Search Results (2,248)

This study investigated the effects of microwave puffing-induced soy protein structural modification on the dynamic changes in physicochemical properties and umami formation during soybean paste fermentation. The results indicated that optimal microwave puffing (400 W, 90 s) disrupts protein non-covalent bonds, depolymerizes protein aggregates, exposes the internal hydrophobic groups to enhance surface hydrophobicity, forms a loose porous structure, and creates favorable conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis during soybean paste fermentation. Conversely, excessive treatment (400 W, >90 s) induced protein re-aggregation and inhibited proteolysis, as confirmed by SEM. Furthermore, microwave puffing (400 W, 90 s) promoted Aspergillus oryzae growth and protease activity, and significantly improved physicochemical properties of soybean paste, including lower pH and higher contents of total acid (5.8%), amino acid nitrogen (11.8%), small peptides (13.3%), and reducing sugars (14.95%) (p < 0.05), plus a brighter, redder color. LC-MS/MS revealed microwave puffing (400 W, 90 s) reshaped the peptide profile of soybean paste, increasing the relative abundance of the umami amino acids (Glu, Asp) and sweet amino acid (Ala) and decreasing proportions of the bitter amino acids in the peptides. Sensory and electronic tongue analyses confirmed enhanced umami and weaker bitterness and saltiness. These findings demonstrate that microwave puffing (400 W, 90 s) effectively improves the quality and flavor characteristics of soybean paste, providing technical support for high-quality fermented soybean products. Full article

Contamination of food and feed by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) remains a major global concern due to its toxicity, carcinogenicity, and persistence in the food chain. Environmental and climatic pressures continue to favor aflatoxigenic fungal contamination, highlighting the need for effective and sustainable detoxification strategies. Biological detoxification has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional physical and chemical treatments. This systematic review, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, summarizes microbial and enzymatic approaches for AFB1 detoxification, focusing on bacteria, yeasts, and microbial enzymes. The literature shows a predominance of bacterial systems, especially lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus species, mainly acting through adsorption, fungal growth inhibition, and suppression of aflatoxin biosynthesis. Yeasts, although less represented, also showed promising detoxification capacities through adsorption and biodegradation-related mechanisms. Enzymatic systems achieved the highest efficiencies, particularly oxidative enzymes such as laccases and dye-decolorizing peroxidases, often exceeding 90% detoxification under optimized conditions. However, industrial application remains limited by laboratory-scale validation, variability among protocols, incomplete toxicological assessment of degradation products, and limited evidence in complex food and feed matrices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cryptosporidiosis, caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, is a significant cause of diarrheal disease, particularly affecting young children and immunocompromised individuals. With current treatments offering limited efficacy, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Methods: In this study, we report the cloning, expression, and functional characterization of a glutathione transferase (GST) from C. parvum (CpGST). Results: Biocomputing analysis revealed a single gene encoding a cytosolic enzyme with distinct structural features, compared to human cytosolic homologs. Structural modeling indicated a non-canonical thioredoxin fold and a truncated C-terminal domain, suggesting functional divergence. CpGST was expressed in Escherichia coli, and its enzymatic properties were characterized. Although the enzyme displayed a narrow substrate spectrum, it showed a distinct substrate preference, retaining catalytic activity toward the standard GST substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and cumene hydroperoxide (CuOOH). Steady-state kinetic analysis revealed limited affinity for both reduced glutathione (GSH) and CDNB. Inhibition analysis identified several polyphenols and synthetic curcumin analogues as potent inhibitors, with IC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range. Kinetic analysis with the most potent inhibitor revealed a mixed-type inhibition mechanism. Conclusions: These findings support the classification of CpGST as a structurally and functionally distinct member of the GST family, likely adapted to the parasite’s physiology and metabolism. The enzyme’s divergence from human GSTs, along with its favorable druggability profile, underscores its potential as a target for anti-cryptosporidial drug development, particularly in strategies aimed at disrupting stress response and detoxification pathways. Full article

