Search Results (2,644)

The search for natural sources of bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties has intensified in recent years. Among these, Tannat grape pomace (TGP), a primary byproduct of winemaking, stands out for its high phenolic content, although its bioactivity may be affected during gastrointestinal digestion. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of in vitro digestion on the antioxidant (ABTS, ORAC-FL, intracellular ROS inhibition), anti-diabetic (α-glucosidase inhibition), anti-obesity (lipase inhibition), and anti-inflammatory (NO inhibition) properties of five sugar-free biscuits formulated with varying percentages of TGP and sucralose. No significant differences were observed in the bioaccessible fractions (BFs, representing the compounds potentially released in the small intestine) between control biscuits and those enriched with TGP, suggesting limited release of phenolics at this stage. Conversely, the colonic fractions (CFs, simulating the material reaching the colon) from biscuits with higher TGP content exhibited greater bioactivities. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of the CF from the biscuit containing 20% TGP and 4% sucralose revealed a high content of procyanidin trimers, indicating the persistence of these specific phenolic compounds after in vitro digestion. These findings suggest that TGP-enriched biscuits may deliver health benefits at the colonic level and support their potential application in the formulation of functional foods. Further microbiota and in vivo studies should be assessed to confirm the latter. Full article

Soil salinization and selenium (Se) deficiency threaten global food security. This study developed a composite bioinoculant combining ACC deaminase-producing Serratia liquefaciens and biogenically synthesized nano-selenium (SeNPs) to alleviate saline–alkali stress and enhance Se nutrition in rice (Oryza sativa L.). A strain of S. liquefaciens with high ACC deaminase activity was isolated and used to biosynthesize SeNPs with stable physicochemical properties. Pot experiments showed that application of the composite inoculant (S3: S. liquefaciens + 40 mmol/L SeNPs) significantly improved seedling biomass (fresh weight +53.8%, dry weight +60.6%), plant height (+31.6%), and root activity under saline–alkali conditions. S3 treatment also enhanced panicle weight, seed-setting rate, and grain Se content (234.13 μg/kg), meeting national Se-enriched rice standards. Moreover, it increased rhizosphere soil N, P, and K availability and improved microbial α-diversity. This is the first comprehensive demonstration that a synergistic bioformulation of ACC deaminase PGPR and biogenic SeNPs effectively mitigates saline–alkali stress, enhances soil fertility, and enables safe Se biofortification in rice. Full article

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and cancer drive demand for therapeutic functional foods. This study developed freeze-dried fermented camel milk (FCM) with Ajwa date pulp (ADP), evaluating its physical and functional properties, probiotic survival, and potential benefits for diabetes and cancer. To achieve this target, six FCM formulations were prepared using ABT-5 starter culture (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Streptococcus thermophilus) with or without Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus B-1937 and ADP (12% or 15%). The samples were freeze-dried, and their functional properties, such as water activity, dispersibility, water absorption capacity, water absorption index, water solubility index, insolubility index, and sedimentation, were assessed. Reconstitution properties such as density, flowability, air content, porosity, loose bulk density, packed bulk density, particle density, carrier index, Hausner ratio, porosity, and density were examined. In addition, color and probiotic survivability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions were analyzed. Also, antidiabetic potential was assessed via α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, while cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay on Caco-2 cells. The results show that ADP supplementation significantly improved dispersibility (up to 72.73% in FCM15D+L). These improvements are attributed to changes in particle size distribution and increased carbohydrate and mineral content, which facilitate powder rehydration and reduce clumping. All FCM variants demonstrated low water activity (0.196–0.226), indicating good potential for shelf stability. The reconstitution properties revealed that FCM powders with ADP had higher bulk and packed densities but lower particle density and porosity than controls. Including ADP reduced interstitial air and increased occluded air within the powders, which may minimize oxidation risks and improve packaging efficiency. ADP incorporation resulted in a significant decrease in lightness (L*) and increases in redness (a*) and yellowness (b*), with greater pigment and phenolic content at higher ADP levels. These changes reflect the natural colorants and browning reactions associated with ADP, leading to a more intense and visually distinct product. Probiotic survivability was higher in ADP-fortified samples, with L. acidophilus and B. bifidum showing resilience in intestinal conditions. The FCM15D+L formulation exhibited potent antidiabetic effects, with IC₅₀ values of 111.43 μg mL⁻¹ for α-amylase and 77.21 μg mL⁻¹ for α-glucosidase activities, though lower than control FCM (8.37 and 10.74 μg mL⁻¹, respectively). Cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells was most potent in non-ADP samples (IC₅₀: 82.22 μg mL⁻¹ for FCM), suggesting ADP and L. rhamnosus may reduce antiproliferative effects due to proteolytic activity. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that ADP-enriched FCM is a promising functional food with enhanced probiotic viability, antidiabetic potential, and desirable physical properties. This work highlights the potential of camel milk and date synergies in combating some NCDs in vitro, suggesting potential for functional food application. Full article

