Search Results (403)

Hybrid rice outyields conventional rice, but the role of rhizosphere microbiome in this yield advantage remains unclear. We conducted a single-site field experiment to compare three hybrid rice cultivars with one conventional variety. We tested whether the hybrid rice cultivars were associated with distinct rhizosphere microbial consortia, and whether these consortia correlated with soil nutrient availability and yield. Our results showed that the hybrid cultivars produced significantly higher yields than the conventional variety. Rhizosphere soil was collected at booting and mature stages. We integrated 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing, soil physicochemical and enzyme activity analyses, and structural equation modeling to explore associations among rice genotype, microbial community, nutrient availability, and yield. Hybrid rice showed higher yield and 1000-grain weight (Yongyou-1540: 69.76 g/plant, 26.85 g). Genotype-associated differences in microbiome were strongest at booting: hybrids enriched Pseudomonadota and Chloroflexota but depleted Acidobacteriota; genera Geobacter, Anaeromyxobacter, and Burkholderiaceae were enriched. Hybrid rhizospheres had higher available phosphorus and potassium (Heliangyou-165: +62.8% P and +24.7% K at booting; +18.4% P and +350.8% K at maturity). Metagenomic profiling revealed a higher abundance of genes associated with nitrogen fixation, siderophore biosynthesis, and sulfur cycling pathways. Nitrogen fixation gene abundance correlated with alkali-hydrolyzable N (r = 0.66), siderophore biosynthesis with available P (r = 0.73), and sulfate respiration with available K (r = 0.61). Enzyme activities showed genotype-and stage-dependent patterns. Structural equation modeling supported a sequential association path: genotype → microbial community (β = 0.58) → soil nutrient composite (β = 0.52) → grain yield (β = 0.44). The indirect effect of genotype on yield via microbiome and nutrients was significant (β = 0.13), while the direct effect was not. The yield advantage observed in the tested hybrid cultivars was accompanied by cultivar-associated differences in rhizosphere microbiomes that correlate with enhanced nutrient bioavailability during critical growth stages. These correlative findings suggest a potential belowground ecological pathway linking cultivar identity, rhizosphere microbiome functional potential, nutrient availability, and yield; however, they do not demonstrate a causal role of the microbiome in the yield advantage of hybrid rice. Given the single-site, single-year design and the use of only one conventional control cultivar, these results should be considered preliminary and require validation across broader genotype panels and environments. Experimental validation is required to test the hypothesized microbial associations. Full article

Game meat is increasingly discussed as a nutrient-rich alternative source of animal protein, although its consumption remains constrained by limited availability, consumer familiarity, and practical or perceptual barriers. This study assessed attitudes, knowledge, perceptions, and consumption behaviours related to game meat among respondents recruited through an online convenience survey in Romania. Following exclusion of three respondents who did not meet the predefined age criterion, 640 participants were included in the analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) with exploratory clustering, and multivariable binary logistic regression. Overall, 75.8% of respondents (95% CI [72.3–78.9]) reported having previously consumed game meat, although consumption was predominantly infrequent. Having family members or friends involved in hunting showed the strongest adjusted association with previous consumption (OR = 4.81, 95% CI [2.59–8.94]), while older age and higher self-rated information were also associated with higher adjusted odds of previous consumption. Exploratory MCA-based clustering suggested three broad respondent profiles characterised by differing levels of familiarity, previous consumption, purchasing knowledge, and perceptions of game meat. Among non-consumers, 50.0% reported willingness to try game meat in the future, although the corresponding multivariable model had limited explanatory power. The principal reported barriers among non-consumers were lack of opportunity (63.2%), discomfort with the idea of eating wild animals (43.4%), and ethical concerns regarding hunting (34.2%). These findings highlight potential considerations for producers, retailers, and policy makers, including market accessibility, consumer information, culinary guidance, and transparent communication regarding product origin and safety. Given the young, student-dominated convenience sample, the findings primarily reflect the perspectives of younger, highly educated respondents in Romania. Full article

