Search Results (2,874)

Cocoa pod husk, a major agro-industrial by-product of cocoa processing, represents an underutilized source of phenolic compounds with potential functional applications. This study developed an integrated extraction process combining drying pretreatments with probe ultrasound-assisted extraction to enhance the recovery and bioactivity of cocoa pod husk extracts. Preliminary solvent screening identified aqueous ethanol (1:3, v/v) as the most suitable extraction solvent, and a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:9 (w/v) was subsequently selected for further extraction experiments. Under these extraction conditions, the type of drying pretreatment (tray drying or vacuum microwave drying), ultrasonic amplitude, and extraction time influenced the total phenolic content, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) of cocoa pod husk extracts. The evaluated extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans. Cellular assays were performed using two selected extracts: Cocoa-A (vacuum microwave-dried) and Cocoa-B (tray-dried), which were prepared with aqueous ethanol (1:3, v/v) at a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:9 (w/v) under 75% ultrasonic amplitude for 15 min. These extracts contained total phenolic contents of 5.41 ± 0.14 and 5.01 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g dried cocoa pod husk for Cocoa-A and Cocoa-B, respectively. Both extracts showed low cytotoxicity together with reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide, IL-6, and TNF-α. The tray-dried extract (Cocoa-B) exhibited greater anti-inflammatory activity than the vacuum microwave-dried extract (Cocoa-A), indicating that the drying pretreatment influenced the biological activity of the extracts. This difference may also be associated with variations in phenolic composition, although the contribution of individual phenolic compounds was not investigated in the present study. These findings improve the understanding of how drying pretreatment and probe ultrasound-assisted extraction parameters influence the recovery of bioactive compounds from cocoa pod husk and provide a scientific basis for the further development of cocoa pod husk-derived bioactive ingredients for functional food, nutraceutical, and oral health-related applications. Full article

The increasing prevalence of presbyphagia and mild dysphagia among adults over 65 years (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative, IDDSI, levels 4–6) has increased the demand for texture-modified foods that ensure safe swallowing while providing added health benefits. This study aimed to develop functional gummy-like systems containing grape pomace extracts obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction using either a natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES; choline chloride:citric acid, 1:1) or water, and to evaluate the effects of extraction medium and formulation composition on their physicochemical, textural, and bioactive properties. A simplex-centroid mixture design was used to assess the combined effects of gelatin (4–8%), low-methoxyl pectin (1–3%), and extract concentration (5–10%). NaDES-based formulations exhibited lower water activity and a more homogeneous moisture distribution than aqueous counterparts, indicating improved water structuring within the gel network. Intermediate gelatin–pectin ratios produced cohesive matrices with moderate firmness, consistent with IDDSI levels 5–6. Formulation F5 (6% gelatin, 1% pectin, 7.5% extract) showed the best overall performance, combining favorable textural properties with the highest total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. These findings support the use of NaDES-extracted grape pomace for developing functional foods suitable for individuals with dysphagia. Full article

Methods for extracting bioactive compounds are widely studied, as the global trend moves toward more efficient and eco-friendly methods. This study aimed to optimize and compare the extraction of phenolic compounds from the residual biomass of andiroba (Carapa guianensis) using the conventional method with methanol as the solvent, and a green chemistry method via ultrasound using ethanol as the solvent. The optimization of the extraction variables (time, mass/volume ratio, and ethanol concentration) was performed using a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD 2³) combined with the desirability function. The established optimal conditions were an extraction time of 26.78 min, a mass/volume ratio of 86.46 mg/mL, and an ethanol concentration of 32.5%. The conventional method achieved a higher yield of total phenolic compounds (TPC) (109.05 mg GAE/mL) and total flavonoid compounds (TFC) (38.18 mg GAE/mL) compared to the ultrasound-assisted method (UAE) (82.64 and 26.27 mg GAE/mL, respectively). LC-MS analysis revealed a diversity of extracted bioactive molecules. Both methodologies yielded extracts with good in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS). In the antimicrobial assay, the extracts demonstrated an unprecedented bacteriostatic effect for this residue, inhibiting the growth of the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations ranging from 43.83% to 52.67%, with no activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The optimization demonstrated that the industrial residue of andiroba still contains a significant concentration of bioactive compounds. These findings confirm the bioeconomic potential of this by-product for the formulation of high-value-added bio-inputs, with promising applications in the development of smart packaging or bioactive food coatings. Full article