Background: Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. (A. roxburghii) was widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and also as a health food in China. Gibberellins (GAs) are plant hormones that regulate various aspects of growth and development in A. roxburghii. Ent-kaurene synthase (KS) plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of GAs in plants. However, there is limited functional analysis of KS in GA biosynthesis and its effect on salt tolerance, especially in A. roxburghii. Methods: The ArKS genes were cloned from A. roxburghii, and its salt tolerance characteristics were verified by prokaryotic expression. Under salt stress, analyze the regulation of KS gene on GA and active ingredient content by qRT-PCR and HPLC-MS/MS, and explore the mechanism of exogenous GAs promoting active ingredient enrichment by regulating the expression level of the KS under salt stress. Results: The ArKS protein was highly homologous to KSs with other plant species; subcellular localization of KS protein was lacking kytic vacuole. The transformants displayed a significant increase in salt tolerance under the stress conditions of 300 mM NaCl. And the expression of ArKS genes and the GAs accumulation was downregulated under the salt stress; among them, the contents of GA3, GA7, GA8, GA24, and GA34 showed a significant decrease. It was further found that there was an increase (1.36 times) in MDA content and a decrease (0.84 times) in relative chlorophyll content under the salt conditions from A. roxburghii. However, the content of active constituents was elevated from A. roxburghii under the NaCl stress, including polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and free amino acids, which increased by 1.14, 1.23, and 1.44 times, respectively. Interestingly, the ArKS gene expression and the chlorophyll content was increased, MDA content showed a decrease from 2.02 μmoL·g⁻¹ to 1.74 μmoL·g⁻¹ after exogenous addition of GAs, and the elevation of active constituents of polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and free amino acids were increased by 1.02, 1.09, and 1.05 times, implying that GAs depletion mitigated the damage caused by adversity to A. roxburghii. Conclusions: The ArKS gene cloned from A. roxburghii improved the salt tolerance of plants under salt stress by regulating GA content. Also, GAs not only alleviate salt tolerance but also play a key role in the synthesis of active components in A. roxburghii. The functions of KS genes and GAs were identified to provide ideas for improving the salt tolerance and quality of ingredients in artificial cultivation from A. roxburghii. Full article

