Search Results (6,475)

Soft spread cheese is highly perishable, and conventional packaging offers limited protection against surface spoilage. Here, we present a sustainable, multifunctional solution: edible films made from whey protein concentrate (WPC), a valuable by-product of the cheese industry, incorporated with the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5 (LA5). The objective of this study was to evaluate these films as active coatings for soft cheese, specifically assessing their physicochemical properties, probiotic viability during storage and simulated gastric transit, and their impact on cheese microbial stability and sensory quality over 60 days. Applied as active coatings on soft cheese stored at 4 °C for 60 days, these films were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, probiotic viability, microbial stability, and sensory acceptance. The incorporation of LA5 did not significantly alter film thickness (control: 0.20 ± 0.03 mm; test: 0.18 ± 0.02 mm), moisture content (control: 33.42 ± 0.54%; test: 32.34 ± 1.28%), or water solubility (control: 21.44 ± 1.14%; test: 22.89 ± 0.75%) (p > 0.05). However, mechanical properties were markedly modified: tensile strength decreased from 35.42 ± 5.38 MPa (control) to 6.04 ± 0.55 MPa (test), while elongation at break increased from 4.87 ± 0.93% to 68.23 ± 3.46% (p < 0.05), indicating a transition from rigidity to flexibility upon probiotic incorporation. The probiotic strain exhibited exceptional resilience, retaining 100% viability during simulated gastric exposure at both day 0 and day 30 of storage. During cheese storage, LA5 counts in test film-coated samples remained above the recommended therapeutic threshold (10⁶ cfu/g), starting at 7.44 ± 0.15 log(cfu/g) on day 0 and maintaining 6.56 ± 0.20 log(cfu/g) after 60 days. Critically, yeast and mold spoilage were delayed in probiotic-coated cheese, with detectable growth appearing only at day 60 (1.64 ± 1.34 log(cfu/g)), whereas uncoated cheese showed spoilage as early as day 28 (1.33 ± 1.62 log(cfu/g)). Sensory evaluation revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the coated and uncoated samples for color, appearance, texture, flavor, or overall acceptability. By valorizing a dairy by-product into an active, probiotic-loaded edible film, this approach offers a sustainable, waste-reducing strategy that enhances cheese preservation while delivering added functional value—bridging the gap between food packaging and nutrition. Sensory evaluation (n = 8, preliminary) indicated no significant differences between coated and uncoated samples, but these results require confirmation with a larger, validated panel. Full article

Background/Objectives: To explore the mechanisms of Hydrangea macrophylla adapting to low light-induced ornamental whitening, this study established treatments involving normal light (CK, 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), moderate low light (L1, 100 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), and severe low light (L2, 20 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹). Methods: Meanwhile, physiological indicators, including growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant activity, were assessed, alongside transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Results: Results indicate that L1 increased the proportion of leaf whitening area while maintaining plant growth (crown width, biomass), photosynthetic efficiency comparable to CK, and superior to L2. Concurrently, L1 activated a coordinated antioxidant defence system, namely by increasing the activity of key enzymes (e.g., SOD, GR) and the accumulation of protective metabolites (e.g., soluble proteins, total phenolics and total flavonoids), thereby minimising oxidative damage (low MDA). Multi-omics analyses revealed that L1 specifically activated these networks associated with carbon assimilation, energy metabolism, secondary metabolite synthesis, and hormone signalling, indicating a systemic molecular mechanism towards enhanced defence. Conclusions: In summary, moderate low light triggers a synergistic molecular network involving enhanced antioxidant defences and secondary metabolism, enabling H. macrophylla to maintain overall physiological homeostasis and healthy growth while exhibiting ornamental whitening phenotypes, thereby revealing a unique aesthetic adaptation mechanism to environmental stress. Full article

