Search Results (332)

Background: Chronic stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributing significantly. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a polyphenolic compound, exhibits antioxidant properties. This study investigated whether CGA mitigates ROS-mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis in chronic stress-induced ileal injury. Methods: Rats were subjected to restraint stress for 21 days, with/without CGA (100 mg/kg, gavage). CGA’s mechanism was elucidated by assessing ileal flora, oxidative stress markers, apoptosis, structural changes, and the Nrf2 pathway. Results: CGA restored ileal structure, attenuated ROS and MDA levels, elevated GSH and SOD levels, and reduced apoptosis-associated proteins. CGA stabilized conformation bound to Keap1, deregulating Keap1’s negative regulation of Nrf2, thereby increasing Nrf2 and downstream protein expression (HO-1 and NQO1). Gut microbiota imbalance was corrected, with increased Lactobacillus abundance post-CGA intervention. Conclusions: CGA alleviates chronic stress-induced ileal oxidative stress and apoptosis, which relates closely to Nrf2 pathway activation and modulation of intestinal microflora. Full article

Culinary herbs and spices are highly valued for their contribution to aroma, color, and overall flavor in traditional foods. Microbial inactivation in fresh herbs and spices is challenging due to their complex surface structures and dense natural microflora, which limit the effectiveness of conventional methods. Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is an innovative non-thermal technology with potential applications in the fresh spice industry. This study investigates the efficacy of ACP, generated using a practical, simple, and original system that allows uniform treatment without complex equipment, on microbial inactivation and quality attributes of fresh spices. Treatments of 1 and 3 min were applied, and their effects on natural microflora, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas syringae spp. were evaluated on the first day and after 7 days of storage. Results showed that 3 min treatments achieved higher reductions in natural microflora (2.91 log CFU g⁻¹), E. coli (2.76 log CFU g⁻¹), and P. syringae spp. (2.24 log CFU g⁻¹) compared to 1 min treatments (1.87, 1.93, and 1.65 log CFU g⁻¹, respectively). Different herbs exhibited varying responses to ACP, reflecting differences in leaf structure and chemical composition, which highlights the need for tailored treatment strategies. ACP treatment did not significantly affect water activity, color, or moisture content (except for rosemary, bay leaf, and thyme), nor total anthocyanin content (TAA), total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), or total flavonoid content (TFC). However, total chlorophyll content (TCC) and pH increased significantly in most samples (except rosemary and dill). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the tissue integrity of rosemary and mint was affected by ACP, although more than 50% of carvone in mint was preserved, and its concentration increased. The observed microbial reductions and 3–8-day shelf-life extension suggest meaningful improvements in safety and storage stability for industrial applications. Overall, ACP demonstrates promise as a safe, efficient, and scalable alternative to conventional decontamination methods, with broad potential for enhancing the quality and shelf life of fresh spices. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary stevia straw supplementation on meat quality, amino acid and fatty acid content, and rumen microbial diversity in sheep. A total of 50 ram lambs (3–4 months, 27.01 ± 3.8 kg) were randomly assigned to five groups. Each group received a total mixed ration supplemented with 0% (control), 5%, 15%, 25% and 35% dry stevia straw for 72 days. Adding 15% and 25% stevia straw significantly increased the pre-slaughter body weight. EE content was also significantly higher across all experimental groups (p < 0.01), showing a linear increase with supplementation. Glutamic acid content in the 15% group was significantly higher than that in the 25% group (p < 0.05). The addition of stevia straw improved the fatty acid profile: C18:1n9c content in the 5%, 15%, and 25% groups was significantly higher than that in the CK (Control) group (p < 0.05); C18:2n6c content in the 25% group was significantly higher than that in the CK, 5%, and 15% groups (p < 0.05); the content of (C20:1) was extremely significantly higher in all experimental groups compared to the CK group. Additionally, the unsaturated fatty acid content in the 25% group was significantly higher than that in the CK group (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were increased in the 25% and 35% groups, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 15–25% stevia straw to the ration can significantly improve the slaughtering performance, meat quality and muscle nutrient composition of fattening sheep. In addition, the addition of stevia straw had no negative effect on the rumen microflora, and the 15% level could increase the abundance and activity of the rumen microflora, so it is recommended to use 15% stevia straw in the ration for sheep during the fattening period. Full article

