Search Results (309)

Saponins, the primary bioactive constituents with immunomodulatory activities in Baoyuan decoction—a traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of ginseng, astragalus, licorice, and cinnamon—are limited by low extraction yield, poor stability, and easy degradation. In this study, cellulase and pectinase were used for the extraction of saponins from Baoyuan decoction and optimized by response surface methodology. Subsequently, the optimal extracts were microencapsulated by spray drying with soy protein isolate (SPI) or high-oleic acid soy protein isolate (HOSPI) and pectin (PE) as composite wall materials, followed by application evaluation in gummies and in vitro digestion. After optimization, the total saponin yield was 63.68 ± 0.15 mg/g. HOSPI-PE microcapsules (HBP) had a higher encapsulation efficiency (90.38%), smaller particle size, and lower hygroscopicity than SPI-PE ones (SBP). Furthermore, both microcapsules showed good stability during storage and controlled release, with 60.9% of saponins in SBP and 65.8% in HBP being delivered to the intestinal phase during in vitro digestion of microparticles. When applied in gummies, microcapsule gummies retained satisfactory sustained-release in vitro digestion (23.0% released in the stomach and 66.2% in the small intestine). In contrast, the unencapsulated gummies exhibited a burst release (74.4%) at 30 min in gastric digestion. This study provides theoretical and technical insights into the development of plant-derived functional foods and promotes the practical application of microencapsulation in functional gummy candies. Full article

Glycidol, a probable human carcinogen, remains an under-investigated process contaminant in soy sauce. This study developed a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for its determination in this complex condiment. The approach combined chemical derivatization with p-Dimethylaminophenol hydrochloride for analyte stabilization with an optimized sample pretreatment using a custom-packed activated carbon solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge effectively removed matrix interferences, and performing the derivatization at pH 6.5 prevented conversion of 2- and 3-monochloropropanediol (2-MCPD and 3-MCPD) into glycidol, ensuring high specificity and accuracy. This approach shows broad linearity from 1 to at least 100 ng/mL (R² = 0.9993), and demonstrates excellent performance, with a limit of detection and quantification of 0.5 ng/mL and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. Application to commercial samples (n = 11) confirmed the presence of glycidol, highlighting the need for its monitoring. This work provides a robust analytical tool essential for supporting food safety surveillance of this contaminant in fermented foods. Full article

This study investigated rice bran and green Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) rice grains as alternative protein sources for plant-based yogurt. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation on the application of enzyme-extracted proteins from green KDML 105 rice and rice bran in fermented yogurt systems. Proteins were obtained via enzyme-assisted extraction to enhance yield and bioactive compound release prior to formulation. Physicochemical, compositional, rheological, bioactive, and sensory properties were evaluated. Yogurts by green rice protein extract (GRE) and green rice bran protein extract (GBE) formed softer gel networks than soy yogurt, exhibiting lower water-holding capacity and higher syneresis, reflecting differences in protein aggregation during fermentation. Nevertheless, green rice (GR) and green rice bran (GB) yogurts contained significantly higher protein levels (1.93–2.47-fold) than the control. They also demonstrated enhanced bioactive properties, with increased total phenolic content (1.07–1.51-fold), total flavonoid content (2.10–4.35-fold), DPPH radical scavenging activity (1.07–1.16-fold), and FRAP values (1.46–1.98-fold). Sensory evaluation indicated good acceptability, particularly for GR formulations, which achieved a mean score of 7 with favorable texture and flavor attributes. These findings highlight the technological feasibility of utilizing green rice and rice bran proteins as primary ingredients in rice-based fermented yogurt alternatives with improved bioactive functionality. Full article

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors offer the benefits of compact size, lightweight design, and low cost, which has led to widespread use in consumer electronics, vehicles, healthcare, defense, and communications. As their performance has improved, MEMS sensors have also found applications in oil exploration and geophysical studies. Pressure and temperature measurements during hydraulic fracturing have long been employed to improve downhole conductivity during oil and gas extraction. Nevertheless, the development of high-precision MEMS sensors for oil exploration remains an active area of research. This paper presents the design, fabrication, packaging, and characterization of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MEMS piezoresistive pressure sensor integrated with a temperature sensor. It also describes the design of a chamber intended to emulate conditions at the bottom of oil exploration wells. The sensors were successfully designed and fabricated on the basis of physics-based simulations, deep reactive ion etching and anodic bonding. The pressure sensors, together with the signal-conditioning system, exhibited a linear response with a sensitivity of 0.0268 mV/V/MPa and maximum hysteresis of 5.3%. Full article