This study analyzes how the integration of native maize cultivation, cultural identity, and technological innovation can promote sustainable and experiential tourism in rural Mexico. The research was conducted in the community of Llano de Guadalupe, Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. The participatory Action Research process progressed through institutional coordination, participatory diagnosis, biofertilization training, monitoring activities, and community dissemination phases conducted between 3 March 2025 to 25 May 2026. The methodological process included institutional coordination, participatory diagnosis, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, field observations, and the implementation of agroecological practices based on biofertilization. An AI-assisted illustrated field notebook was co-designed to support intercultural education, knowledge exchange, and community participation. The study also incorporated collaborative storytelling, seed preservation practices, and the co-design of sustainable tourism routes grounded in local gastronomy, biodiversity, and agricultural traditions. Preliminary impact indicators showed the expansion of participation from two pilot producers to 54 local producers after community dissemination activities. Findings indicate that the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can strengthen community empowerment, intergenerational learning, and sustainable livelihoods while preserving biocultural heritage. The proposed circular framework connects ecological, social, cultural, and economic subsystems by transforming agroecological practices into educational and tourism assets. The results suggest that Indigenous and rural communities can lead sustainable destination development when supported through participatory governance, inclusive education, and context-sensitive technological innovation. The Tlaxiaco case offers a transferable framework for sustainable rural development that contributes to food sovereignty, biodiversity conservation, environmental stewardship, and local economic resilience. Full article

Increasing consumer demand for safer and more sustainable food preservation has stimulated interest in natural pigments as multifunctional components in active and intelligent food systems. This review critically summarizes curcumin-, anthocyanin-, and carotenoid-based systems for food preservation and freshness monitoring, focusing on their mechanisms, material strategies, food-matrix-dependent performance, and technological challenges. Curcumin mainly contributes antioxidant, antimicrobial, and photoresponsive functions, especially photodynamic inactivation when supported by suitable carriers. Anthocyanins provide pH- and amine-responsive colorimetric signals for intelligent freshness monitoring, whereas carotenoids primarily protect oxidation-sensitive foods through radical quenching and lipid oxidation inhibition. Recent incorporation of these pigments into biopolymer films, edible coatings, emulsions, nanocarriers, hydrogels, aerogels, cyclodextrin complexes, metal–organic frameworks, and deep eutectic solvent-assisted systems has improved pigment stability, dispersion, barrier performance, and controlled release. However, poor solubility, environmental instability, matrix interference, migration safety, sensory impacts, quantitative calibration, and scalability remain unresolved. Future development should emphasize mechanism-guided formulation, real-food validation, and safe, stable, scalable pigment-based systems tailored to specific deterioration pathways and commercial applications. Full article

Capsaicin is a bioactive substance with diverse health-promoting properties, but its intense pungency and irritant side effects limit oral application. This study developed a Pueraria lobata particle-based Pickering emulsion (PE) as an oral delivery platform for capsaicin. Modified Pueraria lobata particles (MP-ps) were prepared using a microwave-assisted enzymolysis technique (15% hydration, 252 J/g microwave energy and 8 h pullulanase hydrolysis). MP-ps exhibited surface cracks and pores, altered starch crystallinity, and enhanced water-holding capacity and swelling power. Compared with original Pueraria lobata particles, MP-ps avoided the burst release of puerarin in the upper gastrointestinal tract, dropping from approximately 54% to 20%. An optimized capsaicin-loading PE with excellent physical stability was obtained from 4% MP-ps and a 9:1 (v/v) water-to-corn oil ratio, exhibiting complete core–shell architecture and oil-phase sequestration of capsaicin in TEM images. Gastrointestinal transit analysis in male KM mice indicated that MP-p-based PE reduced the exposure of the encapsulated lipophilic substance in the stomach and small intestine and promoted its accumulation in the colon. Irritation assays in male KM mice and Sprague-Dawley rats further demonstrated that this effective encapsulation alleviated the gastrointestinal irritation of capsaicin and improved its palatability. This study provided a food-derived material and an easy-to-build PE platform for oral lipophilic/irritant substance delivery, with potential for future health-regulating applications. Full article