We adapt previously developed conceptual and numerical models of ciguateric food chains on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, to model the bioaccumulation of ciguatoxins (CTXs) in parrotfish, the simplest food chain with only two trophic levels. Our model indicates that relatively low (1 cell/cm²) densities of Gambierdiscus/Fukuyoa species (hereafter collectively referred to as Gambierdiscus) producing known concentrations of CTX are unlikely to be a risk of producing ciguateric fishes on the Great Barrier Reef unless CTX can accumulate and be retained in parrotfish over many months. Cell densities on turf algae equivalent to 10 Gambierdiscus/cm² producing known maximum concentrations of Pacific-CTX-4 (0.6 pg P-CTX-4/cell) are more difficult to assess but could be a risk. This cell density may be a higher risk for parrotfish than we previously suggested for production of ciguateric groupers (third-trophic-level predators) since second-trophic-level fishes can accumulate CTX loads without the subsequent losses that occur between trophic levels. Our analysis suggests that the ratios of parrotfish length-to-area grazed and weight-to-area grazed scale differently (allometrically), where the area grazed is a proxy for the number of Gambierdiscus consumed and hence proportional to toxin accumulation. Such scaling can help explain fish size–toxicity relationships within and between trophic levels for ciguateric fishes. Our modelling reveals that CTX bioaccumulates but does not necessarily biomagnify in food chains, with the relative enrichment and depletion rates of CTX varying with fish size and/or trophic level through an interplay of local and regional food chain influences. Our numerical model for the bioaccumulation and transfer of CTX across food chains helps conceptualize the development of ciguateric fishes by comparing scenarios that reveal limiting steps in producing ciguateric fish and focuses attention on the relative contributions from each part of the food chain rather than only on single components, such as CTX production. Full article

Foraging behavior in hens is an important indicator of animal welfare. It involves both the search for food and exploration of the environment, which provides necessary enrichment. In addition, it has been inversely linked to damaging behaviors such as severe feather pecking. Conventional studies rely on manual observation to investigate foraging location, duration, timing, and frequency. However, this approach is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and subject to human bias. Our study developed computer vision-based methods to automatically detect foraging hens in a cage-free research environment and compared their performance. A cage-free room was divided into four pens, two larger pens measuring 2.9 m × 2.3 m with 30 hens each and two smaller pens measuring 2.3 m × 1.8 m with 18 hens each. Cameras were positioned vertically, 2.75 m above the floor, recording the videos at 15 frames per second. Out of 4886 images, 70% were used for model training, 20% for validation, and 10% for testing. We trained multiple You Only Look Once (YOLO) object detection models from YOLOv9, YOLOv10, and YOLO11 series for 100 epochs each. All the models achieved precision, recall, and mean average precision at 0.5 intersection over union (mAP@0.5) above 75%. YOLOv9c achieved the highest precision (83.9%), YOLO11x achieved the highest recall (86.7%), and YOLO11m achieved the highest mAP@0.5 (89.5%). These results demonstrate the use of computer vision to automatically detect complex poultry behavior, such as foraging, making it more efficient. Full article

Environmental enrichment is essential for promoting species-specific behaviors and enhancing the welfare of zoo-housed animals. This study examined the behavioral responses of two juvenile male binturongs (Arctictis binturong) at the Minnesota Zoo to three enrichment stimuli: lavender oil (olfactory), thawed fish (olfactory and dietary), and hard-boiled egg (olfactory and dietary). Their behaviors were recorded using scan sampling before and after enrichment exposure, focusing on locomotion, foraging, resting, and visitor visibility. Food-based enrichments, particularly the hard-boiled egg, significantly increased foraging behavior, while lavender oil and thawed fish produced minimal behavioral changes. Locomotion and visibility remained stable across the conditions, although a slight increase in resting was observed with lavender oil. No evidence of scent-marking disruption was noted, and individual differences appeared to influence inactivity levels. These findings highlight the potential of biologically relevant, food-based enrichment to stimulate natural behaviors in binturongs and emphasize the importance of species-specific enrichment strategies. Future research should explore a broader range of olfactory cues, assess long-term behavioral responses, and incorporate physiological measures to further evaluate enrichment impacts on binturong welfare. Full article