Sauerkraut (SK) is a fermented food of plant origin recognised for its nutritional properties and health benefits. It is traditionally produced through spontaneous fermentation, carried out by the native microflora of fresh cabbage, which includes Gram-negative bacteria, moulds, yeasts and finally lactic acid bacteria (LAB), responsible for transforming natural sugars into lactic acid. However, spontaneous fermentation can also promote the growth of undesirable microorganisms, leading to risks of sensory or food safety alterations, such as the production of biogenic amines. To prevent these limitations, the use of LAB starter cultures is presented as a promising alternative. This study evaluated the fermentation of cabbage at 18 °C and 25 °C, comparing spontaneous fermentation with controlled fermentations using probiotic cultures (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 229v and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG). Due to its nutritional importance, the folate content of different types of SK has been studied. Spontaneous fermentation showed positive results in all studied parameters; however, L. plantarum 229v was the inoculum with the highest and fastest acidifying efficacy, reducing the pH to below 4.0 after 7 days at both temperatures. At 25 °C, L. plantarum 229v achieved LAB counts higher than those of L. rhamnosus GG (7.02 vs. 6.00 log CFU·g⁻¹) and exerted the most effective control over enterobacteria and moulds/yeasts, reaching undetectable values (0 log CFU·g⁻¹) on day 7 under both conditions. Antioxidant activity after 42 days of fermentation was higher at 18 °C with L. rhamnosus GG, which showed the highest values (up to 3.50 mg CE·g⁻¹ FW), followed by L. plantarum 229v and spontaneous fermentation. In terms of total folate content (TFC) retention, spontaneous fermentation was particularly effective at both temperatures after 42 days of fermentation (794.741 µg/100 g TFC at 18 °C and 586.542 µg/100 g TFC at 25 °C). In sensory analysis, spontaneous fermentation, in general acceptance, was rated highest (6.2), followed by L. plantarum 229v (5.5) and L. rhamnosus GG (5.3). Considering all the factors studied, SK fermentation with the probiotic strain L. plantarum 229v has proven to be the most suitable. Full article

This study aims to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with different concentrations of oligofructose (FOS) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal microbial composition in growing rabbits. One hundred female Dehua black rabbits (34 d of age) were randomly assigned to four groups (CON, FOS-1, FOS-2, and FOS-3), with twenty-five rabbits in each group. The CON group received only a basal diet, while the FOS-1/FOS-2/FOS-3 group received the diet supplemented with 0.3%/0.6%/0.9% FOS, respectively. The trial period lasted for 72 days. Our results revealed that FOS supplementation could improve the growing performance of rabbits and decrease the feed/gain ratio. FOS significantly enhanced serum antioxidant enzyme (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA). The levels of plasmic immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and intestinal immune factors (IL-1α, IL-2, and sIgA) were significantly improved with the FOS supplement. Additionally, FOS can improve intestinal morphology and enhance the activity of intestinal enzymes, including cellulase, lipase, and protease. Furthermore, FOS supplementation influenced the composition of intestinal microflora by increasing the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group (barrier-enhancing) and Monoglobus (fiber-degrading). In conclusion, the addition of FOS has a positive impact on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal health of growing rabbits. The optimal dietary addition for rabbits was identified as 0.6% oligofructose. Full article

Bioleaching, mediated by selected microflora, offers a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional mining techniques by transforming metals from sulfide ores into water-soluble forms. Pyrite ores often contain valuable rare or noble metals, such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co), which can be leached through the metabolic activity of specific chemoautotrophic microorganisms. This study investigates the adaptation process of the Acidithiobacillus ferriphilus bacterial strain, originally isolated from acid mine drainage (AMD), for the bioleaching of pyrite. The progress of the bioleaching process was evidenced by the release of iron (3.6 mg/mL) and significant quantities of gold (0.21 mg/L, equivalent to 3 g/t) into the post-culture liquid. The results indicate that the most effective bioleaching was achieved during the final adaptation stage, utilizing a medium with 7% pyrite content and a 0.75% supplement of an easily accessible energy source in the form of iron sulfate. These findings confirm the potential of the A. ferriphilus strain for pyrite bioleaching. Full article

