Search Results (2,733)

Fermented foods hold a significant position in global culinary traditions, particularly within ethnic and traditional diets. They are widely consumed for their distinctive flavors, textures, and health-promoting attributes. Although extensive research exists on fermentation processes, comprehensive insights into the nutraceutical potential and mechanistic health benefits of these foods remain limited. This review highlights key fermented products traditionally consumed in the north-eastern region of India including Hawaijar, Soibum, Ngari, alongside global counterparts such as Natto, Chongkukjang, Miso, Kefir, Tempeh, Kimchi, Kombucha, and Sauerkraut. These foods are rich in bioactive compounds (phenolics, peptides, organic acids, and exopolysaccharides), probiotic microorganisms, and essential nutrients that collectively contribute to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective effects. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that regular consumption of such foods may support the prevention and management of chronic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, mechanistic studies remain insufficient to fully elucidate the synergistic interactions between microbial metabolites, host metabolism, and gut microbiota modulation. The review therefore emphasizes the biochemical and therapeutic mechanisms underlying ethnic fermented foods, advocating for advanced metabolomic and molecular approaches to validate their health-promoting efficacy. This review provides a timely and integrative perspective by critically evaluating preclinical and clinical evidence, highlighting mechanistic insights, translational gaps, and future research priorities. These insights will support the development of functional food formulations and reinforce the integration of traditional fermented foods into modern dietary strategies for disease prevention and overall well-being. Full article

The global wine industry generates approximately 20 million tonnes of organic residues annually, representing a significant environmental and management challenge. While phenolic compounds from winery by-products have been extensively studied, protein and peptide fractions remain underutilised. This review provides a systematic overview of proteins derived from major winery side streams, including grapevine leaves, stems, pomace, seeds, and wine lees, with emphasis on their characterisation and recovery. Conventional and emerging extraction strategies are evaluated, with particular attention to green technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), pulsed electric fields (PEF), and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) in the context of sustainable and resource-efficient processing. Enzymatic hydrolysis is discussed as a key approach for converting complex proteins into bioactive peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihypertensive properties. Potential applications in agriculture, plant protection, animal nutrition, and food systems are considered, together with the implications of the EU circular economy regulatory framework. Overall, winery by-products are highlighted as promising nitrogen-rich secondary resources, and the review outlines valorisation pathways supporting nutrient recycling, waste reduction, and the development of a more sustainable agricultural bioeconomy. Full article

Natural food-derived proteins are increasingly explored as alternatives to synthetic inhibitors for managing Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite the recognized health-promoting properties of Morchella esculenta, the potential of its bioactive proteins to modulate glucose metabolism remains largely unexplored. This study systematically investigated the structural basis and hypoglycemic mechanisms of MEP5 (Morchella esculenta Protein 5), a fucose-specific lectin from M. esculenta, using an integrated in silico pipeline. MEP5 (33.12 kDa) adopts a stable β-sheet-rich conformation and harbors a conserved fucose-binding carbohydrate-recognition domain. Protein–protein docking revealed that intact MEP5 binds directly to surface glycans of human α-glucosidase, generating steric hindrance that obstructs the catalytic pocket. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion yielded a highly bioavailable peptide profile. Following a rigorous multiparametric screening for toxicity, allergenicity, and water solubility, 11 short oligopeptides were identified as potent dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors. Molecular docking demonstrated that the top-ranked peptides, QPPR, DGTY, and DPDSH, occupy the S2 pocket of DPP-IV and form hydrogen bonds with catalytic triad residues (Ser630/His740). These findings delineate a dual-stage hypoglycemic mechanism, pre-digestion enzymatic blockade and post-digestion incretin regulation, and support the potential of MEP5 as a multifunctional candidate for glucose homeostasis-oriented functional foods. Full article