Seed mucilage is a natural hydrophilic polysaccharide gel secreted by seed coat epidermal cells comprising xylan, pectin, glucomannan, and cellulose alongside minor proteins, minerals, and lipids, with its composition varying substantially across plant species. This review critically compares conventional and green extraction technologies, including ultrasound-, microwave-, enzyme-, and subcritical water-assisted extraction, on a seed-mass-normalized yield basis together with their solvent-to-seed ratios and processing times, showing that green technologies can reduce solvent consumption, energy use, and processing time relative to matched conventional controls, though the magnitude of these gains is method and species-specific rather than uniform. We synthesize how molecular weight, uronic acid content, branching pattern, and microfibril organization govern seed mucilage hydration, rheological, emulsifying, and foaming behavior, and link these structure–function relationships to its antioxidant, prebiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial bioactivities. Beyond functional characterization, this review evaluates the translational barriers, extraction standardization, safety and regulatory status, and clinical validation that currently limit seed mucilage adoption in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Unlike previous reviews focused on ecological function or application cataloging, this review uniquely reframes seed mucilage as a structurally programmable bioactive polysaccharide, integrating molecular architecture, green process intensification, and structure–function–application relationships to bridge fundamental chemistry with industrial translation. Full article

Nano-priming has emerged as a novel technology for improving seed germination, vigour, and stress tolerance, and enhancing nutrient uptake in cereal grains, especially rice and wheat. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of 6302 publications obtained by a Boolean search query from the Scopus database, executed in November 2025. The dataset was further refined by using strict inclusion–exclusion criteria and mapped for the intellectual, geographic, and collaborative structure of the research on the topic under study at the global level. Country-level research productivity, subject-area distribution, annual publication trajectories, source-level publication patterns, and co-authorship networks are part of this study. The analysis revealed a highly skewed global publication distribution dominated by China, India, and Pakistan, which are major global hubs for nanotechnology-assisted seed treatment research, on the nano-priming of seeds. Agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, materials science, and nanotechnology emerged as dominant interdisciplinary contributors to nano-priming research. Annual publication trends continue to show an exponential rise since 2013, driven by growing interests in nanotechnology-enabled crop improvement. Co-authorship analysis revealed dense collaborative clusters centred in South and East Asia, interconnected through key bridging authors. The bibliometric evaluation, together with evidence-based synthesis of experimental studies, highlighted zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, silver, iron oxide, chitosan, and carbon-based nanomaterials as the main hotspots driving physiological enhancement in rice and wheat through enzymatic activation, nutrient uptake, and stress-resilience pathways. Nanotechnology-based seed treatments in rice and wheat offer a promising and sustainable approach to enhance crop productivity, stress tolerance, nutrient-use efficiency, and global food security under changing environmental conditions. Full article

To control the impact of the invasive crayfish Faxonius limosus on native crayfish and fish biodiversity in the Danube River ecosystem, one possible approach is the valorization of this species through the production of value-added biopolymers, considering the continuously increasing demand for chitosan. However, there are very limited data regarding the utilization of Faxonius limosus shell waste as a source of chitosan. Therefore, this study evaluated chitosan recovery from spiny-cheek crayfish shell, including conventional chemical treatment with different demineralization intensities and numbers of deproteinization steps, as well as ultrasound and autolysis-assisted deproteinization. The obtained chitosans were characterized in terms of yield, moisture content, degree of deacetylation, color, crystallinity and structural properties. Residual heavy metal concentrations (Hg, Cd and Pb) were determined to assess the safety of crayfish shell as a raw material intended for food-related applications. Particular emphasis was placed on gel-related functional properties of obtained chitosans, including rheological behavior, wettability on fruit surfaces, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and film-forming ability. These properties govern the formation of structured biopolymeric networks and their performance as active food coating materials. The relationships between the extraction process, physicochemical characteristics and functional performance were investigated to identify the most suitable chitosan for potential food preservation applications. The results demonstrated that extraction conditions significantly affected the physicochemical and functional properties of chitosan. Samples obtained through intensive deproteinization showed enhanced antimicrobial activity, whereas higher antioxidant activity was observed in samples containing residual bioactive compounds. Most formulations exhibited suitable wettability on apple and nectarine surfaces and successfully formed transparent films, indicating their potential application as edible coatings. Full article

