Search Results (2,762)

Arugula leaves (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. and Eruca sativa L.) are a must-have ingredient in ready-to-eat salads, as they are prized for their appearance, taste, and flavor. The nutraceutical properties of this leafy vegetable are attributed to the presence of valuable secondary metabolites, such as phenolic acids and glucosinolates. Using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS analysis and ion chromatography, we characterized the content of phenolic acids, glucosinolates, nitrates, and organic acids in organic arugula [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC] and evaluated how the foliar application of three different non-microbial biostimulants (a seaweed extract, a vegetable protein hydrolysate, and a tropical plant extract) modulated the expression of these. Although the application of vegetable protein hydrolysate increased, compared to control plants, the nitrate content, the application of the same biostimulant increased the total content of glucosinolates and phenolic acid derivatives by 5.2 and 17.2%. Specifically, the foliar application of the plant-based biostimulant hydrolyzed protein significantly increased the content of glucoerucin (+22.9%), glucocheirolin (+76.8%), and ferulic acid (+94.1%). The highest values of flavonoid derivatives (173.03 μg g⁻¹ dw) were recorded from plants subjected to the exogenous application of seaweed extract. The results obtained underscore how biostimulants, depending on their origin and composition, can be exploited not only to improve agronomic performance but also to enhance the nutraceutical content of vegetables, guaranteeing end consumers a product with premium quality characteristics. Full article

Environmental challenges such as drought, high temperatures, and salinity compromise grapevine physiology, reduce productivity, and negatively affect grape and wine quality. In recent years, foliar applications of biostimulants, antitranspirants, and phytohormones have emerged as promising strategies to enhance stress tolerance in grapevines. This review focuses on the main effects of salinity, drought, and high temperatures and the combined impact of drought and high temperatures on grapevines and examines how foliar applications influence grapevine responses under these specific stress conditions. Synthesizing the recent findings from the last ten years (160 articles), it provides direct insights into the potential of these compounds to alleviate each type of stress, highlighting their effects on grapevine physiology, yield components, and secondary metabolites in berries. While their mechanism of action is not entirely clear and their efficacy can vary depending on the type of compound used and the grapevine variety, most studies report a beneficial effect or no effect on grapevines under abiotic stresses (either single or combined). Future research is necessary to optimize the concentrations of these compounds and determine the appropriate number and timing of applications, particularly under open-field experiments. Additionally, studies should assess the effect of foliar applications under multiple abiotic stress conditions. In conclusion, integrating foliar applications into vineyard management represents a sustainable technique to mitigate abiotic stresses associated with climate change, such as salinity, water deficit, and heat stress, while preserving or enhancing the quality of grapes and wines. Full article

Mung bean is a rich protein source, but its native form has limited solubility and functionality for food applications. As a promising agro-based crop, mung bean offers a sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources, especially in regions with limited access to resources. This study optimized mung bean protein hydrolysate (MBPH) production using response surface methodology (RSM), investigating the effects of alcalase concentration (2–7%) and hydrolysis time (2–7 h) on its physicochemical and functional properties. The results showed that an alcalase concentration of 5.88% and a hydrolysis duration of 3.56 h were the optimal conditions, resulting in a degree of hydrolysis of approximately 33.09%. Under these conditions, MBPH contained 79.33 ± 0.62% protein and a molecular weight distribution of 45.57% and 47.29% at 1.1–10 kDa and <10 kDa, respectively. Additionally, MBPH exhibited strong antioxidant activity, improved foam capacity, and enhanced solubility, making it a valuable ingredient for sustainable food production and promoting equitable access to nutritious functional ingredients. Full article

Rapeseed meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, is increasingly recognised as a valuable source of plant protein and health-promoting peptides. This study aimed to identify key proteins in cold-pressed rapeseed meal and assess their potential to release bioactive peptides through in silico hydrolysis using plant-derived proteases, namely papain, bromelain, and ficin. Proteomic profiling via two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry revealed cruciferin as the dominant protein, along with other metabolic and defence-related proteins. In silico digestion of these sequences using the BIOPEP database generated thousands of peptide fragments, of which over 50% were predicted to exhibit bioactivities, including ACE and DPP-IV inhibition, as well as antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anticancer effects. Among the evaluated enzymes, bromelain exhibited the highest efficacy, yielding the greatest quantity and diversity of bioactive peptides. Notably, peptides with antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties were consistently identified across all of the protein and enzyme variants. Although certain rare functions, such as anticancer and antibacterial activities, were observed only in specific hydrolysates, their presence underscores the broader functional potential of peptides derived from rapeseed. These findings highlight the potential of rapeseed meal as a sustainable source of functional ingredients while emphasising the necessity for experimental validation to confirm the predicted bioactivities. Full article

