Search Results (538)

Aqueous Chlorella extract (CE) is a functional feed additive derived from widely cultivated microalgae. It is rich in proteins, polysaccharides, pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and other bioactive compounds. CE possesses great potential to improve the health status and physiological performance of aquatic animals. This study investigated the effects of dietary CE on inflammatory response, non-specific immunity, antioxidant capacity, lipid metabolism, immune gene expression, intestinal histomorphology and intestinal microbiota in Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimp were fed diets containing 0%, 1%, or 5% CE for 60 days. The 1% CE treatment produced stronger responses in several non-specific immune and antioxidant-related indicators and induced broader changes in immune-related gene expression. In contrast, the 5% CE treatment showed more pronounced changes in inflammation-related factors, lipid metabolism, and intestinal morphology. CE supplementation also altered intestinal microbial composition and predicted microbial functions, with different response patterns between the two inclusion levels. A distinctive feature of this study is the integrated identification of inclusion-level-specific response patterns across host physiological and intestinal microbial endpoints, rather than a simple increase in effects with increasing CE inclusion. Overall, the 1% treatment was more closely associated with immune and antioxidant-related responses, whereas the 5% treatment was more closely associated with anti-inflammatory, lipid-regulatory, and intestinal effects. These findings demonstrate the potential of CE as a functional aquafeed additive for improving aquatic animal health and provide a scientific basis for its application in sustainable shrimp aquaculture. Full article

Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE), including polysaccharides, polyphenols, amino acids and other extracts, are increasingly being used as feed additives in ruminant nutrition due to their high profiles of bioactive compounds. This comprehensive narrative review aims to review current research on their use in ruminant production regarding their productive performance, immune status, rumen microbiota and fermentation. Dietary supplementation with MOLE enhances growth rates and feed conversion efficiency, as well as immune status, milk yield and rumen microbiology, in ruminants by improving nutrient digestibility and metabolic efficiency. Additionally, MOLE exerts significant immunomodulatory effects, and studies indicate that immunoglobulins, antioxidants, cytokines, and enzymes reduce oxidative stress markers and incidence of subclinical diseases in dairy animals. Furthermore, supplementation with MOLE often increases milk fat and protein content while reducing somatic cell counts (SCCs) in milk. MOLE enhance the function of the rumen fermentation profile by increasing volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, especially propionate, and also regulating the stability of rumen pH. Additionally, it also selectively promotes microbial community diversity, enhances the population of cellulolytic bacteria and has a suppression function in protozoa and methanogens. Moreover, MOLE also contributes to improving fiber degradation and reducing the emissions of methane. In conclusion, MOLE is considered as a viable natural strategy to promote productivity, immune function, health, and environmental sustainability while decreasing methane production in ruminant production. Full article

Lactic acid bacteria exopolysaccharides (LAB EPS) have garnered significant interest owing to their beneficial biological properties and safety. This study aimed to screen LAB EPS with comprehensive biological activities and anti-allergic potential from four high-yield strains, isolate and characterize their homogeneous polysaccharide fractions, and preliminarily explore their anti-allergic mechanism. Through in vitro evaluation of antibacterial, hyaluronidase inhibitory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, Lacticaseibacillus casei LZ9183 EPS (183 EPS) was identified as the optimal candidate with the most superior comprehensive performance. Further purification via DEAE-52 anion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography yielded two homogeneous polysaccharide fractions, LZEPS-1 and LZEPS-2. Structural characterization results showed that LZEPS-1 (28.73 kDa) was a neutral polysaccharide composed of rhamnose, galactose, glucose and mannose with a total sugar content of 94.39 ± 0.92%, while LZEPS-2 (95.58 kDa) was an acidic polysaccharide containing glucose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, xylose and glucuronic acid with 92.17 ± 1.22% total sugars and 1.72 ± 0.04% protein. Using the RBL-2H3 cell degranulation model, we demonstrated that 183 EPS, LZEPS-1 and LZEPS-2 effectively alleviated IgE-mediated allergic responses by inhibiting the release of β-hexosaminidase and histamine, and modulating the secretion of IL-4 and TNF-α to restore the Th1/Th2 balance. These results propose that LAB EPS could potentially be utilized as natural anti-allergic functional ingredients in the development of functional foods or dietary supplements. Full article

Nontoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (NTBF) is defined by the absence of the bft gene and corresponding B. fragilis toxin production; however, nontoxigenic status alone does not establish uniform safety or probiotic function. This review critically evaluates strain-level biological characteristics, safety, mechanisms, metabolites, and disease-model evidence. Selected strains and defined strain-derived preparations, including ZY-312, HCK-B3, NCTC 9343-derived polysaccharide A, and ZY-312-derived zwitterionic capsular polysaccharide preparation TP2, have shown immunomodulatory, barrier-associated, and microbial-community-modulating activities, predominantly in vitro and in animal models. Direct causal evidence is limited to specific strain–preparation–host–model combinations, whereas many changes in cytokines, tight-junction-associated proteins, microbial composition, and organic-acid profiles remain functional or associative. Protective effects have been reported in preclinical models of inflammatory bowel disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridioides difficile infection, and enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (ETBF)-associated tumorigenesis. However, findings are highly dependent on the strain, preparation, dose, administration timing, host, and model. Safety remains incompletely resolved because the absence of B. fragilis toxin (BFT) does not exclude opportunistic or systemic infection, antimicrobial-resistance mobility, bacterial translocation, permeability changes, or adverse effects during long-term administration. Metabolic effects may also be beneficial or adverse depending on the strain, host dietary and genetic background, and experimental context. Human evidence is primarily observational, and robust intervention trials are lacking. Accordingly, NTBF should be regarded as a heterogeneous group of strain-specific live-biotherapeutic candidates requiring rigorous strain-specific manufacturing, potency, dose, antimicrobial-susceptibility, and safety evaluation. Full article

Oenocarpus bataua Mart. (Arecaceae) (known as “majo” in Bolivia) is an Amazonian palm fruit with considerable potential for the development of functional foods; however, its rapid postharvest deterioration limits its utilization. This study evaluated the effects of preservation methods and frozen storage on the physicochemical properties of two morphotypes of its fruits (dark-purple and pale-colored). Proximate analysis of pulp and peel fractions revealed a lipid-rich composition, with crude lipid contents close to 49% (dry basis), moderate protein levels (7.1–9.7%), and crude fiber contents around 15%. Dietary fiber characterization showed exceptionally high total dietary fiber (61.6%), predominantly insoluble dietary fiber (56.3%) under short-term frozen storage. Fresh pulp exhibited high antioxidant capacity, as determined by the DPPH assay (2003–2070 µmol TE/g dry matter), while freeze-drying preserved significantly higher antioxidant activity than hot-air drying. Functional properties were strongly affected by storage duration, with water-holding capacity decreasing from (4.43–3.17) g H₂O/g dry matter and swelling capacity from 13.95 to 9.62 mL H₂O/g dry matter after prolonged freezing. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of characteristic polysaccharide and lignocellulosic structures and indicated structural disruption of the insoluble fiber matrix during long-term storage. These findings support the use of Bolivian majo as a promising source of functional ingredients and provide a basis for developing value-added Amazonian food products and optimizing preservation strategies. Full article

