Search Results (172)

Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is a green and readily scalable platform for the recovery and upgrading of bioactives from agri-food and forestry byproducts. This expert-led narrative review examines HC processing of citrus and pomegranate peels, softwoods, and plant protein systems, emphasizing process performance, ingredient functionality, and realistic routes to market, and contrasts HC with other green extraction technologies. Pilot-scale evidence repeatedly supports water-only operation with high solids and short residence times; in most practical deployments, energy demand is dominated by downstream water removal rather than the extraction step itself, which favors low water-to-biomass ratios. A distinctive outcome of HC is the spontaneous formation of stable pectin–flavonoid–terpene phytocomplexes with improved apparent solubility and bioaccessibility, and early studies indicate that HC may also facilitate protein–polyphenol complexation while lowering anti-nutritional factors. Two translational pathways appear near term: (i) blending HC-derived dry extracts with commercial dry protein isolates to deliver measurable functional benefits at low inclusion levels and (ii) HC-based extraction of plant proteins to obtain digestion-friendly isolates and conjugate-ready ingredients. Priority gaps include harmonized reporting of specific energy consumption and operating metrics, explicit solvent/byproduct mass balances, matched-scale benchmarking against subcritical water extraction and pulsed electric field, and evidence from continuous multi-ton operation. Overall, HC is a strong candidate unit operation for circular biorefineries, provided that energy accounting, quality retention, and regulatory documentation are handled rigorously. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)—specifically, letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane—represent the current gold standard for patients with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer (ER + BC). This narrative review highlights potential interactions between nutrients and AIs, elucidating their molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases to identify scientific publications and elucidate recommended dietary regimes for ER + BC patients treated with AIs. Results: Certain bioactive substances found in licorice, rosemary, juniper, cannabis, and citrus fruits exhibit intrinsic aromatase-inhibiting effects. Additionally, other nutrients and compounds—including honey, ginger, turmeric, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, bitter melon, dark sweet cherries, resveratrol, and vitamins D and C—contribute to treatment outcomes through their demonstrated antiproliferative properties. Certain natural compounds, such as soy, cow’s milk, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, require caution due to their potential estrogen-like effects which could diminish the anti-estrogenic efficacy of AIs. Conclusions: These considerations hold significant weight in this context, as the management of oncological patients—particularly women with ER + BC—requires an integrated perspective. Antineoplastic treatment must be supported by appropriate nutrition to enhance antitumor efficacy and improve the patient’s quality of life. The data presented herein are derived from in vitro, in silico, and animal model studies and await validation in large patient cohorts. Nevertheless, these findings pave the way for future research to elucidate these molecular phenomena in humans and to establish clinically significant conclusions for ER + BC patients. Full article

The reuse of industrial waste is essential to reduce environmental impact and move towards sustainable development through methods that do not depend on limited resources. To this end, a fertilizer was developed from recycled alkaline batteries, transformed into a useful product rich in zinc and manganese (black mass). The aim is to use industrial waste to create an environmentally safe fertilizer. An experiment was conducted on young citrus plants grafted onto Carrizo rootstock, grown in pots with coconut fiber under greenhouse conditions in Valencia (Spain) for one year (2023–2024). A total of 120 plants were arranged in randomized blocks with three replicates of 10 plants per treatment. Four nutrient solutions derived from the Hoagland formulation were evaluated: control solution without Zn or Mn (SoC), solution with Zn and Mn sulfates (SoH), solution with Zn and Mn sulfates extracted from black mass (BMS), and solution with Zn and Mn lignosulfonate derived from black mass (BMLS). Morphological, growth, physiological, and nutritional parameters were analyzed in March and October. While morphological traits showed no significant differences among treatments, some physiological (stomatal conductance, transpiration) and biochemical variables (chlorophyll, carotenoids, P, K, Mg, and S concentrations) differed significantly depending on the nutrient source. Nevertheless, all plants maintained healthy growth and nutrient levels within optimal ranges, and no signs of phytotoxicity or heavy metal accumulation were detected. Full article