The secretome of ESKAPE pathogens, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, comprises a diverse array of bioactive molecules that govern virulence, antibiotic resistance, and the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. However, the high chemical complexity of the secretome impedes the identification of key metabolites mediating pathogenesis. In this study, we profiled the metabolite composition of cell-free K. pneumoniae supernatant using a combined approach of chromatographic fractionation and Raman spectroscopy. Chromatographic separation enabled the resolution of the complex secretome and revealed fractions with distinct biochemical signatures. A key finding was the identification of Fraction 3, characterized by a unique metabolic profile: it was enriched in nucleic acid fragments, peptides containing tyrosine and methionine, polysaccharides, and stress-response metabolites (e.g., citrate), while notably lacking markers of tryptophan and sterol-like lipids. These spectral signatures suggest a potential role for Fraction 3 metabolites in intercellular communication, biofilm formation, and protection against oxidative stress. The remaining fractions also exhibited distinct biochemical profiles, defined by unique profiles of lipids, nucleotides, and amino acids. Collectively, these data underscore the critical role of specific K. pneumoniae secreted metabolites to pathogen survival and host immune modulation. The combined approach effectively resolves functionally relevant secretome fractions, offering new avenues for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic targets for multidrug-resistant infections. Full article

Lentils (Lens culinaris; family: Fabaceae) are increasingly recognized as functional legumes with potential benefits for gut health because they provide bioactive peptides, resistant starch, and polyphenol-rich fractions within a shared food matrix. However, most existing studies have focused on individual lentil-derived compounds, and their matrix-dependent complementary interactions during digestion and fermentation remain insufficiently resolved. This review synthesizes current evidence on lentil-derived peptides, resistant starch, and polyphenols, with particular emphasis on their matrix-dependent complementary relationships, digestion-dependent transformation, microbial co-metabolism, and implications for intestinal barrier function. During gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation, lentil proteins, resistant starch, and phenolic compounds undergo sequential transformation, yielding bioactive peptides, fermentable substrates, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and phenolic metabolites that may collectively influence microbial composition and metabolic activity. Emerging evidence suggests that these interconnected processes may support gut health through microbiota–host crosstalk by modulating tight junction-related markers, reducing intestinal permeability, and maintaining epithelial homeostasis. Mechanistically, these effects have been associated with SCFA-mediated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, suppression of TLR4–NF-κB/MAPK inflammatory cascades, and activation of Keap1–Nrf2 antioxidant defenses, thereby attenuating oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses. Current evidence is more consistent with matrix-dependent complementary or convergent actions than with demonstrated synergy. At present, phenolic-rich fractions provide clear pathway-level evidence, whereas fermentation-linked carbohydrate effects are more strongly supported by microbiota- and in vivo-associated outcomes, and protein- or peptide-related mechanisms remain comparatively underdefined. Nevertheless, the evidence base remains limited by the scarcity of integrated studies, well-controlled human intervention trials, and factorial experimental designs capable of distinguishing complementary, additive, and truly synergistic effects among lentil bioactives. This review therefore highlights the need to move from describing coexisting beneficial effects toward formally testing interaction effects within physiologically relevant lentil matrices. Full article

Alternative proteins and novel processing technologies are crucial to transforming contemporary food systems into ones with lower environmental impact while meeting the rising global demand for protein. Alternative protein sources from plants, microbes, insects, and cultivated cells offer diverse nutritional and techno-functional attributes that can partially or fully replace conventional animal proteins in meat analogs and related products. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on major categories of alternative protein sources, including plant-based ingredients, microbial- and fermentation-derived proteins, insect and other emerging sources, and cultivated (cell-based) meat, with a specific focus on their suitability for structured meat analog applications. Modern structuring and processing technologies are discussed, including the traditional wet and dry extrusion to modern technologies like high-moisture extrusion, high-pressure processing, shear-cell technology, 3D printing, fermentation-based structuring, and enzymatic protein modification. Furthermore, this review critically evaluates product design and quality attributes of meat analogs, including physicochemical properties, sensory performance, nutritional aspects, and safety considerations. This review highlights technological and scale-up challenges, as well as the necessity of multi-criteria optimization in sensory quality, nutrition, sustainability, and affordability, and presents research priorities focused on combining multiple protein sources and advanced processing pathways for next-generation meat analog. This review provides an integrated framework linking protein sources, processing technologies, antioxidant functionality, and sustainability considerations to support the development of next-generation meat analogs. In addition, this review highlights the intrinsic antioxidant potential of alternative proteins, emphasizing the role of bioactive peptides, polyphenols, and structure–function relationships in enhancing oxidative stability and product quality. Full article