Crataegus L. (Rosaceae) comprises several species rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds with nutraceutical relevance. The present study aimed to investigate the polyphenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and in vitro antihyperglycemic-related activity of fruits from 11 Crataegus taxa collected in Western Sicily, a region characterized by a high diversity of this genus. Total polyphenol quantification indicated that, among the tested extracts, Crataegus laciniata exhibited the highest content (25.54 mg GAE/g). Using high-resolution Orbitrap Q-Exactive PLUS ESI-MS instrument (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), a comprehensive phytochemical characterization was performed. Hyperoside quantification revealed that Crataegus aff. insengae, Crataegus zichichii, and Crataegus drepanensis are rich in this bioactive compound (1.47, 1.22, 1.22 mg/g DW). Multivariate analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA), highlighted hyperoside and vitexin as the main contributors to sample differentiation. Additionally, Crataegus laciniata, Crataegus drepanensis, and Crataegus aff. insengae showed the highest antioxidant activity in chemical assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) and in Caco-2 and H9c2 cell models through the modulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Regarding antihyperglycemic-related activity, Crataegus laciniata, Crataegus azarolus var. azarolus, and Crataegus drepanensis extracts showed the best inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Overall, the study highlights the value of Crataegus fruits as sources of bioactive compounds for food and nutraceutical research and supports their further valorization. Full article

Fermented foods and beverages represent a cornerstone of Nigerian food culture, yet their scientific documentation remains fragmented, and their potential within global bioeconomy frameworks is largely unrealised. This review addresses two interrelated gaps: the absence of a comprehensive ethnogeographic analysis of Nigerian fermented foods that integrates ecological, cultural, and agricultural drivers of regional diversity, and the limited examination of these foods as models for circular bioeconomy development. Using a narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature spanning 1986–2025, we systematically map the distribution of fermented tuber, cereal, legume, dairy, and fruit products across Nigeria’s major geopolitical zones, demonstrating that agroecological endowment, ethnic composition, trade routes, and cross-cultural interactions shape regional variation. Beyond their socio-cultural significance, Nigerian fermented foods contribute meaningfully to food security by extending shelf life, enhancing nutrient bioavailability, and reducing post-harvest losses. This review further positions ogi (fermented maize gruel) and garri (fermented cassava granules) as model systems for circular bioeconomy integration, demonstrating how by-product valorisation can generate value-added outputs, including animal feed, bioethanol, biodegradable packaging, and organic acids. Key challenges, including food safety deficits, absence of standardised production protocols, and limited regulatory frameworks, are critically assessed. Three priority research directions are identified: metagenomics-based microbiome profiling, development of culturally appropriate starter cultures, and formulation of gender-responsive regulatory instruments. Nigerian fermented foods, properly documented and integrated into innovation systems, represent an underutilised asset for sustainable food system transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

Nodule inception (NIN)-like proteins (NLPs) are plant-specific transcription factors regulating nutrient absorption, growth, and stress tolerance; however, their roles in stress responses remain largely uncharacterized. Cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa ‘Camarosa’) serves as an ideal model for dissecting the evolution and function of NLP genes. In this study, 37 FaNLP genes were identified genome-wide. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into three subfamilies, which are evenly distributed across seven chromosomes. Divergent exon–intron structures and conserved motif compositions suggest functional differentiation among FaNLPs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed distinct expression profiles under heat stress and Botrytis cinerea infection. Notably, FaNLPs were significantly more upregulated in the cultivar ‘Shuxing’ than in ‘Benihoppe’. Heat stress inhibited photosynthesis and altered catalase activity (CAT), superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) and peroxidase activities (POD), whereas fungal infection enhanced chitinase activity in both cultivars. Comparative genomics with Arabidopsis and rice revealed strawberry-specific evolutionary patterns of NLPs. Subcellular localization prediction indicates that FaNLP proteins primarily localize to the nucleus, implying their potential roles as transcriptional regulators. This study links FaNLP sequence characteristics with stress response phenotypes, providing a foundation for elucidating NLP-mediated regulatory networks in strawberry. Future functional assays, including overexpression and knockout analyses, will further clarify the biological roles of FaNLPs. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examined the effect of three different cultural media—coconut coir, peat moss, and deep-water culture—on the metabolomic profiles of two tomato cultivars, Heinz and Roma. Tomato fruit quality is influenced by intricate interactions between the genotype and root-zone environment; nevertheless, little is known about how substrate-based systems compare metabolically to deep-water hydroponics. Methods: Fruit samples from both cultivars grown under controlled greenhouse conditions were analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy to identify treatment-dependent biochemical changes. Polar metabolites were extracted using a methanol–water solvent solution and examined using a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. Spectral datasets were processed and analyzed with multivariate statistical tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). Results: Distinct clustering patterns were observed, indicating both cultivar-specific and cultivation-system-dependent metabolic differentiation. The PCA model displayed excellent explanatory and predictive capacity, while supervised OPLS-DA improved group discrimination, demonstrating that both genotype and growing medium significantly influenced the chemical composition of the fruit. Soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), sugar alcohols, organic acids such as citric and malic acids, and a variety of amino acids involved in nitrogen metabolism and stress reactions were among the key distinguishing factors. Carbohydrate-related spectral areas (3.0–5.5 ppm) were highly associated with treatment separation, indicating that the cultivation system had a significant impact on carbon allocation and energy metabolism. Conclusions: Fruits grown in deep water culture have distinct metabolic fingerprints from those grown on coconut coir and peat moss, implying that root-zone oxygen availability and nutrient dynamics may influence primary and secondary metabolism. Full article