This study explores the sustainable extraction, quantification, and functional evaluation of antioxidant amphiphilic (TAC) and lipophilic (TLC) compounds from avocado (Persea americana) products and by-products using green, solvent-efficient extraction, for potential applications in functional foods and/or cosmetics. Juice derived from organically grown domestic (Greek) avocado and the remaining juicing pulp by-products were subjected to a green extraction and partitioning fractionation process to obtain separately the extracted TLC and TAC. Quantitative analyses of total phenolic (TPC) and carotenoid contents (TCC), as well as antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), were performed using UV–Vis spectroscopy just after the extraction. ATR–FTIR spectroscopy was used to structurally characterize TAC bioactives compared to standards (gallic acid, quercetin, beta-carotene, soy phospholipids). TAC extracts exhibited higher TPC and superior antioxidant capacity across all assays, in comparison to the TLC, especially in the by-products. Despite relatively modest absolute phenolic and carotenoid concentrations compared to the literature, the extracts retained potent bioactivity, indicating selective enrichment of functional compounds. UV–Vis spectral peaks (240 nm, 310 nm) confirmed the presence of conjugated systems, suggesting potential for anti-UV photo-protective cosmetic applications. ATR–FTIR analysis further identified functional groups of key amphiphilic constituents, including simple phenolics, flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids and polar lipids. TAC extracts were successfully integrated into plant-based jelly prototypes as functional food supplements. Antioxidant stability of the jelly was retained for 15 days under refrigeration, though shelf-life limitations due to moisture and microbial growth highlight the need for preservative strategies. This work demonstrates a circular bioeconomy approach to food waste valorization, with significant implications for sustainable innovation in functional foods and clean-label cosmetics. Full article

The sustainable valorization of citrus processing by-products represents a key challenge for the food industry, aiming to reduce waste while recovering valuable bioactive compounds. In this study, a cloud point extraction strategy was developed using soy lecithin as a natural, food-grade surfactant to isolate phenolic antioxidants from orange juice industry residues. Response Surface Methodology was applied to two streams of orange juice by-products, to evaluate the combined effects of pH, NaCl concentration, and lecithin content on extraction efficiency, with total polyphenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power serving as response variables. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis was additionally employed to integrate all antioxidant responses and identify a multivariate optimum. The optimized conditions (pH 3.4, 12% NaCl, 11% lecithin) enabled maximal recovery of antioxidant constituents, highlighting the effectiveness of lecithin-based micellar systems. To assess practical applicability, the optimized extract from the oil emulsion residue (Stream A) was incorporated into tsipouro, a traditional Greek distillate, and its stability was monitored under controlled light and temperature conditions for 30 days at three concentration levels. Results demonstrated that both environmental factors significantly influenced antioxidant retention and physical stability, underscoring the importance of formulation design. Specifically, high gel concentration at 2% w/v, low temperature at 20 °C and light exposure provided the highest overall desirability for TPC, FRAP, and DPPH responses. Overall, this work introduces a green, scalable, and food-compatible extraction approach that not only supports circular economy principles but also opens new opportunities for the development of functional alcoholic beverages enriched with natural antioxidants. Full article

