Search Results (495)

The complementarity of plant proteins from various sources could achieve higher nutritional value to satisfy the requirement of replacing animal proteins. Therefore, it is very important to seek efficient and convenient approaches to fabricate highly soluble protein composites. In this study, macadamia protein–soybean protein (SP-MP′) composites were fabricated by alkaline-thermal treating at different ratios of 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2; then, the nitrogen solubility index, particle characteristics, and structure and emulsifying properties of SP-MP′ composites were investigated. The nitrogen solubility indexes of SP-MP′ composites were higher than 80%, and less small insoluble aggregates were observed by scanning electron microscopy. SP-MP′ composites exhibited high ζ-potential values, which were higher than −50 mV. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis found that both subunits of individually alkaline-thermal-treated macadamia protein (MP′) and soybean protein (SP′) were presented in SP-MP′ composites. The results of fluorescence, sulfhydryl group, and secondary structure illustrated that the SP interacted with MP to form SP-MP′ composites by the co-folding of proteins during neutralization. Compared to the individual proteins, SP-MP′ composites exhibited stronger emulsification ability and stability indexes (EAI and ESI) as the proportion of MP increased, and the EAI and ESI of SP-MP_1:2′ were 21.53 m²/g and 146.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, emulsions prepared by SP-MP′ composites displayed more uniform oil droplet distributions. The findings suggested that highly soluble SP-MP′ composites with stronger emulsification abilities were successfully fabricated, which have great potential as ingredients to manufacture nutritional plant protein beverages. Full article

This study analyzed the phenotypic and internal fruit quality diversity of six superior Nai plum trees to provide detailed phenotypic profiles and preliminary relational hypotheses, supporting superior genotype re-selection for breeding. Using leaves and mature fruits, we conducted diversity, correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA) on all quantitative traits. The average Shannon–Wiener index (H′) for qualitative traits was 0.543, and the average coefficient of variation for quantitative traits was 19.98%. Correlation analysis revealed complex trait relationships, including the synchronous variation between the total number of soluble solids (TSS) and reducing sugars (RS) or soluble sugars (SS) and the opposite trends between the TSS and potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), or soluble protein (SP). PCA extracted four principal components (cumulative contribution: 91.074%) from all traits. Based on factor scores, S6 ranked highest, indicating its potential as a comprehensive candidate. The findings offer a theoretical basis for Nai plum cultivation and breeding. Full article

Manganese (Mn) toxicity, commonly triggered by soil acidification, poses a significant threat to citrus production. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can alleviate heavy metal stress, while their specific function and quantitative effectiveness in conferring Mn tolerance to citrus remain unclear. This study investigated the physiological regulation conferred by four AM fungal species, Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri), Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), Paraglomus occultum (Po), and Diversispora epigaea (De), on trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) under Mn stress. Mn toxicity reduced root colonization in a species-dependent manner, significantly lowering colonization by all AM fungal isolates except Fm. It also severely inhibited plant growth and induced pronounced oxidative damage, accompanied by metabolic imbalance. Under Mn-stressed conditions, AM fungal inoculation, especially Ri, significantly enhanced plant biomass relative to the non-AM control, with respective increases of 148% in leaves, 33% in stems, and 64% in roots, demonstrating a marked species-specific efficacy. Furthermore, AM symbiosis effectively promoted chlorophyll index and limited Mn translocation to the leaves under both non-stress and Mn-stress conditions, with Ri being the most effective in reducing leaf Mn content. Symbiosis with AM fungi, particularly Ri, fine-tuned the antioxidant enzyme defense under Mn stress by selectively suppressing superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities while further boosting catalase activity. Concurrently, AM fungi alleviated Mn-induced oxidative damage, with the magnitude of mitigation varying by species: Ri delivered the most comprehensive protection, most effectively reducing hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels in both leaves and roots, whereas Po was particularly effective in suppressing root superoxide anion radical and malondialdehyde levels in roots. Furthermore, AM fungi reversed Mn-induced shifts in organic osmolytes: they significantly reduced the excessive accumulation of soluble sugars and proline while mitigating the loss of soluble proteins, thereby assisting in restoring metabolic homeostasis. The alleviative effects varied significantly among AM fungal species, with Ri identified as the most efficient and Mn-tolerant strain. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing specific AM fungi, particularly Ri, as a sustainable biological strategy to enhance citrus productivity in acidified, Mn-contaminated soils. Full article