Organic fertilizer and season are established sources of variation in tea plantation soil microbiomes. A repeated-measure field experiment was conducted in Yunnan, China, comprising an unfertilized control (CK), sheep manure (SM), pig manure (PM), rapeseed cake manure (RM), and commercial organic fertilizer (OF). The same 15 mature tea trees were sampled in spring, summer, and autumn, yielding 45 composite soil samples. Soil properties, as well as 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon profiles, were evaluated using mixed-effect models, restricted-permutation PERMANOVA, and design-adjusted partial redundancy analysis (pRDA). Fertilization regime, season, and their interaction showed property-specific associations, most clearly for alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium. Bacterial alpha diversity was more responsive than fungal alpha diversity. Both factors were significantly associated with bacterial and fungal community structures. Season accounted for most bacterial variation (68.70%), whereas fungal variation was associated more evenly with season (27.33%) and fertilization regime (18.61%); no significant interaction was detected for either group. Nine fungal genera retained significant treatment-associated differences after FDR correction, whereas the bacterial genus-level patterns remained exploratory. After conditioning for fertilization regime and season, measured soil variables collectively explained 6.51% and 13.56% of bacterial and fungal variation, respectively, but no individual variable remained significant after FDR correction. Because fertilizer inputs were not nutrient-standardized, treatment contrasts represent integrated material-and-dose regimes rather than isolated fertilizer-type effects. These context-specific results illustrate the value of repeated seasonal sampling with design-adjusted analyses for evaluating practical fertilization regimes. Full article

The spread of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus has caused a critical shortage of traditional Poria cocos cultivation materials, making bag-based substrates an urgent alternative. Yet, how substrate stoichiometry shapes nutritional quality remains unclear. Using non-targeted metabolomics combined with redundancy analysis (RDA) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we profiled P. cocos cultivated on four substrates: healthy pine logs, pine wilt wood bags, oak bags, and pine needle/branch bags. Bag-cultivated P. cocos showed significantly elevated total amino acids, poria cocos acid, and total triterpenoids, with pine wilt wood bags (P1) performing best overall. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and the N/P ratio independently drove metabolomic variation (pairwise overlap < 5%). Nitrogen-line hub metabolites were negatively correlated with amino acid content, suggesting that suppressed lipid metabolism may free carbon skeletons for the accumulation of nitrogenous nutrients. Phosphorus-line hub metabolites were positively associated with polysaccharide indices, whereas the N/P ratio in line lipid amides showed strong negative correlations with polysaccharides under phosphorus limitation. These correlational patterns are consistent with a stoichiometric resource allocation model, although direct validation through controlled-element experiments is required. These findings provide quantitative guidance for optimizing bag-substrate formulations in P. cocos cultivation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder influenced by environmental factors including cold stress. While cold exposure exacerbates intestinal inflammation, the specific microbial metabolites linking environmental stress to colitis remain unclear. 3-Hydroxypropionate (3-HPA) is a gut microbial metabolite elevated following cold exposure, but its pathogenic role in intestinal inflammation has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine whether 3-HPA contributes to colitis progression and to characterize its effects on gut microbiota and intestinal epithelial function. Methods: We employed a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model to assess the impact of cold exposure and exogenous 3-HPA administration. Paired shotgun metagenomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to evaluate gut microbial composition and metabolic outputs. Mechanistic studies using NCM460 intestinal epithelial cells were conducted to examine mitochondrial respiration and tight junction integrity under nutrient-limited conditions. Results: Cold exposure increased fecal 3-HPA levels and aggravated DSS-induced colitis, characterized by enhanced weight loss, histological damage, and immune cell infiltration. Direct 3-HPA supplementation alone was sufficient to worsen colitis severity. Multi-omics profiling revealed that 3-HPA reshaped gut microbiota composition, depleted short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and disrupted microbial tryptophan and bile acid metabolism. In vitro, 3-HPA impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, reduced ATP production, and compromised tight junction organization in intestinal epithelial cells. Conclusions: These findings identify 3-HPA as a gut microbial metabolite elevated by cold exposure that contributes to colitis progression by disrupting beneficial microbial metabolism while also impairing epithelial mitochondrial function and barrier integrity. Modulating 3-HPA production or its downstream epithelial effects may represent a potential therapeutic approach for IBD exacerbated by environmental stress. Full article