There is a growing demand for sustainable crop strategies that reduce the use of agrochemicals while improving productivity. This study investigates distillation residues of Salvia rosmarinus to develop a novel biostimulant with enhanced antifungal activity, together with natural additives that ensure homogeneity and water dispersibility. Accordingly, several residual by-products released from agroforestry processes and regarded as “plant protection products” were evaluated in phytotoxicity tests in seeds of Lactuca sativa and Lolium perenne. The tested substances included solvents (ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol, and DMSO) and adjuvants (soy lecithin, polysorbate-20, acetic acid, and ascorbic acid). Those showing the lowest adverse effects were combined with the extract following a 3² factorial design. Most formulations exhibited good water dispersibility and significantly enhanced the germination index of Lactuca sativa, while simultaneously reducing the growth of Lolium perenne and the fungus Aspergillus flavus, all in a clear dose–response manner, as suggested by the four-parameter log-logistic (log₁₀(x)) models. These results indicate that both stimulatory and inhibitory effects were strongly influenced by concentrations, highlighting the importance of optimizing application doses. Among the evaluated carriers, the one lacking glycerol and containing high ratios of polysorbate-20 and soy lecithin demonstrated the most balanced overall performance in terms of physical stability, dispersibility, and biological activity, a response that can be attributed to the combined contribution of the extract and the selected carrier components. Overall, this study demonstrates that bioagrochemicals derived from agroforestry by-products can provide dual-function agricultural applications (biostimulant/antifungal or herbicide/antifungal), while supporting the framework of the circular bioeconomy. Full article

Macadamia husks are an underutilized by-product of nut processing and a rich source of phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity. However, their instability during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal digestion limits their application in food systems. This study aimed to encapsulate macadamia husk phenolic-rich extract (MHPE) in liposomes to improve stability, enable controlled release, and assess cytotoxicity for functional food applications. MHPE was encapsulated in soy lecithin liposomes using high-shear mixing followed by high-pressure homogenisation. Liposomes were characterized by particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency, and morphology. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using Caco-2 cells, and phenolic release was assessed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. MHPE-loaded liposomes exhibited nano-sized particles (77–78 nm), low PDI (0.21), and high negative ζ-potential (−43.11 to −47.01 mV) during two months of storage at 4 °C. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed predominantly spherical vesicles with sizes consistent with dynamic light scattering measurements. Encapsulation efficiency remained high (81.50% initially; 73.60% after 28 days). Both free and extract-loaded liposomes were non-cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells. Encapsulated MHPE showed slower phenolic release compared with the free extract. Overall, liposomal encapsulation effectively enhanced the stability and controlled release of macadamia husk phenolics, supporting their potential use as functional food and nutraceutical ingredients. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms can form sparse virtual antenna arrays (VAAs) for airborne sensing and communications, but their beamforming performance is highly vulnerable to quasi-static formation drift and the limited number of snapshots available within each coherent processing interval. This paper proposes a beacon-aided self-calibration and robust beamforming framework for narrowband UAV-swarm uplinks in strong-interference, low-snapshot regimes. We consider one signal of interest (SOI) and multiple co-channel interferers characterized by their coarse direction-of-arrival (DOA) information. The key idea is to exploit a single dominant non-SOI emitter as a strong calibration source (beacon) to learn the quasi-static geometry drift from data. First, the beacon spatial signature is extracted from the sample covariance matrix via eigenvector–steering-vector alignment, and a correlation-based gate is used to decide whether geometry calibration is reliable. When the gate is passed, the inter-UAV position drift is estimated from element-wise steering ratios to build a calibrated array manifold. Second, using the calibrated steering vectors and coarse DOA information, the interference-plus-noise covariance matrix (INCM) is reconstructed through a low-dimensional non-negative power fitting with mild diagonal loading. Finally, a geometry-aware minimum-variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer is designed based on the reconstructed INCM. Simulations on coprime-inspired UAV formations with a single dominant interferer show that the proposed scheme recovers most of the SINR loss caused by geometry mismatch and consistently outperforms baseline MVDR, worst-case MVDR, a recent covariance-reconstruction baseline, and URGLQ in the low-snapshot regime. For example, in a representative setting with $N_{\mathrm{uav}}=7$, ${\sigma }_p=0.10$, ${\mathrm{INR}}_c=30$ dB, and $L=10$, the proposed method achieves approximately 14 dB output SINR at ${\mathrm{SNR}}_{\mathrm{in}}=10$ dB, outperforming nominal SCM-MVDR by about 13 dB and approaching a genie-aided MVDR bound within a few dB, while retaining a computational complexity comparable to standard MVDR. Full article

