Search Results (321)

Meadow arnica is a valuable medicinal plant, used in both the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the development, yield, and quality of flower heads (raw material) of meadow arnica grown in an organic farming system. The inoculation of plants with AMF improved the mass of above- and underground organs, including the mass of raw material, as well as the content of chlorophylls and general sugar in the leaves, followed by enhanced starch storage in the roots. The content of phenolics in the raw material was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The following flavonoids were assessed here: cynaroside, rutin, hyperoside, cosmosiin, astragalin, and diosmetin, as well as the phenolic acids: neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, rosmarinic, cichoric, 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic, and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids. The contents of these substances were higher in non-inoculated plants than in inoculated ones, which contradicts most studies conducted to date on medicinal and aromatic plants. Nevertheless, the results are interesting primarily because of the beneficial developmental changes in inoculated plants, as evidenced by a significantly higher mass of arnica flower heads, more efficient uptake of mineral nutrients from the soil, and lower nitrogen levels in aboveground organs. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents a nutritionally balanced eating pattern characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil as the principal fat source and limited intake of red meat and refined sugars. Emerging evidence indicates that the MD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties extend beyond systemic health, potentially reducing the risk and severity of periodontitis. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between adherence to the MD and periodontal health outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed without restrictions on publication date. Fourteen studies, ranging from 2019 to 2025, were included, encompassing human, clinical, experimental, and review designs that examined MD adherence and its effects on periodontal parameters. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, cohort, randomized controlled trials; systematic reviews; and animal models assessing clinical periodontal indices, inflammatory biomarkers, or microbial composition. Extracted data included study design, population characteristics, dietary assessment methods, and primary periodontal findings. Results: Most studies demonstrated that greater adherence to the MD was associated with improved periodontal parameters, including reduced probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Interventional trials showed significant reductions in systemic inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and CRP, along with decreased counts of periodontopathogenic bacteria. Experimental studies further revealed the protective role of oleic acid and polyphenols in regulating macrophage activity, suppressing osteoclastogenesis, and enhancing IL-10 expression via epigenetic modulation. However, heterogeneity in dietary scoring systems, sample characteristics, and follow-up duration limited direct comparison, and not all associations reached statistical significance. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a beneficial association between MD adherence and periodontal health, mediated through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiome-stabilizing mechanisms. Further standardized longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm causality and refine nutritional strategies for periodontal disease prevention and management. Full article

Background: Glutaric aciduria type-1 (GA-1) is a genetic disorder caused by glutaryl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency, leading to the accumulation of glutaryl-CoA and its derivatives. Clinical manifestations include neurological abnormalities; however, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for minimizing adverse outcomes. To date, diagnostic methods have certain limitations, and there is a critical need for a sensitive biomarker for diagnosis. We aimed to characterize metabolic dysregulation and identify candidate biomarkers associated with GA-1 in biochemically confirmed patients compared to age- and sex-matched control subjects. Methodology: Untargeted metabolomics profiling of GA-1 patients (n = 29) was compared to matched control subjects by age and sex. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses were performed to identify dysregulated metabolites. Results: Our findings revealed 220 endogenous human metabolites. Notably, there was a strong enrichment in carboxylic acids and derivatives, including amino acids and derivatives, hydroxy and keto acids, fatty acyls, sphingolipids, phosphatidylcholines, and nucleotides and nucleosides. Pathway analysis indicates alterations in the biosynthesis of cardiolipin and phosphatidylcholine, as well as in pyrimidine metabolism, the urea cycle, and amino sugar metabolism. We demonstrated a robust performance model for 6-Methylnonanoyl-CoA, displaying strong discriminative power. Conclusions: We identified broad dysregulation across various biochemical classes, reflecting an imbalance in energy metabolism that involves carbohydrate and lipid pathways. The results also highlight dysregulation in sphingolipids, phospholipids, and nucleotide metabolism. These findings are preliminary and the clinical relevance of these findings in patients with GA-1 requires further investigation. We identified candidate biomarkers capable of distinguishing GA-1 patients from controls; however, these findings require validation in independent cohorts. Full article