Oranges are widely consumed worldwide and are highly valued both for their nutritional properties and their economic importance. In Mexico, particularly in the northeastern citrus-producing region, large amounts of peel are generated during industrial processing, representing a significant source of agro-industrial waste. This byproduct is naturally rich in compounds of interest, including flavonoids, polyphenols, and pectin, which motivates the development of sustainable recovery strategies. In this work, orange peel biomass was valorized using ultrasound-assisted extraction in combination with deep eutectic solvents (DESs). Among the evaluated formulations, the choline chloride–lactic acid DES at a 1:10 molar ratio produced the highest overall extraction yield (43.88% by dry weight/mass). The 2:1 formulation, however, was the most efficient for the recovery of phenolic compounds, reaching 4.12 mg GAE/g, and exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity (2.55 mmol Trolox/g) and the strongest antimicrobial response against clinically relevant microorganisms. This same DES ratio enabled the highest quantification of key phenolics such as naringin (1150.29 µg/g), caffeic acid (139.41 µg/g), and ferulic acid (379.96 µg/g). For polysaccharide extraction, the 1:1 DES ratio was the most effective, achieving a pectin yield of 48.24%. Overall, the findings demonstrate that DES, particularly when combined with ultrasound, offers a green and efficient approach for the integrated recovery of pectin, phenolic antioxidants, and antimicrobial compounds from citrus byproducts, contributing to environmentally sustainable biorefinery strategies. Full article

Agri-food residues have accumulated globally at unprecedented scales, generating environmental pressures and resource inefficiencies, a core problem addressed in this review, while simultaneously representing rich, underutilized reservoirs of health-promoting phytochemicals. This review synthesizes recent advances (2016–2025) in the green extraction, characterization, and biological validation of phytochemicals from plant-based residues, including polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, and dietary fibers from key sources such as grape pomace, citrus peels, coffee silverskin, pomegranate peel, cereal brans, and tropical fruit by-products. Emphasis is placed on sustainable extraction methods: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE), and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), which enable efficient recovery while minimizing environmental impact. In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies demonstrate that residue-derived compounds exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic-regulating, and prebiotic effects, contributing to health in general and gut microbiota modulation. Integrating these bioactives into functional foods and nutraceuticals supports sustainable nutrition and circular bioeconomy goals by reducing food waste and promoting health-oriented valorization. Regulatory advances, including approvals from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ingredients such as olive phenolics, citrus flavanones, and coffee cascara, further illustrate increasing translational readiness. The convergence of green chemistry, biorefinery design, and nutritional science positions agri-food residues as pivotal resources for future health-promoting and environmentally responsible diets. Remaining challenges include scaling cost-effective green processes, harmonizing life cycle assessment protocols, expanding toxicological datasets, and conducting longer-term clinical trials to support safe and evidence-based commercialization. Full article

Cultivation practices such as fruit thinning and soil management with ground covers are commonly applied in Citrus orchards, yet their physiological impact on young trees remains poorly documented. This study evaluated the effects of manual fruit thinning and weed-control mesh on vegetative growth, fruit development, and leaf mineral composition of Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck cv. ‘Navelina’ grafted on Citrus macrophylla. A six-month field experiment was conducted in southeastern Spain under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions using six treatments that combined different soil coverage and subsurface drainage systems. After physiological fruit drop, trees were standardized to ten fruits per plant. Vegetative parameters (canopy and trunk dimensions), fruit growth (size, juice content), and foliar nutrient concentrations were monitored. Trees with ground cover showed significantly greater canopy expansion and juice yield compared to uncovered controls. A negative correlation between fruit number and canopy-to-fruit volume ratio highlighted the trade-off between vegetative vigor and fruit load. Foliar analysis revealed lower micronutrient concentrations (Fe, Mn, B, Zn) in uncovered trees, suggesting reduced nutritional status. These findings demonstrate that combining early thinning with weed-control mesh promotes vegetative vigor, improves juice yield, and enhances nutrient uptake, providing practical insights for optimizing orchard establishment and early Citrus productivity in water-limited environments. Full article