Thymol has been granted “Generally Recognized as Safe” status by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, its application as a natural preservative is constrained by limitations such as poor water solubility and high volatility. In this study, a dual-protein complex was prepared using mung bean protein and whey protein isolate to stabilize thymol-loaded oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions. The results demonstrated that the dual-protein system was driven by hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, and hydrophobic interactions. Compared to single-protein systems, the dual-protein Pickering emulsions possessed smaller droplet sizes, lower polydispersity indices, and higher surface charges and surface hydrophobicity. Additionally, the dual protein enhanced emulsifying activity, thermal stability, and 30-day storage stability. Notably, the complex formed a continuous three-dimensional porous network structure at the mung bean protein (MBP) to whey protein isolate (WPI) ratio of 50%:50%. Benefiting from this structure and high surface hydrophobicity, the 50%:50% formulation achieved the highest thymol encapsulation efficiency. In terms of functional properties, this optimized emulsion demonstrated notable antibacterial activity and antioxidant activity; it demonstrated antibacterial activity against Shewanella putrefaciens and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the IC₅₀ value for the 50%:50% formulation was 192.25 ± 1.93 μg/mL (DPPH) and 161.74 ± 0.71 μg/mL (ABTS). In summary, the 50%:50% formulation enhanced the emulsifying activity, encapsulation efficiency, and bioactivity of the emulsion. This system provides an effective strategy for the stabilization and encapsulation of hydrophobic active compounds in emulsions. Full article

Soybean molasses, a by-product of alcohol-based soy protein concentrate production, is rich in stachyose and other functional oligosaccharides, but its high sucrose content and other fermentable non-target sugars hinder the efficient purification of stachyose. In this study, the sugar-utilization patterns of four commonly used microbial chassis or production strains, Escherichia coli W, E. coli BL21, Saccharomyces pastorianus Weihenstephan 34/70, and Komagataella phaffii (formerly Pichia pastoris) GS115, were systematically compared to identify a suitable host for selective stachyose enrichment. Among them, E. coli W showed the best performance in rapidly consuming non-target sugars while retaining stachyose. Based on this strain, a CRISPR–Cas9 engineering strategy was applied by deleting the endogenous α-galactosidase gene melA and overexpressing the sucrose permease gene cscB. The resulting strain selectively and nearly completely removed sucrose and other non-target sugars from soybean molasses, increasing the proportion of stachyose from <30% to >90% of total soluble solids. Further optimization of nitrogen source level, inoculum size, and initial °Brix improved fermentation performance. These results demonstrate an effective biological pre-purification strategy for selective stachyose enrichment from soybean molasses. Full article

Under alkaline conditions, most commonly used preservatives exhibit limited efficacy and fail to meet the preservation requirements of coated tofu. This study aims to investigate the effects of metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) on quality deterioration, protein oxidation, conformation, and gel microstructure of coated tofu during cold storage (4 °C and 10 °C). The results showed that, compared with the untreated control group, MPNs treatment effectively inhibited protein oxidation, alleviated quality deterioration, delayed the degradation of color and texture, and reduced protein degradation, as evidenced by soluble protein contents that were 63.55% (4 °C) and 66.65% (10 °C) lower than those of the control group after 20 days of storage. MPNs treatment also improved the orderliness and stability of the protein secondary structure. In addition, electrophoretic analysis showed that MPNs markedly retarded the decline in band optical density of the 11S protein A subunit by 96.19% and 97.28% at 4 °C and 10 °C, respectively, and suppressed the increase in the B subunit by 13.28% and 73.20%, respectively. Moreover, MPNs treatment helped maintain a more compact gel network. Based on physicochemical characterization and Pearson correlation analysis, the preservative effect of MPNs on coated tofu under alkaline conditions was elucidated, revealing the internal correlation between the inhibition of quality deterioration and the regulation of protein oxidation. Specifically, MPNs mitigate protein disulfide bond loss, increase the β-sheet content, preserve the natural protein conformation and the relative proportion of 11S subunits, stabilize the gel microstructure, and thereby achieve quality preservation. These findings provide theoretical support and strategic reference for the development of preservation technologies for alkaline high-protein gel foods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Curcumin (CUR) is a potent anticancer agent whose clinical application is hindered by its extremely poor aqueous solubility. This study reports the development of enzyme-responsive whey protein isolate (WPI) nanoparticles for CUR targeted delivery. Methods: To overcome the initial solubility barrier, CUR was first formulated as a solid dispersion with WPI using freeze-drying. This process resulted in a significant enhancement in aqueous solubility (up to 1478-fold), with CUR existing in molecular dispersion or in an amorphous state within the protein matrix as confirmed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The solubilized CUR-WPI solid dispersion was subsequently used to generate nanoparticles via a thermal gelation method, avoiding the use of organic solvents or toxic chemical crosslinkers. Results: The resulting nanoparticles exhibited a high drug loading efficiency of 85%. In vitro release studies demonstrated minimal CUR release in physiological buffer (pH 7.4) over 24 h, whereas exposure to trypsin, a nonspecific serine protease used as an in vitro model for tumor-associated proteolytic activity, triggered rapid nanoparticle degradation and released 95% of CUR within 3 h. Conclusions: These findings suggest that WPI-based nanoparticles developed from solid dispersions offer a promising, biocompatible platform for the solubility enhancement and protease-triggered delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs. Full article

