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Conventional gummies are characterized by high sugar, sweetener, and additive content, which has increased the demand for healthier alternatives. In this context, the incorporation of unconventional ingredients has emerged as a promising strategy to improve nutritional profile and functional value. This review aimed to collect and analyze information on the nutritional, technological, and sensory properties of unconventional ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, microalgae, natural sweeteners, coproducts, and other functional compounds, in gummy formulations. A literature search was conducted, from which 20 relevant studies were selected and analyzed. The results showed that fruit incorporation increased the content of fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant compounds, while vegetables improved the mineral composition and the presence of bioactive compounds. Similarly, agro-industrial coproducts were identified as valuable sources of functional compounds with potential for sustainable valorization. In addition, the alternative gelling agents exhibited favorable effects on the texture, gel-forming capacity, stability, and shelf life of the samples. Overall, these ingredients demonstrated nutritional, technological, sensory, and sustainability advantages. However, challenges related to industrial scalability and sensory evaluation remain. Full article

Non-grain production of cultivated land has increasingly affected regional food security and the stability of agricultural ecosystems. In traditional rice-producing regions, changes associated with non-rice cultivation, fallow land, rice-fishery integrated farming, and intensive agricultural management are reshaping the spatial structure of paddy landscapes. To identify the long-term spatiotemporal evolution of paddy systems, this study investigated Northern Jiangxi, China, using Landsat surface reflectance imagery from 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Land Surface Water Index (LSWI) were used to construct a phenology-based Flooding Frequency (FF) indicator. Based on the annual frequency with which pixels satisfied the condition LSWI > EVI, cultivated land was classified into three categories: non-flooded cropland, standard rice paddy, and high-frequency flooded cropland. In this study, non-flooded cropland was used as an indicator of potential non-rice cultivation rather than as direct evidence of confirmed non-grain production. Landscape metrics, transition matrices, gravity center migration, standard deviation ellipses, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were then used to examine paddy landscape dynamics, fragmentation patterns, and county-level spatial associations with socioeconomic factors. The results suggest that the paddy system in Northern Jiangxi experienced marked stage-based fluctuations between 2000 and 2020. Standard rice paddy recovered during 2005–2010, whereas non-flooded cropland expanded considerably during 2010–2015, accompanied by intensified paddy landscape fragmentation. Non-flooded cropland was mainly distributed around urban fringes, transport corridors, and some hilly margins. Standard rice paddy was concentrated in traditional grain-producing areas, including the Poyang Lake Plain and the Gan-Fu Plain. High-frequency flooded cropland was primarily located in low-lying lake areas, where its dynamics were likely associated with rice-fishery integrated farming, continuous irrigation, and hydrological fluctuations. Landscape metrics showed that the largest patch index and mean patch size of standard rice paddy declined after 2010, indicating reduced spatial continuity of core paddy fields. The GWR analysis provided auxiliary evidence that total population, per capita gross domestic product (GDP), and urbanization rate were spatially associated with changes in non-flooded cropland at the county level; however, the results should be interpreted as exploratory associations rather than causal mechanisms. Overall, paddy landscape change in Northern Jiangxi was expressed not only through changes in cultivated land area, but also through the reorganization of paddy function, spatial continuity, and land-use intensity. Future cropland protection should therefore move beyond area-based control toward integrated management of quantity, quality, function, and spatial configuration. Future research should further verify these findings using dynamic cropland boundaries, higher-resolution imagery, and more detailed socioeconomic data. Full article