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major clinical problem due to its resistance, virulence, and biofilm formation, which diminish antibiotic efficacy. This review explores natural products and antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) as alternative and combined strategies for controlling MRSA. Natural compounds, such as plant metabolites, essential oils, antimicrobial peptides, and fungal products, act by disrupting membranes, interfering with cellular processes, and limiting biofilm formation. Antimicrobial NPs, especially metal and metal oxide materials, act through membrane damage, oxidative stress, and metal ion release, enabling activity against resistant bacteria and improving biofilm penetration. Combining natural products with NPs increases stability, delivery, and local activity, enhances antibacterial effects, and reduces effective doses. Green synthesis enables direct integration of bioactive compounds, while nano-delivery platforms optimize solubility and controlled release. Nanotechnology-based applications such as wound dressings, nanocarriers, and multifunctional platforms support localized and sustained treatment and promote tissue repair. Despite these advances, clinical use is still constrained by safety concerns, variability in NP properties, and the lack of standardized evaluation and regulatory frameworks. Overall, combining natural products with antimicrobial NPs offers a practical strategy to augment MRSA treatment, but further progress depends on consistent design, robust safety evaluation, and clinical translation. Full article

This study investigates the antioxidant properties of several synthetic peptides derived from milk proteins previously identified in milk permeate, a by-product of the dairy industry. The aim of the research is to identify which peptides present in milk permeate are responsible for its antioxidant activity. A comprehensive experimental strategy was employed to evaluate their antioxidant potential, including in silico selection, in vitro free radical scavenging assays and cellular models using Caco-2 and HCT116 cell lines. The peptides were screened using a molecular docking approach for their potential interaction with the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Keap1/Nrf2) pathway, and eight out of twenty-eight were selected and synthesized for further analyses. In vitro, six of the selected peptides demonstrated significant direct antioxidant activity in the DPPH scavenging assay, and two in the ABTS scavenging test. In cellular environments, three peptides (LPAPELGPRQA, LPIIQKLEPQI and NGQVWEESLKRL) effectively protect cells from oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide, reducing reactive oxygen species production and partially mitigating lipid peroxidation. Further investigation showed that two of them (LPAPELGPRQA and LPIIQKLEPQI) effectively induce the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, as evidenced by a ∼1.5-fold increase in Nrf2 levels and overexpression of downstream proteins. Permeability studies revealed that these peptides can cross the intestinal monolayer (2–3% in 2 h), suggesting potential systemic effects. Overall, these findings highlight the multifunctional antioxidant properties of the investigated peptides and support their potential application as nutraceuticals or therapeutic agents for oxidative stress-related conditions. Full article

Cyclodepsipeptides constitute a structurally diverse class of natural products composed of amino acid and hydroxy acid residues interconnected through both amide and ester bonds. Among them, xylaroamide A, a cyclic heptadepsipeptide, was recently identified from an endolichenic Xylaria species via a molecular networking-guided discovery approach. Despite xylaroamide A exhibiting intriguing structural features and notable bioactivity potential, its total synthesis has thus far remained unexplored. Herein, we report the first total synthesis of xylaroamide A, achieved through a hybrid solid/solution-phase synthetic approach. The linear precursor was assembled in accordance with the native amino acid sequence via Fmoc-based solid-phase peptide synthesis, incorporating the preassembled ester fragment at a later stage of assembly. Subsequent macrocyclization took place under high-dilution conditions to furnish the target cyclodepsipeptide. The structure of the synthetic product was confirmed by means of optical rotation and NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses, which exhibited good agreement with the reported data for the natural product. This work establishes a reliable and efficient synthetic route to xylaroamide A and provides a foundation for further bioactivity and structure optimization investigations. Full article