Traditional food systems have historically sustained nutrient adequacy under conditions of environmental variability and limited food diversity, yet their underlying nutritional mechanisms remain insufficiently integrated into contemporary nutrition science. This article attempts to provide a conceptual synthesis of how traditional dietary practices may function as informal nutrient optimization strategies. Drawing on evidence from nutrition science, food chemistry, and human physiology, it examines how food processing techniques (e.g., fermentation, soaking, germination, and thermal treatment), food pairing, and structural properties of foods influence nutrient bioavailability, absorption, and metabolic responses. Across diverse dietary contexts—including Mediterranean, agrarian cereal–legume, and East Asian-type patterns—recurring mechanisms emerge that can boost mineral solubility, improve protein digestibility and amino acid balance, facilitate vitamin absorption, and modulate glycemic responses. These effects are mediated not only by nutrient content but by interactions within the food structure and at the meal level. The synthesis supports a reframing of traditional diets as functional nutritional architectures in which processing and dietary configuration may enhance nutrient utilization efficiency. From this perspective, nutrient adequacy arises from coordinated structural features rather than from maximal nutrient density alone. The findings can be influential in contemporary nutrition research and policy, highlighting the need to move beyond reductionist intake-based models toward integrated approaches that account for bioavailability, metabolic handling, and dietary context. Several transferable principles of nutrient optimization are proposed, offering a framework for designing nutritionally efficient and resilient diets in modern settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is an acute brain dysfunction during sepsis with high mortality. Klotho protein is notable for its identified neuroprotective effects in chronic neurodegenerative diseases. This study evaluated temporal changes in serum soluble Klotho levels and their association with clinical recovery in SAE. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 750 intensive care unit (ICU) patients were screened and 42 patients with SAE were included. Serum soluble Klotho levels, inflammatory markers, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were recorded on days 1 and 3. Associations between changes in Klotho levels and clinical and inflammatory parameters were analyzed. Results: The median GCS score increased from 11 (IQR: 10–13) on day 1 to 12 (IQR: 10–13) on day 3 (p < 0.001). Serum soluble Klotho levels decreased significantly from 8114.5 ± 3515.7 pg/mL on day 1 to 6452.9 ± 3390 pg/mL on day 3 (p < 0.001). Inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, also showed significant reductions over time (p < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was observed between changes in Klotho levels and GCS scores (r = −0.56, p < 0.001). Changes in inflammatory markers were not significantly correlated with Klotho dynamics. Conclusions: Serum soluble Klotho levels decrease in parallel with neurological improvements in sepsis-associated encephalopathy and are significantly associated with changes in GCS scores. These findings suggest that Klotho may represent a potential biomarker of disease trajectory and neurological recovery. Full article

