Search Results (4,663)

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and a paradigmatic age-related neurodegenerative disease in which retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are selectively lost through mechanisms that extend beyond intraocular pressure. Age-dependent NAD⁺ depletion in RGCs, compounded by the progressive impairment of NAD⁺ biosynthesis and by the hyperactivation of NAD⁺-consuming enzymes under oxidative stress, defines a metabolic vulnerability that current pressure-lowering therapy does not address. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a tricyclic ortho-quinone present in plant-derived foods that acts on the NAD⁺ pool through a mechanism distinct from that of conventional precursors. Rather than expanding the pool by net synthesis, PQQ binds lactate dehydrogenase and oxidizes NADH to NAD⁺ through catalytic redox cycling, raising NAD⁺ availability without altering the total dinucleotide content and independently of the two biosynthetic enzymes selectively impaired in glaucomatous RGCs. The resulting increase in NAD⁺ availability activates sirtuin-dependent programs that drive mitochondrial biogenesis. PQQ additionally engages an NRF2-dependent antioxidant response, addressing molecular deficits directly implicated in glaucomatous RGC degeneration. In retinal cell models, PQQ preserves ATP content and viability under mitochondrial stress. In vivo, it protects RGC density in optic nerve degeneration models and elevates NAD⁺ along the visual pathway. A randomized clinical trial demonstrated functional improvement in glaucoma patients receiving a PQQ-containing combination. The redox biochemistry of PQQ places it at a mechanistic intersection with the NAD⁺ deficit that characterizes glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Its complementarity with conventional NAD⁺ precursors and neuroprotective compounds acting on distinct molecular targets supports the design of combination regimens addressing multiple dimensions of RGC vulnerability. Critical questions regarding bioavailability, molecular target characterization, and clinical validation in dedicated trials remain open. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable protein sources has stimulated interest in edible insects such as the Mexican grasshopper (Sphenarium purpurascens). This study evaluated grasshopper flour as a substrate for producing protein hydrolysates by ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis (US + EH). The flour was characterized for its proximate composition, soluble protein content, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant capacity. A $3^{3-1}$ fractional factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of enzyme-specific processing conditions, enzyme-to-substrate ratio, and ultrasound treatment time on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and antioxidant responses. Additional validation experiments enabled the selection of two representative hydrolysates for further characterization. TA, obtained under Alcalase-specific processing conditions, exhibited the highest DH (54.88 ± 1.72%) and ORAC activity (366.24 ± 23.55 µmol TE/g dry basis), whereas TB, obtained under bromelain-specific processing conditions, showed the highest ABTS activity (26.48 ± 1.10 µmol TE/g dry basis). Both hydrolysates exhibited higher soluble protein contents than defatted grasshopper flour and distinct amino acid, molecular weight, and structural profiles. Overall, US + EH effectively modified the compositional, molecular, antioxidant, and structural characteristics of S. purpurascens protein hydrolysates, supporting their potential as protein ingredients for future food applications. Full article

Flax lignans are abundant plant secondary metabolites in flaxseed, with secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) content reaching 0.61–1.33% of seed dry weight—substantially higher than levels reported for sesame seeds (0.01–0.03%), cereals (<0.01%), and most legumes (<0.005%). These levels make them natural bioactive compounds with considerable application potential. This review summarizes the biosynthetic pathways, key enzymes, and regulatory mechanisms of flax lignans; describes their major biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardiovascular protective, and metabolic regulatory effects and possible mechanisms of action; and analyzes current progress in extraction, purification, analytical detection, and application. Key limitations in industrial application include complex extraction procedures, high production costs, lack of unified quality standards, and insufficient clinical evidence. Advanced strategies such as synthetic biology approaches for heterologous production, molecular breeding for high-lignan varieties, and green extraction technologies are discussed as promising solutions. This review is intended to serve as a conceptual reference for subsequent mechanistic studies, product development, and industrial translation of flax lignans in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Full article