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) preserve many foods and play a vital role in fermented food products. This study designed a controlled biotechnological process of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fermentation with a LAB starter culture isolated from corn hydrolysate. The BY (Barbu-Yelouassi) LAB strain was characterized regarding fermentative and antimicrobial potential, and its adaptability in the simulated gastrointestinal system (SGIS). After 10–12 h of cultivation on MRS broth (De Man Rogosa and Sharpe), the strain achieved the maximum exponential growth, produced maximum lactic acid (33.04%), and decreased the acidity up to pH 4. Also, the isolated strain showed increased tolerance to an acidic pH (3.5–2.0), high concentrations of salt (2–10%), and high concentrations of bile salts (≤2%). The behavior in SGIS demonstrated good viability after 2 h in artificial gastric juice (AGJ) (1 × 10⁷ CFU/mL) and up to 2 × 10³ CFU/mL after another 6 h in artificial intestinal juice (AIJ). The characterized BY strain was identified with the API 50CHL microtest (BioMerieux) as Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (Lbp. pentosus) (90.9% probability), taxon confirmed by genomic DNA sequencing. It was also demonstrated that Lbp. pentosus BY inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and sporulated bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus. Additionally, it suppressed the sporulation of fungi like Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., and Penicillium sp. Furthermore, the Lbp. pentosus BY strain was used to ferment catfish, resulting in three variants of lanhouin (unsalted, with 10% salt, and with 15% salt), which exhibited good microbiological safety. Full article

A fluorescent sandwich assay was devised to quantify CK-MB. In a typical immunoassay, antibodies bind to the target, and the detected signal is quantified according to the target’s concentration. We innovated a unique fluorescence assay known as the “enzyme-linked aptamer assay” (ELAA) by substituting antibodies with a pair of high-affinity aptamers labelled with biotin, namely apt. A1 and apt. A2. Avidin-labelled ALP binds to biotin-labelled aptamers, hydrolyzing its substrate, 2-phosphoascorbic acid trisodium salt, resulting in the formation of ascorbic acid. The catalytic hydrolysate functions as a reducing agent, causing the deterioration of MoS₂ nanosheets. This results in the transformation of MoS₂ nanosheets into nanoribbons, leading to the release of quenched AGQDs. The reestablishment of fluorescence is triggered by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between the MoS₂ nanoribbons and AGQDs, enhancing the sensitivity of disease biomarker detection. The working range for detection falls between 2.5 nM and 160 nM, and the limit of detection (LOD) for CK-MB is verified at 0.20 nM. Full article

Porcine intestinal mucosa hydrolysates (PIMHs) are by-products of heparin production obtained through a specific enzymatic hydrolysis process, which can theoretically generate bioactive peptides (BAPs). This study aimed to identify, characterize, and quantify BAPs in two Palbio products manufactured by Bioiberica S.A.U. (Palafolls, Spain), which are PIMH protein sources used for animal feed: Palbio^® HP (PHP) and Palbio^® 62 SP^® (P62). Using mass spectrometry (MS)-based peptidomics, we analyzed three samples from each product, fractionated based on molecular weight (<3 kDa, 3 to 10 kDa, and >10 kDa). The <3 kDa fraction was analyzed directly, while the other two fractions were enzymatically digested before MS analysis. The workflow identified 961 peptides in PHP and 1134 in P62. Subsequent bioinformatic analysis using public databases (APD2, StraPep, AHTPDB, and BIOPEP-UWM) led to the identification of six significant BAPs in both PHP and P62, with respective quantified amounts (pg peptide/μg sample): DAVEDLESVGK (0.1626, 0.1939), EGIPPDQQRLIFAGK (0.2637, 0.1852), TITLEVEPSDTIENVK (0.3594, 0.4327), TNVPRASVPDGFLS (1.4596, 0.1898), TNVPRASVPDGFLSEL (8.0500, 0.9224), and VHVVPDQLMAF (0.0310, 0.0054). The first three BAPs are related to antimicrobial activity, while the latter three are associated with cytokine/growth factor-like, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. These bioactivities align with previously reported in vivo benefits observed in animal nutrition using Palbio products. Our findings demonstrate that PHP and P62 are valuable sources of BAPs, supporting their potential role in improving animal health and performance. Full article