Obesity is a heterogeneous chronic disease for which safe, scalable adjuncts to lifestyle and clinical care remain needed. Tea derived from Camellia sinensis contains catechins, caffeine, theaflavins, thearubigins, theabrownins, polysaccharides, and other constituents whose abundance is shaped by withering, fixation, partial oxidation, full oxidation, and post-fermentation. This review integrates processing-dependent composition with molecular mechanisms, gut–liver signaling, human evidence, safety, and real-world preparation. Evidence is strongest for modest effects of green-tea catechin–caffeine preparations on energy metabolism and selected anthropometric or lipid outcomes, whereas inhibition of adipogenesis, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, browning of white adipose tissue, and many appetite-related pathways remain supported mainly by cell and rodent studies. A recent meta-analysis in women with overweight or obesity estimated mean reductions of −1.23 kg in body weight and −3.46 cm in waist circumference, with intervention durations across the included trials typically ranging from 4 to 24 weeks, though most of the evidence derives from short- to medium-term interventions (generally ≤12 weeks); heterogeneity was moderate to high and the average weight effect remained below conventional clinical thresholds. Partially oxidized oolong tea and fully oxidized or post-fermented teas provide distinct profiles of caffeine, oxidized polyphenols, and microbial metabolites; their metabolic effects are promising but are less consistently tested in adequately powered human trials. Across tea types, convergent mechanisms include reduced digestive-enzyme activity, increased fatty-acid oxidation, modulation of thermogenesis, reinforcement of the intestinal barrier, and microbiota-dependent production of short-chain fatty acids and bile-acid signals. Translation is constrained by low systemic polyphenol exposure (i.e., limited bioavailability of intact catechins and their metabolites in circulation due to poor intestinal absorption, extensive phase-II metabolism, and rapid clearance), non-standardized doses and products, short intervention periods, interindividual variability, and limited direct comparisons among tea types. Available clinical data do not support tea as a primary treatment for obesity; rather, unsweetened tea or standardized preparations may serve as adjuncts to evidence-based dietary, physical activity, behavioral, and medical management. Priority areas include physiologically relevant dosing, standardized reporting of brewed-tea composition, long-term trials, and microbiome-informed personalization. Full article

Tropical fruit processing generates substantial quantities of seed-derived by-products that remain underutilized despite their potential as sources of bioactive compounds, proteins, lipids, dietary fiber, and polysaccharides. This critical narrative review evaluates their conversion into functional ingredients by integrating compositional variability, pretreatment and extraction, antinutritional-factor mitigation, structural characterization, food-system performance, storage stability, gastrointestinal behavior, safety, regulatory readiness, and scale-up feasibility. Direct evidence was distinguished from mechanistic support derived from non-target botanical matrices. An exploratory semantic clustering of 100 PubMed records published in 2024–2026 was conducted with Carrot2 to organize application-oriented themes and identify knowledge gaps; its output was interpreted as a thematic aid rather than a quantitative trend analysis. The review also examines biochar production from exhausted or non-food-grade seed biomass as a complementary cascading route, considering feedstock properties, thermochemical conditions, physicochemical quality, safety, application performance, and techno-economic constraints. The main contribution is an evidence-derived multi-stage decision framework linking ingredient validation with residual-biomass valorization. Current evidence supports promising nutritional and technological applications but remains heterogeneous and predominantly laboratory-based, with limited standardized comparisons, in vivo validation, regulatory assessment, and pilot-scale studies. Advancing these materials therefore requires application-specific, safety-oriented, and economically realistic validation within circular bioeconomy systems. Full article

