog rose) is an emerging functional food, yet native Greek populations remain under-explored. This study screened 76 wild genotypes from Northern Greece for radical scavenging activity (% RSA), total phenolic content (TPC), and ascorbic acid (AsA). The results showed remarkable antioxidant potential (RSA > 70%), with TPC ranging from 1.02 to 35.96 mg g⁻¹ DW, and AsA between 0.72 and 3.57 mg g⁻¹ FW. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified altitude as the primary predictor for RSA (adjusted R² = 0.139, p = 0.001) and latitude as a significant modulator for TPC (p = 0.034), reflecting subtle environmental adaptations over a robust genetic baseline. HPLC-PDA-MS characterization revealed a complex profile dominated by procyanidins, catechin derivatives, flavanonols (eriodictyol conjugates), and flavonol 3-O-glycosides (mainly quercetin hexosides and pentosides). Exploratory multivariate analysis (PCA) visualized high phenotypic plasticity and identified elite chemotypes (e.g., RPK-5, RCZ-12). Notably, the Rhodopi population exhibited the most extensive multidimensional dispersion despite its geographically restricted collection radius, suggesting a diverse local genetic reservoir. These findings establish a phytochemical map of Greek dog rose germplasm, providing essential criteria for selecting high-quality genotypes for future domestication and exploitation in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors. Full article

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a major foliar disease limiting rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) productivity. To uncover resistance mechanisms, we compared resistant and susceptible germplasm using an integrated framework combining leaf structural analysis, physiological defense profiling, and transcriptome sequencing. Resistant germplasm exhibited lower stomatal density and more compact mesophyll, likely restricting pathogen entry and within-leaf spread. Following inoculation, resistant accessions showed stronger antioxidant responses, with higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), and elevated phenylpropanoid-related enzymes, including polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peaking at 24–48 h post inoculation. These responses were accompanied by enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation (H₂O₂) but reduced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), indicating efficient oxidative stress regulation. Microscopic observation revealed delayed infection progression and postponed differentiation of infection structures in resistant germplasm. Transcriptomic analysis further demonstrated that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in pathways related to signal transduction and secondary metabolism, particularly phenylpropanoid metabolism and related secondary metabolic pathways. Together, these results suggest that anthracnose resistance is mediated by coordinated structural barriers, redox homeostasis, and transcriptional regulation of defense networks. This study provides a mechanistic framework for resistance-oriented breeding and the utilization of resistant germplasm in rubber tree. Full article

Curcuminoids (Cmn) are polyphenolic compounds from Curcuma longa that exhibit significant pharmacological activities but suffer from poor bioavailability due to low solubility and rapid metabolism. We have developed a novel formulation of Cmn entrapped within citrus fibers with the intent to improve its bioavailability. The physiological properties of citrus fibers improve aqueous dispersion and apparent solubilization of Cmn while protecting it from physiological degradation. Single-dose oral pharmacokinetics in Wistar rats revealed that citrus fiber-entrapped Cmn (CurcXR) exhibited a 57.52-fold increase in bioavailability compared to 95% standard Cmn. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of 0.95 μg/mL at 4 h, and an area under the curve (AUC_0−t) of 8.84 μg/mL·h was observed for CurcXR. These findings highlight that citrus fiber-based formulations are a simple, safe, and effective strategy to enhance the bioavailability of Cmn in nutraceuticals. Full article