Tsuan-Kan tea (TKT) is a solid-state-aged mixture of citrus and tea leaves. This study examined how aging temperature, humidity, and time affect the properties of TKT. Solid-state aging (SSA) enriched active ingredients (total phenol content: 1.25–2.51-fold; total flavonoid content: 1.29–2.52-fold; DPPH radical scavenging activity: 7.16–18.35-fold; ferric-reducing antioxidant power: 5.06–11.96-fold) by avoiding traditional processing losses. Flavanone glycosides (narirutin: 2.81 mg/g; hesperidin: 37.33 mg/g), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (0.20 mg/g), and tea polyphenols (catechin: 109.80 mg/g; theaflavin: 1.82 mg/g) increased substantially under high-temperature and humidity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that hydrothermal environments promoted glycosidic bond cleavage (1078 cm⁻¹) and enhanced π–π stacking between polyphenols and flavanone glycosides, improving solubility. During SSA, aroma profiles shifted from fruity and floral to woody and aged. Partial least squares regression revealed that nonenzymatic browning products, particularly 5-HMF (variable importance in projection [VIP] = 1.806), strongly correlated with α-glucosidase inhibition. Although naphthalene exhibited statistical collinearity (VIP = 2.300) and theoretical binding affinity in molecular docking, its potential toxicity as a thermal processing byproduct designates it as a quality control marker for process intensity. Overall, SSA enriches functional phytochemicals (e.g., polyphenols and 5-HMF) via non-enzymatic pathways, providing preliminary in vitro evidence for developing functional beverages. Full article

This study evaluated the impact of heat treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis using Viscozyme^® L (a carbohydrase blend) on the proteolytic profile, total phenolic content, and the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive properties of tepejilote (Chamaedorea tepejilote Liebm) inflorescence powders. Heat treatment increased free amino groups relative to the untreated sample, with the greatest increase observed when combined with enzymatic hydrolysis, particularly under boiling and steam-pressure conditions, due to the release of intracellular compounds. This pattern was confirmed by electrophoretic analyses using Tris–Glycine and Tris–Tricine buffers. The phenolic content also showed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) following thermal processing, reaching approximately 1.3- to 1.8-fold higher values than the untreated control. The addition of Viscozyme^® L further enhanced this effect, indicating improved bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, which was reflected in increased antioxidant activity, as measured by DPPH• and FRAP assays. In assays for DPP-IV enzyme inhibition, heat treatments, particularly steam pressure, enhanced inhibitory activity compared to the control. Likewise, the combination of heat and Viscozyme^® L resulted in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition exceeding 50%. These findings suggest that integrating thermal processing and enzymatic hydrolysis significantly enhances the biofunctional properties of tepejilote, highlighting its potential as a value-added ingredient in food and nutraceutical formulations. Full article

Microwave-assisted enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (eROP) has emerged as a promising green approach for the synthesis of biomedical polymers with potential applications in drug delivery systems and implantable biomaterials. This review provides a critical overview of the current state of microwave-assisted eROP, with particular emphasis on systems catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), the most widely used biocatalyst in this field. The fundamental aspects of CALB-catalyzed polymerization, including its catalytic mechanism and key parameters influencing reaction efficiency, are discussed under both conventional and microwave-assisted conditions. Microwave irradiation can offer significant advantages, such as reduced reaction times, improved energy efficiency, and, in some cases, enhanced polymer properties, including higher molecular weight and narrower dispersity. However, its effects are strongly dependent on reaction conditions, including solvent properties, temperature, and enzyme stability, with both accelerating and inhibiting effects reported. The review summarizes the current literature on microwave-assisted eROP of representative cyclic monomers, including ε-caprolactone, ω-pentadecalactone, and L-lactide, highlighting the influence of microwave parameters on polymerization outcomes and material properties. Despite promising results, microwave-assisted eROP remains relatively underexplored, with limited monomer scope and incomplete understanding of microwave–enzyme interactions. Challenges such as enzyme deactivation, lack of standardized methodologies, and scalability issues are also addressed. Overall, microwave-assisted eROP of cyclic monomers represents a sustainable and efficient strategy for producing high-quality pharmaceutical polymers. However, further research is required to fully realize its potential in industrial and biomedical applications. Full article