Edible mushrooms are an underexplored source of industrial proteases, whose synthesis is highly dependent on the cultivation substrate. This study investigated the effect of nine culture media on the proteolytic profiles of Auricularia sp., Lentinus sp., Macrocybe sp., and Grifola frondosa. Fungi were cultivated on diverse media (e.g., Czapek, Malt, Soy Flour). We analyzed total protein, specific activities (total, cysteine, serine proteases) using a biochemical assay, and protein secondary structure via FTIR, with metabolic patterns identified by PCA. A dissociation was found between total protein yield (highest in MFI/Casein media) and specific activity (highest in maltose media), suggesting catabolite repression. Distinct metabolic strategies emerged: Grifola frondosa specialized in serine protease production in the minimal Czapek medium (catabolic derepression), while Macrocybe sp. maximized cysteine protease production on soy flour (substrate induction). FTIR confirmed this, revealing a β-sheet-dominant (75.5%) structure for Grifola extract versus a random-coil-dominant (60.8%) structure for Macrocybe. This study provides a framework for mechanism-based bioprocess design, enabling the tailored production of serine proteases from G. frondosa (Czapek medium) or cysteine proteases from Macrocybe sp. (soy medium) for customized biotechnological applications. Full article

Traditional fossil-based adhesives, hindered by issues such as formaldehyde emission, dependence on fossil resources, and poor biodegradability, struggle to meet the global demand for low-carbon green development. Biomass-based adhesives have thus emerged as a core alternative. Among them, chitin/chitosan derived from biomass waste such as shrimp and crab shells demonstrates significant potential in the adhesive field due to its renewability, controllable structure, biocompatibility, and inherent antibacterial properties. However, mainstream biomass adhesives like soy protein and starch adhesives suffer from poor water resistance and insufficient wet adhesion strength. Pure chitin/chitosan-based adhesive systems also exhibit low wet strength retention. Furthermore, the overall development faces challenges including high extraction costs, insufficient performance synergy, poor industrial compatibility, and a lack of standardized systems. This review follows the framework of “resource–extraction–modification–performance–application–challenges” to systematically summarize relevant research progress. It clarifies the molecular structure and intrinsic advantages of chitin/chitosan, outlines extraction processes such as acid/alkali and enzymatic methods, and characterization techniques including FT-IR and XRD. The review focuses on analyzing modification strategies such as composite modification, chemical modification, biomineralization, and biomimetic design, and verifies the application potential of these adhesives in wood processing, biomedicine, paper-based packaging, and other fields. Research indicates that chitin/chitosan-based adhesives provide an effective pathway for the green transformation of the adhesive industry. Future efforts should concentrate on developing green extraction processes, designing multifunctional integrated systems, and achieving full resource utilization of biomass. Additionally, establishing comprehensive standardized systems and promoting the translation of laboratory research into industrial applications are crucial to driving the industry’s green transition. Full article

Ganoderma sichuanense is a widely studied medicinal mushroom, but the production of its antioxidant proteins has been scarcely evaluated. We assess the influence of different concentrations of culture media components under submerged fermentation, with and without agitation, on production of proteins with antioxidant activity from the mycelial biomass of G. sichuanense. Protein extracts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. They were also analyzed for total protein and phenolic contents, antioxidant activities (ABTS^•+, DPPH^•, chelating ability, and reducing power), and electrophoretic profiles by SDS-PAGE. The most active extract was tested for cytoprotective potential under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Growth kinetics of the best fermentation condition were also analyzed. Microstructural differences ranged from fibrillar to aggregated forms, depending on cultivation. Crystallinity was unaffected, but chemical differences and secondary structure organization were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The extract from the static culture with 10 g·L⁻¹ glucose, 5 g·L⁻¹ yeast extract, and 2.5 g·L⁻¹ soy peptone (referred as CM1S) showed the highest protein and phenolic contents and the strongest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 4.8 and 24.0 µg of protein·mL⁻¹ for ABTS^•+ and DPPH^•, respectively). SDS-PAGE revealed higher protein band intensities in static cultures. CM1S showed potential to protect yeast cells from oxidative stress. The Gompertz model estimated a specific growth rate of 0.0068 h⁻¹ in CM1S. The findings highlight a cultivation strategy that modulates fungal metabolism and improves the recovery of antioxidant proteins from G. sichuanense biomass. Full article

