The application of α-linolenic acid (ALA) is hindered by oxidative instability and poor bioaccessibility. Herein, ALA was encapsulated in core-shell gelatin nanofibers via emulsion electrospinning, integrated with in sit...The application of α-linolenic acid (ALA) is hindered by oxidative instability and poor bioaccessibility. Herein, ALA was encapsulated in core-shell gelatin nanofibers via emulsion electrospinning, integrated with in situ cinnamaldehyde (CA) crosslinking for the first time. Increasing the emulsion-to-gelatin ratio from 1:2 to 1:6 reduced droplet size from 2.86 to 1.83 μm, yielding uniform nanofibers (135.8-347.6 nm). CA-crosslinking reinforced the structural network through localized coalescence. Microscopy confirmed distinct core-shell nanofibers with ALA shielded within the gelatin matrix. Spectroscopy and molecular docking revealed CA-induced Schiff base reactions and hydrogen bonding, which increased mechanical strength from 3.67 to 6.66 MPa. CA treatment also improved surface hydrophobicity and reduced water solubility. The optimized formulation EG14A achieved high encapsulation efficiency (92.3%), sustained release during in vitro digestion, and elevated ALA bioaccessibility to 78.2%, while maintaining good biocompatibility. This integrated approach provides a novel, food-grade platform for stabilizing and delivering sensitive bioactive lipids.
Bioactive phenolic compounds from plants are valuable natural products with significant health benefits. Eleutherococcus senticosus (E. senticosus) fruit, a typically discarded resource, is a promising source of bioactiv...Bioactive phenolic compounds from plants are valuable natural products with significant health benefits. Eleutherococcus senticosus (E. senticosus) fruit, a typically discarded resource, is a promising source of bioactive phenolics. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as a green solvent due to their low toxicity, biodegradability, and tunable properties. This study established an efficient ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction using a tailored DES, followed by macroporous resin (HPD-600) purification. The purified extract (P-CF) achieved a 17-fold enrichment of polyphenols, reaching 537.9 mg/g, and was characterized to contain syringin, eleutheroside E, and isofraxidin. Molecular docking revealed that these compounds had strong affinities to α-amylase and α-glucosidase. In vitro assays demonstrated that P-CF possessed significant antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities, inhibiting α-amylase/α-glucosidase. In vivo validation using a hyperglycemic zebrafish model confirmed its efficacy in reducing blood glucose and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These findings provide a scientific basis for the valorization of E. senticosus fruit in functional food applications.
Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology can improve oil yield, yet its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of PEF treatment (8 kV/cm, 2 min) on the structure of oil bodies (OBs) from...Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology can improve oil yield, yet its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of PEF treatment (8 kV/cm, 2 min) on the structure of oil bodies (OBs) from four rapeseed cultivars and established a negative correlation between OB stability and oil extraction efficiency. After PEF treatment, the protein content of OBs increased by an average of 1.02% across all cultivars (P < 0.01), with interfacial proteins undergoing unfolding. Surface hydrophobicity and free sulfhydryl content significantly increased by 83.81% and 62.90%, respectively. These changes promoted OB aggregation via enhanced non-covalent interactions between proteins, leading to increased particle size (32.82%-62.80%) and Turbiscan stability index (10.06%-22.56%), and 28.19% higher oil extraction efficiency (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the PEF-induced changes in phospholipids and intermolecular forces were genotype-dependent. The significant increases in hydrophobic interactions and specific phospholipids (PC (18:2_18:2), PG (16:0_18:1), etc.) facilitated OB destabilization.
Deciphering the biochemical basis of flavor and nutritional quality in Actinidia species is essential for fruit breeding and consumer appeal. This study integrated flavoromics and metabolomics to elucidate the biochemica...Deciphering the biochemical basis of flavor and nutritional quality in Actinidia species is essential for fruit breeding and consumer appeal. This study integrated flavoromics and metabolomics to elucidate the biochemical basis of flavor and nutritional quality in Actinidia species. Volatile organic compounds and flavonoids were profiled in five kiwifruit varieties using HS-SPME-GC-MS and UPLC-MS/MS, with multivariate analyses (PCA, OPLS-DA). Pronounced interspecific variation was revealed: A. arguta 'Danyang' exhibited elevated aldehydes and alcohols (e.g., (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal, (E)-2-hexenal) and rhamnosylated flavonols (quercitrin, afzelin), conferring green/fatty aroma notes and high antioxidant capacity. In contrast, A. chinensis 'SunGold' accumulated higher sugars but showed reduced volatile and flavonoid diversity, with a predominance of glucosylated derivatives. These distinct chemotypes arise from divergent carbon allocation between primary and secondary metabolism, illustrating a trade-off between sweetness and bioactive richness. The findings provide a biochemical framework for breeding kiwifruit cultivars that balance sensory appeal with nutritional functionality.