Wheat processing generates large volumes of co-products, particularly wheat bran (WB) and wheat germ (WG), which remain underutilized despite their high content of dietary fiber, phenolic compounds, bioactive peptides, and lipophilic antioxidants. Although their composition and processing have been widely investigated, an integrated and application-oriented evaluation of these fractions remains limited. This review provides a structured and critical analysis of WB, raw and defatted WG, and wheat germ oil (WGO), linking composition, processing strategies, and functional performance within a unified framework. Conventional and emerging technologies, including enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, thermomechanical treatments, and supercritical CO₂ extraction, are discussed in terms of selectivity, impact on techno-functional properties, and scalability. An evidence-grading approach is introduced to distinguish bioactivities supported by chemical assays, cell-based models, animal studies, or human data, enabling a more rigorous interpretation of health-related effects. Across applications, these co-products have been incorporated into food systems and related sectors, primarily showing improvements in nutritional composition, oxidative stability, and product performance under experimental conditions. However, translation to an industrial scale remains constrained by techno-economic limitations, regulatory requirements, and stability challenges. This work highlights the need for integrated processing strategies aligned with industrial feasibility to support the development of sustainable cereal biorefineries. Full article

Background/Objectives: Native to the Indo-Pacific region, edible bird’s nests (EBN; Yan Wo in Chinese) are the solidified saliva of swiftlets (Aerodramus fuciphagus and A. maximus) and have been consumed as a traditional functional food for centuries. However, the bioactive components and underlying mechanisms of EBN remain poorly understood. EBN consists of over 60% protein, much of which is heavily glycosylated, forming complex glycoconjugates that are resistant to enzymatic digestion. This study examines the properties of EBN-derived bioactive peptides and assesses their potential for skin moisturization and anti-inflammation when applied topically. Methods: EBN was double-boiled for an extended period, then digested with gastric enzymes to extract active peptides. Digestion was over 90% efficient, and peptide molecular weights were measured. The enzymatic digest was then fractionated using an activity-guided approach based on assays for skin moisturization and anti-inflammatory properties. Results: A novel bioactive heptapeptide, with the sequence LAGAAHF and designated EBN_P3, was identified and characterized. It attenuated TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses in HaCaT keratinocytes and alleviated dermatitis symptoms in a DNCB-induced C57BL/6 mouse model. Conclusions: EBN-derived peptides with skin moisturizing and anti-inflammatory activities hold significant promise for development into functional ingredients for skincare products. Full article