The high market demand for Sidr honey, known for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, makes it susceptible to adulteration with sugar syrups, compromising authenticity and consumer safety. This study employed physicochemical tests and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) sugar profiling to analyze the impact of adulteration with corn, date, and agave syrups (5–35% w/w) on Kuwaiti Ziziphus spina-christi (Sidr) honey samples. Authentic Sidr honey exhibited pH values within 3.4–6.1, free acidity (FA) of <50 mEq kg⁻¹, high electrical conductivity (mean EC: 1066.21 ± 353 µS cm⁻¹), and moisture content <20%. Adulteration did not significantly affect pH or moisture (p > 0.05). FA significantly changed only in corn syrup-adulterated samples (p < 0.05). Electrical conductivity varied significantly with syrup type (p < 0.05). LC–MS was used to quantify the fructose (F) and glucose (G) contents, their ratio (F/G), and the total sugar content (F + G). For the authentic samples, F/G = 1.10–1.35, consistent with reported ranges. Corn syrup reduced F + G and F/G, date syrup raised both sugar contents, modestly changing F/G, while agave syrup, markedly increased both F/G and F + G. This integrated approach of physicochemical characterization and targeted sugar profiling effectively detects syrup adulteration, enhancing honey authentication, consumer protection, and market transparency. Full article

‘Barhi’ dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are highly prized and widely consumed at the khalal stage, but they are only available for a short time, which highlights the importance of extending their storage life. This study examined the effectiveness of edible coatings in delaying ripening and maintaining fruit quality during cold storage (2 °C). The treatments tested were gelatin alone or gelatin combined with chitosan, Aloe vera gel (AVG), or gum arabic, and applied in a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. A fifth treatment consisting of deionized water was used as a reference untreated control. The fruit parameters measured included weight loss, decay, moisture content, ripening (rutab transformation), firmness, color (lightness and hue angle), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio, total sugars, total polyphenols, and enzymatic activity. Results indicated that the LbL edible coating was more effective in preserving postharvest quality. Regarding weight loss and decay rate, the results showed that the control treatment consistently had 1.5–5-fold higher deterioration indicators than the coated fruits. Among the tested treatments, the gum arabic and gelatin coating was the most effective compared to the untreated control, reducing weight loss by over 40%, lowering decay by approximately 80%, and maintaining significantly higher moisture content throughout storage. Concerning carotenoid levels, the untreated fruits exhibited approximately 1.2–1.4-fold higher carotenoid content than the coated fruits. Fruits treated with gum arabic and gelatin exhibited the best preservation effect Sby limiting TSS increase and maintaining higher TA compared with the control. This treatment best maintained antioxidant capacity and phenolic content while significantly suppressing the activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. Overall, the LbL coating strategy successfully maintained the quality of ’Barhi’ dates by mitigating oxidative and enzymatic degradation throughout storage. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that treatments gum arabic and gelatin exhibited superior effectiveness in extending the date storage life in terms of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity, followed by chitosan and gelatin, and Aloe vera and gelatin, compared to the control fruits over a 60-day storage period. Full article

Climate change and soil degradation threaten agricultural sustainability in arid oases, where water and nutrient limitations constrain crop production. In Tunisia, date palm residues are abundant but frequently burned despite their potential as soil amendme. This study assessed the effects of date palm waste biochar (B; 10 t ha⁻¹), mineral fertilizers (NPK), and their combination as enriched biochar (BNPK) on soil fertility, including total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), as well as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield over two consecutive cropping seasons (2023–2024) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. During 2024, B increased TOC to 0.5% (control: 0.18%), while NPK enhanced TN to 0.037% in 2023; however, in 2024, nitrogen levels returned to values comparable to the control condition (0.017%). BNPK combined these beneficial improvements, maintained them in 2024, and resulted in a C/N ratio of 16.7 (control: 9.6), reflecting the most favorable balance between soil carbon accumulation and nitrogen retention. Grain yield increased by 21% (B), 80% (NPK), and 79% (BNPK) relative to the control (3.12 t ha⁻¹), while BNPK reduced soluble sugars in grains (fructose 100%), glucose 86% (control: 0.09, 0.014) and increased grain nitrogen content to 1.80% (control: 0.74). Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation among treatments, with BNPK strongly associated with improved soil fertility, grain yield, and grain quality. These results demonstrate that integrating biochar with nutrient management enhances soil fertility and supports sustainable agriculture in arid oasis agroecosystems. Full article