This study explores the fabrication and characterization of Pickering high internal phase emulsions (P-HIPEs) stabilized by soy protein isolate (SPI) and coix polysaccharide (CP) complex. CP exhibited high purity (95.29%) with a molecular weight of 5.53 × 10⁵ Da and was predominantly composed of glucose, as confirmed by monosaccharide analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. SPI/CP complexes formed well-dispersed nanoparticles with optimal stability at 2% CP concentration, demonstrated by minimal particle size and enhanced zeta potential. P-HIPEs stabilized by these complexes showed excellent physical stability without phase separation or oil leakage, with the creaming index decreasing as particle concentration increased, reaching optimal stability at 12% SPI/CP and pH 9. Particle size and zeta potential measurements indicated smaller, more uniform droplets and intensified electrostatic repulsion under these conditions, effectively preventing droplet coalescence. Confocal microscopy revealed a dense, multilayered interfacial network formed by SPI/CP complexes around oil droplets, enhancing emulsion stability. Rheological analyses confirmed that P-HIPEs exhibited elastic solid-like gel behavior with pronounced shear-thinning and superior thixotropic recovery at 12% SPI/CP and alkaline pH, highlighting improved gel strength and structural integrity. These findings demonstrate the critical influence of SPI/CP concentration and pH on the physicochemical, microstructural, and rheological properties of P-HIPEs, offering valuable insights for developing stable emulsions with enhanced performance and applicability in food systems. Notably, the results emphasize the critical role of SPI/CP concentration and pH in achieving optimal emulsion stability and rheological properties. Full article

This study focused on proteins derived from beef to minimize the influence of seasonings when developing a method for determining the geographical origin of seasoned beef samples. The seasoning used was sweetened soy sauce containing sugar, soy sauce, mirin and sake. The water-soluble fraction was extracted as a cleaning step for the sample, followed by extraction of the myofibrillar protein fraction. No significant differences were observed in the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of the proteins extracted from the defatted raw and cooked beef samples. The carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of the protein fraction extracted from defatted beef were positively correlated with the corresponding ratios in the defatted whole beef samples. These results suggest that the protein fractions were mainly composed of beef proteins, and that the addition of auxiliary materials did not affect this. To verify the possibility of determining the geographic origin of beef, the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of proteins extracted from beef from the United States (U.S.), Australia and Japan were analyzed. The carbon isotope ratios of proteins extracted from U.S. beef were higher than those of Australian and Japanese beef. Additionally, the oxygen isotope ratios of proteins extracted from Australian beef were higher than those of beef from the U.S. and Japan. These results suggest that it may be possible to trace the geographical origin of beef products cooked with seasonings by extracting proteins. Full article

This study aimed to select Metschnikowia pulcherrima strains with antimicrobial potential and high biomass content, optimize their cultivation conditions, evaluate growth characteristics at different scales, and assess antimicrobial activity on apple plants (Malus domestica cv. Golden Delicious) infected with phytopathogens. Of the nine tested strains, M. pulcherrima D2 was selected for its strong inhibitory activity against all tested phytopathogenic molds: Venturia inaequalis, Botrytis cinerea, Phoma exigua, Colletotrichum coccodes, Monilia laxa, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria tenuissima, Fusarium sambucinum, and Fusarium oxysporum, both in vitro on laboratory media (inhibition zones from 13.5 to 35.0 mm) and in vivo on stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of apple. Morphological observations of treated plants showed the complete absence or significant delays of disease symptoms for up to 10 days. Disease symptoms for several pathogens (V. inaequalis, A. alternata, A. tenuissima, B. cinerea, F. sambucinum) remained reduced by ≥50% for up to 31 days post-treatment compared to the untreated control. Optimal cultivation conditions for M. pulcherrima D2 were established: a complex medium containing yeast extract (5.0 g/L), soy peptone (5.0 g/L), and glucose (2.6 g/L), at pH 5 and 25 °C, with shaking at 180 rpm, resulted in high biomass contents (10⁷–10⁸ CFU/mL). Scale-up in 5 L bioreactors confirmed efficient biomass production (10⁸ CFU/mL and from 3.1 to 3.9 g/L of dry biomass). These findings highlight the strong biotechnological potential of M. pulcherrima D2 for the development of a biocontrol agent to protect apple fruits and trees against fungal phytopathogens. Full article