Anaerobic digestion is crucial for safe treatment and energy recovery from municipal sludge. However, seasonal variations in sludge physicochemical properties challenge the continuous, stable operation of anaerobic digestion systems. To investigate the seasonal variations in characteristics of municipal sludge and their impact, this study collected sludge samples from a Beijing plant over a year, analyzed their properties and microbial communities, and evaluated their biogas potential through four-week batch anaerobic digestion tests. The results demonstrated that spring sludge exhibited the highest organic matter (68.7% of total solids, TS), including soluble proteins, sugars, and lipids, while the lignocellulose content peaked in autumn (17% TS). These fluctuations were primarily driven by variations in rainfall, temperature, and human activities. The microbial community shifted significantly: Proteiniclasticum and other hydrolytic bacteria were dominant in spring, whereas Candidatus_Microthrix was notably enriched in winter. Consequently, the biochemical methane potential (BMP) was highest in spring (342.5 mL/g volatile solids) and lowest in autumn (255.8 mL/g volatile solids). Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between BMP and soluble protein content, and a weak negative correlation with cellulose content. These findings provide essential data support for seasonal regulation of sludge anaerobic digestion systems, facilitating strategies to achieve stable biogas production. Full article

Micronutrient limitation and rhizosphere imbalance often constrain the productivity and quality of leafy vegetables in intensively managed greenhouse soils. This study evaluated the effects of conventional fertilization (CK), micronutrient supplementation (Mi), and micronutrient supplementation combined with a compound microbial inoculant (MM) on bur clover (Medicago polymorpha L.) yield, quality, rhizosphere chemical properties, and soil microbial communities. Compared with CK, Mi increased yield by 26.53%, whereas MM increased yield by 40.77%. MM also significantly increased SPAD, soluble protein, and soluble sugar, while reducing plant nitrate content by 22.86%; Mi had no significant effect on nitrate reduction. MM decreased soil pH from 8.62 to 8.34 and increased EC, available P and K, water-soluble Ca, Mg, and K, and available Zn and B, indicating improved rhizosphere chemical conditions. Mantel analysis showed that yield and plant nitrate were significantly associated with several soil variables. MM also markedly reshaped rhizosphere microbial communities, with clear treatment separation for both bacteria and fungi. The bacterial community was significantly explained by selected soil variables, whereas the fungal model was not significant. Overall, micronutrient supplementation mainly promoted yield, while its combination with microbial inoculation further improved rhizosphere conditions, crop quality, and nitrate control. Full article

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the activation of vitamin K-dependent proteins involved in coagulation and other physiological processes. Neonates are particularly vulnerable to vitamin K deficiency due to limited placental transfer, low hepatic stores, immature liver function, and insufficient dietary intake, especially in exclusively breastfed infants. This review summarizes the biochemistry and pharmacokinetics of vitamin K, focusing on their role in the pathogenesis of late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), including intracranial hemorrhage in early infancy. The limitations of conventional coagulation tests are discussed, highlighting the importance of functional biomarkers such as PIVKA-II (Proteins Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist-II) for the early detection of subclinical deficiency. Despite effective prophylaxis at birth, late VKDB cases still occur, likely due to declining vitamin K levels over time and nutritional factors. These findings underscore the need for prolonged vitamin K supplementation following adequate prophylaxis at birth, particularly to protect high-risk newborns from late VKDB. Strategies may include vitamin K-containing multivitamin supplementation in preterm infants, as well as daily oral vitamin K supplementation (150 µg/day) in exclusively breastfed infants, in order to ensure adequate vitamin K status during early infancy. Full article

Air pollution is a growing hazard to global health. Epidemiological studies have reported a potential role of air pollutant exposure in the development or aggravation of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are ill-defined. Ferroptosis is an iron- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent form of cell death that drives neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases. Our previous studies reported the involvement of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and EPAC (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) in ferroptotic cell death. Here, we investigated the effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in mouse hippocampal (HT22) neuronal cells. Our data showed that toxicity induced by RSL3 (50–75 nM), a ferroptosis inducer, was significantly increased by the addition of DEP (100 μg/mL). Pharmacological inhibition of EPAC1 (CE3F4 30 μM or AM-001 30 μM) and soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC; TDI-10229 1 μM or TDI-11861 0.1 μM) prevented enhanced ferroptotic HT22 cell death caused by DEP, while pharmacological modulation of EPAC2, protein kinase A (PKA), phosphodiesterases (PDEs), or transmembrane AC did not. DEP in combination with RSL3 exposure increased intracellular calcium levels and induced lysosomal de-acidification. Furthermore, inhibition of EPAC1 prevented mitochondrial ROS (MitoSOX) and lipid peroxidation (BODIPY C11 and MDA levels) after DEP and RSL3 co-exposure. Collectively, EPAC1 may serve as a novel target for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases accelerated by air pollution. Full article

