Search Results (3,055)

Chronic low-grade inflammation, a key driver of diabetes and fatty liver disease, is present in obesity, which affects 2.1 billion adults as of 2021. Plant-derived bioactive peptides have emerged as promising alternatives to treat inflammation in these pathological processes. This study evaluated the effect of pre- and post-ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis on bioactive peptide production and antioxidant activity from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita argyoesperma) seed proteins. Pre-treated hydrolysates were fractionated by molecular weight (<3 kDa and 3–10 kDa) and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory properties by measuring nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in three treatment schemes (pre-, co-, and post-treatment) in an obesity/inflammatory macrophage model. Ultrasound pre-treatment achieved a higher degree of hydrolysis (peptide production) compared to post-treatment, with corresponding increases in antioxidant activity as measured by the ABTS and ORAC assays. All hydrolysate fractions demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of pro-inflammatory markers. Fractions administered as a co-treatment showed the strongest anti-inflammatory effect, reducing Nos-2 and Cox-2 mRNA expression, as well as secreted levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1). These findings indicate that ultrasound treatment, mainly as pre-treatment, represents an effective strategy for producing bioactive peptide hydrolysates with anti-inflammatory properties in vitro that warrant deeper investigation. Full article

This study evaluates fungal-assisted extraction by solid-state fermentation (FAE-SSF) as a green alternative for recovering phenolic compounds from Moringa oleifera leaves and compares it with conventional maceration, focusing on their effects on antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. FAE-SSF was carried out using Aspergillus niger, and phenolic compounds were quantified as total polyphenols (hydrolysable and condensed tannins), followed by purification and characterization by HPLC-ESI-MS. Biological activities were assessed through antibacterial, antifungal, and DPPH assays. FAE-SSF increased total phenolic content to 20.3 ± 1.7 mg TP/g dry basis at 96 h, representing a 1.53-fold increase compared to maceration (13.3 ± 0.3 mg TP/g db at 24 h). However, maceration showed higher productivity due to shorter extraction time. FAE-SSF extracts exhibited improved antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while no activity was observed against Shigella sp., and antifungal activity was lower compared to maceration. Antioxidant activity was also reduced in FAE-SSF extracts (39 ± 7%) compared to maceration (71 ± 4%). HPLC-ESI-MS analysis revealed that maceration preserved a greater diversity of phenolic compounds, whereas FAE-SSF induced biotransformation and reduction of key flavonoids. These results indicate that FAE-SSF enhances phenolic recovery but alters chemical composition and bioactivity, highlighting the importance of process optimization depending on the desired functional properties. Full article

To address the bottleneck of poor biological nitrogen removal efficiency caused by the extremely low carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio of domestic sewage in alpine plateau regions, this study used Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste L., a characteristic crop endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, as raw material and adopted pretreated highland barley straw as an external carbon source. Three parallel experiments were carried out using the anaerobic–aerobic–anoxic sequencing batch reactor (AOA-SBR) process to investigate the nitrogen removal performance and functional succession of the microbial community in the AOA-SBR system under three C/N ratio ranges: 5~7, 7~9, and 9~11. The results showed that the addition of an external carbon source significantly improved nitrogen removal efficiency. The optimal C/N ratio range for nitrogen removal in this study was determined to be 7~9. A weakly alkaline environment was conducive to denitrification. The fermentation broth prepared by alkali pretreatment contained a large amount of readily biodegradable organic matter with low toxicity, and achieved excellent nitrogen removal performance, helping to realize cost reduction and efficiency improvement in wastewater treatment. At the optimal C/N ratio of 7~9, the average removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) and total nitrogen (TN) reached 94.46% and 61.32%, respectively, which were significantly improved compared with the blank control group without external carbon addition. During the experimental period, no obvious changes were observed in microbial abundance at the phylum level, whereas the community structure at the genus level responded significantly to the addition of a straw carbon source. Among them, genera with specific degradation capabilities for straw hydrolysates, such as norank_f__Chitinophagaceae and unclassified_f__Comamonadaceae, were highly sensitive to variations in the C/N ratio. These genera could partially replace the nitrification and denitrification functions of other microorganisms and played a key role in the nitrogen removal process. In contrast, Thauera, a typical conventional heterotrophic denitrifier, showed no significant response to changes in the C/N ratio, indicating that the straw-based external carbon source mainly affected microbial genera with specific hydrolysate-degrading functions. Full article