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid that can be absorbed by plants, inducing stress that disrupts vital physiological processes. In response, plants activate defense mechanisms that allow them to cope with As-induced stress. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the metabolic pathways involved in plant responses to As stress, focusing on the mechanisms of As uptake and transport, metabolic and antioxidant responses, molecular regulation, and mitigation strategies that contribute to plant adaptation and tolerance. As exposure disrupts primary metabolism by impairing photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle, and carbon and energy metabolism, while also altering aquaporin-mediated transport and phosphate homeostasis. In addition, As induces oxidative stress, leading to increased lipid peroxidation and enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR). It also affects secondary metabolism by modifying the biosynthesis and accumulation of specialized metabolites involved in stress tolerance. Overall, the evidence reviewed indicates that As can induce changes in both primary and secondary metabolic pathways. Although primary metabolic alterations are relatively well documented, information regarding changes in secondary metabolites, including phenolics and flavonoids, remains limited. Therefore, future research should integrate genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to elucidate the molecular basis of As tolerance and support modern crop breeding programs aimed at developing arsenic-tolerant cultivars. Moreover, this knowledge is fundamental for mitigating the impact of As on major food crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and vegetables, where arsenic contamination can reduce productivity, compromise crop quality, and increase the risk of As entry into the food chain. Furthermore, the mechanistic insights gained from these crops may serve as a basis for developing mitigation strategies applicable to other agriculturally important species. Full article

Aquaculture is central to global food security, but intensification of production has increased disease risk and environmental pressure. The gut microbiome of aquatic organisms is now recognized as a key mediator of host physiology, nutrition, immunity, and pathogen resistance, making it a promising alternative to antimicrobial-based disease control. This review summarizes current knowledge on the composition, assembly, and functional roles of the gut microbiome in fish and crustaceans of aquacultural importance. Major bacterial phyla include Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. Community structure is shaped by environment, diet, host age, genetics, stress, and stochastic processes, with differences between marine and freshwater systems. The microbiome contributes to immune defense through short-chain fatty acid production, Toll-like receptor signaling, cytokine regulation, mucosal immunoglobulin responses, antimicrobial peptide and bacteriocin production, and competitive exclusion of pathogens. It also supports productivity by improving nutrient assimilation, vitamin and enzyme synthesis, and feed conversion. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are discussed as strategies for targeted microbiome modulation, although unstable colonization and the lack of standardized protocols remain major challenges. Overall, targeted microbiome manipulation offers a promising route toward sustainable, antimicrobial-reduced aquaculture. Full article

Trehalose is a functional disaccharide widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. It is industrially produced via a dual-enzyme process involving maltoligosaccharide trehalose synthase (MTSase) and maltoligosaccharide trehalose hydrolase (MTHase), with Escherichia coli (E. coli) serving as the expression host. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is an ideal host for industrial trehalose production due to its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status and low phage susceptibility. However, engineered B. subtilis strains often exhibit slow growth, low heterologous protein expression, and high fermentation costs, thereby limiting their industrial application. To address these challenges, this study employed a synergistic strategy that combined chassis modification, expression element optimization, and knockout of substrate-competition pathways. First, a tryptophan-independent strain was constructed by reverting the trpC2 mutation to shorten the growth cycle. Next, knockout of flgD, yueB, and integration of E. coli-derived glutamate dehydrogenase (gdhA) significantly enhanced biomass accumulation. Expression of MTSase and MTHase was markedly improved through tandem strong promoters (P_HpaII-P₃₆) and ribosome-binding site (RBS) optimization (RBS1), achieving a 10.87-fold and 4.22-fold increase in enzyme activity, respectively. Finally, disruption of the amyE gene reduced non-specific substrate degradation. Using maltodextrin as substrate, the final trehalose conversion rate reached 76%. This study constructed B. subtilis chassis cells that highly express MTHase and MTSase respectively, laying a foundation for subsequent industrial trehalose production. Full article