Diet represents a key determinant of the body’s acid–base balance because foods are metabolized into non-volatile acids or bases. An increase in dietary acid load can elicit low-grade metabolic acidosis, which has been associated with systemic inflammation and the risk of adverse cardiometabolic conditions, including obesity. Potential renal acid load (PRAL) and Net Endogenous Acid Production (NEAP) represent the major markers of dietary acid load. The aim of this secondary analysis was to compare the acid load of four different diets and investigate its association with Body Mass Index (BMI) in a sample of the general population. In an online survey, the INVITA study, four dietary patterns (meat-eaters, fish-eaters, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and vegans) were compared for their corresponding PRAL and NEAP values, and the associations of both parameters with BMI were evaluated. Multiple linear regression models were progressively adjusted for dietary pattern, energy intake, age, sex, physical activity, smoking status, and education level. The stepwise decrease in animal food consumption across the four dietary patterns was associated with a progressive reduction in dietary acid load, with vegan participants showing the lowest values. While PRAL did not prove consistently associated with BMI in this cohort, NEAP remained significantly associated with BMI even after full adjustment for lifestyle confounders (β = 0.032, p = 0.00013). However, because NEAP includes an anthropometric component based on body surface area, this association should be interpreted cautiously, as it may partly reflect mathematical coupling rather than a purely diet-derived effect. PRAL should be considered the more diet-specific marker, while NEAP represents a composite index combining dietary acid load and anthropometric scaling. Because PRAL and NEAP do not account for protein origin, future studies should assess whether diet-specific reference ranges could improve their comparisons for dietary patterns including mostly or exclusively plant protein. Full article

The purpose of this project was to investigate the nutrient density and nutritional value of meat products, seafood products, and plant-derived protein food products using the 2015 Canadian Nutrient File database. Particular emphasis was placed on comparing nutrient density before and after cooking or preparation, as well as evaluating the cost of foods relative to the nutrients they provide using Canadian retail prices collected over a five-month period. Overall, meat and seafood products were consistently rich sources of protein and key micronutrients, including zinc and vitamin B12, whereas many plant-derived protein foods, including kale, broccoli, spinach, lentils, beans, and quinoa, contained substantially lower protein concentrations on both an uncooked (as purchased) and cooked (as prepared) basis. Although the concentrations of nutrients such as fat, iron, phosphorus, and sodium varied among food products, these findings demonstrate meaningful differences in nutrient density and nutrient cost across protein food categories. These results provide a useful framework for consumers, health professionals, and policymakers when evaluating nutrient-rich protein food choices and underscore the importance of considering both nutrient composition and economic value in dietary recommendations. Future research should extend these comparisons by incorporating direct analytical measurements of foods, assessments of protein quality and indispensable amino acid digestibility, mineral bioavailability, and the effects of food processing and preparation on nutrient utilization to better characterize the nutritional contributions of diverse protein food sources. Full article

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a nutrient-dense pseudocereal with a favorable nutritional profile that may improve postprandial glycemic control and satiety. This randomized crossover pilot study compared the acute effects of cooked quinoa and white bread on postprandial blood glucose and subjective appetite responses in healthy young adults. Participants consumed four test meals on separate occasions: cooked quinoa or white bread providing either 25 g or 35 g available carbohydrate. Capillary blood glucose and appetite ratings were assessed over 120 min. Quinoa produced significantly lower postprandial glucose responses and incremental area under the curve (iAUC) than white bread at both carbohydrate doses (p < 0.05). Appetite responses were also improved following quinoa consumption compared to the control. Blood glucose iAUC was positively correlated with appetite net area under the curve (r = 0.57; p < 0.001). Palatability and gastrointestinal tolerance were comparable between treatments. These findings indicate that cooked quinoa elicits more favorable postprandial glycemic and satiety responses than white bread and may serve as a functional carbohydrate alternative to support metabolic health. Full article

Lactobionic acid (LBA) is a compound that, in the last decade, has become critically important due to its potential applications in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Enzymatic biosynthesis in the presence of a redox mediator is one method of producing LBA biologically. Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) oxidizes the lactose to lactobionic acid, while laccase (LAC) enables the regeneration of the redox mediator (ABTS), which acts as an electron acceptor for CDH. The aim of this study was to develop an effective immobilized enzymatic system for the production of LBA. Two enzymes were used in the experiment: CDH from Phanerodontia chrysosporium (PchCDH) and LAC from Cerrena unicolor (CuLAC), which were immobilized on precipitated silica (Sipernat 22) activated by APTES and PEI. The immobilization process increased enzyme stability, improved the efficiency of LBA synthesis, and reduced costs, particularly in the context of using Sipernat 22 silica, which is inexpensive and widely used across various industries. The co-immobilization of both enzymes on the carrier proved to be the most effective approach, achieving a 90% conversion of lactose to lactobionic acid after ten cycles of synthesis. Comprehensive biochemical characterization, including protein loading, catalytic activity, and optimal pH, is provided in the main text. Full article