Fermented foods and probiotics represent complementary yet distinct components of human nutrition. Fermented foods are shaped by biochemical transformations driven by microbial metabolism, whereas probiotics are live microorganisms that may confer health benefits to the host. In both cases, bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi mediate key metabolic activities that generate bioactive compounds and modulate host–microbiota interactions. During fermentation, microbial communities synthesize organic acids, peptides, exopolysaccharides, vitamins, and other metabolites that enhance food safety, sensory attributes, and potential health-promoting properties. Several microbial products, such as bacteriocins, reuterin, hydroxylated fatty acids, and exopolysaccharides, exhibit antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol-lowering activities. Advancing our understanding of microbial metabolism in fermented foods is essential for developing next-generation functional foods and nutraceuticals that leverage microbial biotransformations to support human health. Nonetheless, multiple challenges limit the translation of these advances into commercial products. Inadequately controlled fermentation may introduce microbiological or chemical hazards, regulatory frameworks governing microbial use in foods remain insufficiently defined, and standardized procedures for microbial strain handling and characterization are still lacking. This narrative review integrates current evidence on the nutraceutical properties of fermented foods and probiotics, while also examining the associated safety considerations and the technological factors that influence fermentation processes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Umami peptides enhance flavor and contribute to appetite regulation (satiety) and metabolic health. By signaling to the orbitofrontal cortex, umami has been shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease dementia. This taste boosts the immune system and induces saliva secretion. However, the molecular mechanisms linking umami peptides to systemic physiology remain poorly understood. This study provides the first integrated analysis of neurological, immunological, and endocrinological pathways activated by umami peptides. Methods: Novel umami peptides were identified using machine-learning and deep-learning analyses from a library of marine-derived bioactive peptides. T1R1-T1R3 heterodimer is the dominant receptor for umami taste transmission in humans, expressed on taste cells, intestinal cells, and hypothalamic tanycytes. Molecular docking confirmed the binding of novel ligands to the T1R1-T1R3 receptor complex. New candidates and experimentally validated umami peptides, identified by sensomics approaches from tauco, chicken soup, pufferfish, and dry-cured ham, were analyzed using gene ontology. Results: The functional enrichment analysis revealed crosstalk among key signaling processes, including glutamatergic and opioidergic pathways. In addition to the role of µ1 opioid receptor (OPRM1), hub gene intersections highlight cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and the anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons as potential regulators of the gut–brain axis in satiety signaling. Chemokine-encoding genes, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), oxytocin (OXT), and neurotensin (NTS) were other key target genes. Conclusions: The identified targets reveal the coordinated crosstalk between peripheral and central umami signaling that may contribute to the regulation of feeding behavior, satiety, cognition, memory, learning, and immune function. These network-based insights generate hypotheses and guide the design of nutritional and drug-like effectors for metabolic and cognitive health. Full article

Natural bioactive polysaccharides have been investigated for their ability to modulate antiviral immune responses. Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) from Coriolus versicolor previously restricted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into monocytic cells through a protein kinase R (PKR)-dependent cytoskeletal mechanism. However, its impact on antiviral signaling in adaptive cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T-cell models remains incompletely defined. Here, we evaluated concentration- and time-dependent effects of PSP (50–1000 µg/mL) in Jurkat T cells over 3 and 6 days. Cell viability was assessed by MTT, trypan blue exclusion, and viable cell density analysis. Immunoblotting and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were performed to examine Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 2 (STAT1/STAT2), PKR, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and cofilin-1 signaling. PSP did not induce cytotoxicity at any concentration. Instead, PSP promoted dose- and time-dependent upregulation of intracellular TLR4, PKR, phospho-PKR (Thr446), Cofilin-1, phospho-Cofilin-1 (Ser3), phospho-STAT1 (Tyr701), phospho-STAT2 (Tyr690), phospho-NF-κB (Ser536), and IFN-γ, with amplified responses at Day 6. These changes were paralleled by transcriptional induction of antiviral-associated genes. Collectively, PSP induces coordinated interferon (IFN)-associated and cytoskeletal regulatory signaling in Jurkat T cells without cytotoxicity, providing a mechanistic framework for future evaluation of viral permissiveness and antiviral responses in adaptive immune models. Full article

The identification of novel natural sources of bioactive peptides with multifunctional health-promoting properties remains a major challenge for the development of nutraceutical and therapeutic agents. Prosopis laevigata (mesquite), a plant of economic, medicinal, and nutritional relevance in Mexico, has been poorly explored as a source of protein-derived bioactive molecules. Therefore, this study evaluated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and enzymatic inhibitory activities of peptides obtained from the enzymatic hydrolysis of P. laevigata cotyledon proteins. The resulting hydrolysates exhibited significant antioxidant activity, for peptide fractions smaller and larger than 5 kDa, in the ABTS and FRAP assays. Cytotoxic activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells was observed at high peptide concentrations (8 mg/mL). Additionally, the peptides inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus but showed no activity against Escherichia coli. The peptides also displayed partial inhibition of α-amylase activity, with peptides <5 kDa exhibiting competitive inhibition and peptides >5 kDa showing a mixed inhibition pattern. Overall, these findings highlight P. laevigata seeds as a promising source of multifunctional bioactive peptides with potential applications in functional foods and health-related biotechnological developments. Full article