Muscle aging and atrophy in the elderly are closely associated with increased oxidative stress in muscle tissue. Bioactive peptides derived from protein hydrolysates have emerged as promising functional ingredients for alleviating sarcopenia due to their antioxidant properties and enrichment in essential amino acids. In a preliminary screening, mackerel protein hydrolysate (MPH) showed notable protective effects in a myotube atrophy model. This study evaluated the anti-atrophic potential of MPHs produced using different enzymes in H₂O₂-treated C2C12 myotubes. Among five hydrolysates, the alcalase-derived hydrolysate (MHA) demonstrated the most potent effects in maintaining myotube diameter, restoring myosin heavy chain (MYH) expression, and downregulating the atrophy-related genes MAFbx and MuRF1. Mechanistically, MHA activated the Akt/FoxO signaling pathway and inhibited NF-κB activation, thereby reducing muscle protein degradation. Additionally, MHA significantly lowered intracellular ROS levels and showed strong direct antioxidant activity. Amino acid and molecular weight profiling revealed high levels of essential amino acids and low-molecular-weight peptides, suggesting a synergistic contribution to its bioactivity. These findings suggest that MHA is a promising food-derived functional material with anti-atrophic and antioxidant properties and may be useful in preventing or managing age-related muscle loss such as sarcopenia, warranting further preclinical validation. Full article

The extensive environmental pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics highlights the urgent need for sustainable, economically viable alternatives. The practical challenge of enhancing polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production with cost-effective agro-industrial residues—rice-bran and corn-flour hydrolysates—has been demonstrated. Bacillus bingmayongensis GS2 was isolated from soil samples collected at the Pirana municipal landfill in Ahmedabad, India, and identified through VITEK-2 biochemical profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing (GenBank accession OQ749793). Initial screening for PHB accumulation was performed using Sudan Black B staining. Optimization via a sequential one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) approach identified optimal cultivation conditions (36 h inoculum age, 37 °C, pH 7.0, 100 rpm agitation), resulting in a PHB yield of 2.77 g L⁻¹ (66% DCW). Further refinement using a central composite response surface methodology (RSM)—varying rice-bran hydrolysate, corn-flour hydrolysate, peptone concentration, and initial pH—significantly improved the PHB yield to 3.18 g L⁻¹(74% DCW), representing more than a threefold enhancement over unoptimized conditions. Structural validation using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) confirmed the molecular integrity of the produced PHB. That Bacillus bingmayongensis GS2 effectively converts low-cost agro-industrial residues into high-value bioplastics has been demonstrated, indicating substantial industrial potential. Future work will focus on bioreactor scale-up, targeted metabolic-engineering strategies, and comprehensive sustainability evaluations, including life-cycle assessment. Full article

As life expectancy increases, muscle atrophy, characterized by a decline in muscle mass and strength that can impair mobility, has become a growing concern, highlighting the potential of protein supplementation as a promising intervention strategy. A horse meat hydrolysate, with a molecular weight of less than 3 kDa, derived from m. biceps femoris and produced using the food-grade enzyme Alcalase^® (A4 < 3kDa) was evaluated for its efficacy in mitigating dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy, a widely accepted model for studying catabolic muscle loss. Administered orally to C57BL/6 mice at dosages of 200 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg body weight for 35 days, A4 < 3kDa effectively countered the weight loss induced by dexamethasone in the whole body, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles. Moreover, it increased muscle fiber cross-sectional area and grip strength. These effects were attributed to increased protein synthesis via the protein kinase B (AKT)/forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. A4 < 3kDa augmented the phosphorylation of key components of the signaling pathways associated with muscle atrophy, resulting in reduced mRNA expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1. These findings demonstrate the potential of A4 < 3kDa as a functional food ingredient for preventing muscle atrophy. Full article

The poultry industry produces significant quantities of keratin-rich waste, primarily feathers, whose traditional disposal methods—incineration or chemical treatment—result in environmental damage and resource depletion. This research introduces a sustainable biotechnological method for the valorization of feather waste utilizing Gordonia alkanivorans S7, an actinomycete strain extracted from petroleum plant sludge. This is the inaugural publication illustrating keratinolytic activity in the Gordonia genus. The optimization of the degradation process via the Taguchi approach led to the effective biodegradation of untreated home chicken feathers, achieving dry mass loss of up to 99% after 168 h in a mineral medium. The agricultural potential of the obtained keratin hydrolysate, which was high in organic components (C 31.2%, N 8.9%, H 5.1%, and S 1.7%), was assessed. Phytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the feather hydrolysate led to better growth of the indicator plants—Sorghum saccharatum and Lepidium sativum. The highest values of root growth stimulation were 26% for S. saccharatum and 31% for L. sativum, at a dose of 0.01%. Shoot growth stimulation was noted only for L. sativum, reaching 38% (0.01%), 53% (0.05%), and 37% (0.1%), as compared to the control sample. These results demonstrate the process’s combined economic and environmental benefits, providing a fresh approach to the production of bio-based plant biostimulants and sustainable keratin waste management. Full article