Pyrazole derivatives have attracted considerable interest in medicinal chemistry as adaptable frameworks for developing cholinesterase inhibitors, owing to their advantageous physicochemical properties and structural flexibility. The heteroaromatic characteristics of the pyrazole core allow for various substitution patterns, promoting selective interactions with both the catalytically active site (CAS) and the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of cholinesterase enzymes. These attributes enable pyrazole-based drugs to be viable candidates for the therapy of cognitive disorders, especially Alzheimer’s disease. This study aims to systematically describe medicinal chemistry studies on pyrazole-based cholinesterase inhibitors conducted from 2020 to 2025. The focus is on structural alterations of the pyrazole core and their impact on the inhibitory action against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) using structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis. Recent advancements in in vitro enzymatic inhibition studies, molecular docking, kinetic analysis, ADME predictions, and multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) techniques are rigorously evaluated to elucidate trends in potency, selectivity, and drug-like characteristics based on information retrieved from three search engines: Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. This review addresses significant challenges in pharmacokinetics, blood–brain barrier permeability, and safety while delineating prospects for integrating rational design, computational modeling, and biological validation to expedite the development of clinically relevant pyrazole-based cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease. Full article

Foodborne pathogens rely on colonization, biofilm formation, virulence expression, and environmental adaptation as fundamental biological drivers of food safety risk. Quorum sensing (QS), a cell-density-dependent microbial communication mechanism, coordinates the expression of these key phenotypes by integrating intraspecies, interspecies, and host-derived signals, making QS an attractive intervention target in food microbial control. Although QS research has advanced considerably in recent years, existing reviews have largely focused on individual bacterial species or specific classes of signal molecules. A systematic integration of how QS coordinately drives both food spoilage and pathogen virulence remains lacking. In this review, we conceptualize the QS network as a central regulatory hub connecting microbial signal perception to hazardous phenotype expression. We systematically examine the mechanistic roles of QS in food spoilage, biofilm formation, host colonization and invasion, and toxin production. We also summarize current QS-targeted intervention strategies, including inhibition of signal synthesis, enzymatic signal degradation, receptor antagonism, and indirect regulation via beneficial microorganisms. Building on the available evidence, we further analyze the key challenges limiting practical application: signal system specificity, ecological safety, industrial-scale feasibility, and microbial adaptability. Overall, QS-based strategies offer a non-bactericidal route for food microbial control, although substantial barriers remain for translation into complex food matrices. Reframing QS function and intervention from the perspective of food safety risk formation provides an analytical framework that bridges mechanistic understanding with practical application. This framework also establishes a theoretical foundation for developing next-generation food preservation and foodborne disease control strategies. Full article

Browning and microbial spoilage are major constraints on the shelf-life of fresh-cut potatoes, yet the concentration-dependent effects of sodium metabisulfite (SM) on product quality and bacterial dynamics are poorly understood. In this study, the impact of SM on the quality and bacterial dynamics of fresh-cut potatoes during storage was investigated. This study evaluated the concentration-dependent effects of SM on the quality of fresh-cut potatoes. The results showed that 0.3% SM treatment effectively delayed browning. Subsequently, the quality and bacterial community of fresh-cut potatoes of CK and 0.3% SM-treated groups were further investigated. The results indicated that a 0.3% SM treatment could inhibit the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) as well as the growth of Duganella. On day 7 of storage, the L* values of the control group (CK) and 0.3% SM groups decreased by 17.02% and 7.68%, respectively, while their total plate counts were 4.33 and 4.21 log CFU/g, showing a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SM treatment extended the shelf-life of fresh-cut potatoes to approximately 7 days, decreased the loss of soluble solids and weight, and maintained textural characteristics (firmness and elasticity). These findings demonstrate that SM treatment is an effective strategy for preserving the quality of fresh-cut potatoes and provide new insights into its role in inhibiting enzymatic browning during storage. Full article