Farming models profoundly influence the biological traits of aquatic organisms. This study compared muscle nutrients, muscle transcriptome, and gut microbiota of Pelodiscus sinensis reared under rice-field and pond conditions. Compared with the pond group (Group P), the rice-field group (Group R) exhibited significantly lower linoleic acid (LA) and higher arachidonic acid (ARA), indicating an altered muscle fatty acid profile. Transcriptomic analysis further showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in fatty acid metabolic processes. For gut microbiota, Group R had a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes_C at the phylum level, and Acidaminococcus was uniquely detected at the genus level. These findings reveal that rice-field culture drives distinct muscle fatty acid profiles and gut microbial characteristics in P. sinensis, providing a theoretical basis for understanding the effects of rice-field culture on turtle nutrition and intestinal health. Full article

Feed efficiency remains a significant challenge in farmed raccoon dogs, and performance differences can occur even when diets are formulated with similar nutrient levels. Beyond nutrient concentrations, digestion kinetics can alter the timing of carbon and nitrogen availability along the gastrointestinal tract, thereby influencing microbial assembly in a segment-specific way. Twenty 2-month-old male raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were divided into four dietary groups (n = 5) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The design combined protein-source formulations containing either soybean cake or dried distillers grains with solubles and starch-source formulations based primarily on either extruded corn or high-amylose corn starch, representing relatively rapid and slow expected digestion characteristics, respectively. The purpose was to assess how digestion-rate synchronization affects jejunal and cecal microbiota structure and whether community state types (CSTs) link diet and feed efficiency. Growth performance varied modestly among treatments, with group B showing the lowest feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) and highest average daily gain (ADG). Starch source significantly affected ADG, while protein and protein × starch interaction influenced F/G. Microbiota profiles were strongly segment-dependent: the cecum had higher richness and diversity than the jejunum. Two-way analyses and Bray–Curtis ordinations showed that the jejunal community was primarily associated with the protein × starch interaction, whereas the cecal community was associated mainly with the protein-source factor and the protein × starch interaction. Network analysis revealed more complex and densely connected microbial communities in the cecum, with core genera occupying central positions. Dirichlet multinomial mixture modeling, performed independently for each intestinal segment, identified two jejunal community states (J-CST1 and J-CST2) and two cecal community states (C-CST1 and C-CST2). J-CST1 and J-CST2 represented alternative lactic acid bacteria-dominated configurations, with J-CST2 enriched in Lactobacillus and J-CST1 characterized by higher abundances of Streptococcus and Bacillus. C-CST2 was represented predominantly by samples from group B and was characterized by higher abundances of Segatella and taxa affiliated with Bacteroidota and Lachnospiraceae. Predicted functional profiles differed between CSTs, involving pathways related to carbohydrate, amino acid, lipid, and bile acid metabolism. Mediation analysis did not provide consistent evidence of significant indirect effects for J-CST membership, whereas C-CST membership was associated with significant estimated indirect effects on final body weight, ADG, and F/G. These findings suggest that dietary protein- and starch-source combinations with different expected digestion characteristics drive segment-specific microbial patterns. Supported by taxonomic, network and functional evidence, cecal CSTs act as an intermediate ecological phenotype that partially explains the variation in growth efficiency, highlighting hindgut community states as potential targets for personalized nutrition of raccoon dogs. Full article