This investigation focused on developing nutrient-dense Medjool date-based bars (MDBs) formulated with Medjool date paste, milk protein concentrate, whey proteins, and other functional ingredients. Comprehensive proximate analysis, mineral profiling, amino acid determination, and instrumental assessments, including color measurement, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and texture analysis, were performed, followed by organoleptic evaluation. Medjool date paste served as the primary carbohydrate source (76.44%), while whey protein isolate and milk protein concentrate contributed substantially to the protein fraction (89.26% and 81.62%, respectively). The resulting bars contained 19.32–26.78% crude protein, 10.96% fat, and 12.35–12.71% moisture, delivering 414.72–416.04 Kcal 100 g⁻¹. Sugar profiles remained consistent across formulations (total sugars: 36.77–36.98%), with appreciable mineral content including potassium (884–923 mg 100 g⁻¹), calcium (418–585 mg 100 g⁻¹), and phosphorus (402–459 mg 100 g⁻¹). The essential amino acid composition equaled or surpassed that of hen’s egg, establishing the product as a superior protein source. Antioxidant analysis demonstrated total phenolic content of 452.22–554.12 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ and total flavonoids of 358.06–374.24 mg QE 100 g⁻¹, with consistent radical scavenging capacity, reduced browning via protein–polyphenol binding (ΔG −58 to −72 kJ mol⁻¹), a balanced texture (hardness 157–189 N), and consistent sensory scores (87.63–93.28% acceptability), without significant differences among formulations. Molecular docking confirmed β-lactoglobulin’s tight antioxidant shielding and caseinate’s flexible bioavailability boost, yielding shelf-stable functional snacks that advance date palm valorization. The results demonstrate the successful development of functional MDBs with an excellent nutritional profile and strong panelist acceptance. Full article

The influence of grape maturity over three consecutive years (2020–2022) on Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) juice and wine chemical composition was investigated. Grapes were harvested at three time points (H1, H2, and H3) in weekly intervals. Despite the fact that vintage (environmental conditions) had a predominant effect on juice and wine chemical composition, clear separation of samples according to the harvest date was observed in all three vintages. Compounds with the highest contribution towards harvest date separation were common maturity-related juice and wine variables (titratable acidity, pH) as well as some volatiles, whereas differences in total soluble solids between dates were minor and often insignificant. In particular, concentrations of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), (Z)-3-hexenol, and 1-hexenol in wines decreased with delayed harvest. All the more, concentrations of 3-mercaptohexanol (3MH) were the lowest in wines from H3 in all three years, whereas concentrations of 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA) and 4-mercapto-4-methylpentan-2-ol (4MMP) were not influenced by harvest date. Other compounds, such as esters and higher alcohols, with the exception of 1-propanol, did not exhibit a common trend related to the harvest date across three vintages. These results indicate that, during late ripening, harvest-related shifts in juice and wine composition occur even when differences in berry sugar concentration (TSS) at harvest are minor. Full article

A parallel-stirred tank bioreactor system on a 10 mL-scale automated with a liquid handling station introduces significant benefits in bioprocess analysis and design regarding preserving time, cost, and workload, thereby enabling quick generation of bioprocess results that can be easily scaled up. Although up-to-date approaches enable the online analysis of individual reactors for pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and optical density (OD), the automated calibration of a new online laser-based infrared OD sensor device and noise reduction are still required. Among the extensive research on the full-data smoothing tools, the Savitzky–Golay (Savgol) filter was determined as the most effective one. Scattered and transmitted online light values were successfully aligned with the reference at-line OD values measured at 600 nm by the liquid handler with a step time of a few hours. The growth of an engineered Gluconobacter oxydans designed for specific whole-cell oxidations has been investigated in two parallel batch process setups with varied sugar types at varying sugar concentrations, combinations of sugars, and altered concentrations of complex media. Simulation of real-time smoothing was applied with a Kalman filter. Rapid adaptation was observed within a few upcoming data points by altering the parameters for the estimation of the noise in the signal. For almost all tested reaction conditions, a successful alignment of the simulation of real-time smoothed online OD with at-line values was achieved. The best growth condition was determined in the presence of 120 g L⁻¹ glucose and 30 g L⁻¹ fructose with the tripled peptone concentration. Under these conditions, OD₆₀₀ increased by 109%, from 2.1 to 4.4, compared to the reference process. Full article