The discovery of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides from food protein hydrolysates is commonly guided by empirical fractionation or sequence-based prediction, but few screening rules have been evaluated at the hydrolysate level and independently benchmarked across peptide lengths. Here, we developed a length-aware C-terminal screening rule (Rule 5: P1’ ∈ {W, Y, F, P} and P2’ ∈ {L, I, V, K, R, H}) through an experimentally anchored framework. The rule was derived using 24 stratified protein–protease hydrolysates and showed the strongest associations with ACE inhibition (r = 0.711, p < 0.001) and log₁₀(1/IC₅₀) (r = 0.741, p < 0.001) among five evaluated rules. Independent evaluation in 16 composition-weighted commercial hydrolysates retained predictive utility (r = 0.608 for ACE inhibition and r = 0.581 for log₁₀(1/IC₅₀)). Five peptides—VF, GIF, LP, IP, and VP—were selected because they represented the intersection of in silico cleavage prediction, Rule 5 compliance, and corresponding candidate-associated low-mass MALDI features in the experimentally prepared hydrolysates. All five inhibited ACE (IC₅₀ = 19.50–93.19 µM); VF and GIF showed mixed-type inhibition, whereas LP, IP, and VP showed competitive inhibition. External benchmarking against 1429 quantitative ACE-inhibitory peptides established a defined applicability domain: Rule 5 significantly enriched potent peptides among di- and tripeptides (2–3 residues; median IC₅₀, 28.0 vs. 79.0 µM; p_adj < 0.001, Benjamini–Hochberg-corrected; enrichment factor = 2.5 at IC₅₀ ≤ 1 µM), but enrichment attenuated rapidly as longer sequences were included. Molecular dynamics simulations (200 ns) showed persistent peptide–ACE contact for all five candidates under the simulated conditions. Rule 5 is therefore proposed as a transparent first-pass filter for prioritizing short ACE-inhibitory candidates and protein–protease combinations, rather than as a universal predictor across the full peptide-length spectrum. Full article

The rapid expansion of the global nutraceutical industry has heightened the urgency for rigorous yet efficient safety assessment of food-derived bioactives. Conventional toxicological methods, while indispensable, are often costly, time-consuming, and insufficient to keep pace with the rapid product innovation in this sector. In this context, in silico models for predicting Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET), alongside broader computational toxicology tools, are increasingly recognized as scalable and cost-effective strategies for early-stage safety evaluation of nutraceuticals. Techniques such as quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, molecular docking, and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) simulation enable early prioritization of candidate compounds, forecasting of potential enzyme- or receptor-mediated interactions, and prediction of bioactive metabolite profiles, prior to costly experimental or clinical evaluation. Yet, their application in the nutraceutical domain presents unique challenges. Food matrices are chemically complex, bioactive data remain sparse and unevenly curated, and long-term, low-dose effects are difficult to capture with existing computational frameworks. These limitations constrain predictive accuracy and raise questions about general applicability across diverse classes of compounds. Therefore, this review critically examines both the opportunities and limitations of computational safety assessment for nutraceuticals. It synthesizes representative case studies, evaluates current methodological limitations, and discusses the evolving regulatory landscape alongside emerging integrative frameworks such as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that may guide the future of nutraceutical safety assessment. Full article

Biogenic amines (BAs) are nitrogenous compounds formed by microbial decarboxylation of amino acids in protein-rich foods. Their accumulation indicates spoilage and poses health risks. Traditional methods like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) are sensitive but time-consuming, limiting on-site use. Rapid technologies based on specific recognition molecules offer feasible alternatives for real-time monitoring. This review summarizes five categories of recognition elements: antibodies, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), enzymes, and peptides for BA detection in foods. These elements convert BA concentrations into optical, electrical, or colorimetric signals, establishing a complete biosensing chain. Integration with portable platforms (lateral flow assays (LFAs), microfluidic chips, smart labels, and smartphone devices) is also discussed. Recognition-element-based sensing enables high-selectivity and rapid monitoring of BAs in foods. Antibody/aptamer systems excel in specific histamine detection, enzyme platforms in rapid total amine assessment, and MIPs in chemical stability and matrix tolerance. Yet practical application is limited by poor selectivity for similar amines, matrix interference, insufficient real-food validation, and device standardization. Our future focus will be on AI-assisted design, multi-target arrays, smartphone quantification, and IoT-enabled freshness monitoring. Full article