The precipitation of minerals, in particular carbonates, is a widespread phenomenon in all ecosystems, where it assumes a high relevance both from a geological and biogeochemical standpoint. Most carbonate rocks are of biological origin and made in an aquatic environment. In particular, bioprecipitation of carbonates is believed to have started in the Mesoproterozoic Era, thanks to a process often driven by photosynthetic microorganisms. Nevertheless, an important contribution to carbonate precipitation is also due to the metabolic activity of heterotrophic bacteria, which is not restricted to specific taxonomic groups or to specific environments, making this process a ubiquitous phenomenon. In this framework, the relationship between carbonatogenic microorganisms and other living organisms assumes a particular interest. This study aims to isolate and identify the culturable heterotrophic bacterial component associated with the coenosarc of Corallium rubrum in order to evaluate the occurrence of strains able to precipitate carbonates. In particular, the study was focused on the identification and characterisation of bacterial strains isolated from a coral coenosarc showing a high carbonatogenic capacity under laboratory conditions. Samples of C. rubrum were taken in the coastal waters of three Italian regions. The concentration of the aerobic heterotrophic microflora colonising C. rubrum coenosarc samples spanned from 3 to 6∙10⁶ CFU/cm². This variation in microbial populations colonising the C. rubrum coenosarc, spanning over 6 orders of magnitude, is not mirrored by a corresponding variability in the colony morphotypes recorded, with the mean being 5.1 (±2.1 sd). Among these bacteria, the carbonatogenic predominant species was Staphylococcus equorum (93% of the isolates), whereas Staphylococcus xylosus and Shewanella sp. accounted only for 3% of isolates each. All these strains showed a remarkable capacity of precipitating calcium carbonate, in the form of calcite crystals organised radially as well crystalised spherulites (S. equorum) or coalescing spherulites (Shewanella sp.). S. xylosus only produced amorphous precipitates of calcium carbonate. All bacterial strains identified were positive both for the production of urease and carbon anhydrase in vitro at 30 °C. It seems that they potentially possess the major biochemical abilities conducive to Ca²⁺ precipitation, as they showed in vitro. In addition, all our carbonatogenic isolates were able to hydrolyse the phytic acid calcium salt and then were potentially able to induce precipitation of calcium phosphates also through such a mechanism. Full article

Lycopene (Lyc) possesses strong antioxidant activity through its ability to scavenge singlet oxygen and modulate immune responses in livestock and poultry. As few studies have examined the effects of Lyc on hepatic antioxidant capacity in broilers, we evaluated the effects of dietary Lyc supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and microflora composition in yellow-feather broilers. We randomly assigned 480 one-day-old yellow-feather broilers to four dietary treatments: a basal diet with no additive (Con), and a basal diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg (Lyc150), 250 mg/kg (Lyc250), or 500 mg/kg (Lyc500) of lycopene. Compared to Con, Lyc supplementations significantly increased average daily gain by more than 14% from days 29 to 56. Additionally, Lyc250 significantly increased by over 6.4% in average daily feed intake from days 1 to 28, as well as by over 50% in hepatic levels of total antioxidant capacity and 65% in catalase on day 56. Lyc250 significantly increased villus height and decreased the villus-to-crypt ratio. Moreover, both Lyc250 and Lyc500 significantly downregulated hepatic Bax mRNA expression. Further, Lyc150 and Lyc250 significantly increased the relative abundance of Fermentum_g_Lactobacilus, Enterococcus_cecorum_g_Enterococcus, and Ruminococcus sp_g_Ruminococcus, but decreased Acetobacter_lovaniensis_g_Acetobacter and Lactobacillus_amylolyicus_g_Lactobacilus. Overall, our study found that Lyc supplementation significantly improved growth performance, enhanced hepatic antioxidant capacity, and modulated cecal microflora through increasing beneficial species in yellow-feather broilers. Full article