The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of reducing Fe chelate fertilization (50% and 25% reduction) on soil nutrient content and on different physiological and biochemical parameters in mandarin leaves. The reduction in Fe fertilization efficiently decreased soil Fe content, even in the short-term, without affecting leaf Fe or chlorophyll contents. Reduced iron fertilization increased the accumulation of certain heavy metals in mandarin roots, indicating potential implications for phytoremediation. It is well-established that disturbances of foliar Fe homeostasis can impair the photosynthetic process. Nevertheless, reduction in Fe supply did not negatively affect photosynthetic performance (based on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters), nor did it influence the stress levels of the trees, as indicated by lipid peroxidation. In addition, reduced iron fertilization did not alter peroxidase activity, which is considered a biochemical marker of Fe nutrition in plants. Finally, mandarin production was evaluated over two consecutive years, with no significant variations among the different iron treatments, whereas only minor differences were observed in fruit quality. Overall, these results indicate that reducing Fe fertilization is a feasible strategy, as it does not adversely affect the physiological processes or yield of mandarin trees. Furthermore, this agricultural practice can enhance nutrient use efficiency, thereby contributing to the reduction in soil and aquifer contamination while providing economic benefits to farmers. Full article

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are photoluminescent nanomaterials (<10 nm) with excellent hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and low cytotoxicity, making them attractive for biological applications. However, their use in aquaculture nutrition has remained largely unexplored. This study investigated the effects of dietary CQDs on zebrafish (Danio rerio), a model organism with approximately 70% genetic homology with humans. CQDs were synthesized hydrothermally from unripe Citrus limon and characterized by UV–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, UV–vis transillumination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Zebrafish were fed diets containing varying CQD concentrations, and growth performance, condition factor (K), hematological parameters, enzymatic activity, and tissue morphology were assessed. Feeds supplemented with 2 mL CQDs produced significant improvements in growth and biochemical indicators without adverse effects. Hematological and enzymatic profiles remained within normal ranges, and histological examination revealed no morphological abnormalities, indicating the absence of toxicity. These findings suggest that citrus-derived CQDs can enhance zebrafish growth and maintain physiological health, thereby supporting their potential as safe functional feed additives in aquaculture. This approach may open new opportunities for the application of CQDs in sustainable fish farming and the broader food industry. Full article

Wendan pomelo (Citrus maxima), valued for its unique quality and high nutritional value, is susceptible to postharvest decay caused by mechanical damage and fungal infection. This study developed a bio-based preservation strategy by incorporating Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) into a sodium alginate (SA)-based coating. An antagonistic B. subtilis strain, isolated from the pomelo growth environment, demonstrated effective inhibition against the pathogenic fungi P. digitatum and P. italicum. The B. subtilis/SA (2.0%) coating maintained high bacterial viability without adversely affecting the viscosity, gas barrier properties, or mechanical strength of the film. The application of the B. subtilis/SA coating significantly delayed fruit appearance deterioration, pulp softening, and decay in pomelo. Furthermore, the treatment enhanced flavonoid accumulation and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, thereby maintaining quality and extending storage life to 90 d. This study provides an effective bio-preservation strategy for the postharvest management of pomelo. Full article