Crustacean processing industries, particularly those that process shrimp, crab, and lobster, generate substantial quantities of biological waste, consisting primarily of shells, heads, and exoskeletons. These by-products contribute significantly to environmental pollution due to their high organic load, slow degradability, and improper disposal practices. Nevertheless, they represent valuable reservoirs of bioactive compounds such as chitin, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and minerals, as well as biologically active enzymes and enzyme inhibitors, which possess immense potential in food, pharmaceutical/cosmetic, biomedical and environmental sectors. Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on individual components or specific extraction techniques, this review comparatively evaluates both conventional extraction techniques (acid–alkali treatment and solvent extraction) and emerging green approaches (supercritical fluid extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound-assisted extraction, cold plasma, microwave-assisted extraction and high-pressure processing), highlighting their efficiencies, sustainability, and influence on compound quality. The review study further explores the diverse applications of the recovered constituents in food preservation, nutraceutical development, biodegradable packaging, and functional ingredient formulation. Moreover, current challenges concerning process optimization, industrial scalability, economic feasibility, and environmental impact are critically evaluated. Full article

Waste cooking oil is generated in large quantities during food-waste processing, and its complex composition may pose environmental and public-health risks if it is improperly managed. Lipase-mediated conversion of waste cooking oil into biodiesel offers a promising strategy for both waste-oil valorization and greener fuel production. To expand the available microbial sources of lipases, this study isolated a strain with strong lipase-producing capacity from composted food-waste samples. The isolate was identified using molecular biological methods, the enzymatic properties of the extracellular lipase were characterized, and fermentation conditions for enzyme production were optimized by response surface methodology. The strain was identified as Trichosporon asahii. The lipase showed optimal catalytic activity at 40 °C and pH 8.0. Na⁺ and K⁺ enhanced lipase activity, whereas Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe³⁺ inhibited the enzyme. Response surface optimization showed that a maximum lipase activity of 70.816 U/mL was obtained at a fermentation temperature of 31 °C, an initial pH of 6.33, an inoculum size of 6.843%, and a fermentation time of 120 h, representing an approximately 10-fold increase compared with the non-optimized condition. These findings provide a useful basis for developing food-waste-derived oils as biodiesel feedstocks through lipase-based fermentation and support the resource-oriented utilization of food waste. Full article

Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint that threatens global food security by significantly inhibiting seed germination and early seedling establishment. Salinity disrupts all three phases of seed germination: Phase I (imbibition), where reduced water absorption capacity reduces seed hydration and delays metabolic reactivation; Phase II (lag phase), where ionic toxicity and oxidative stress impair enzyme activity, reserve mobilization, and cellular metabolism; and Phase III (radicle protrusion), where limited cell division and length prevent radicle emergence and seedling establishment. These disturbances reduce germination percentage, germination rate, germination index, germination energy, and plant vigor, while increasing average germination time. At the morpho-physiological level, salinity impairs water absorption, membrane stability, photosynthetic pigment accumulation, and root–shoot development. Biochemically, excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA) causes cellular damage and metabolic dysfunction. At the molecular level, salinity alters the expression of the aquaporin gene family (PIPs, TIPs, NIPs, and SIPs), suppresses starch mobilization by reducing α-amylase, enhances abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, and inhibits gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis, all of which cause inhibition of germination and early growth. As a result, an effective strategy is needed to improve seed germination under saline conditions. Therefore, the second focus of this review is to critically evaluate the potential of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanobiochar (NBC) as emerging tools to mitigate salinity stress during seed germination. Current evidence suggests that NPs and NBC enhance water absorption, maintain membrane strength, improve nutrient availability, promote antioxidant defense systems, and regulate osmotic adjustment in saline environments. Furthermore, these nanomaterials alter key molecular pathways involved in aquaporin expression, hormonal homeostasis, and reserve mobilization, thereby promoting successful germination and seedling establishment. By combining recent advances in physiological, biochemical, and molecular research, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of salinity-induced germination disruption and highlights the potential of NP- and NBC-based approaches to improve crop establishment under saline conditions. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a versatile class of porous nanomaterials with exceptional surface area, tunable pore architectures, and customizable chemical functionalities, creating new opportunities for advanced food applications. Increasing demand for functional foods, precision fermentation, and sustainable bioprocessing has stimulated interest in MOFs as multifunctional platforms for microbial encapsulation, biocatalyst stabilization, and resource recovery. This review examines recent advances in the design and application of MOFs for probiotic delivery, precision fermentation, and circular food systems. The relationships between MOF structure, physicochemical properties, and functional performance are discussed in the context of probiotic encapsulation, protection against environmental and gastrointestinal stress, and controlled release within the intestinal tract. Emerging applications in precision fermentation are evaluated, including microbial immobilization, enzyme stabilization, metabolite separation, and bioprocess intensification. The potential of MOFs to enable circular food systems through the valorization of fermentation by-products, nutrient recovery, and waste-to-value strategies is also assessed. Despite significant progress, challenges related to biocompatibility, food-grade synthesis, scalability, regulatory approval, and long-term safety continue to limit industrial implementation. Future research directions include the development of sustainable and biodegradable MOFs, data-driven material design, and standardized evaluation frameworks to accelerate the translation of MOF-enabled technologies from laboratory research to commercial food applications. Full article