The enrichment of chocolate with healthy beneficial ingredients represents an effective strategy to create functional food with high nutritional and bioactive potential. Comparisons were made between eight treatments derived by the factorial combination of 2 types of butter (milk and cocoa) and 4 concentrations of green barley powder addition (1%, 3%; 5%; and 7%), plus 2 untreated controls (milk butter and cocoa butter with no green barley powder addition), in terms of chemical, colorimetric, physical, antioxidant, mineral and sensory characteristics of white chocolate. Increasing addition of green barley to both milk and cocoa butter led to the decrease in dry matter, soluble solids, pH and fat in the produced chocolate, with the untreated controls always showing the highest values. Opposite trends were recorded for proteins, fiber, ash and mineral substances. The ‘L’, ‘a’ and ‘b’ color components gradually decreased from the untreated control to the highest concentration of barley powder addition both to milk and cocoa butter. The increasing integration of barley powder either into milk or cocoa butter resulted in the gradual decrease in F max compression and F max cutting of the chocolate manufactured, compared to the untreated control. The addition of barley powder to milk and cocoa butter elicited a gradual increase in all the antioxidants analyzed, i.e., vitamin C, carotenes, lycopene and xanthophylls, and of chlorophyll a and b, compared to the untreated control. Vegetal flavor attributes were enhanced by the increasing addition of green barley powder. The latter incorporation into milk and cocoa butter sheds light on the interesting topic of conceiving and applying the manufacture of innovative functional chocolate with high content of fiber, nutrients and antioxidants. Full article

Glycation is a type of post-translational protein modification that affects antigen self-recognition, cell signaling, the proteasomal degradation of proteins, protein solubility, and the mechanical properties of tissues. Some glycation products are able to cross-link proteins. Serum concentrations of the cross-linking GOLD (glyoxal lysine dimer) and MOLD (methylglyoxal lysine dimer), and the non-cross-linking MG-H1 (methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone isomer 1) in patients with psoriasis (n = 63) and in healthy controls (n = 35) were examined using the LC-Orbitrap-MS/MS (liquid chromatography–Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry) technique. The following indices were assessed in the patients: BSA (body surface area), PASI (psoriasis area and severity index), and DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index). Serum concentrations of GOLD, MOLD, and MG-H1 were found to be significantly lower in psoriasis patients compared with healthy individuals. The concentrations of GOLD, MOLD, and MG-H1 did not correlate with the indices of disease activity and severity. These results may reflect the complexity of metabolic dysregulation accompanying immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. Full article

Gum arabic (GA) is a widely used natural hydrocolloid in food processing because its protein–polysaccharide architecture combines high water solubility, low bulk viscosity, and useful interfacial activity. These attributes make GA valuable as an emulsifier, encapsulating agent, and film-forming material, but native GA is constrained by source-dependent heterogeneity, limited antioxidant functionality, relatively high dosage requirements in some emulsions, and modest barrier and mechanical performance in dried matrices. This review synthesizes recent advances in chemical functionalization, enzymatic and oxidative grafting, physical fractionation and complexation, and Maillard-type bioconjugation as routes to tailor GA for food engineering applications. Emphasis is placed on process-relevant structure–property relationships, including dynamic adsorption, interfacial rheology, emulsifying and encapsulation efficiency, bulk rheology, powder glass transition and hygroscopicity, film barrier behavior, and release kinetics. Across beverage emulsions, spray-dried powders, coacervates, coatings, and delivery systems, the evidence shows that modification must be selected according to the dominant process bottleneck, such as adsorption kinetics, oxidative stability, drying behavior, or humidity-sensitive matrix mobility. This review also identifies priorities for translation, including model-ready measurements, the management of raw-material variability, scale-up-aware processing, and sustainability and regulatory practicality. Overall, modified GA emerges as a versatile platform for designing more robust, application-specific food colloids, encapsulates, and functional coatings. Full article