Search Results (931)

To evaluate the potential of defatted and dephenolized walnut meal as a modified functional food ingredient, this study examined how ball milling and processing time affect its structural, physicochemical, and functional properties. Walnut meal was ball-milled for 5, 10, 15, and 20 h. Ball milling increased the lightness and whiteness, reduced particle size, and broadened the particle size distribution into a characteristic three-peak pattern. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the progressive formation of flake-like surface structures. With increasing milling duration, free sulfhydryl groups, surface hydrophobicity, and solubility were increased, while dynamic surface tension decreased, leading to improved foaming capacity and foaming stability. SDS-PAGE confirmed that the primary structure remained unchanged, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated a decrease in α-helix and β-sheet contents and an increase in random coil structures. X-ray diffraction revealed a reduction in the diffraction peak at 2θ = 8.963°, and differential scanning calorimetry showed irregular changes in the thermal stability with ball milling time. Overall, increasing ball milling time is beneficial for improving the functional properties of walnut meal, providing a preliminary theoretical reference for the potential application of walnut powder in foods with specific functional properties, such as aerated foods. Full article

The valorization of agri-food by-products represents a key strategy for improving sustainability and promoting circular economy principles in food systems. Pumpkin seed press cake is a protein-rich by-product with potential application in bakery products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using defatted pumpkin seed press cake flour (PPSF) as a major ingredient in cookie formulations and to optimize its incorporation in order to maximize nutritional quality and sensory acceptability. Chemical characterization showed that PPSF has a superior nutritional profile compared to wheat flour, containing 55.75% protein, 8.78% minerals, and 6.15% total dietary fiber, along with significantly higher levels of total phenolics, total carotenoids, and β-carotene (0.26 mg/100 g). Formulation optimization using response surface methodology (RSM) enabled a high inclusion level of 69.61% PPSF, with 41.32% sugar and a baking time of 9 min and 29 s. The developed predictive models for diameter, thickness, overall acceptability, and bending stiffness were highly significant (p < 0.05) with a non-significant lack of fit (p > 0.05), confirming their statistical reliability for exploring the design space. The optimized C-PPSF (defatted pumpkin seed press cake flour) cookies showed a significant nutritional improvement, with protein content increasing from 13.05% to 30.17% and antioxidant capacity (DPPH) rising from 2.90% to 7.10%. While the enriched cookies had a darker color (L* 51.98) and reduced snapping force (39.7 N) due to gluten dilution, they maintained stable geometric parameters and achieved higher sensory scores for aroma, taste, and overall acceptability compared to the control. The main finding of this study is that PPSF can replace a substantial proportion of wheat flour in cookies while maintaining consumer acceptability and significantly improving nutritional quality. The optimized formulation with approximately 70% PPSF shows that this by-product has the potential to serve as a major ingredient in bakery products rather than only as a nutritional supplement. These results confirm that PPSF is a powerful functional ingredient that supports zero-waste manufacturing and provides a foundation for its broader use in bakery formulations within circular economy approaches. Future research should focus on shelf-life stability, bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds, volatile aroma profiling (e.g., GC–MS analysis), and industrial-scale validation of PPSF-based formulations. Full article

Introduction: The Cananéia–Iguape Lagoon Complex, part of the Lagamar Mosaic of Conservation Units, comprises interconnected ecosystems that facilitate the dispersal and exchange of larvae, juveniles, and adults across habitats. This connectivity is a vital ecological process, driving the demographic linkage of local populations. Due to its commercial importance and abundance, the fat snook (Centropomus parallelus) serves as an ideal model for connectivity studies in this region. This study evaluated the otolith fingerprints of fat snook nursery areas within an estuarine complex using elemental chemical signatures. Methodology: Otoliths from 24 juveniles (n = 6 per site) were sampled across four nurseries: Ariri (AR), Itapanhapima (IT), Subauma (SU), and Iguape (IG). Multi-elemental signatures (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn, Sr, Ba, and Pb) at the otolith edge were measured via Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Results: Multivariate analysis (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05) revealed significant chemical differences between nurseries, corroborated by pairwise tests. Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates (CAP) with leave-one-out cross-validation successfully assigned individuals to their collection sites with accuracies of 55% (AR), 72% (IT), 94% (SU), and 88% (IG), achieving a 78% global reclassification rate. CAP results distinguished two primary groups: the southern nurseries (AR/IT) and northern nurseries (SU/IG). This spatial separation was primarily driven by Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca ratios, reflecting the higher marine influence in the south versus freshwater input from the Ribeira de Iguape River in the north. Conclusions: These findings provide critical data to support public policies for the conservation of coastal ecosystems and the management of associated fish stocks. Full article