The application of soil organic amendments is a well-established approach to enhancing soil fertility; yet the effects of poultry feather hydrolysate (PFH) on temperate coarse-textured agricultural soils remain underexplored. A six-month microcosm experiment was conducted to determine the effects of PFH in different states (liquid or solid) and addition rates (none, low, or high; i.e., 0, 4, or 8 t dw ha⁻¹, respectively) on microbial activity, nutrient availability and retention, and organic matter (OM) stabilization in two coarse-textured soils (loamy sand or sandy loam). Sandy loam soil exhibited a stronger response to PFH application, supporting 20% higher microbial activity, 35% higher nutrient retention, and 89% higher OM content in soil aggregates compared to loamy sand soil, reflecting enhanced OM stabilization. Moreover, PFH in the liquid state demonstrated more prolonged microbial activity and more sustained release of nutrients compared to the solid state. Finally, at the end of incubation, the high addition rate of PFH significantly increased soil nutrient content by 106%, while the low addition rate limited the increase to 39%, both compared to the no addition rate. Overall, the results suggest that PFH, particularly in the liquid state and at the high addition rate, serves as an effective soil organic amendment, enhancing microbial activity and soil fertility while emphasizing the importance of soil texture in optimizing its application. Full article

Earthworms are valued as a dietary protein source in many regions. Earthworm protein can yield bioactive peptides, but enzymatic hydrolysis is inefficient by commercial proteases, and bioactivity development is still inadequate. This study developed a novel efficient method for degrading earthworm protein and investigated the lipid-lowering activity and mechanism of earthworm peptides. It was found that combining autolysis and alcalase exhibited a higher hydrolysis degree of earthworm protein of 43.64 ± 0.78% compared to using autolysis or alcalase only. The hydrolysate significantly reduced lipid accumulation in steatotic hepatocytes. LC-MS/MS results showed that the primary lipid-lowering peptides (EWPs) in the hydrolysate were small molecule peptides with molecular weights of 500–1000 Da and chain lengths of 4–7 amino acid residues. Western blot results demonstrated that EWP regulated the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins, including APOC3, HMGCR, PCSK9, SREBP1, C/EBP-α, NPC1L1, PPAR-γ, and CYP7A1. Transcriptomic analysis and validation experiments indicated that the lipid-lowering activity of EWP was associated with its suppression of inflammatory factors, such as IL-6. This study presents an efficient enzymatic hydrolysis strategy for earthworm protein utilization, laying the foundation for its application in functional foods such as protein supplements, nutraceutical capsules, hypoallergenic infant formulas, and sports nutrition products. Full article

Chicken feathers constitute a major by-product from the poultry industry, with a potential environmental impact and significant difficulties in their management. This study aimed to develop a sustainable method to hydrolyse chicken feathers and evaluate the effects of microwave (MW) irradiation pre-treatment in the generation of bioactive hydrolysates by simple or sequential hydrolysis with Alcalase. The hydrolysate with MW irradiation pre-treatment and Alcalase (2%, 2 h) (MWA) showed the highest overall antioxidant activity and neprilysin-inhibitory activity (55%), whereas samples without MW irradiation pre-treatment exerted the highest inhibitory activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-I), with values close to 50 and 70%, respectively. Mass spectrometry in tandem of bioactive hydrolysates was performed, and an in silico approach was used to characterise the obtained sequences. These results confirmed that MW irradiation pre-treatment improved Alcalase hydrolysis, leading to the generation of bioactive peptides with potential multifunctional properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activities. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of combining MW irradiation and enzymatic hydrolysis as a sustainable strategy for the revalorisation of chicken feathers. Full article

Widespread drought conditions have increasingly affected agricultural productivity, requiring the exploration of alternative approaches for improving crop tolerance, yield and quality, since plants adopt many physiological strategies to cope with challenging environments. This study evaluated the effects of a vegetal-derived protein hydrolysate (PH), applied via foliar spray or root drench at a concentration of 3 mL L⁻¹, on tomato plants (n = 96) under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions over a 136-day greenhouse experiment. Overall, sub-optimal irrigation significantly decreased plant dry biomass (−55.3%) and fruit production (−68.8% marketable yield), and enhanced fruit quality in terms of sugar concentration and antioxidant levels. PH treatments, regardless of the application method, did not notably influence above-ground dry biomass, yield, or fruit quality, suggesting that the intensity of drought might have limited PH effectiveness. Metabolomic analysis showed higher concentrations of stress- and quality-related metabolites in tomato fruits from plants under stress, with PH not exerting significant metabolic changes in the fruits. These findings revealed the diminished effectiveness of PHs under severe drought conditions, suggesting that drought stress level needs to be taken into consideration for optimizing biostimulant efficacy. Full article