Xylanases catalyze the hydrolysis of β-1,4-xylosidic linkages in xylan, a major component of plant cell walls, and are widely used in the food, feed, pulp and paper, and biofuel industries. GH11 xylanase from the hemicellulose-degrading bacterium Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum (TsaGH11) exhibits high catalytic activity, making it an attractive enzyme for industrial applications. The flexibility of the thumb domain of TsaGH11 has been investigated under cryogenic and room temperature conditions; however, the substrate recognition mechanism of TsaGH11 at the optimal temperature is unknown. To better understand the molecular mechanism of substrate recognition, the high-resolution crystal structure of TsaGH11 was determined at 1.4 Å resolution. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations at 300, 320, 340, and 360 K revealed that increasing the temperature induced fluctuations in the substrate-recognizing thumb domain. At an optimal temperature of 340 K, the substrate-binding cleft of TsaGH11 predominantly adopted a closed conformation. However, the thumb domain exhibited larger fluctuations at 340 K than at other temperatures, sampling both open and closed conformations, suggesting that substrate recognition in TsaGH11 proceeds through a conformational selection-like mechanism. At 360 K, TsaGH11 unfolded partially at a site opposite the substrate-binding cleft, providing potential targets for protein engineering to improve its thermostability for industrial applications. These findings provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of TsaGH11 and offer valuable guidance for the rational engineering of GH11 xylanases for industrial applications. Full article

Broccoli processing generates large quantities of leaves that remain underutilized despite being rich in bioactive compounds. Their valorization as a functional ingredient aligns with sustainable food production and offers an opportunity to enhance the nutritional quality of cereal-based foods. This study evaluated the impact of broccoli leaf powder (BLP) fortification (2.5 and 5%) on the phytochemical composition and functional properties of durum pasta under three drying regimes. BLP introduced glucosinolates, flavonols, carotenoids, and chlorophylls that were absent in the control samples, and their contents increased proportionally with the fortification level. The drying regime modulated compound stability, with low-temperature drying generally favoring retention, whereas cooking caused up to a 50% loss of glucosinolate, depending on the processing conditions. Functional properties were markedly enhanced by BLP addition. The 5% fortification level showed the greatest improvement, resulting in the highest antioxidant activity, antiglycation potential, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity compared to the control pasta. Antioxidant, antiglycation, and ACE-inhibitory activities increased proportionally with the fortification level, and although drying reduced some activities, the fortified pasta consistently outperformed the control. Among the tested formulations, pasta enriched with 5% BLP showed the most favorable overall functional and bioactive compound profiles. Overall, broccoli leaves represent a valuable by-product for developing nutritionally enriched pasta, and the processing conditions play a key role in shaping the stability and bioactivity of the incorporated compounds. Full article