Allomyrinasin is an antimicrobial peptide derived from the larvae of the edible insect Allomyrina dichotoma and has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory activity, although its role in metabolic regulation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic and hepatoprotective effects of allomyrinasin in a high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obese mouse model. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed an HFD for 6 weeks to induce body weight gain and hyperglycemia, followed by 10 weeks of oral administration of allomyrinasin (0.1 mg/kg/day) under continued HFD conditions, with metformin used as a positive control. Metabolic parameters related to glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, hepatic injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrotic responses were evaluated. Allomyrinasin significantly attenuated HFD-associated body weight gain and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. These effects were accompanied by favorable modulation of serum lipid profiles and suppression of hepatic lipogenic signaling, including reduced expression of key regulators of de novo lipogenesis. In parallel, allomyrinasin mitigated hepatic inflammatory, fibrotic, and oxidative stress-related alterations, as reflected by improvements in biochemical markers and molecular analyses. Collectively, these findings indicate that allomyrinasin contributes to the improvement of metabolic regulation and hepatic homeostasis in HFD-fed mice. Our results support allomyrinasin as a promising food-applicable bioactive peptide and potential functional ingredient for the prevention or management of obesity-related metabolic disorders. Full article

Almonds (Prunus dulcis; family Rosaceae) contain 18–25% protein (dry weight). They are an important plant-based protein source in dairy alternatives and other functional foods. The hard and dense nature of almond kernels and the localization of proteins with lipid bodies in the cotyledons of almond seeds make it challenging to recover protein from the seed efficiently and preserve its function. Therefore, this review evaluates the influence of pretreatments, including blanching, grinding, and defatting, on almond protein recovery and functionality, and compares conventional and emerging technologies for almond protein. Traditional protein extraction techniques such as alkaline extraction–isoelectric precipitation (AE–IEP), aqueous extraction, and salt extraction provide moderate-to-high protein yields, but harsh processing conditions denature the proteins, decrease solubility, and cause functional properties to be lost. On the other hand, emerging protein extraction technologies (including enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction (EAE) ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), high-pressure processing (HPP), and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment) improve protein recovery, resulting in protein extract with superior functional properties and reduced allergenicity. However, their application in industry remain challenging. This review reveals that pretreatment approaches and conditions/parameters significantly influence protein extraction efficiency and the functional and structural properties of almonds, and that no single method is universally optimal. This review concludes that controlled enzymatic hydrolysis combined with physical pretreatment may be the best approach for producing high-value-added almond protein ingredients with specific techno-functional properties for use in plant-based beverages, hypoallergenic products, or nutraceuticals. More research is needed to develop an efficient, applicable, sustainable and eco-friendly almond protein extraction process, optimizing processing conditions to achieve high protein recovery while retaining desirable functional properties, and reduce operating costs. Full article

Hypericin (Hyp) is a naturally occurring photosensitizer (PS) exhibiting a broad spectrum of biological activities. However, its high hydrophobicity significantly limits its medical applicability. This study aimed to develop an efficient method for extracting Hyp from Hypericum perforatum L. biomass and to obtain its water-soluble micellar formulation. A protocol for Hyp isolation from the aerial parts of the plant was established, involving a preliminary defatting step using a Soxhlet apparatus, followed by ultrasonic-assisted extraction with acetone. The water-soluble formulation was prepared via the thin-film hydration method using the nonionic block copolymer Pluronic F-127. The resulting micelles demonstrated colloidal stability, with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 30 nm. A high Hyp loading efficiency was achieved, with an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 95.4 ± 2.7%, yielding a concentration of 600.6 ± 16.6 µM within the micellar formulation. In vitro biological studies were performed using the murine GL261 glioblastoma cell line. The micellar Hyp formulation exhibited efficient time-dependent cellular accumulation and photoinduced cytotoxicity, with no observable dark toxicity. The proposed method enables the production of a stable Hyp formulation that retains its photosensitizing properties, thereby opening promising avenues for its application in photodynamic and sonodynamic therapies. Full article