Environmental chemical exposures are increasingly recognized as contributors to metabolic dysfunction, particularly when they occur as chronic, low-dose mixtures rather than as isolated high-dose toxicants. However, current approaches often focus on exposure intensity, single-compound hazard or isolated biomarker associations, and provide limited explanation for why individuals with comparable exposure profiles may develop markedly different metabolic outcomes. This semi-systematic review proposes an Exposure–Adaptive Capacity (EAC) framework to interpret the metabolic consequences of environmental chemical mixtures through the interaction between exposure burden and host adaptive capacity. A structured literature search covered PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science records published through 30 June 2026; a reviewer-triggered PubMed/MEDLINE update was executed on 30 July 2026 using harmonized British and American dyslipidaemia/dyslipidemia terms, explicit eligibility domains and evidence-mapping procedures. The review integrates epidemiological, mechanistic, toxicological and translational evidence related to environmental chemicals, metabolic dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption, metabolic resilience and biomarkers. The evidence indicates that several chemical classes, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, bisphenols, phthalates, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants and selected metals, converge on mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox regulation, inflammatory signalling, endocrine and nuclear receptor activity, nutrient-sensing networks and adipose tissue function. The EAC framework defines exposure burden as the cumulative biological pressure imposed by chemical mixtures and adaptive capacity as the organism’s functional ability to buffer, compensate for or recover from exposure-induced metabolic stress. To make the framework empirically testable, we specify measurable domains for exposure burden, adaptive capacity and EAC mismatch, and distinguish biomarkers of exposure, early biological effect, adaptive capacity, metabolic dysfunction and vulnerability. A quotient-based expression is retained only as a heuristic representation, while empirical testing is proposed through exposure-by-adaptive-capacity interaction models and complementary multidimensional approaches. The framework provides a structured basis for future exposomic, epidemiological and translational studies by shifting attention from exposure alone to the balance between environmental pressure and biological resilience. Full article

Peanut butter combines nutritional density with two hazard profiles that are often discussed separately: persistence of enteric pathogens in a low-moisture, lipid-rich matrix and pre-processing contamination with aflatoxins. This structured narrative review synthesizes evidence identified in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar between January and June 2026 and asks whether food-matrix characteristics change not only nutrient release but also the reliability and timing of safety controls. The evidence is strongest for prolonged survival and matrix-enhanced heat resistance of Salmonella, the heterogeneous distribution of aflatoxins among kernels, and the limited corrective value of roasting for contaminated lots. Direct studies that measure nutritional and safety outcomes within the same peanut butter formulation are scarce; the proposed framework is therefore an integrative interpretation rather than a quantitatively validated model. In our assessment, the practical value of the matrix concept lies in three decisions: controlling aflatoxins before grinding, validating microbial lethality in the actual product, and protecting post-lethality areas from recontamination. These conclusions support hazard-specific risk management that preserves nutritional and sensory quality without treating shelf stability as evidence of microbiological safety. Full article

Krill oil (KO) is a marine-derived nutritional ingredient distinguished by its unique structural composition and increasing relevance in human nutrition, particularly in the context of healthy aging and preservation of intrinsic capacity. Approximately 30–65% of its fatty acids are esterified to phospholipids, a molecular configuration associated with enhanced bioavailability and efficient tissue incorporation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, even at relatively low doses. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) originates from minimally impacted marine ecosystems, contributing to a favorable safety profile characterized by inherently low levels of environmental contaminants, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Beyond its structural and safety attributes, KO provides a complex nutrient matrix comprising approximately 25% total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including ~14% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and ~6.5% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), together with choline and astaxanthin. This compositional synergy may modulate inflammatory pathways, redox balance, membrane dynamics, and cellular signaling, thereby influencing physiological systems implicated in aging biology. This narrative review critically examines how these distinctive characteristics translate into clinically relevant outcomes supporting the multifunctional applications of KO in human nutrition. The analysis is structured within the framework of intrinsic capacity, encompassing locomotion, vitality, sensory, cognition and psychological dimensions, as a conceptual model for healthy aging. Considerations on bioavailability, tolerability, and sustainability are also discussed in the context of nutritional strategies promoting healthy longevity. Full article

Electronic nose (EN) technology, based on electrochemical sensor arrays, has emerged as a rapid and objective tool for aroma characterization in food systems. This study investigated factors influencing cat food preference using physicochemical analysis, texture measurement, preference testing, and EN technology. Nine (9) commercial cat foods from three brands (A: premium; B and C: medium price) with different flavors were evaluated. Proximate analysis revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in most nutrients, except crude fiber (CF) (p < 0.05), which was higher in lower-priced cat foods. Shear force showed a positive correlation with consumption (r = 0.72), while CF was negatively correlated (r = −0.52). Preference tests indicated that Brand A was most preferred, followed by Brand C, while Brand B was least preferred. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified variability in individual cat preferences, and one outlier cat was excluded. Discriminant analysis of EN data showed clear separation by brand rather than flavor, suggesting brand-related aroma profiles can be monitored rapidly through the digital odor fingerprint. Cat food acceptance is mainly driven by texture, CF content, and aroma rather than macronutrient composition. The results of the EN evaluation of cat food samples revealed the same group similarities and differences as the 8-month preference test performed with cats. Similar to this study, EN classification models can be developed using food preference data and the digital aroma fingerprints of foods. After validations, the EN models can be used as an effective tool to monitor the quality and assess new diets according to the known preferred odor fingerprint. Full article