With global restrictions on in-feed antibiotics, sustainable alternatives are urgently needed to combat weaning-induced intestinal dysfunction in piglets. Fucoidan, a bioactive seaweed polysaccharide, exerts beneficial effects on gut health due to its immunomodulatory and prebiotic properties, but its mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of dietary fucoidan supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, gut microbiota composition, and microbial metabolites in weaned piglets. The extracted fucoidan was characterized by a sulfate content of 23.7%, a molecular weight of 29.3 kDa, and fucose as the predominant monosaccharide. A total of 48 weaned piglets were randomly divided into two groups (n = 24 per group): a control group and a 500 mg/kg fucoidan treatment group. Growth performance was evaluated throughout the experiment. On day 28, jejunal and colonic tissues were collected to assess mucosal morphology (n = 6 per group), while cecal and colonic contents were collected for analysis of the gut microbiota and bacterial metabolites. Fucoidan supplementation significantly enhanced average daily gain (ADG, p < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, p < 0.05) and mitigated diarrhea during the trial. Notably, piglets fed fucoidan exhibited increased villus height compared to controls (p < 0.05). Fucoidan modulated the gut microbiota by increasing cecal microbial diversity (p < 0.05) and shifting bacterial composition. These modifications involved an altered Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, as well as an enrichment of Prevotellaceae, Lactobacillus, and Lachnospiraceae (p < 0.05). Consistently, metabolite profiling analysis revealed increased cecal concentrations of lactate (p < 0.05) and butyrate (p < 0.05), which were positively associated with the growth of beneficial taxa. These findings demonstrate that fucoidan alleviates weaning-induced intestinal disorders by improving intestinal morphology and modulating gut microbiota and their metabolites. This study provides a strategy for utilizing marine-derived polysaccharides as functional feed additives to enhance animal health. Full article

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder closely associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Mulberry leaves are rich in bioactive proteins, but whether mulberry leaf albumin-type protein can improve diet-induced obesity remains unclear. In this study, ultrafiltered mulberry leaf albumin-type protein (UMP) was prepared and its anti-obesity effects were evaluated in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice. UMP contained 87.12 ± 0.52 g/100 g protein, 2.52 ± 0.00 g/100 g polyphenols, and 8.21 ± 1.49 g/100 g polysaccharides, with two major albumin-type protein bands of approximately 14 and 52 kDa. Structural analysis showed that UMP was mainly composed of β-turns and α-helices. In HFD-fed mice, daily administration of UMP for 16 weeks reduced body weight gain by 3.85 g and 5.63 g in the low- and high-dose groups, respectively, without affecting food intake. Biochemical assays, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and histological analysis showed that UMP improved insulin responsiveness, alleviated serum dyslipidemia, reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, and decreased circulating alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lipopolysaccharide levels. Histological analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance-based short-chain fatty acid quantification further showed that UMP protected colonic morphology and increased colonic short-chain fatty acid levels. Gut microbiota analysis showed that UMP restored microbial diversity, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, and enriched potentially beneficial genera, including Ileibacterium and norank_f_Muribaculaceae. Fecal biochemical assays suggested that UMP promoted fecal free fatty acid excretion and partially improved bile acid-related metabolic alterations. Untargeted serum metabolomics revealed that UMP reshaped metabolic pathways related to lipid turnover, bile acid signaling, glucose utilization, and glucuronidation. Correlation analysis linked UMP-enriched bacterial taxa with key metabolites involved in fatty acid and energy metabolism. Together, these findings indicate that UMP attenuates HFD-induced obesity through coordinated regulation of gut microbiota, intestinal metabolites, and systemic metabolic homeostasis. UMP may therefore represent a promising functional dietary protein for the prevention of obesity-related metabolic disorders. Full article

Aquaculture faces structural constraints linked to input sustainability, animal health, and a persistent reliance on fishmeal and fish oil, alongside the intensive use of antibiotics in high-density production systems. In this context, edible fungi have emerged as promising functional ingredients, primarily due to their content of structural polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans and chitin. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the dietary inclusion of fungal-derived compounds in aquafeeds for commercially relevant species. Overall, these bioactive components have been associated with beneficial effects on growth performance, feed efficiency, antioxidant status, and disease resistance in species such as Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmo salar, and Oreochromis spp. However, the magnitude and consistency of these responses remain highly variable across studies. Such variability is primarily attributed to differences in the structural composition of the ingredients, their physicochemical form, processing methods, and their compatibility with host digestive physiology, all of which influence functional bioavailability and the resulting biological responses. Consequently, their biological effects are context-dependent and should be interpreted according to ingredient characteristics, host species, dietary inclusion level, and experimental conditions rather than assuming a universal dose–response relationship. Effective implementation will require advances in matrix standardization, detailed structural characterization of bioactive compounds, and validation under industry-relevant conditions. Full article