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) scales represent an underutilized by-product with considerable potential as a source of bioactive peptides that can be released through enzymatic hydrolysis. This study evaluated the production of protein hydrolysates from demineralized tilapia scales using Alkaline Protease or Esperase 8.0 L^® (Alkaline Protease and Esperase 8.0 L® were kindly provided by Novozymes, Bagsværd, Denmark), and examined the impact of simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) on their bioactivities. The highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) was obtained with Alkaline Protease (12.4%), generating peptide fractions predominantly below 1000 Da, with a major population around 888 Da. Both hydrolysates exhibited antioxidant activity, with the Alkaline Protease hydrolysate showing higher ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Fe(II)-chelating activity. The hydrolysates also displayed significant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 13–14 µg/mL), dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 0.66–0.69 mg/mL), and prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 0.63–0.72 mg/mL). The digests were non-cytotoxic at the concentrations tested (<10 mg/mL) in STC-1 enteroendocrine cells. Following SGID, increased ACE-inhibitory activity was observed, with IC₅₀ values as low as 4.6 µg/mL, whereas DPP-IV and PEP-inhibitory activities decreased. The intestinal digest of the Esperase hydrolysate also exhibited significant cellular antioxidant activity in the ROS assay. Overall, these results indicate that tilapia scale hydrolysates are a promising source of peptides associated with in vitro enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities. However, the specific bioactive peptides responsible for these effects were not identified. Therefore, further studies involving peptide characterization, bioavailability assessment, and in vivo validation are required to establish their physiological relevance and potential applications as functional ingredients. Full article

The effects of low (4 °C) versus ambient (25 °C) temperature on cell wall turnover, and redox homeostasis in ‘Jin’Aofen’ figs were investigated. Compared with 25 °C, storage at 4 °C reduced decay and respiration rates, delayed firmness loss and color deterioration. It also suppressed PG, PME and CEL activities, maintained higher contents of protopectin and cellulose; and slowed soluble pectin accumulation. Storage at 4 °C maintained higher activities of SOD, CAT, POD, APX and GR. It also preserved the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, including TPC, TFC, ASA GSH. Meanwhile, it reduced H₂O₂ and O₂⁻ production and inhibited MDA. In addition, storage at 4 °C suppressed PPO, thereby alleviating enzymatic browning. Overall, storage at 4 °C maintained postharvest quality of figs by coordinately inhibiting cell wall degradation and regulating antioxidant metabolism. Full article

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, highlighting the need for safer and more effective chemopreventive strategies. Although many phytochemicals can modulate key molecular processes involved in breast carcinogenesis, their chemopreventive potential largely depends on delivery strategies that preserve their biological activity and enable efficient accumulation at the target site. Protein-based nanocarriers have emerged as promising delivery systems capable of improving the protection, solubility, cellular uptake, targeted delivery, and controlled release of bioactive compounds in tumor tissues. This review summarizes recent advances in selected animal- and plant-derived protein nanocarriers used for the encapsulation and delivery of natural compounds in breast cancer chemoprevention. Particular attention is given to their physicochemical properties, encapsulation performance, release behavior, biological activity, targeting potential, and translational limitations. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the enhanced anticancer activity of encapsulated phytochemicals, including improved stability, receptor-mediated uptake, pH-responsive release, apoptosis induction, oxidative stress modulation, and inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis, are highlighted. Current challenges, including enzymatic degradation, formulation instability, immunogenicity concerns, manufacturing scalability, and limited clinical evidence, remain important barriers to translation. Overall, selected protein-based nanocarriers represent promising multifunctional platforms for improving the chemopreventive potential of natural compounds in breast cancer. Full article