Segregative phase separation technology demonstrates substantial potential for precise molecular fractionation in food and biomaterial applications. The investigation elucidates the causal relationship between viscosity variations and phase separation dynamics, which govern molecular fractionation in GA/HPMC composite systems. By conducting a comparative analysis of two GA subtypes (CGA and SGA) and three HPMC grades with controlled viscosity gradients, we utilized gel permeation chromatography-multi-angle laser light scattering (GPC-MALLS) coupled with rheological characterization to elucidate the critical relationship between continuous phase viscosity and fractionation efficiency. Notably, increasing HPMC viscosity significantly intensified phase separation, resulting in selective enrichment of arabinogalactan-protein complexes: from 6.3% to 8.5% in CGA/HPMC systems and from 27.3% to 36.5% in SGA/HPMC systems. Further mechanistic investigation revealed that elevated HPMC viscosity enhances thermodynamic incompatibility while slowing interfacial mass transfer, synergistically driving component redistribution. These findings establish a quantitative viscosity–fractionation relationship, offering theoretical insights for optimizing GA/HPMC systems in emulsion stabilization, microencapsulation, and functional biopolymer purification via viscosity-mediated phase engineering. Full article

The worldwide agriculture industry is facing increasing problems due to rapid population increase and increasingly unfavorable weather patterns. In order to reach the projected food production targets, which are essential for guaranteeing global food security, innovative and sustainable agricultural methods must be adopted. Conventional approaches, including traditional breeding procedures, often cannot handle the complex and simultaneous effects of biotic pressures such as pest infestations, disease attacks, and nutritional imbalances, as well as abiotic stresses including heat, salt, drought, and heavy metal toxicity. Applying phytohormonal approaches, particularly those involving hormonal crosstalk, presents a viable way to increase crop resilience in this context. Abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GAs), auxin, cytokinins, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, and GA are among the plant hormones that control plant stress responses. In order to precisely respond to a range of environmental stimuli, these hormones allow plants to control gene expression, signal transduction, and physiological adaptation through intricate networks of antagonistic and constructive interactions. This review focuses on how the principal hormonal signaling pathways (in particular, ABA-ET, ABA-JA, JA-SA, and ABA-auxin) intricately interact and how they affect the plant stress response. For example, ABA-driven drought tolerance controls immunological responses and stomatal behavior through antagonistic interactions with ET and SA, while using SnRK2 kinases to activate genes that react to stress. Similarly, the transcription factor MYC2 is an essential node in ABA–JA crosstalk and mediates the integration of defense and drought signals. Plants’ complex hormonal crosstalk networks are an example of a precisely calibrated regulatory system that strikes a balance between growth and abiotic stress adaptation. ABA, JA, SA, ethylene, auxin, cytokinin, GA, and BR are examples of central nodes that interact dynamically and context-specifically to modify signal transduction, rewire gene expression, and change physiological outcomes. To engineer stress-resilient crops in the face of shifting environmental challenges, a systems-level view of these pathways is provided by a combination of enrichment analyses and STRING-based interaction mapping. These hormonal interactions are directly related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). This review emphasizes the potential of biotechnologies to use hormone signaling to improve agricultural performance and sustainability by uncovering the molecular foundations of hormonal crosstalk. Increasing our understanding of these pathways presents a strategic opportunity to increase crop resilience, reduce environmental degradation, and secure food systems in the face of increasing climate unpredictability. Full article