Spondias mombin fruit is a seasonal product with limited valorization in Mexico, mainly because of its short shelf life and scarcity of available scientific information. In this study, two drying methods—hot air-drying and freeze-drying—were evaluated for the dehydration of S. mombin pulp. Freeze-dried samples presented a higher content of hydrolysable polyphenols (18.92 ± 5.31 mg GAE/g), whereas no significant differences were detected in condensed polyphenols. The total flavonoid content was significantly greater in the freeze-dried pulp (11.32 ± 1.27 mg CE/g). Antioxidant activity assessed by the ABTS and DPPH assays did not differ between treatments; however, the reducing power of the freeze-dried samples was greater than that of the control samples, as determined by the FRAP assay (14.40 ± 1.07 mg TE/g). HPLC–ESI–MS analysis enabled the identification and quantification of polyphenols, organic acids, and monosaccharides, highlighting the presence of compounds belonging to the methoxycinnamic acid family and ascorbic acid. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights that can serve as a basis for future research on the processing and valorization of S. mombin, contributing to the development of advanced processing strategies to improve the stability, quality, and utilization of underexploited fruits. Full article

This work focused on the identification of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from royal jelly (RJ) proteins and elucidated their inhibition patterns and mechanisms. RJ proteins were analyzed for ACE inhibition potential using in silico tools, and suitable enzymes were selected for peptide release. Hydrolysis conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), and the resulting peptides were fractionated and purified. Mass spectrometry identified 57 peptides, with seven selected for synthesis based on scoring. IDFDF, DVNFR, and SFHRL showed the highest ACE inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 16.9 μM, 42.5 μM, and 242.6 μM, respectively. Lineweaver–Burk plots revealed IDFDF as a competitive inhibitor, DVNFR as a non-competitive inhibitor, and SFHRL as a mixed inhibitor. Molecular docking indicated that peptide–ACE interactions were primarily mediated through hydrogen bonds and Zn(II) coordination. This work promotes the sustainable utilization of RJ and the development of ACE inhibitory peptides derived from food sources. Full article

Toxicological risk assessment of food ingredients has traditionally relied on identifying a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) or benchmark dose (BMD), followed by the application of default uncertainty factors (UFs) to derive health-based guidance values (HBGVs) such as the acceptable daily intake (ADI). While effective for conventional food additives, this approach may be inappropriate for nutrients and intrinsic food components with established physiological functions. This paper critically explores these limitations using free glutamate as a central example, alongside additional cases relevant to infant nutrition, including vitamin C, iodine, and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Data on free glutamate in human milk show that breastfed infants habitually ingest amounts far exceeding additive-based ADIs without adverse effects, underscoring the limitations of applying default uncertainty factors and classical toxicological paradigms to endogenous nutrients. Comparable considerations apply to protein hydrolysates and amino acid-based infant formulas evaluated by EFSA, where growth, tolerance, and compositional suitability are integral to safety assessment. Overall, nutrient safety evaluation requires an integrative, physiology-informed framework that incorporates realistic exposure, developmental stage, and metabolic competence. Breast milk provides a biologically relevant reference, supporting a proportionate and science-based application of toxicological principles in infant nutrition. Full article