This study systematically compared spray drying (SD) and freeze drying (FD) for microencapsulating Idesia polycarpa oil using a soy protein isolate/maltodextrin (SPI/MD) wall system. SD produced predominantly spherical and compact microcapsules with higher solubility (51.33%), encapsulation efficiency (81.9%), and superior oxidative stability (oxidation induction period, 6.05 h), together with improved thermal resistance, indicating its suitability for applications requiring enhanced stability and aroma retention. In contrast, FD yielded irregular and porous microcapsules with significantly higher emulsifying activity (29.12 m² g⁻¹, p < 0.05) but lower solubility and encapsulation efficiency. Integrated physicochemical characterization-including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), particle size and polydispersity index (PDI), ζ-potential, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), oxidative stability index (OSI) measurements, and volatile profiling via odor activity value (OAV) analysis—revealed clear process-dependent structure–function relationships. The denser SPI/MD matrix formed during SD restricted lipid molecular mobility and oxygen diffusion, thereby suppressing lipid oxidation and promoting the retention of key lipid-derived odorants. Conversely, the porous structure generated by FD facilitated interfacial functionality but increased molecular diffusion pathways. Overall, this work demonstrates that SPI/MD-based microencapsulation functions as a molecular stabilization platform for highly unsaturated plant oils and provides mechanistic guidance for selecting drying strategies to tailor Idesia polycarpa oil microcapsules for specific food applications. Full article

Salt stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that restrict crop production. Melatonin (MT), a signal molecule widely present in plants, plays an important role in regulating abiotic stress response. In this study, celery seedlings were used as experimental materials, and the control, salt stress, and exogenous MT treatment groups under salt stress were set up. Through phenotypic, physiological index determination, transcriptome sequencing, and expression analysis, the alleviation effects of MT on salt stress were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that exogenous MT treatment significantly reduced seedling growth inhibition caused by salt stress. Physiological measurements showed that MT significantly reduced malondialdehyde content, increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), promoted the accumulation of free proline and soluble protein, and increased photosynthetic parameters such as chlorophyll, ΦPSII, Fv/Fm, and ETR. Transcriptome analysis showed that MT regulates the expression of several genes associated with carbon metabolism, including β-amylase gene (AgBAM), sucrose-degrading enzyme genes (AgSUS, AgINV), and glucose synthesis-related genes (AgAG, AgEGLC, AgBGLU). The results of qRT-PCR verification were highly consistent with the transcriptome sequencing data, revealing that MT synergistically regulates starch and sucrose metabolic pathways, and effectively alleviates the damage of celery seedlings under salt stress at the molecular level. In summary, exogenous MT significantly improved the salt tolerance of celery by enhancing antioxidant capacity, maintaining photosynthetic function, promoting the accumulation of osmotic adjustment substances, and synergistically regulating carbon metabolism-related pathways. The concentration of 200 μM was identified as optimal, based on its most pronounced alleviating effects across the physiological parameters measured. This study provides an important theoretical basis for utilizing MT to enhance plant salt resistance. Full article

Extrusion processing can induce gel-like network formation in plant proteins, enabling the advancement of structured meat alternatives with tailored textural properties. In this study, extrusion-induced gelation behavior of isolated mung bean protein (IMBP) was systematically investigated during the manufacture of low-moisture meat analogs (LMMA). The effects of key processing variables, rotational speed of the screw, moisture level, and processing temperature on gel network development, hydration behavior, and textural responses were evaluated using response surface methodology as an analytical framework. Increasing moisture content promoted protein hydration and facilitated the formation of continuous gel-like interactions, resulting in enhanced pore development and water-holding capacity. Variations in screw speed and processing temperature further modulated the extent of protein denaturation and network consolidation, influencing nitrogen solubility and mechanical properties. While the integrity index remained relatively insensitive to processing conditions, structural and functional responses exhibited clear dependencies on extrusion-induced gelation dynamics. The extrusion conditions of 39% moisture, 216 rpm, and 159 °C promoted the development of a well-defined protein network, leading to improved functional properties. These findings provide mechanistic insight into extrusion-driven gelation of IMBP and highlight its potential as a protein matrix for gel-based meat analog applications. Full article