Sugar beet (root) is primarily used by industry as a raw material for sugar production, and its large-scale cultivation is closely linked to the sugar industry. Currently, sugar beet leaf (SBL) is not processed and is typically left on the field as green fertilizer after mechanical harvesting. This represents an underutilized biomass stream with potential bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of polyphenol and proteins in the leaf blade and petioles of different sugar beet cultivars harvested at various time points. Total polyphenols were quantified using vitexin as a reference standard, and the phenolic profile of methanolic extracts was characterized using complementary HPLC-DAD and LC-MS methods. The protein content in leaf blades ranged from 19% to 29% (dry weight) and was significantly influenced by cultivar and harvest date. Petioles contained significantly lower protein content, ranging from 4.9% to 9.5% (dry weight). The total polyphenol content (TPC) varied with cultivar and harvest time, ranging from 7.8 to 11.0 mg/g DW in leaf blades and from 0.8 to 2.7 mg/g DW in petioles. Leaf blades also contained substantially higher concentrations of vitexin derivatives (mean 7.4 ± 2.3 mg/g DW) than petioles (1.1 ± 0.6 mg/g DW). The percentage contribution of vitexin derivatives to TPC was high in both tissues (>70%) and decreased with later harvest dates. The results provide a detailed characterization of polyphenolic and protein distribution in blades and petioles of sugar beet leaves and can support further evaluation of their potential use in value-added applications. Full article

The increasing demand for plant-based alternatives, driven by veganism, lactose intolerance, and greater health consciousness, has intensified research into dairy-free frozen desserts. This study investigates the development of a plant-based ice cream alternative utilizing oleosomes extracted from sunflower seed kernels as natural emulsifiers, eliminating the need for synthetic additives. Oleosomes were obtained through aqueous extraction from raw kernels, incorporated into emulsions in three levels (0, 12, and 24%), and combined with sunflower seed oil, tahini, date paste, and water to create the ice cream (IC) formulations. The physicochemical properties of three formulations of a sugar-free frozen dessert were studied. Physicochemical analyses assessed nutritional value, color (CIELab), melting time, stability, overrun, viscosity, and texture profile (TPA). Sensory evaluation was conducted using a hedonic test to assess the impact of tahini type (sunflower seed tahini or pumpkin seed kernel tahini) on the product acceptance. Results showed that higher oleosome content improved emulsion stability and melting resistance, while also producing a softer (30.74 ± 0.28 N), less adhesive (1.87 ± 0.20 mJ) texture, suitable for plant-based ice cream. Sensory analysis revealed a clear preference for the pumpkin tahini formulation, which scored 8.21 ± 0.62 for overall appreciation. The findings demonstrate that the addition of oleosome might improve textural attributes of the products, while the consumer preference could also be influenced by the type of tahini involved in the formulation. However, further studies are necessary to corroborate the proposed interaction mechanisms of ingredients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Up-to-date, relevant and detailed food composition databases (FCDs) are a central component of mHealth apps. Thus, the expansion and/or update of such FCDs though the aggregation of branded food data (BFCDs) could prove as a cost-efficient methodology. However, a framework for data aggregation from BFCDs has yet to be documented. Methods: Products (n = 3988) available in the HelTH BFCD were grouped following a three-step process. Firstly, foods were grouped based on their name, and then the aggregated nutritional composition was tested for heterogeneity using a coefficient of variation cut-off of 20% followed by a search of the ingredient list and other product characteristics to identify descriptors that reduced heterogeneity. Results: Following a three-step process, n = 347 new generic food names were proposed, each derived from at least three branded products, of which n = 235 were populated with aggregated nutritional content values. We found that 95.3%, 88.6%, 86% and 82.6% of aggregated energy, protein, carbohydrate and sodium values, respectively, had a coefficient of variation <40%. Aggregated saturated fatty acid and total sugar values were less likely to fall in the homogeneity level (76.3% and 65.3%, respectively). The heterogeneity was concentrated in specific subcategories like baked goods, milk products and milk imitation products, primarily. Conclusions: BFCDs can be used as a resource to expand existing databases with relatively homogeneous and up-to-date nutritional composition data. The application of this framework on larger datasets could improve the generic food name yield and homogeneity and support mHealth apps and other uses. Full article