In the present study, a quantitative analysis of culturable microflora of car cabin filters was accomplished, with a special focus on bacteria resistant to some antibiotics. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was considered in the filters with activated carbon and filters with antibacterial properties. The minimum inhibitory concentration was evaluated for selected bacterial strains isolated from the filters. It was found that cabin filters after long-time operation are not only heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi but also constitute a habitat for numerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The numbers of culturable bacteria resistant to penicillin, nitrofurantoin, rifampicin, doxycycline, or gentamicin reached 10²–10³ CFU/g of filter material. No relationship was observed between car brand or filter type and the abundance of antibiotics-resistant bacteria. The lower bacterial content of antibacterial filters was not accompanied by a proportionally lower content of resistant microorganisms which may indicate that the present techniques are not sufficient to limit their growth effectively. Pseudomonas sp. isolates from the filter material were not sensitive even in relation to high concentrations of some antibiotics, which confirms their significant resistance potential and may be important in the context of the spread of drug resistance in the vehicles indoors. Full article

Plant diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani present a significant challenge in agriculture. While chemical pesticides remain a common control strategy, their use leads to health and environmental problems. In contrast, endophytic bacteria with plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity offer a promising, sustainable alternative. In this context, a novel endophytic Priestia megaterium strain, KW16, originated from the bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), demonstrated distinct biocontrol potential against R. solani. in vitro assays showed that KW16 inhibited R. solani growth by up to 58%, primarily by releasing volatile compounds. In planta experiments further highlighted KW16′s ability to colonize oilseed rape internal tissues, significantly enhancing its growth and development. In the presence of the pathogen, KW16 abolished the negative impact of R. solani and promoted plant growth, increasing shoot and root biomass by 216% and 1737%, respectively, when compared to the plants grown in fungal-infested soil. Biochemical and genome analyses confirmed the strain’s metabolic versatility, resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, and a whole spectrum of PGP and biocontrol traits such as biofilm formation, production of phytohormones, and synthesis of lytic enzymes, siderophores, and volatiles, alongside its ability to survive in the presence of autochthonous soil microflora. These findings position KW16 as a potent biological alternative to synthetic fungicides, with significant potential for sustainable crop protection. Full article

Tetraselmis chuii is a microalga commercialized because of its richness in health-beneficial molecules. Previous studies have profusely demonstrated the biological properties of compounds isolated from T. chuii, but data are not yet available on the impact that gastrointestinal digestion could exert. This article describes the passage of T. chuii through the gastrointestinal tract, combining the INFOGEST procedure and in vitro colonic fermentation to examine potential effects on the human colonic microflora composition and its metabolic activity. Microbial plate counting was conducted to determine the different groups of microorganisms. Amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was performed via polymerase chain reaction to examine in detail the main genera of bacteria, and its metabolic activity was evaluated by measuring of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by gas chromatography. The presence of T. chuii modified the fecal microbiota. Although the evolution of lactic acid bacteria and Enterococcus spp. content during 72 h showed that the use of T. chuii, compared to fructopolysaccharides such as inulin, would not provide nutritional advantages, the microalgae extract contributed to a significant decrease in Clostridium, Staphylococcus, and Enterobacteriaceae. Furthermore, T. chuii increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Butyricimonas, genera considered highly beneficial. In correlation with the presence of these microorganisms, the results show that the presence of T. chuii favored the release of SCFA, such as acetic (20 mM), propionic (>5 mM), isovaleric (0.3 mM), isobutyric (0.15 mM), and, mainly, butyric (>2 mM), after 72 h colonic fermentation, being indicators of gut health. These findings suggest that T. chuii has potential as a functional ingredient for promoting health through its modulatory effects on the intestinal microbiota. Full article

: Depression, commonly known as unipolar affective disorder, is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in contemporary society, affecting individuals to varying degrees. Tea is one of the three major non-alcoholic beverages globally; it has a rich history of consumption and is associated with numerous health and nutritional benefits. This review systematically summarizes the antidepressant effects of various bioactive compounds found in tea, drawing upon research findings in the field of tea’s functional health. It elucidates the impact of tea’s bioactive components on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the nervous system, the immune system, intestinal microflora, and the monoaminergic system, among other physiological sites, to achieve antidepressant effects. These effects primarily involve enhancing neural signaling pathways, regulating neural signaling molecule levels, and reducing neuroinflammation. Tea may normalize the body’s nervous system by bolstering immune function, alleviating or eliminating cellular inflammation to maintain healthy homeostasis, or improving intestinal flora and mitigating stress to prevent or treat depressive disorders. Additionally, the potential social support derived from tea-drinking activities, such as cultural rituals and interpersonal communication, may contribute to its antidepressant effects. This review discusses and analyzes the current research status regarding the antidepressant effects of tea and highlights that tea and its active ingredients can be utilized to prevent and alleviate depression. Full article