Foods rich in polyphenols are known to promote oral health by modifying the enamel pellicle. In doing so, they reduce bacterial adhesion, biofilm maturation, and erosion. The goal of this study was to screen local herbal drugs available in Central Europe for their potential suitability as part of a diet promoting oral health by targeting the initial stages of biofilm formation. To achieve this, an in situ study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the four polyphenol-rich herbal extracts of blackcurrant leaves, oak bark, horse chestnut leaves, and sweet chestnut leaves on early bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on tooth enamel over an 8 h period. This research aimed to identify natural remedies that could support oral hygiene by targeting the initial stages of biofilm formation. Study Design and Experimental Procedures: Aqueous extracts were prepared by ultrasonic extraction. Eight human subjects wore bovine enamel slabs intraorally for 8 h. After 1 min of pellicle formation, the subjects rinsed with 8 mL of the extracts for 10 min, followed by intraoral exposure without food. An 8 h-exposure without rinse served as the negative control; 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) served as the positive control. After 8 h, bacterial adhesion and biofilm matrix formation on the enamel slabs were quantified ex vivo using DAPI/Concanavalin A staining and fluorescence microscopy. The LIVE/DEAD™ BacLight™ assay was used to assess bacterial viability. Statistical analysis was performed by the Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05), as well as the Bonferroni–Holm correction (p < 0.01). Results and Conclusions: The screened herbal drugs did not demonstrate a statistically significant impact on the number of adherent bacteria, suggesting that their mode of action may not directly interfere with bacterial adhesion mechanisms. However, all four extracts exhibited consistent trends toward reduced glucan formation and decreased bacterial viability. The observed inhibition of glucan formation indicates that these drugs may potentially target the enzymatic pathways responsible for polysaccharide synthesis. By disrupting glucan production, the structural integrity of the biofilm matrix might be compromised, which indirectly affects bacterial survival within the biofilm environment. Full article

In this study, Apocynum venetum was employed as the raw material to optimize protein extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis processes for the preparation of highly active angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides, achieving an ACE inhibition rate of 92.34%. Multispectral analyses and microstructural characterization demonstrated that enzymatic hydrolysis induced the unfolding of protein secondary structures, resulting in a looser and more porous morphology enriched with characteristic amino acids. A total of 2567 peptide sequences were identified by LC–MS/MS, among which 18 potential bioactive peptides were screened. Molecular docking analysis revealed that these peptides interact with the active site of ACE primarily through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, with WLRDFL exhibiting the strongest binding affinity. This study systematically elucidates the structural characteristics and antihypertensive molecular mechanisms of ACE-inhibitory peptides derived from Apocynum venetum, providing both theoretical insights and experimental support for the development of natural antihypertensive functional foods and the high-value utilization of this plant. Full article

Skin functionalities are instrumental in four main domains: protection, regulation, sensation, and support. However, excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can compromise skin integrity and, in turn, affect its functions, by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Aiming to protect skin from UV radiation, sunscreens incorporate UV filters and antioxidants that absorb/reflect UV rays and neutralise free radicals, respectively. Nevertheless, undesired side and ecological effects of conventional UV filters have spurred the search for safer alternatives. Among synthetic antioxidants, thioethers have attracted attention for their redox power and potential medicinal properties. In this context, a library of aminopyrimidine–arylthioether conjugates was synthesised and evaluated for their antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory and antibacterial activities, as well as for their cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells and potential photoprotective properties. Among the aminopyrimidine-thioethers studied, compound C5 stood out for its antioxidant potential, exhibiting a value of 566.39 mM FeSO₄ equivalents per mM of the compound, while compound C2 showed the highest anti-enzymatic potential, inhibiting elastase (45.58%) and tyrosinase activities (34.66%). Regarding photoprotective activity, compound C13 reduced by 33.74% the ROS production induced by UV radiation exposure, at 100 μM, a non-cytotoxic concentration. Finally, compound C7 inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis and Cutibacterium acnes, at 30 μM. These preliminary results demonstrate that aminopyrimidine–arylthioethers constitute a new class of compounds warranting further investigation for skin protection. Compound C5 showed antioxidant activity in the FRAP assay, comparable to that of the positive control, BHT. Full article