Background/Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to validate the Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE) against bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in 204 adults. Methods: We evaluated CUN-BAE and body mass index (BMI) as continuous predictors of body fat percentage, total fat mass, and visceral fat. Results: BMI showed stronger correlations with visceral fat (r = 0.941 vs. 0.850) and total fat mass (r = 0.968 vs. 0.828),while CUN-BAE showed a slightly stronger correlation with body fat percentage (r = 0.918 vs. 0.884), the parameter it was designed to estimate. CUN-BAE displayed only a weak correlation with muscle mass (r = 0.153), supporting its specificity for adiposity assessment, whereas BMI showed a moderate correlation with muscle mass (r = 0.551), reflecting its weight-dependent nature. Conclusions: Overall, BMI remains a practical marker of absolute fat mass and visceral adiposity, while CUN-BAE may provide a more refined estimate of relative body fat percentage. Tool selection should be guided by the clinical objective and interpreted as complementary rather than competing measures. Full article

Human milk cream, a lipid-rich fraction obtained during milk defatting, is typically discarded despite its potential for individualized nutritional strategies. This study evaluated the effects of Holder pasteurization (HoP) and storage conditions (refrigeration and freezing) on the microbiological profile and lipid stability of human milk–derived cream. Cream fractions from six mothers of preterm infants were analyzed for bacterial counts using Columbia Nalidixic Acid and MacConkey agar, with isolate identification by MALDI-TOF MS, and for lipid stability through free fatty acids (FFAs), triacylglycerol (TAGs) composition by GC-FID, and peroxide values (PV) determined by a rapid photometric method. Raw cream showed stable total bacterial counts across storage conditions, with a reduction in Gram-negative bacteria after freezing, while HoP samples exhibited no detectable bacterial growth. Lipolysis was significantly higher in raw cream, with increased FFAs after 72 h refrigeration, whereas HoP samples maintained lower and more stable FFA levels. TAG profiles remained largely stable under refrigeration but were significantly altered during frozen storage in raw samples, suggesting membrane disruption and selective hydrolysis; these changes were attenuated in HoP samples. PV increased over time in both groups, indicating progressive primary lipid oxidation, although values remained within moderate ranges. Overall, HoP improved microbiological safety and lipid stability, supporting the potential use of human milk cream as a controlled lipid source for individualized fortification in preterm infants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) involves metabolic alterations that may affect breast milk composition. Imbalances in protein and fatty acid (FA) profiles have been reported in mature milk from mothers with GDM. However, evidence for colostrum and transitional milk is limited, despite the key role of ω-3 and ω-6 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in neonatal neurodevelopment. This study compared ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs and protein concentrations in colostrum and transitional milk from women with and without GDM. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2024. Women aged ≥ 18 years with GDM and non-GDM pregnancies recruited at Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga” were included. Colostrum and transitional milk samples were collected at 0–5 and 6–14 days postpartum, respectively. To assess whether postpartum time (hours) and maternal group (non-GDM vs. GDM) affected milk volume, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed. Differences in milk composition between the GDM and non-GDM groups were assessed using Student’s t test or the Mann–Whitney U test, according to variable distribution. Results: A total of 71 milk samples were analyzed: 51 colostrum samples (25 from women with GDM and 26 from women with non-GDM) and 20 transitional milk samples (10 from women with GDM and 10 from women with non-GDM). A moderate correlation was observed between milk volume and postpartum time, with no significant differences between the GDM and non-GDM groups. Colostrum from women with GDM had lower protein content compared with milk from women with non-GDM (3.8 ± 0.4 vs. 5.2 ± 0.5 g/dL, p = 0.02) and transitional milk (1.4 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.2 g/dL, p = 0.02). Transitional milk from GDM group showed higher total fat (5.7 ± 1.8 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 g/100 g, p = 0.05) and fat-to-protein ratio (3.9 ± 1.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3, p = 0.02), along with an increased ω-6/ω-3 ratio driven by higher linoleic acid and lower α-linolenic acid concentrations. Conclusions: GDM was associated with variations in breast milk protein and FA profiles with a potential negative impact on the newborn’s neurodevelopment. Full article