Pancreatic lipase (PL) plays a central role in dietary lipid digestion and is a promising target for food-derived inhibitors. In this study, pea protein hydrolysates (PPHs) with PL inhibitory activity were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis and characterized for their functional and peptidomic properties. Compared with pea protein isolate, PPH showed lower surface hydrophobicity, and moderate antioxidant activity. Peptidomic analysis identified 1740 peptides in the active hydrolysate. Combined in silico screening and in vitro validation further identified three peptides, GFSL, WFE, and FGF, as effective PL inhibitors, with IC₅₀ values of 337.81 ± 17.32, 473.32 ± 19.61, and 689.45 ± 39.32 μM, respectively. Molecular simulations indicated that these peptides interact with the catalytic pocket of PL mainly through hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, and hydrogen bonding, with Ile79 serving as a key residue for peptide recognition. Overall, these findings indicate the potential of pea-derived peptides as natural PL inhibitors and support their application as functional food ingredients for modulating lipid digestion. Full article

P2X7 is an adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP)-gated ion channel. CD39 (ectonucleotidase triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1) hydrolyses ATP to reduce its extracellular concentration to limit P2X7 activation. Both P2X7 and CD39 are present on leukocytes. Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation is widely used to isolate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), yet the extent to which other density gradient centrifugation methods influence the expression of cell surface molecules remains unclear. Using mass cytometry, this study compared the proportions of mononuclear leukocyte subsets and the relative amount of cell surface P2X7 and CD39 detected on these cells in paired, bar-coded cryopreserved human PBMC samples isolated by Ficoll-Paque or SepMate Tube density gradient centrifugation. Both techniques yielded similar proportions of mononuclear leukocyte subsets. P2X7 and CD39 were detected across all cell subsets, with the relative amount of P2X7 or CD39 comparable between separation methods. Relatively minor but statistically significant differences were observed for some populations. P2X7 expression was higher on CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and conventional CD4⁺ T cells, and naïve B cells, and lower on myeloid dendritic cells, while CD39 expression was lower on regulatory T cells in SepMate Tube samples compared to Ficoll-Paque samples. Overall, Ficoll-Paque and SepMate Tube density gradient centrifugation yield comparable results within PBMC samples, supporting the use of either method in studies examining immune phenotypes including the purinergic molecules P2X7 and CD39. Full article

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly γ-linolenic acid, are recognized for their therapeutic and nutritional properties. Zygomycetes, such as Cunninghamellaelegans, represent a promising microbial platform for sustainable gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) production as an alternative to conventional sources. Despite this potential, the immunomodulatory activity of metabolites from C. elegans has not been previously explored. In this study, C. elegans was cultivated on hydrolysates from discarded residues of Pleurotus spp. cultures (DRPC-HL), optimized to release assimilable compounds, promoting valorization of low-value biomass within a circular bioeconomy. Dry mycelial biomass, lipid-free biomass, and intracellular lipids from these cultures, alongside previously reported C. elegans cultures grown under nitrogen-excess (N-Xs) and nitrogen-limited (N-Lim) conditions, were tested on THP-1-derived macrophages, under lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory conditions. Following in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, dry biomass and lipid-free dry biomass fractions upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 and downregulated IL1B and TNF, particularly from N-Xs and DRPC-HL cultures. Lipids mainly enhanced IL10 expression, especially when derived from N-Xs cultures. No changes were observed in upstream regulators (TLR2, TLR4, NFKB1, RELA), suggesting a feasible post-receptor immunomodulatory action. Overall, these findings highlight the dual value of fungal bioproducts derived from agro-industrial residues, combining sustainable bioprocessing with bioactive compound generation, supporting environmentally friendly microbial platforms for industrial applications. Full article

Quercus acorns have been part of animal or human diets; however, their nutritional potential depends on morphological and chemical characteristics highly influenced by genetic and geographical factors. Research on the Quercus genus has focused on Asian and European species overlooking the American taxa. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the morphological and nutritional characteristics, and the content and profile of bioactive compounds of acorns from four populations of the American species Quercus virginiana from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Discriminant function analysis showed a well-established group formed by the two southern populations (CH), while the two northern populations were separated into different groups (CJA and CJB). CH populations showed smaller seeds (1.4 g, 2.0 cm length) and higher starch (57–58%), oleic acid (65–70%), phenolic compounds (78–176 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (29–37 mg CE/g), and antioxidant activity (278–282 μmol TE/g). Acorns from the CJA population were the largest (2.3 g, 2.4 cm length) and displayed the highest protein content (7.0%). Acorns from the CJB population showed the highest values for ash (2.2%), sugars (13.8%), palmitic and linoleic acids (19.1%), and condensed tannins (0.26 CE/g). Fourteen polyphenolic compounds were identified: twelve hydrolysable tannins; one hydroxycinnamic acid, and one flavonol. These variations reflected the impact of local climatic and geographic conditions and may influence the potential use of Quercus acorns in sustainable agriculture and food development. Full article