The oral microbiota represents a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem that plays a critical role in preserving both oral and systemic homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that alterations in oral microbial milieu (dysbiosis) may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD), through the oral–brain axis. This review synthesizes current evidence on the pathways linking oral microbiota to cognitive decline, integrating microbial, immunological, and vascular perspectives. Oral pathogens may access the central nervous system via hematogenous dissemination or neural routes, including the trigeminal nerve, while simultaneously promoting systemic inflammation, immune activation, and blood–brain barrier disruption. These processes converge on key neurodegenerative mechanisms, including chronic neuroinflammation, amyloid-β accumulation, and tau pathology. In parallel, alterations in oral microbial composition have been linked to disease severity, supporting a potential role of dysbiosis in both initiation and progression of cognitive impairment. Diet emerges as a critical modifiable determinant of oral microbial ecology. Diets rich in refined sugars may promote dysbiosis and inflammatory signaling, whereas (poly)phenols, probiotics, and prebiotics may support microbial eubiosis and exert neuroprotective effects through modulation of host–microbe interactions. Although current evidence remains largely observational and mechanistic, the diet–oral microbiota–brain axis represents a promising target for preventive and therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating cognitive decline and promoting healthy aging. Future longitudinal and interventional studies are required to establish causality and translate these insights into clinical practice. Full article

Central and northern Kazakhstan contain a substantial but incompletely synthesised component of the country’s Apiaceae flora. We combined targeted field surveys conducted in 2023–2025, taxonomic revision of 1243 herbarium specimens, and a presence–absence matrix for six historical floristic units. The taxonomic audit reconciled accepted names and synonyms, documented three entries without unit-confirmed incidence, and produced an analytical dataset of 79 taxa in 38 genera. Recorded richness ranged from 33 taxa in Kokshetau to 54 in the Western Uplands. Fourteen taxa occurred in all six units, and 21 were recorded in only one unit. Pairwise Jaccard similarity ranged from 0.333 to 0.683, and species replacement contributed 82% of the mean pairwise dissimilarity. The Western Uplands had the highest within-study range-rarity richness, whereas Ulytau had the largest local contribution to beta diversity. The broader 81-taxon ecological checklist was dominated by perennial herbs and xerophytes and documented medicinal, fodder, aromatic, food, melliferous, and ornamental uses. These metrics are conditional on the six-unit incidence matrix: they do not estimate local abundance, population size, national rarity, endemism, threat status, or harvest capacity. The principal contribution is therefore a voucher-informed, nomenclaturally harmonised regional baseline that identifies records and habitats requiring georeferenced verification and population-level follow-up. Full article

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major food crop that is severely affected by salt stress, resulting in significant yield losses. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) catalyzes the irreversible conversion of glutamic acid to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and plays key roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, the GAD gene family in hexaploid wheat and its role in salt tolerance remain poorly understood. In this study, the wheat GAD gene family was systematically identified. Genome-wide analysis revealed seven TaGAD genes with 19 gene copies. A Ka/Ks ratio < 1 indicates strong evolutionary conservation of this family. All TaGAD proteins contain a conserved Glu-decarb-GAD domain with similar motif composition and structural organization. Promoter analysis showed enrichment of stress-responsive cis-elements. Expression profiling demonstrated tissue-specific patterns, with several TaGAD genes significantly induced under salt stress. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of TaGAD1 led to markedly reduced salt tolerance, accompanied by decreased GABA content and GAD activity, reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT), and excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results demonstrate that TaGAD1 positively regulates salt tolerance in wheat through GABA-mediated ROS homeostasis. This study provides a systematic characterization of the wheat TaGAD gene family in the context of salt stress, laying a theoretical foundation for understanding GABA-mediated tolerance mechanisms and identifying TaGAD1 as a potential molecular breeding target for improving salt tolerance in wheat. Full article