Saline soil represents an important reserve of cultivated land in China, yet poor soil conditions and low-nitrogen use efficiency constrain crop production. Biochar has been widely applied to improve soil properties; however, its interactive effects with nitrogen fertilization in saline soils remain unclear. A pot experiment using coastal saline soil collected from the northern Jiangsu province was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of biochar (0%, 4%, and 8% w·w⁻¹) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 150, and 200 mg·kg⁻¹) on the growth performance, photosynthetic indices, yield, quality, and nitrogen use efficiency of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.). Moderate biochar application significantly improved vegetative growth of water spinach, as indicated by higher plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, and SPAD values. In addition, biochar substantially enhanced photosynthetic performance, dry matter accumulation, and yield, whereas excessive biochar or nitrogen application generally inhibited plant performance. The combined application of 4% biochar with 150 mg·kg⁻¹ nitrogen consistently produced the highest yield and nitrogen partial factor productivity, while simultaneously increasing soluble protein, soluble sugar, and vitamin C contents and reducing nitrite accumulation. These research results demonstrated a clear synergistic interaction between biochar and nitrogen fertilization. In coastal saline soils, reducing the usage of nitrogen fertilizer moderately and adding approximately 4% of biochar is an effective strategy. Full article

Selenium-Binding Protein 1 (SBP1), involved in selenium metabolism, contributes to plant stress response. However, it is currently unknown whether the SBP1 protein from Liriodendron hybrid (LhSBP1) plays a role in response to cold stress. In this study, transgenic overexpression lines of LhSBP1 in Arabidopsis thaliana and Populus deltoides × P. euramericana cv. ‘Nanlin 895’, were used as materials to conduct phenotypic observations and physiological and biochemical determinations under cold stress. The results showed that the full-length CDS sequence of LhSBP1 gene was cloned, with a length of 1467 bp, encoding 488 amino acids. Under cold stress, physiological and biochemical indexes showed that the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in transgenic Arabidopsis were lower, with the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂⁻) being 0.72 and 0.71 times those of the wild type, respectively, and the MDA content was 0.53 times that of the wild type. Compared with the wild type, the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) increased by 1.2, 1.75, and 1.48 times respectively, and the soluble protein content increased by 1.41 times, which significantly improved the cold tolerance of Arabidopsis. The contents of H₂O₂, O₂⁻, and MDA in LhSBP1 transgenic ‘Nanlin 895’ poplar were 0.63 and 0.67 times and 0.6 times those of wild type, respectively. The activities of SOD, POD and CAT were increased by 1.37, 1.48, and 1.44 times, and the soluble protein was increased by 1.28 times, which significantly improved the cold tolerance of ‘Nanlin 895’ poplar. Taken together, this study utilized two model plant systems to demonstrate the positive and conserved functions of LhSBP1 in plant cold tolerance defense response, which provided valuable genetic resources for the breeding of cold-tolerance woody plants. Full article