Noni is valued for its diverse bioactive ingredients, but the quality and flavor evolution of fermented noni juice (FJ) during storage remain unclear. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying quality and flavor...Noni is valued for its diverse bioactive ingredients, but the quality and flavor evolution of fermented noni juice (FJ) during storage remain unclear. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying quality and flavor evolution in FJ fermented with Acetobacter sp. AN02 using electronic sensory evaluation, volatilomics, and metabolomics. The browning index increased significantly during storage, whereas the pH of FJ remained relatively stable. Decreases in reducing sugars and total amino acids further indicated the progression of nonenzymatic browning. E-sensory analysis revealed increased sourness and higher overall flavor intensity. Volatile acids were the predominant flavor compounds, and the contents of neral and limonene increased markedly, strengthening the citrus and floral-fruity aroma of FJ. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that storage-induced changes primarily involved aromatic amino acid and plant secondary metabolism-related pathways, underscoring non-volatile precursor remodeling as a key driver of flavor evolution. These findings provide support for storage quality control and shelf-life evaluation of FJ.
To investigate the effects of soybean-wheat ratio and sterilization on flavor characteristics and biological activity of high-salt liquid-state fermented soy sauce (HLFSS), sensory science and bioactive methods were used...To investigate the effects of soybean-wheat ratio and sterilization on flavor characteristics and biological activity of high-salt liquid-state fermented soy sauce (HLFSS), sensory science and bioactive methods were used. Sixty-two aroma-active compounds were identified, of which 33 key aroma-active compounds (KACs) were selected based on quantitative analysis and odor activity values. Multivariate statistical analysis screened seven KACs and five free amino acids as key markers for distinguishing HLFSS with different soybean-wheat ratios. 70% soybean proportion enhanced the formation of caramel-like furanones and umami-precursor amino acids and retained more antioxidant components. Sterilization significantly altered the overall aroma profile: alcohols and phenols remained relatively constant; esters and acids decreased; and aldehydes, ketones, and sulfur-containing compounds increased. Furthermore, the removal of volatile aroma compounds diminished the antioxidant activity of HLFSS and increased its cytotoxicity toward lung and intestinal epithelial cells, indicating that these volatiles have a protective role in addition to imparting aroma.
Oat bran is rich in phenolic compounds but their bioaccessibility and functionality are limited by the compact tissue structure of bran. Medium (MOB), fine (FOB), and superfine oat bran (SOB) were compared in terms of st...Oat bran is rich in phenolic compounds but their bioaccessibility and functionality are limited by the compact tissue structure of bran. Medium (MOB), fine (FOB), and superfine oat bran (SOB) were compared in terms of structural properties, phenolic release, and bioactivity. Superfine milling led to an increase in soluble dietary fiber from 3.26% to 6.37% and a decrease in median pore size from 15.67 to 6.76 μm. These changes promoted gastrointestinal release of free and bound phenolics, especially ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and avenanthramides. Accordingly, SOB showed higher intestinal ABTS radical scavenging activity than MOB (21.82 vs. 16.59 μmol TE/g), stronger α-amylase (23.16% vs. 15.77%) and α-glucosidase (17.92% vs. 9.76%) inhibition, less rapidly digestible starch (46.15% vs. 59.37%), and more resistant starch (45.93% vs. 31.55%). These findings support the in vitro potential of superfine oat bran, although health-related effects require in vivo validation.
Curcumin is a promising natural preservative, but its poor solubility and susceptibility to photo-oxidation limit its application in active coatings. This study developed a cellulose nanofiber-stabilized curcumin Pickeri...Curcumin is a promising natural preservative, but its poor solubility and susceptibility to photo-oxidation limit its application in active coatings. This study developed a cellulose nanofiber-stabilized curcumin Pickering emulsion incorporated into chitosan for postharvest plum preservation. The Pickering emulsion prepared at a water-to-oil ratio of 40:10 (w/w) exhibited uniform droplet distribution and good electrostatic stability. Its incorporation enhanced the mechanical performance and water resistance of PE/CS coating films, while FTIR and XRD analyses indicated hydrogen-bonding interactions within the composite matrix. Notably, PE/CS coating films showed sustained curcumin release in 50% ethanol, reaching 65% after 96 h. This controlled-release behavior was associated with enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, as reflected by inhibition zones above 10 mm and DPPH/ABTS scavenging rates exceeding 98%. PE/CS coating effectively delayed flesh browning, water loss, and firmness decline in plums, providing a Pickering emulsion-based strategy for active fruit preservation.
Existing deep learning strategies for identifying bioactive peptides (BAPs) are often limited by single-task models and shallow sequence-based features, which restricts their generalizability. This study introduced an au...Existing deep learning strategies for identifying bioactive peptides (BAPs) are often limited by single-task models and shallow sequence-based features, which restricts their generalizability. This study introduced an auto-encoder based deep learning framework (BioPepAE) that leverages peptide atomic 3D information from AlphaFold 3 to enable recognition of multiple types of BAPs, including anti-hypertensive peptides (AHPs), anti-oxidant peptides (AOPs), and anti-aging peptides (AAPs). BioPepAE achieved high accuracy (94.65% for AHPs, 95.47% for AOPs, 92.86% for AAPs) and demonstrated strong generalization on independent tests. BioPepAE identified 8 AHPs, 13 AOPs, and 5 AAPs from wheat germ protein hydrolysates, and subsequent in vitro assays confirmed the bioactivity of randomly selected peptides, thus validating its predictive accuracy and practical utility. Moreover, BioPepAE requires no complex parameter tuning for identifying different BAPs. This study presents a robust and versatile framework for the universal and accurate identification of BAPs by integrating 3D structural information with deep learning.