The conversion of agro-industrial co-products and unsold organic plant-based residues into black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens (L. 1758)) proteins was assessed for use in organic post-weaning piglet diets in Belgium. A total of 72 crossbred female piglets (Landrace × Pietrain) were enrolled in a 5-week feeding trial. Experimental diets consisted of a common energy core (81.2% of the feed) and a protein core (18.8%) composed of organic soybean meal, pea meal, and potato protein, partially replaced by defatted BSF meal at inclusion levels of 15%, 25%, and 35%. All diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, with standardized ileal digestibility values for lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan held constant. Incorporating 15% defatted BSF meal can substitute conventional organic protein sources without compromising growth performance in post-weaning piglets. However, economic modelling based on a cumulative feed conversion ratio expressed on a dry matter (DM) basis showed that break-even prices for organic BSF meal remained well below the price of the control protein nucleus (€1039·t⁻¹, excluding VAT), indicating that economic parity could not be achieved at typical market prices under the observed feed efficiency. Full article

This study examined the protective mechanisms of oleanolic acid (OA) against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and intestinal dysbiosis in Nile tilapia. Fish were allocated to four groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, and OA-supplemented HFD (50 and 250 mg/kg). After 42 days, physiological, biochemical, and histological assessments demonstrated that OA markedly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, mitochondrial injury, and intestinal shortening. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that OA alleviated lipid dysregulation by inhibiting de novo lipogenesis and promoting lipid trafficking and β-oxidation, effectively reversing HFD-induced changes in the PPAR, MAPK, mTOR, and autophagy-lysosome signaling pathways. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that OA increased microbial alpha diversity, suppressing HFD-associated taxa (e.g., Nordella) while enriching beneficial genera such as Clavibacter, Bosea, and Bdellovibrio. Importantly, OA treatment restored HFD-induced depletion of intestinal butyric acid and suppressed hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines (tnf-α, il-1β), while upregulating growth-related factors (igf1). Correlation analysis confirmed strong associations between microbial alterations (Nordella and Phreatobacter) and hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammatory gene expression. Overall, OA mitigates metabolic stress in Nile tilapia by reconfiguring the gut–liver axis, integrating microbial restoration with precise regulation of hepatic nutrient-sensing and inflammatory pathways, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for lipid metabolism disorders in aquaculture. Full article

Lauric acid is a characteristic component of Litsea cubeba seed oil, but FatB thioesterase candidates with predicted structural compatibility for C12 acyl-substrate accommodation remain insufficiently defined. In this study, seed oil content and fatty acid composition were examined during L. cubeba seed development. The fatty acid profile shifted from a C18:2-rich pattern at the early stage to a C12:0-dominated composition at later stages, providing the biochemical context for FatB candidate prioritization. Three FatB-like candidates were retrieved from a de novo seed transcriptome assembly and named LcFatB1, LcFatB2, and LcFatB3. Phylogenetic analysis, conserved motif comparison, sequence alignment, and homology modeling showed that LcFatB1 and LcFatB2 retained more complete FatB-like sequence and structural features than LcFatB3. S-dodecanoyl-4′-phosphopantetheine was used as a C12 acyl-4′-phosphopantetheine surrogate for molecular docking. Docking analysis indicated that LcFatB1 and LcFatB2 formed more interpretable C12-bound poses than LcFatB3. Subsequent 150 ns molecular dynamics simulations, free energy landscape analysis, residue–ligand interaction profiling, and catalytic tunnel analysis further distinguished the two main candidates. Compared with LcFatB2, LcFatB1 maintained a lower-displacement C12-bound state, a more compact contact environment involving Tyr116, Ser125, and Asn278, and a main tunnel with higher throughput and shorter length in the representative global-minimum conformation. LcFatB2 also retained the C12 surrogate but stabilized it in a distinct rearranged binding environment. These results support LcFatB1 as the strongest structurally prioritized FatB candidate among the three transcriptome-derived proteins, while LcFatB2 remains a plausible FatB-like candidate with a distinct C12-bound state. This prioritization provides computational structural clues for future biochemical testing but should not be interpreted as direct functional confirmation of FatB activity in vivo. Full article