Seaweed bioactive extraction generates de-extracted residual solids that remain carbohydrate-rich but are often underutilized. This study developed an integrated valorization route for Gracilaria fisheri spent biomass to produce fermentable sugars for β-carotene production by Rhodotorula paludigena CM33. Reducing sugar production was optimized using response surface methodology (Box–Behnken design) by varying reaction time, sulfuric acid concentration, and biomass loading at 90 °C. The predicted optimum (47.39 min, 2.50% (w/v) H₂SO₄, and 7.13% (w/v) biomass) yielded 22.41 g/L reducing sugars and was validated experimentally at 22.22 ± 0.19 g/L, indicating that the model reliably predicted reducing sugar production. The optimized condition was scaled up in a 22 L bioreactor with sequential acid hydrolysis followed by enzyme-assisted hydrolysis, increasing reducing sugars from ~30 to ~40 g/L. FTIR and SEM analyses indicated progressive modification of the carbohydrate matrix across processing stages. Batch cultivation of R. paludigena on the hydrolysate showed that ammonium sulfate supplementation significantly increased biomass, whereas β-carotene titers were not significantly different. Repeated-batch operation on non-supplemented hydrolysate sustained production over four cycles with β-carotene titers of 13.75–17.27 mg/L, demonstrating the operational feasibility of the hydrolysate-based system. Overall, this work demonstrates a practical seaweed biorefinery approach to upgrade G. fisheri spent biomass into sugars and carotenoid-rich yeast biomass. Full article

Sea buckthorn leaves are a relatively underutilised component of sea buckthorn processed products; however, various studies have indicated that they possess hypoglycaemic potential. Under alkaline solubilisation and acid-precipitation conditions, the extraction yield of sea buckthorn leaf protein (SLP) reached 19.33%. Trypsin was selected as the hydrolysing enzyme to extract SLPPs-T, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) against α-glucosidase and DPP-IV of 0.1361 ± 0.017 mg/mL and 0.1286 ± 0.012 mg/mL, respectively. UV spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy and particle size analysis indicated that the secondary and microstructures of SLP underwent changes following its hydrolysis to SLPPs-T; following separation, purification, sequence identification and computer screening, two novel peptides, PM-8 and VG-11, were obtained; molecular docking, solid-phase synthesis and in vitro experiments confirmed that VG-11 exhibited superior inhibitory activity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) against α-glucosidase and DPP-IV of 0.3885 ± 0.015 mM and 0.2611 ± 0.021 mM, respectively. In summary, this study explored the potential of sea buckthorn leaf protein as a natural hypoglycaemic product through a combination of computational modelling and experimental methods, thereby significantly enhancing the value of sea buckthorn resources. Full article