Chromium (Cr) contamination poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity and food safety, yet effective strategies for mitigating Cr toxicity under practical cultivation conditions remain limited. In this study, green-synthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), prepared from banana peel extract (average particle size: 112.9 nm), were evaluated against conventional sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) for alleviating Cr(VI) toxicity in Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. grown in a dynamic cyclic hydroponic system. Plants were exposed to 20 mg L⁻¹ Cr(VI) and treated with SeNPs or Na₂SeO₃ at 1 and 10 mg L⁻¹, respectively, for a duration of one week. Green-synthesized SeNPs exhibited excellent colloidal stability (zeta potential: −35.5 mV) and an amorphous spherical morphology. Relative to the Cr-only treatment, 10 mg L⁻¹ SeNPs almost completely restored plant biomass and root growth, decreased shoot Cr accumulation by 62.2%, and recovered total chlorophyll content to 94.8% of the control level. By comparison, 10 mg L⁻¹ Na₂SeO₃ restored total chlorophyll to 74.2% of the control and reduced shoot Cr accumulation by 50.6%. SeNPs also elicited a stronger antioxidant response, markedly increasing SOD, POD, and CAT activities while significantly lowering H₂O₂, MDA, and proline levels, demonstrating a greater capacity than selenite to alleviate Cr-induced oxidative damage. SeNPs also restored the uptake of essential mineral nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), improved soluble sugar and protein contents, and promoted selenium biofortification in edible shoots. Although both selenium forms alleviated Cr-induced growth inhibition and oxidative damage, SeNPs consistently outperformed Na₂SeO₃ owing to their higher bioavailability and sustained physiological activity. Overall, this study demonstrates that green-synthesized SeNPs provide an efficient and sustainable strategy for reducing Cr accumulation while simultaneously improving crop growth, antioxidant capacity, and nutritional quality under agriculturally relevant hydroponic conditions, highlighting their potential for safer food production and agricultural waste valorization. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element; however, excessive exposure may cause adverse effects because of its narrow safety margin. This study evaluated the toxicological and genotoxic effects of Se-biofortified broccoli seedlings in male and female Swiss mice. Animals received control or Se-enriched broccoli seedlings orally for 40 days (15, 45, or 70 µg Se/kg body weight (BW)). General toxicity (body weight gain), hematological (complete blood count), biochemical (creatinine, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and urea), histopathological, and micronucleus evaluations were performed. No significant changes in body weight or hematological parameters were detected. Biochemical alterations were restricted to males, with increased urea (51.90 ± 2.14 mg/dL) and decreased aspartate aminotransferase (128.4 ± 14.45 U/L) after 45 µg Se/kg BW. The highest Se dose increased spleen (0.60 ± 0.04 g/100 g BW) and ovary (0.29 ± 0.03 g/100 g BW) weights in females, decreased liver weight (5.82 ± 0.10 g/100 g BW), increased testis weight (0.76 ± 0.04 g/100 g BW) in males, induced renal and splenic histological alterations, and increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (0.46 ± 0.04). These findings indicate that 15 µg Se/kg BW was the safest dose evaluated. Future studies should investigate Se speciation and sex-dependent toxicological responses. Full article

The transition toward reusable food packaging driven by European circular economy regulations introduces new food safety challenges related to microbial persistence and cross-contamination. GS-2 is a novel, food-safe antimicrobial formulation developed for use as a coating on reusable packaging materials. In the present study, the intrinsic antimicrobial activity of GS-2 was evaluated in liquid suspension against foodborne bacterial (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica Agona) and fungal pathogens (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger), and the transcriptomic response of L. monocytogenes following sublethal GS-2 exposure was investigated. GS-2 exhibited concentration-dependent microbicidal activity, with strong reductions observed at ≥2.8–3.0% against bacterial strains and A. flavus, while A. niger demonstrated resistance. Among bacteria, L. monocytogenes showed the greatest sensitivity, with populations reduced below detection limits at 3% GS-2. To elucidate mechanistic responses, RNA sequencing was performed on L. monocytogenes exposed to sublethal GS-2 concentrations (0.1–1.0%). Transcriptomic analyses using discrete and continuous models revealed a pronounced adaptive stress response at 0.5% GS-2, characterized by coordinated upregulation of pathways involved in carbon, nitrogen, and nucleotide metabolism. At higher sublethal concentrations (1%), transcriptional profiles shifted toward growth arrest and cellular damage management. These findings support GS-2 as a promising antimicrobial for enhancing the microbial safety of reusable food packaging systems. Full article