Tomato processing generates large amounts of by-products, with seeds representing an underutilized yet protein-rich fraction. This study investigated direct enzyme-assisted protein extraction from non-defatted tomato seeds. Various enzymes, enzyme/substrate ratios, pre-treatments, and incubation temperatures were evaluated and optimized. An enzyme/substrate ratio of 5% (w/w) was found to be optimal, with proteases alone outperforming cell wall-degrading enzymes and two-step extraction strategies. Bromelain, Protamex, and Trypsin, for the first time applied directly to non-defatted tomato seeds, achieved the highest protein recoveries (average 110.56 mg BSA eq/g DW). Among them, Trypsin also produced the highest reducing sugar content (25.07 mg GLU eq/g DW), indicating effective cell wall disruption. Digestates obtained from defatted and non-defatted tomato seeds showed comparable protein contents, demonstrating that defatting was unnecessary. Avoiding the defatting step improved process sustainability by reducing solvent use and energy consumption without significantly affecting protein extraction efficiency. Incubation at 37 °C was preferred over 60 °C, as similar yields were achieved under milder conditions while also reducing energy consumption by approximately three-fold (54,340 kJ vs 150,480 kJ for a 1000 L water-based scale-up simulation). These digestates showed significantly higher antioxidant and, for the first time in tomato seed extracts, anti-tyrosinase activities compared with controls. Protamex-derived samples exhibited the highest bioactivities (7.40 mg AA eq/g DW; 101.36 μg KA eq/g DW). Compared to conventional alkaline–acid extraction followed by enzymatic digestion, the direct enzymatic approach provided higher protein recovery. Overall, this method represents a sustainable strategy for producing bioactive peptide-rich extracts for food and non-food applications. Full article

This study investigated the effects of different inclusion levels of defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens: BSF) larval meal on growth performance, haematological and biochemical blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility in piglets. Forty-eight male piglets weaned at 28 days of age ((Landrace × Large White) × (Piétrain)) were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments. Each treatment included eight pens with two piglets per pen. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isoproteic, containing defatted BSF meal as a partial replacement for fishmeal and soybean meal: Control (0% BSF), BSF3% (3% inclusion), and BSF6% (6% inclusion). Over the whole experimental period, dietary treatment did not significantly affect final body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, or feed conversion ratio, although feed intake differed during the 7–28-day period. Red and white blood cell parameters were not influenced by diet. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and organic matter increased at the 6% inclusion level, while crude protein and crude fat digestibility were not affected. These results indicate that defatted BSF meal can be used as a sustainable alternative protein source in piglet diets, maintaining growth performance and health status. Full article

Ball milling can improve protein recovery from defatted rice bran, but the links among milling conditions, particle attributes, and extraction transport remain insufficiently defined. This study evaluated the effects of milling time (30–90 min) and rotational speed (30–120 rpm) on powder properties and alkaline protein extraction at pH 11 for 30–180 min at 24, 37, and 50 °C. Powders were characterized by laser diffraction, SEM image analysis, X-ray diffraction, and extraction-relevant indices describing the interfacial area and diffusion time scale. Extraction curves were fitted to first-order, pseudo-second-order, Peleg, and apparent Fick diffusion models. Milling reduced median particle size from 145 to 61 µm, increased fines (<45 µm) from 1.86% to 32.09%, and raised surface area proxies by about 30- to 40-fold. Compared with the control sample, milled samples generally showed faster extraction and higher protein recovery, with maximum endpoint recoveries of 89.91 mg g⁻¹ at 24 °C, 90.06 mg g⁻¹ at 37 °C, and 86.10 mg g⁻¹ at 50 °C. Late-stage extraction data collapsed onto a Fickian master curve, indicating diffusion-limited behavior, and apparent effective diffusivity increased with temperature. At 37 °C, the radius–shape–circularity model explained nearly all the between-powder variation in $\ln D_e\left(R^2=0.998;\mathrm{adjusted} R^2=0.996\right)$, and the shape factor remained significant after accounting for particle radius $\left(p=0.0179\right)$. Overall, ball milling improved extraction primarily by reducing diffusion length and altering particle morphology, providing practical guidance for optimizing rice bran protein recovery. Full article