Lignocellulosic biomass represents an abundant and renewable carbon source, and its valorization through microalgal cultivation offers a sustainable route to resource-efficient bioprocessing. This study examined the effects of various carbon and nitrogen sources on the growth and lipid metabolism of Desmodesmus subspicatus, with a focus on ryegrass enzymatic hydrolysates as an alternative carbon source. Cultures were supplied with glucose, xylose, or arabinose at different concentrations, along with sodium nitrate or yeast extract, under different carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. Additionally, the impacts of alkaline- and acid-pretreated enzymatic ryegrass hydrolysates were evaluated. Growth was assessed by optical density and gravimetric analysis, and fatty acid profiles by gas chromatography. Glucose supplementation enhanced lipid accumulation, yielding fatty acid profiles dominated by C16 and C18 fatty acids, which are favorable for the quality of the produced biodiesel. Nitrogen limitation further promoted lipid accumulation; cultures supplied with sodium nitrate achieved higher total lipid content, while yeast extract favored greater proportions of PUFAs. Alkaline-pretreated ryegrass hydrolysate supported dose-dependent biomass formation reaching approximately 12 g L⁻¹ at 50%, whereas the acid-pretreated hydrolysate exhibited inhibitory effects at the same concentration. Scale-up in a 1 L photobioreactor yielded lower biomass but higher lipid content with a fatty acid profile shifted to SFA. These results support ryegrass as a viable alternative carbon source and highlight cultivation parameters that influence growth and lipid quality relevant for biofuel applications. Full article

Ledum palustre (L. palustre) is widely used in drug development because of its antibacterial and analgesic effects. However, wild L. palustre is often affected by wildfires, resulting in unstable yields. Forest fires represent a major disturbance in northern forest ecosystems and profoundly affect shrub vegetation and its associated rhizosphere microbial communities. In this study, we investigated a fire chronosequence (1991, 2004, 2012, 2017, and 2020) to systematically examine the morphological traits of L. palustre, rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties, and microbial community characteristics and to identify the key drivers underlying these patterns. The results revealed that postfire recovery time significantly influenced the morphological traits of L. palustre. The biomass, branch number, basal diameter, and plant height of the shrubs at the 1991 burned site increased by 270.49%, 36.11%, 79.32%, and 191.36%, respectively (p < 0.05). From unburned soils, 29 bacterial and 29 fungal isolates were obtained, with Bacillus sp. and Oidiodendron sp. being the dominant culturable bacterial and fungal taxa, respectively. With increasing postfire recovery time, soil moisture, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, soil organic carbon, acid phosphatase (AP) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity significantly decreased. Early fire disturbance markedly altered soil microbial abundance and community composition, leading to an overall decrease in bacterial α diversity. The bacterial community structure at the 2020 burn site and the fungal community structure at the 2012 burn site significantly differed. Mantel tests revealed significant positive correlations between branch number and basal diameter (p < 0.01) and significant negative correlations between plant height and stem density (p < 0.001). Soil carbon and hydrolysable nitrogen were significantly positively correlated with AP and NAG activities (p < 0.001). Moreover, soil physicochemical properties significantly shaped soil microbial community structures, with bacterial communities in early postfire sites driven by total carbon and nitrogen (p < 0.05), whereas fungal communities in the 2012 burned site were influenced primarily by β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (BG) activity (p < 0.05). Fire disturbance drives successional changes in the rhizosphere microbial community structure and function by altering the soil nutrient status and enzyme activity, which in turn influences the morphological traits of L. palustre. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the yield of L. palustre by exploring the variation in rhizosphere microorganisms. Full article

Adenosine nucleotides are vital bioactive molecules with potential applications in functional foods and clinical nutrition; however, their poor membrane permeability limits their bioavailability. The utilization of plant proteins is often hindered by their poor solubility and digestibility. To address these challenges, we developed a strategy involving the formation of complexes between the walnut protein (WP) and four adenosine nucleotides. Spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cell model, molecular docking, and other experimental techniques were conducted in this study; these methods demonstrated that such a complexation significantly enhanced the solubility of the WP to 3~4 mg/mL, while also enhancing its digestive stability in the gastrointestinal tract by 2~3-fold. Most notably, while all adenosines interacted with the protein matrix, cAMP exhibited a superior absorption efficiency, around 100-fold compared with its linear counterparts. Mass spectrometry and molecular docking were combined to reveal a new absorption mechanism for cAMP with the WP hydrolysate. These findings suggest that the complexation of WP and adenosine nucleotides offers a platform to overcome plant protein limitations and achieve efficient intracellular adenosine delivery, thereby establishing a foundation for its use in the development of functional foods. Full article