Soil salinization severely restricts vegetation restoration in Northwest China. Native Limonium plants, capable of naturally colonizing saline-alkalisaline–alkali wasteland, are potential germplasm for low-cost ecological restoration. This study focused on three wild Limonium species (Limonium aureum, Limonium bicolor, Limonium gmelinii) in Gansu Province. In this study, we integrated seed phenotypic diversity with stress tolerance. We then investigated seed germination indices (e.g., germination rate, energy, vigor index) and seedling physiological–biochemical indices of three Limonium species under 0, 100, 200, 300 mM NaCl and NaHCO₃ stress. These indices included leaf and root Na⁺ and K⁺ contents, chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, soluble sugar, and soluble protein contents, plus SOD and CAT activities. Results showed seed area and thickness were key to germination performance, with L. aureum having the largest and thickest seeds and strongest germination potential. The onset concentration of significant inhibition for salt/alkali was 200 mM. At the seedling stage, L. aureum performed best at 100–200 mM, while all three were damaged at 300 mM. Principal component analysis indicated that L. aureum had the highest comprehensive scores under both NaCl and NaHCO₃ stresses, while L. bicolor and L. gmelinii presented distinct stress-specific adaptation differences. Thus, L. bicolor is recommended for salt-dominated soils and L. gmelinii for alkaline environments, and L. aureum can be used for mildly heterogeneous habitats. This study clarifies inter-species differences under stress, providing a direct theoretical basis for ecological restoration in saline–alkali areas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk due to chronic systemic inflammation. The Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) are valuable tools for cardiovascular risk assessment, while Klotho, an anti-aging protein with cardioprotective properties, may serve as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular health. Recent studies have shown that soluble α-Klotho contributes to vascular protection by increasing endothelial cell proliferation, reducing apoptosis, and enhancing angiogenic capacity, thereby helping to maintain microvascular integrity. We aimed to assess cardiovascular event risk in AS patients using AIP and SCORE and investigate the relationship between serum Klotho levels and these factors. Methods: A case–control study was conducted between August and September 2019. The study included 24 AS patients and 24 healthy controls aged 18 and above, with 13 females and 11 males. Results: No significant difference was found in serum Klotho levels between the AS and control groups in terms of SCORE and AI classifications. In the high-risk SCORE classification group, AI was found to be elevated at 0.42. In the AS group, Klotho levels were observed as 0.73 in the low-risk group, 0.60 in the moderate-risk group, and 0.61 in the high-risk group (p = 0.974). When evaluating HDL levels, Klotho was determined to be 7.29 ± 6.81 for HDL < 35 and 0.60 [0.33] for HDL ≥ 35 (p = 0.036). Conclusions: An AI exceeding 0.40 in the high-risk SCORE group and in patients with active disease according to the BASDAI score indicated an increased cardiovascular event risk in the AS group. Further studies are warranted regarding serum Klotho levels, HDL, and LDL subclasses in AS patients. Full article

Bioprocessing grape pomace (GP) presents a sustainable solution aligned with circular economic principles and transforms it into valuable functional ingredients for baked products. This review (2020–2025) synthesizes enzymatic and microbial strategies that modify the fiber–phenolic matrix and improve dough performance. Enzyme-assisted extraction, alone or combined with ultrasound or pressurized liquids, increases extractable polyphenols and antioxidant capacity in GP fractions used as flour substitutions or pre-ferments. Fungal solid-state and lactic fermentations liberate bound phenolic compounds and generate acids and exopolysaccharides. Among these routes, enzyme-assisted extraction and lactic sourdough-type fermentations currently appear the most compatible with bakery-scale implementation, offering substantial phenolic enrichment while relying on relatively simple, food-grade equipment. In current bakery applications, GP is mainly used as crude grape pomace powder, which typically shows higher total phenolics and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, in several models it lowers starch hydrolysis and predicted glycemic index. The practical substitution rate is between 5 and 10% of flour, which balances nutritional gains with processing disadvantages. These can be mitigated by fractionation toward soluble dietary fiber or co-fortification with flours rich in protein and fiber. An additional benefit of these methods includes reduced mycotoxin bioaccessibility in vitro. A key evidence gap is the absence of standardized comparisons between raw and bioprocessed GP in identical formulations. Overall, GP emerges as a promising ingredient for bakery products, while the added technological and nutritional value of bioprocessing remains to be quantified. Full article

Bovine omentum, a by-product of beef processing, offers potential for collagen recovery within the circular bioeconomy. It consists mainly of lipids (42.14%) and proteins (18.79%), such as collagen. In this study, collagen was isolated using acid-based and enzymatic methods. Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) was successfully extracted, yielding 3.98%. Additionally, enzymatic extraction of collagen from the residue obtained after ASC extraction using Protana^® Prime (1–10%, w/w) resulted in variable yields (4.98% to 11.15%) (p < 0.05). The maximum solubility of all collagen samples was observed at pH 3, while NaCl concentrations above 4% (w/v) significantly reduced solubility (p < 0.05). ASC demonstrated the highest emulsifying activity index and emulsion stability index (213.73 m²/g and 172.09 min, respectively) (p < 0.05), whereas enzyme-extracted collagens exhibited comparatively lower emulsifying capacities, particularly at higher enzyme concentrations (7.5% and 10%). FTIR spectra revealed characteristic bands for collagen, indicating that the triple helical structure was maintained, irrespective of treatment. All collagen samples contained glycine as the major amino acid (approximately 1/3rd of the total amino acid) with proline and hydroxyproline. SDS-PAGE identified type I collagen, which consisted of αI and αII chains. Therefore, bovine omentum would be an alternative source of collagen for various applications in the food industry. Full article