The intensifying global demand for sustainable and nutrient-dense food sources necessitates the exploration of underutilized local resources. Arthrospira platensis var. toliarensis, a cyanobacterium endemic to Madagascar, was evaluated for its nutritional, functional, and environmental potential under small-scale, low-input outdoor cultivation. The study assessed growth kinetics, physicochemical parameters, and composition during two contrasting seasons. Biomass increased 7.5-fold in 10 days, reaching a productivity of 7.8 ± 0.58 g/m²/day and a protein yield of 4.68 ± 0.35 g/m²/day. The hot-season harvest showed significantly higher protein content (65.1% vs. 44.6%), enriched in essential amino acids. On a dry matter basis, mineral profiling revealed high levels of sodium (2140 ± 35.4 mg/100 g), potassium (1530 ± 21.8 mg/100 g), calcium (968 ± 15.1 mg/100 g), phosphorus (815 ± 13.2 mg/100 g), magnesium (389.28 ± 6.4 mg/100 g), and iron (235 ± 9.1 mg/100 g), underscoring its value as a micronutrient-rich supplement. The hydroethanolic extract had the highest polyphenol content (4.67 g GAE/100 g of dry extract), while the hexanic extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ = 101.03 ± 1.37 µg/mL), indicating fat-soluble antioxidants. Aflatoxin levels (B1, B2, G1, and G2) remained below EU safety thresholds. Compared to soy and beef, this strain showed superior protein productivity and water-use efficiency. These findings confirm A. platensis var. toliarensis as a promising, ecologically sound alternative for improving food and nutrition security, and its local production can offer substantial benefits to smallholder livelihoods. Full article

The growing environmental concerns associated with petroleum-based plastics require the development of sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of biodegradable bioplastics, offer a promising potential as eco-friendly substitutes due to their renewable origin and favorable degradation properties. This research investigates the use of synthetic condensate, mimicking the liquid fraction from drying and shredding of household food waste, as a viable substrate for PHA production using mixed microbial cultures. Two draw-fill reactors (DFRs) were operated under different feed organic concentrations (2.0 ± 0.5 and 3.8 ± 0.6 g COD/L), maintaining a consistent carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to selectively enrich microorganisms capable of accumulating PHAs through alternating nutrient availability and deficiency. Both reactors achieved efficient organic pollutant removal (>95% soluble COD removal), stable biomass growth, and optimal pH levels. Notably, the reactor with the higher organic load (DFR-2) demonstrated a modest increase in PHA accumulation (19.05 ± 7.18%) compared to the lower-loaded reactor (DFR-1; 15.19 ± 6.00%), alongside significantly enhanced biomass productivity. Polymer characterization revealed the formation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), influenced by the substrate composition. Microbial community analysis showed an adaptive shift towards Proteobacteria dominance, signifying successful enrichment of effective PHA producers. Full article

This study developed phospholipid-based liposomes loaded with extract from wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) tea processing residues to enhance polyphenol stability and delivery. Liposomes were prepared with phospholipids alone or combined with 10–30 mol% cholesterol or β-sitosterol. The effect of different lipid compositions on encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, stability, thermal properties, diffusion coefficient, and diffusion resistance of the liposomes was investigated. Liposomes with 10 mol% sterols (either cholesterol or β-sitosterol) exhibited the highest EE of polyphenols, while increasing sterol content to 30 mol% resulted in decreased EE. Particle size and PDI increased with sterol content, while liposomes prepared without sterols showed the smallest vesicle size. Encapsulation of the extract led to smaller liposomal diameters and slight increases in PDI values. Zeta potential measurements revealed that sterol incorporation enhanced the surface charge and stability of liposomes, with β-sitosterol showing the most pronounced effect. Stability testing demonstrated minimal changes in size, PDI, and zeta potential during storage. UV irradiation and lyophilization processes did not cause significant polyphenol leakage, although lyophilization slightly increased particle size and PDI. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that polyphenols and sterols modified the lipid membrane transitions, indicating interactions between extract components and the liposomal bilayer. FT-IR spectra confirmed successful integration of the extract into the liposomes, while UV exposure did not significantly alter the spectral features. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay demonstrated the extract’s efficacy in mitigating lipid peroxidation under UV-induced oxidative stress. In contrast, liposomes enriched with sterols showed enhanced peroxidation. Polyphenol diffusion studies showed that encapsulation significantly delayed release, particularly in sterol-containing liposomes. Release assays in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids confirmed controlled, pH-dependent polyphenol delivery, with slightly better retention in β-sitosterol-enriched systems. These findings support the use of β-sitosterol- and cholesterol-enriched liposomes as stable carriers for polyphenolic compounds from wild thyme extract, as bioactive antioxidants, for food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides screened by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) methods, which are widely used in food analysis. Aptamers have the advantages of low molecular weight, ease of preparation, simplicity of chemical modification, and structural stability. Aptamers generated by SELEX are typically 80–100 bases in length, and the affinity of the aptamer can be improved by sequence optimization. Methods of aptamer optimization commonly include truncation, mutation, and chemical modification, and molecular docking, molecular dynamics, circular dichroism, and isothermal titration to assess often the binding performance of the aptamer to the target. Optimized aptamers usually enhance the affinity of the aptamer for the target and increase its sensitivity in the detection of pesticides, heavy metals, fungal toxins, pathogenic bacteria, and other objects. This paper focuses on truncation, mutation, chemical modification, the introduction of rare nucleotides, and computer-aided design. It provides an overview of non-immobilized optimization metrics. Full article