This study elucidates the variations in phenolic acids, soluble sugars, and pinking development of midribs of two cultivars of Romaine lettuce (Keona—high pinking and Icarus—low pinking) under two light intensities (high L1—558 and low L2—244 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) harvested at two harvest dates (M1—42 and M2—49 days after transplanting, DAT). The pinking index of Keona was higher than that of Icarus on 8 days of storage (5 °C). The concentrations of cinnamic acid were reduced in most treatments for both cultivars during storage, except for Keona grown in L2 with M2 harvest. Upon storage, the concentrations of coumaric acid in Keona were similar regardless of light intensities and harvest dates. Coumaric acid and caffeic acid concentrations in Icarus in L1 harvested at M2 were the highest. Low light intensity with M1 harvest enhanced the concentration of chlorogenic acid in Keona, but a similar situation reduced its content in Icarus during storage. Icarus contained higher initial concentrations of glucose under both light intensities, regardless of harvest dates, compared to Keona. In conclusion, high pinking was associated with high phenolic acids except for cinnamic acid. High light intensities and more advanced harvests increased the pinking of Keona but not of the Icarus. Full article

Background/Objectives: Within public health and preventive nutrition, food labeling plays a critical role in supporting healthier dietary behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the behaviors, perceptions, and nutritional literacy of young adults from Iași, Romania, regarding simple carbohydrates (SCHO) consumption and food label-reading habits. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May–June 2023 using 20-item Likert-scale questionnaire completed by 150 participants aged 18–30 years. Statistical analysis included descriptive metrics, Chi-square tests, and Pearson’s correlation, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The cohort consisted of 72% females (N = 108) and 28% males (N = 42), with 42.7% (N = 64) holding university degrees. Although 22% (N = 33) considered SCHO consumption highly important, only 13.3% (N = 20) frequently read nutrition labels (p ≤ 0.05). Dietary patterns showed that 27.3% primarily consumed sweets, while others combined sweets with carbonated beverages, dairy products, or whole grains; overall, 44% (N = 66) reported frequent sweet consumption. Label reading was highest for sweets (40.7%), lower for dairy products (19.3%) and soft drinks (9.3%). Additionally, 30.7% (N = 46) checked only expiration dates, whereas just 11.3% (N = 17) reviewed nutritional content. Trust in label accuracy was low: 48% (N = 72) expressed neutrality and 14% (N = 21) disagreed. Although 77.3% (N = 116) recognized the link between sugar intake and dental caries, only 23.3% (N = 35) felt well informed about oral health risks. Taste dominated food selection (68.7%), while nutritional value was cited by 16.7% (N = 25). Conclusions: Young adults from Iași demonstrated notable gaps in nutritional literacy and suboptimal dietary behaviors, emphasizing the need for structured educational strategies to improve preventive practices relevant to systemic and oral health. Full article

Urine is historically the oldest biological material used for diagnostic purposes. Urine testing dates to the ancient Babylonians and Sumerians. Uroscopy consisted of visual and organoleptic assessment (color, clarity, odor, taste testing) of urine. Its principles did not change until the Age of Enlightenment. In the 16th century, when the first microscope was constructed, uroscopy was enriched with the assessment of urine sediment. As chemical methods have developed, tests for various analytes in urine have been introduced into diagnostic methods. The presence of sugar and protein and excretion of urea, creatinine, uric acid and electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, chlorides, calcium, and magnesium and phosphates, were assessed. Over the years, the set of tests performed on urine has changed, among others, due to the possibility of performing more diagnostically reliable tests in blood. Although currently the most common material for laboratory tests is blood, a general urine test has not lost its importance, and it is a widely performed screening test. Full article