Silicon (Si) is gaining recognition as a sustainable alternative to reduce insecticide use in the management of the Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing (HLB). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two silicon sources and three application methods on Diaphorina citri incidence, soil chemical properties, and foliar nutrient uptake in a Tahiti lime orchard. Using a randomized block design, treatments were applied six times over three months. Foliar and combined applications of diatomaceous earth reduced vegetative flushing and decreased natural psyllid incidence by up to 75% in the first 30 days. While silicon did not affect oviposition in induced infestations, it disrupted the nymph-to-adult transition. Silicon also improved soil conditions, increasing pH, organic matter, and the availability of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. In leaf tissue, higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and silicon (0.28–0.50%) were observed. Fruit quality improved with silicon, showing greater fresh weight (134 g) and juice content (44.7%) compared to the control (95.33 g and 28.5%). The results suggest that silicon’s effectiveness depends more on its availability and application method than its source. Incorporating silicon, especially diatomaceous earth, into fertilization programs supports pest control, enhances soil and plant nutrition, and improves fruit quality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Carotenoids in citrus are vital nutritional compounds and precursors of the stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA). SNF1-related kinases (SnRKs)—key regulators of plant stress signaling that phosphorylate is targeting proteins for post-transcriptional regulation—mediate ABA signaling through its subfamily SnRK2-phosphatase type-2C (PP2C)-PYR1-LIKE (PYL) cascades. This study aims to identify the SnRK-PP2C-PYL family members and decipher their underlying post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms which control carotenoid metabolism in Citrus sinensis for improved nutrition and stress resilience. Methods: SnRK, PP2C, and PYL were identified by integrated HMMER-blastp-CDD pipeline in the Citrus genome. Using two carotenoid-divergent cultivars, ‘Newhall’ (yellow) and ‘Cara Cara’ (red, hyperaccumulating linear carotenoids), we conducted spatiotemporal expression profiling and integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic data via Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify modules correlated with accumulation. Results: We identified 26 CsSnRKs (1 SnRK1, 7 SnRK2, 18 SnRK3), 57 CsPP2Cs, and 7 CsPYLs in Citrus sinensis. Despite a >26-fold difference in linear carotenoids, structural gene expression was similar among cultivars, strongly implicating post-transcriptional control. WGCNA identified a key turquoise module highly correlated with linear carotenoid content. This module contained phosphorylation-related genes (CsSnRK1/3.5/3.6/3.16, CsPP2C14/15/33/35/38/40/43/56, and CsPYL6), biosynthetic genes (CsPSY1, CsZISO, and CsZDS), and candidate transcription factors. Network analysis predicted that CsSnRKs, CsPP2Cs, and CsPYLs regulate phytoene-derived carotenoid biosynthesis. Conclusions: We propose a novel phosphorylation-mediated post-transcriptional regulatory network in carotenoid accumulation. This mechanism bridges ABA signaling and metabolic adaptation, providing crucial molecular targets for engineering nutrient-dense and climate-resilient citrus varieties. Full article

Objectives: This study systematically compared the differences in egg quality between the BIAN chicken, an indigenous breed of Shanxi Province, and the Hy-Line Brown, a commercial breed, through the integration of non-targeted metabolomics and volatile flavoromics methods. Methods: A total of 675 metabolites and 84 volatile flavor compounds were identified in eggs from 300-day-old laying hens using LC-MS and GC × GC-TOF MS techniques. Results: BIAN chicken eggs exhibited notable advantages in flavor quality. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) of 1-octen-3-ol, a key flavor component, was 27.01 in BIAN compared with 13.46 in Hy-Line Brown, contributing to the characteristic mushroom aroma of BIAN eggs. Furthermore, the levels of heptaldehyde, 2-pentylfuran, and styrene in BIAN chicken eggs were significantly elevated, contributing to its characteristic flavor profile. Metabolomic analysis identified 40 breed-specific metabolites in BIAN chicken, with 21 up-regulated and 19 down-regulated. These metabolites were primarily involved in biological processes such as α-linolenic acid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, highlighting the distinctive lipid metabolism regulation in BIAN chicken. Sensory evaluation based on relative odor activity values (ROAV) demonstrated that BIAN chicken eggs exhibited enhanced sweet, fruity, herbal, and citrus aromas, which correlated with the enriched lipid metabolism pathways. Conclusions: This study elucidates the molecular basis of distinctive egg quality characteristics in local chicken breeds, offering a scientific rationale for the conservation and utilization of indigenous breeds and the documentation of their unique metabolic and sensory properties. Furthermore, it furnishes a theoretical framework for understanding breed-specific flavor development and provides baseline data for future genetic selection and nutritional intervention strategies. Full article

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is a key enzyme involved in the metabolism of nearly half of all clinically used drugs, including widely prescribed statins and antidiabetic agents. Dietary constituents can modulate CYP3A4 expression and activity through various mechanisms, thereby altering drug pharmacokinetics and potentially leading to therapeutic failure or toxicity. This narrative review compiles current evidence on dietary modulation of CYP3A4, with a particular focus on pharmacological and clinical implications for lipid-lowering and glucose-lowering drugs. Literature was identified through a comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including preclinical and clinical studies addressing food–drug interactions involving CYP3A4 substrates. Numerous dietary compounds, such as citrus furanocoumarins, polyphenols, herbal extracts, and vitamins, act as CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers through competitive, mechanism-based, or nuclear receptor-mediated pathways. Specific examples include simvastatin, atorvastatin, repaglinide, and saxagliptin, whose systemic exposure can be significantly altered by dietary factors. Moreover, interindividual variability in CYP3A4 activity may be shaped by genetic polymorphisms, microbiota-derived metabolites, and epigenetic regulation, further influencing drug response. Understanding these interactions is crucial, especially in polymedicated patients or those receiving drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. Clinicians should remain aware of potential CYP3A4-related food–drug interactions and consider dietary habits and supplement use in therapeutic decision-making. Future research should aim to integrate pharmacogenomics, gut microbiome profiling, and personalized nutrition in order to improve the prediction and prevention of clinically significant interactions. Full article

Grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi Macfad.) is susceptible to Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, which prominently affects tree health and leads to a substantial loss of productivity. HLB-affected trees exhibit a nutritional imbalance expressed in either deficiencies or toxicities of the essential minerals required for plant growth, as well as changes in the production of plant metabolites. Hence, understanding foliar nutritional and metabolite fluctuations as HLB-elicited symptoms progress can assist growers in improving tree health management strategies. This study evaluated changes in foliar nutrient and phloem sap amino acid concentrations of HLB-affected grapefruit trees showing a mixed canopy of HLB-induced blotchy mottle and asymptomatic mature leaves. The trees used in our experiment were fruit-bearing seven-year-old grapefruit trees (cv ‘Rio Red’ on sour orange rootstock) grown in South Texas. Two types of foliage from HLB-affected trees were studied, (a) HLB-symptomatic and confirmed Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)-positive (IS) and (b) CLas-negative and HLB-asymptomatic (IA) mature leaves, which were compared to asymptomatic and CLas-free mature foliage from healthy trees (HY) in terms of their leaf nutrient and phloem sap amino acid contents. Hierarchical clustering based on leaf nutrient contents showed that 70% of IA samples clustered with HY samples, thus indicating that the levels of some nutrients were statistically similar in these two types of samples. The concentrations of the macronutrients N, Ca, Mg, and S and the micronutrients Mn and B were significantly reduced in HLB-symptomatic (IS) leaves, as compared to their IA and HY counterparts, which did not show statistically significant differences. Conversely, leaf Na concentration was approximately two-fold higher in leaves from HLB-affected trees (IA and IS) independent of symptom expression as compared to leaves from healthy trees. Significantly higher concentrations of glutamine and the S-containing amino acids taurine and cystathionine were observed in the IS leaves relative to the phloem sap of IA leaves from HLB-affected trees. In contrast, the phloem sap of IA (14%) and IS (41%) leaves from HLB-affected trees exhibited lower levels of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) as compared to HY leaves. The results of this study highlight the changes in leaf nutrient and phloem sap amino acid profiles following CLas infection and HLB symptom development in grapefruit, and we discuss these results considering the strategies that growers can implement to correct the nutritional deficiencies and/or toxicities induced by this disease. Full article

Dried lemon slices (LSs) have become increasingly popular as a healthful beverage when infused in hot water. This study examined the effects of freeze drying (FD), hot air drying (HAD), heat pump drying (HPD), and far-infrared drying (FID) on the quality of dried LSs and their brewed beverages. The results show that FD-LSs and their corresponding beverages have the most appealing appearance and maximum levels of ascorbic acid (2.47 and 0.80 mg/g, respectively), synephrine (8.15 and 0.94 mg/g, respectively), and the overwhelming majority of natural and available phenolic compounds, as well as the strongest antioxidant activity, although numerous volatile compounds in FD-LSs were in the lowest abundances. HPD-LSs exhibited similar trends to FD-LSs but contained the peak concentrations of limonene (2258.87 μg/g), γ-terpinene (704.19 μg/g), β-pinene (502.92 μg/g), and α-pinene (188.91 μg/g), which were the four most abundant volatile compounds in dried LSs. Additionally, active ingredients in HPD-LSs generally featured relative high levels of available amounts. In contrast, HAD- and FID-LSs typically displayed unfavorable coloration and low retention levels of natural and available active ingredients. Consequently, FD and HPD demonstrate superior suitability for the commercial-scale production of dried LSs. Full article