This paper applies a multi-level social network analysis to examine Aragón’s innovation ecosystem, focusing on a decade of competitive public projects (2014–2023) aligned with the region’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) 2021–2027. By mapping and weighting the participation of regional entities across regional, national, and European calls, the study uncovers how all types of local actors organise themselves around key specialisation areas. Moreover, a comparative benchmark is introduced by analysing more than 33,000 Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe initiatives without Aragonese partners, revealing how to fill structural gaps and enrich the regional ecosystem through international collaboration. Results show strong funding concentration in four fields—Energy, Health, Agri-Food, and Advanced Technologies—while other historically strategic areas like Hydrogen and Water remain underrepresented. Although leading institutions (UNIZAR, CIRCE, ITA, AITIIP) play central roles in connecting academia and industry, direct collaboration among them is limited, pointing to missed synergies. Expanding previous SNA-based assessments, this study introduces a diagnostic tool to guide policy, proposing targeted actions such as challenge-driven calls, dedicated support programs, and cross-border consortia with top EU partners. Applied to two contrasting specialisation areas, the method offers sector-specific recommendations, helping policymakers align Aragón’s innovation capabilities with EU priorities and strengthen its position in both established and emerging domains. Full article

Background: Malnutrition and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) are prevalent in cancer patients, significantly impacting prognosis and quality of life. Oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) enriched with protein and ω-3 fatty acids may improve nutritional status and mitigate CRF. This study evaluates the effects of a high-protein, fish oil-enriched ONS (FOHP-ONS) on nutritional intake, body composition, fatigue, and quality of life in malnourished cancer patients. Methods: Cancer patients with malnutrition or inadequate food intake received 8 weeks of FOHP-ONS (2 cans/day, providing 4.2 g/day of ω-3 fatty acids). Dietary intake, body weight, handgrip strength, serum biochemical markers, nutritional status (PG-SGA), fatigue (BFI-T), and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Results: Of the 33 enrolled patients, 30 completed the study. Energy and protein intake significantly increased (p < 0.05), and body BMI and handgrip strength showed significant improvements (p < 0.05), while muscle mass did not change significantly. Nutritional status, assessed by PG-SGA, improved, with the proportion of severely malnourished patients (Stage C) decreasing from 46.7% to 13.3%, and moderately malnourished patients (Stage B) improving to well-nourished status (Stage A) from 10.0% to 30.0% (p < 0.001). Serum albumin levels increased significantly (p < 0.05), while fasting blood glucose significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Additionally, triglyceride levels significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while total cholesterol and LDL-C showed a downward trend. Cancer-related fatigue scores improved across all domains (p < 0.05), and quality of life significantly increased, particularly in physical and role functioning (p < 0.05). Conclusions: FOHP-ONS supplementation improved nutritional intake, body composition, and muscle strength while alleviating CRF and enhancing quality of life in malnourished cancer patients. These findings support its potential role in nutritional intervention for malnourished cancer patients. Full article