Ellagic acid (EA) is a food-derived polyphenol with multiple biological activities, but its poor water solubility and aggregation in aqueous systems limit its accessibility to gut microorganisms. In this study, Fucus vesiculosus polysaccharide (FVP) was used as a natural carrier to prepare EA/FVP solid dispersions (SDs) with different mass ratios by solvent-assisted evaporation. Compared with pure EA, the SDs markedly improved the apparent solubility and aqueous dispersion stability of EA. The highest apparent solubility was observed for the EA/FVP 3/1 formulation (0.75 ± 0.03 mg/mL), which was approximately 6.25-fold higher than that of pure EA (0.12 ± 0.01 mg/mL). The improved dispersion behavior was associated with increased apparent viscosity, reduced aggregation, decreased crystallinity and possible non-covalent interactions between EA and the polysaccharide matrix. In vitro fecal fermentation showed that SDs enhanced the production of urolithins, including urolithin M5, urolithin M6, urolithin C, iso-urolithin A and urolithin B, without generating new metabolite types. The EA/FVP 1/3 formulation showed the strongest promotion of urolithin production, with iso-urolithin A reaching 2.36 ± 0.28 μM. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the enhanced urolithin production was accompanied by shifts in the fecal microbial community. Several bacterial genera positively correlated with urolithin biosynthesis, including Bacteroides_H, Negativicoccus, Parabacteroides_B, Unclassified_Eggerthellaceae and Lactococcus_A, were significantly enriched in the SDs groups. These findings suggest that FVP-based SDs may serve as a potential strategy for improving the apparent solubility, aqueous dispersion and microbial biotransformation of EA. Full article

Iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) deficiencies are global health concerns associated with adverse health outcomes. Plants constitute a dietary source of these elements, particularly for individuals following plant-based diets. However, plant Fe availability is limited by soil processes that reduce Fe mobility and uptake, whereas Se accumulation is constrained by the low abundance of Se in soils. Increasing Fe and Se concentrations in edible plant parts through biofortification represents a sustainable strategy to alleviate micronutrient deficiency. This review examines the mechanisms governing Fe and Se uptake, translocation, metabolism, and genetic regulation, and discusses current biofortification strategies, including agronomic practices, natural and microbial-based approaches, conventional breeding and marker-assisted selection, transgenic technologies, and nanoparticles. While cereals remain the principal targets of large-scale biofortification programs, recent advances in horticultural crops are also highlighted because of their growing nutritional and commercial importance. Current evidence indicates that integrated agronomic and genetic approaches are more effective than single interventions, although simultaneous Fe and Se biofortification remains largely underexplored. Successful biofortification is also strongly influenced by soil properties, nutrient interactions, and crop genotype. Emerging tools, including plant–microbe interactions and synthetic biology, offer promising opportunities to enhance micronutrient accumulation and bioavailability. Further research should optimize integrated Fe–Se biofortification strategies while addressing agronomic and socioeconomic constraints to support their large-scale adoption and contribute to sustainable food systems. Full article

Background: Vaccinium berries are rich in polyphenolic compounds with recognized health properties; however, studies integrating phytochemical characterization with functional cellular assays remain limited. This study comparatively evaluated wild (Vaccinium myrtillus L., VM) and cultivated blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., VC) using phytochemical profiling alongside in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity testing. Six samples from Romanian regions were extracted using ultrasound-assisted methods, then analyzed for total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC). Anthocyanins were further characterized by LC–MS/MS. The most bioactive extracts were tested for cytocompatibility, intracellular ROS modulation in Caco-2 cells, and anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. VM extracts showed higher total phenolic, anthocyanin contents, and antioxidant capacity than VC, with LC–MS/MS confirming a richer anthocyanin profile and differences in other phenolic compounds. Both extracts significantly reduced intracellular ROS in H₂O₂-stimulated Caco-2 cells and decreased IL-8 secretion in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells, with a more pronounced dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect for VM. These findings demonstrate that phytochemical differences between wild and cultivated Vaccinium species translate into distinct biological activities at the cellular level. The integrated approach provides a mechanistic link between composition and function, supporting the superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of VM and its relevance for functional food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Aging duration of the brine is considered one of the core variables determining the fermentation quality of pickled chili peppers. This study systematically analyzed the dynamic changes in volatile and non-volatile metabolites and bacteria community structure in fermented pickled chili peppers fermented with different pickle brines (aged 0, 5, 15, 25, and 50 years). Results indicate that brine age was significantly associated with both the flavor compound composition and bacteria diversity of fermented pickled chili peppers. GC-MS identified 127 volatile compounds, and RF-based exploratory marker analysis identified 10 candidate volatile markers associated with brine aging. ¹H-NMR analysis screening identified six candidate non-volatile metabolites, whose dynamic changes were associated with bacterial degradation of proteins and carbohydrates. The selected marker panels showed internal discriminative consistency within the current dataset, indicating that brine ageing duration was associated with distinguishable metabolic profiles in fermented pickled chili peppers. α-diversity indices showed both species richness and community diversity shifted dynamically. Bacillota dominated the bacterial community, with Levilactobacillus as the most abundant genus. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Levilactobacillus was significantly positively correlated with 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol, 4-ethylphenol, methylguanidine, and propylene glycol, while negatively correlated with β-Ionone and ethanol. Meanwhile, ethanol was positively associated with Weissella, Oceanobacillus, and unclassified_f_Bacillaceae. These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the role of aged brine in pickled chili peppers and support the potential application of multi-omics combined with machine learning to assist in fermented food discrimination. However, it is worth noting that, as the initial metabolic composition of the brines was not characterized, the observed differences should be interpreted as a brine-age-associated composite effect rather than being attributed exclusively to the fermentation process. Full article