Immunobiologics or biologics have revolutionized the therapeutic paradigm of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by selectively targeting and modulating dysregulated immune pathways. Compared with conventional broad-spectrum immunosuppressants, biologics provide a more specific and mechanism-based rational approach, often associated with improved efficacy and reduced adverse events. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the repertoire of therapeutic biologics, their mechanisms of action, pivotal clinical trials, and clinical applications. We discuss biologics targeting T-cell activation, depletion, and adhesion, as well as agents neutralizing pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23, in addition to B-cell-directed therapies and IgE-modulating agents. Evidence from randomized clinical trials and observational studies highlights the profound therapeutic impact of these agents across a broad spectrum of immune-mediated diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ankylosing spondylitis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, asthma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Pharmacodynamic parameters, including receptor-binding affinity and downstream pathway modulation, are critical determinants of therapeutic efficacy, whereas pharmacovigilance remains indispensable for monitoring risks such as immunogenicity, opportunistic infections, and manufacturing-related variability. Continuous regulatory oversight by agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) safeguards standards of safety, efficacy, and quality. In parallel, the expanding development of biosimilars offers a key opportunity to enhance affordability and broaden global access to biologic therapies. Despite substantial clinical progress, important challenges persist, including disease heterogeneity, variability in therapeutic response, long-term safety concerns, and issues of cost-effectiveness. Future directions emphasize precision medicine strategies, including biomarker-guided treatment, rationally designed biologic combinations, next-generation antibody engineering, and the development of high-quality biosimilars to improve therapeutic durability, safety, and accessibility equity. By integrating mechanistic insights with clinical outcomes, this review underscores the transformative role of immunobiologics and delineates strategies to optimize their application in the management of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a key crop in China grown as a source of edible oil and plant-derived protein, and its production is closely linked to national food security. Insufficient nitrogen availability remains a key constraint on soybean yield. In legumes, symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) enables the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and improving soil quality. Nitrogenase activity is a central determinant of SNF efficiency; however, its regulatory mechanisms in soybean nodules are not yet fully understood. In this study, transcriptomic data from two soybean accessions with contrasting SNF performance (Suinong 14 and ZYD00006) were analyzed, leading to the identification of Glyma.04G013500 as a member of the GmRD22 gene family. This study verified that this gene is potentially associated with nitrogenase activity. Functional characterization revealed that this gene acts as a negative regulator of nodulation by influencing the expression of genes associated with nodule development. Haplotype analysis further uncovered a pattern consistent with domestication, as the elite haplotype (HapI) with enhanced nitrogen fixation capacity, exhibited a progressive increase in frequency from wild soybean populations to landraces and modern cultivars. These findings suggest that GmRD22 has undergone directional selection during soybean domestication and improvement. Overall, these results offer new insights into the genetic control of SNF and establish promising targets for breeding soybean varieties with improved nitrogen fixation efficiency. Full article

Rapid detection and quantification of epidemiologically important Salmonella enterica serovars are critical for poultry surveillance, food safety monitoring, and risk-based intervention strategies. This study performed comprehensive analytical validation together with a preliminary field-based diagnostic performance evaluation of GenoPATHX™, a multiplex probe-based qPCR platform designed for the simultaneous detection and quantification of priority Salmonella serovars in poultry-associated matrices. The platform consists of two multiplex panels, designated the Chicken Key Performance Indicator (CKPI) and Turkey Key Performance Indicator (TKPI), each designed to detect priority poultry-associated Salmonella serovars together with a genus-level S. enterica marker. Analytical performance was evaluated for amplification efficiency, linearity, limit of detection (LoD₉₅), limit of quantification (LoQ), repeatability, intermediate precision, analytical specificity (inclusivity/exclusivity), robustness, matrix effects, and performance in artificially inoculated matrices. Diagnostic performance was further assessed using naturally contaminated poultry environmental samples. The assay demonstrated robust amplification performance in both singleplex and multiplex formats, with high linearity (R² = 0.987–0.999) and LoD₉₅ values ranging from 60 to 545 genome equivalents per reaction. Complete analytical inclusivity and high exclusivity were achieved for the evaluated isolate panel. In field samples, the direct GenoPATHX™ workflow demonstrated 81.0% sensitivity, 91.3% specificity, and substantial agreement with the USDA-FSIS reference culture method (κ = 0.73). Overall, GenoPATHX™ exhibited robust analytical performance and enabled rapid, same-day quantitative detection of priority Salmonella serovars in poultry-associated matrices, supporting its application for poultry surveillance and food safety monitoring. Full article