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogenous disease, with varied clinical outcomes. Multiplex assays used to measure soluble immune checkpoints offer a less laborious method of monitoring patients with CLL, but none of these panels have been validated. The aim of the study was to assess soluble immune checkpoint profiles in patients with CLL and to correlate these with independent prognostic markers such as β2-microglobulin (B2M), Rai stage, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) status, and the International Prognostic Index for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL-IPI). We measured plasma levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sCD25), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3), galectin-9, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) using cytometric bead array-based assays. We further measured plasma levels of B2M using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Soluble immune checkpoints were correlated with prognostic markers. The plasma levels of sCD25, TIM-3, galectin-9, PD-1, and PD-L1 were significantly increased in patients with CLL compared to the control group, p < 0.0001. Galectin-9 plasma levels were directly associated with B2M levels (β = 0.65, p = 0.012). Our findings suggest that galectin-9 may provide valuable prognostic significance for patients with CLL. Full article

The analysis of the physical and chemical properties of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duchesne ex Weston) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seeds recovered from pomace—food processing waste—was carried out. The weight of the one thousand seeds, their dry weight, swelling properties, and color in the CIE L*a*b* space, as well as the percentage of basic chemical components, i.e., protein, carbohydrate (including total dietary fiber, insoluble fiber, and soluble dietary fiber), fat, and ash were determined. Polyphenols content and antioxidant activity was determined. In addition, the amounts of individual phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids, as well as macro and micro-nutrients, were identified and analyzed. The potential usefulness of raspberry seeds as a rheology modifier of cosmetics and food products was estimated due to the high content of mucilage and swelling index similar to linseed and a favorable color with a high value of the b* parameter (22.1) corresponding to yellow color simultaneously with high luminescence (L* = 59.4). Oils obtained from all tested seeds are potentially useful in cosmetic preparations due to the high content of n-6 acids (50.4–71.5%), and oils from strawberry and raspberry seeds as a result of containing n-3 acids, respectively; 30.5–32.3% may be beneficial for dietary supplementation. In addition, the dietary values of the tested seeds are emphasized by the high content of dietary fiber (53.1–63.1%), antioxidant properties (the highest for blackcurrant) and the presence of phenolic compounds such as procyanidin derivatives, catechins (raspberry), quercetins and kaempferols (blackcurrant), and pelargonidin (strawberry). Full article

The increasing prevalence of celiac disease and demand for nutritious gluten-free alternatives have driven interest in cereal–legume composite flours. This study examined the functional, rheological, and textural properties of gluten-free flour blends formulated from brown (red) teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) at different ratios (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 0:100). Absorptive characteristics, particle size distribution, pasting behaviour, viscoelastic properties through oscillatory rheology, and texture profile analysis were evaluated. Soybean flour exhibited higher water holding capacity (5.54 g/g) and water solubility index (40.18%), while teff demonstrated notable water absorption index (5.62 g/g) and swelling power (6.18 g/g). Particle size analysis revealed that coarse fractions enhanced water binding and solubility, whereas fine fractions favoured hydration and swelling. Pasting properties showed that teff achieved a peak viscosity of 12,198 mPas in water, significantly reduced to 1839 mPas with AgNO₃. Pure teff exhibited the highest storage modulus (1947.98 Pa) and hardness (7.60 N), whereas the incorporation of soybeans progressively softened the texture. The complementary functional properties of teff and soybean demonstrate promising potential for developing nutritionally enhanced, protein-enriched gluten-free products, with solvent selection and blending ratios serving as critical optimization parameters for specific food applications. Full article