This systematic review summarises advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for foodborne pathogen detection, covering applications in various technologies (AI-assisted microscopy, spectroscopy, biosensors and sensor-based systems), food supply chains, analytical performance, operational metrics and regulatory developments, addressing gaps in previous reviews limited to individual technologies or lacking regulatory analysis. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched from 1 January 2010 to 25 June 2026 using a validated string. Inclusion criteria were explicit detection of a pathogen, clearly described AI/ML algorithm, study evaluation on food or supply chains, and quantitative validation metrics. Exclusion criteria were chemical-only studies, human-diagnostic studies, or purely theoretical studies. Given heterogeneity in the evidence, qualitative quality indicators were favoured over formal quantitative risk-of-bias tools, in distinction to internal cross-validation versus independent external validation. Key data were extracted using a standardised matrix, and after screening and snowballing, the final corpus consisted of 152 studies. CNN (Convolutional Neural Network)-based microscopy provides >99% accuracy in bacterial identification, SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) and CNN 98.68% for pathogens and 99.85% for resistant strains. ML-driven biosensors show 80–100% prediction accuracy in the presence of environmental noise. Yet, performance drops dramatically on external validation, with models falling from 95% internal to 78–82% on independent test sets. Supply chain applications cover meat, dairy, seafood and produce, but most are still at pilot scale. The main constraints are data heterogeneity, lack of public benchmarks, matrix interference, non-standard validation protocols, and regulatory dissonance. However, the integration of AI with Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and edge computing improves sensitivity, reduces false results and enables real-time monitoring despite the challenges. AI is a powerful decision-support tool that complements existing food safety controls rather than replacing them. To translate these technologies reliably into routine practice, effective implementation requires rigorous external validation and regulatory harmonisation. Full article

Portable sensing systems are increasingly important in biological and chemical analyses because they can provide analytical information at the point of decision-making. While traditional laboratory methods remain crucial for reference measurements, regulatory validation, and high-precision quantification, portable systems emphasize rapid response, convenience, cost-effectiveness, robustness, and relevance to decision-making. This paper views portable sensing systems as integrated analytical platforms rather than isolated sensing elements. The paper discusses recognition elements, including enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acid probes, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, nanomaterials, and hybrid recognition interfaces, as well as electrochemical, optical, mass-sensitive, thermal, field-effect, and hybrid sensing technologies. Furthermore, this paper reviews platform designs, including paper-based analytical devices, chip lab systems, smartphone-assisted sensors, wearable and flexible sensors, handheld instruments, and wireless sensor networks. It explores their applications in sample handling, calibration, data processing, and field deployment. Applications of this technology include point-of-care diagnostics, pathogen detection, wearable health monitoring, agriculture, veterinary medicine, environmental monitoring, food safety, industrial process control, forensic analysis, public safety, and occupational exposure assessment. The report focuses on sample acquisition, miniaturized preparation, reagent storage, matrix interference, calibration transfer, signal conditioning, machine learning, cloud platforms, analytical validation, and decision support. Furthermore, it identifies key obstacles to translating academic prototypes into industrial products, including reproducibility, stability, manufacturability, ease of use, cybersecurity, regulatory approval, and market acceptance. Future development requires fully integrated sample-to-result systems, multimodal sensing, artificial intelligence, sustainable single-use materials, self-powered devices, and system-level validation under real-world operating conditions. Full article