Pectic polysaccharides from tea residues represent a promising class of prebiotic dietary fibers. This study aimed to optimize the extraction of Oolong tea (Camellia sinensis ‘Foshou’) polysaccharides (FCTP), elucidate the structural alterations induced by ultrasonic degradation, and evaluate the consequent in vitro utilization using Lactobacillus salivarius BXP5. Enzyme-assisted extraction significantly improved the yield of FCTP to 11.10%, compared to 6.74% via conventional hot-water extraction. Ultrasonic treatment (120–240 W, 20–45 min) reduced the molecular weight (Mw) from 1079.9 kDa to 690.7–824.4 kDa, increased the uronic acid content, disrupted the triple-helix conformation, and transformed the polysaccharide into a looser and more water-accessible structure. Structural characterization by FTIR, methylation, and NMR further indicated that uFCTP remained an acidic pectic polysaccharide enriched in homogalacturonan (HG)-like domains. In vitro fermentation demonstrated that ultrasonically degraded FCTP (uFCTP) more effectively promoted BXP5 proliferation than native FCTP. Non-targeted metabolomics and proteomics revealed that uFCTP exerted more pronounced regulatory effects on nucleotide metabolism, carbon metabolism, and ribosomal biogenesis. Correlation analysis identified key metabolites (e.g., gallic acid, xanthosine monophosphate) tightly associated with differentially expressed proteins involved in carbohydrate utilization and cellular growth. These findings indicate that ultrasonic degradation is an effective physical modification strategy to improve utilization by L. salivarius BXP5 of tea-derived pectic polysaccharides by tailoring their molecular architecture for improved probiotic fermentation and metabolic cross-talk. Full article

The gut–lung axis is one of the bidirectional mucosal communication networks linking intestinal microbiota, microbial metabolites, immune regulation, and respiratory inflammation. This narrative review summarizes mechanistic and translational evidence identified through a structured but non-systematic search. This review focuses on gut-to-lung mechanisms, including immune cell trafficking, epithelial barrier regulation, and the role of gut microbiota and its metabolites. Among these metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are key mediators of interorgan communication and are mainly produced through microbial fermentation of dietary fibers and polysaccharides. Unlike previous reviews, reverse lung-to-gut mechanisms are also discussed, whereby respiratory infection, smoking, and lung injury may disrupt intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and promote intestinal immune dysregulation. Among plant-derived interventions, dietary fibers, polysaccharides, and polyphenols appear promising, mainly through SCFA-dependent immune modulation, enrichment of metabolite-producing bacteria, and subsequent suppression of inflammatory pathways. Some compounds may also act through microbiota-independent mechanisms, including direct antioxidant effects, epithelial barrier protection, and inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways. Overall, SCFA-mediated immune regulation is the best-supported mechanism, whereas lung-to-gut signaling remains less established. Most evidence remains preclinical, highlighting the need for standardized human studies evaluating dose, safety, and clinically meaningful respiratory outcomes. Full article

This review aims to assess and synthesize the recent scientific literature on bioactive phytochemicals derived from Cyanobacteria and microalgae, with a focus on their pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. A total of 837 articles published over the past seven years were retrieved from multiple databases, including studies reporting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and other pharmacological and nutritional properties. After applying defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 86 studies were selected for detailed analysis. Among these, 28% focused on nutritional and dietary applications, 26% on antioxidant activities, 22% on other pharmacological potentials, 13% on antimicrobial effects, and 11% on anti-inflammatory properties. The most frequently studied genera were Arthrospira/Limnospira (Cyanobacteria) (29 articles), followed by Chlorella (Chlorophyta) (13), Nannochloropsis (10), and Phaeodactylum (Bacillariophyceae) (8). Regarding the types of products studied, crude extracts or biomass were the most common (68.96%), followed by pigments (10.34%), lipids (8.04%), proteins (6.89%), and polysaccharides (5.74%). In terms of methodology, 72% of the studies employed in vitro approaches, with 42% using non-cellular assays and 30% using cellular assays, while in vivo and in silico approaches were used in 23% and 5% of studies, respectively. The available literature indicates that Cyanobacteria- and microalgae-based products are a promising source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. However, as most of the current evidence remains preliminary and derived largely from in vitro studies, these findings should be regarded as an early indication of potential that requires further in vivo and clinical validation. Full article