The use of biological agents in food preservation is considered a sustainable, modern, and promising approach, in which the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is a potential solution. Additionally, Vietnamese fermented cocoa beans, a naturally diverse microflora, have not yet been assessed for the selection of antifungal LAB. Therefore, this study focused on evaluating the antifungal activities against Aspergillus flavus UBOCC-A-10866 of 19 LAB strains isolated from Vietnamese fermented cocoa beans from the Dak Lak and Dong Nai provinces. The results showed that lactic strains were all capable of inhibiting fungi growth (from 18–99% of the fungal colony diameter after 7 days), of which five LAB strains (L13E48, L7E96, L22E96, L41E96, and L2DN120) were selected due to their great fungi inhibition activities (inhibition rate > 75%). The strain L41E96 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) was chosen as the best antifungal species with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 0.36 mg/mL. Full article

In poultry production, antibiotics have been excessively used as growth promoters to support well-being and decrease mortality caused by pathogenic microorganisms. The overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the presence of antibiotic residues in poultry products. To counteract this problem, probiotics could be used as adjuncts or as substitutes for preserving a diverse and balanced microflora to prevent the colonization and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria in the GI tract. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the potential probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria from the small intestine of 23-week-old broiler breeders, with the goal of identifying potential probiotic candidates. Four phenotypically healthy broiler breeders were selected, and intestinal contents were aseptically collected and cultured on MRS agar. From the initial pool of 39 colonies, six isolates were identified based on Gram-positive and catalase-negative characteristics and further classified using 16S rRNA sequencing as Levilactobacillus brevis (n = 3), Pediococcus pentosaceus (n = 2), and Streptococcus salivarius (n = 1). These strains were further evaluated for probiotic properties such as transit resistance to simulated upper gastrointestinal conditions, antagonist activity, haemolytic activity, and cell surface properties such as autoaggregation, co-aggregation and hydrophobicity, in vitro. L. brevis NKFS8 showed good tolerance to pH 3, while P. pentosaceus NKSF10 exhibited good tolerance to pH 4 acidic conditions. All isolates demonstrated good survivability in bile salt concentration of 3% (w/v), with P. pentosaceus NKSF10 exhibiting the highest tolerance. The isolates showed a wide range of antagonistic activity against the test pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enterica (ATCC 13314), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), and Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 7644). Furthermore, these strains exhibited good auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, and hydrophobicity properties. In conclusion, lactic acid bacteria from the small intestine of broiler breeders present a valuable prospect for the development of effective probiotics. These probiotics can be utilized as a supplementary inclusion in poultry feed, obviating the need for antibiotics as growth promoters. Nevertheless, additional in vivo studies are required to closely monitor and assess the effects of probiotics on the gastrointestinal system of chickens. Full article

As traditional protein sources such as soybean and fish meal become increasingly limited, there is growing interest in alternative protein sources, such as rapeseed meal, in aquaculture. This review offers an updated overview of rapeseed meal in fish diets, highlighting its nutritional value and impact on growth and the digestive tract. It also examines the effect of rapeseed meal supplementation on intestinal microflora, taking into account the latest trends in animal breeding focused on microbiota composition. While challenges exist in incorporating rapeseed meal into fish diets, its inclusion holds potential for improving sustainability and efficiency in aquaculture. However, its effects may vary depending on fish species, rearing conditions, and the level of inclusion in the diet. Based on this analysis, further research is recommended to explore the practical use of rapeseed meal as a reliable protein source in fish nutrition. Future studies should prioritize fish welfare and health, with an emphasis on natural methods, such as fermentation, to enhance the nutritional value of rapeseed meal. Consideration should also be given to incorporating activities, such as phytase supplementation, to enhance the use of rapeseed meal in fish feed. Full article