Seniors represent a vulnerable demographic group at risk of inadequate nutrient and fiber intake due to various age-related changes. It is essential to address the issue of nutritional security for this growing population category. The objective of this work was to formulate polysaccharide arabinogalactan (AG) and beta-glucan (BG)-based edible gels in combination with MT (Methyl cellulose) and study the effect of the addition of different amounts of sweetener to obtain the desired sensorial characteristics for elderly subjects. The addition of sucrose (SU) and palatinose (PT) at different concentrations was investigated to develop stable, spoonable gel formulations with appropriate rheological, textural, sensory, and water-holding properties. The optimal formulations obtained by viscosity measurement were AG:MT 2:2 (w/w) and BG:MT 3:1.6 (w/w) respectively, retaining up to 10% (w/w) SU and 30% (w/w) PT respectively. From these matrices, prototypes of edible gels for the elderly were designed, representing a source of dietary fiber and a potentially easy-to-swallow food form for the elderly. Their organoleptic properties were characterized by sensory evaluation (N = 65 panelists). The addition of MT to maintain the viscosity in BG hydrogels was more pronounced than in AG hydrogels. Full article

Microbiome-linked pathologies in humans have significantly increased over recent decades, suggesting that lifestyle changes, particularly those related to diet, have contributed to the disruption of beneficial microbial composition and functions. Specifically, modern processed diets that are low in dietary fiber and high in fat and sugar can lead to the depletion of bacterial taxa over generations and contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases. These pathologies can potentially be prevented by increasing fiber intake, making the promotion of dietary fiber crucial for human health. Despite the recognized importance of fiber integration, there remains a significant gap in the understanding of the use of multiple dietary fibers in food to promote microbiota diversity, as well as which dietary fibers promote specific microbial taxa to restore symbiosis. To address this gap, we conducted an in vitro fermentation study using fecal samples from two individuals. We tested three types of dietary fibers of varying complexity: inulin, pectin, and dextran in a β-glucan–based medium. Samples were collected over a 48 h fermentation period (0–4–8–24–32–48 h) to evaluate temporal shifts in microbial composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we found that the introduction of different fibers steered the microbiota of both individuals toward a convergent trajectory by 24–48 h. This result indicated that fiber complexity can reduce inter-individual variation in microbial community structure. Distinct levels of polysaccharide complexity between fiber types modulated specific bacterial taxa, supporting the concept that consuming a diversity of dietary fiber acts on complementary microbial niches. Notably, the observed shifts toward butyrate-associated taxa and reduction of pro-inflammatory lineages with dextran/β-glucan are relevant for pathologies characterized by dysbiosis, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Together, these results underscore the value of incorporating multiple fibers into food production, including fermented foods, to enhance prebiotic properties, stimulate the growth of fiber-fermenting bacteria, and promote microbial diversity. While these observations derive from a controlled in vitro pilot setting, they support the concept that multi-fiber dietary strategies based on complementary fermentable fibers with prebiotic properties may help shift the microbiome away from a pro-inflammatory state. Accordingly, dietary guidelines and public health approaches aimed at reducing chronic disease risk may benefit from emphasizing the inclusion of composite fiber blends rather than relying solely on single-fiber supplementation. Full article