Brown rice noodles face processing and quality limitations that hinder their broader application. Heat-moisture treatment (HMT) is a hydrothermal modification method conducted at low moisture content and elevated tempera...Brown rice noodles face processing and quality limitations that hinder their broader application. Heat-moisture treatment (HMT) is a hydrothermal modification method conducted at low moisture content and elevated temperature without inducing complete starch gelatinization.This study applied HMT to modify brown rice flour and investigated its effects on the quality of extruded brown rice noodles. Increasing temperature and moisture content raised apparent amylose levels, enhanced crystallinity, and promoted structural ordering. These changes contributed to reduced water solubility index, swelling power and a denser, more organized noodle structure. Consequently, textural properties improved significantly, with higher hardness, springiness, and cohesiveness, alongside lower adhesiveness. Cooking performance was also enhanced: cooking loss decreased from 13.44% (control) to 9.88% (20% moisture, 80 °C group), and the breakage rate dropped from 12.75% to 1.75%. Moreover, resistance to digestion improved, with noodles treated at 100 °C and 20% moisture exhibiting the lowest predicted glycemic index (69.29) and the highest resistant starch content (41.82%). This study provides a theoretical basis for developing high-quality, nutritionally improved extruded brown rice noodles through HMT.
Nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) are nutrient-dense foods, rich in unsaturated fatty acids and fibre, micronutrients such as non‑sodium minerals and vitamins, bioactive non-nutritive compounds such as polyphenols and phytost...Nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) are nutrient-dense foods, rich in unsaturated fatty acids and fibre, micronutrients such as non‑sodium minerals and vitamins, bioactive non-nutritive compounds such as polyphenols and phytosterols, and other bioactive molecules that play an important role in human diets through the promotion of health and well-being. Their consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of several non-communicable diseases, lower all-cause mortality, and contributions to weight management and healthy aging. The health-promoting properties of nuts make their dietary inclusion clinically significant. This review examines the nutritional composition and bioactive profiles of nuts, as well as the effects of processing, with particular emphasis on the bioaccessibility of nut-derived polyphenols, their mutual interactions with the gut microbiota, the positive effects of exposure to nuts on a wide range of health outcomes, and the molecular mechanisms underlying them. A substantial body of evidence, including observational cohort studies and randomized clinical trials, has consistently reported beneficial associations of nut consumption with lower risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, hypertension, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease, and cancer, among others. Furthermore, a review of global dietary guidelines consistently recommends regular nut consumption, a practice further supported by various authorized health claims that officially recognize their cardiometabolic benefits. Overall, nuts are highly nutritious foods that substantially contribute to the nutrient adequacy of the diet while reducing the risk of chronic disease. The critical role of nuts in personalized nutrition strategies is underscored and the emerging potential of nut coproducts as functional ingredients is gaining attention. The optimal composition of nuts justifies their recognition as among the healthiest foods available worldwide.
Vitamin D deficiency persists worldwide, exacerbating Ca loss and Mg inadequacy. Current supplements suffer from vitamin D (VD) photolability, mineral segregation, and poor bioavailability. In this study, oil-in-water fr...Vitamin D deficiency persists worldwide, exacerbating Ca loss and Mg inadequacy. Current supplements suffer from vitamin D (VD) photolability, mineral segregation, and poor bioavailability. In this study, oil-in-water freeze-dried chocolate was developed for the simultaneous delivery of insoluble Ca, soluble Mg, and lipid-soluble VD. Cryo-EDS, ICP-MS and HPLC revealed homogeneous distributions of Mg in the aqueous phase, VD in the oil droplets and Ca throughout the matrix. The medium formula (16.4 g/kg Ca, 8.2 g/kg Mg, and 926 μg/kg VD) delivered excellent emulsion stability, rheological performance, and acceptable sensory and purchase intention scores. The stability of lipid-encapsulated VD markedly increased in the presence of heat, oxidation and UV. In 0.1 M HCl, >88.9% of each nutrient disintegrated within 10 min. In the simulated gastrointestinal fluid, Ca showed a burst release, whereas Mg and VD provided sustained release. This shelf-stable, palatable one-bite system resolves multinutrient incompatibility through colloidal structuring, demonstrating strong potential for functional foods and precision nutrition applications.
This study employed stable isotope technology (δC, δN, δH, δO), mineral element technology (Na, Mg, P, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb), and their combined technology to establish an origin discrimi...This study employed stable isotope technology (δC, δN, δH, δO), mineral element technology (Na, Mg, P, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb), and their combined technology to establish an origin discrimination model for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Sunite lamb. A total of 211 samples were collected according to different levels of geographical distance from PGI Sunite lamb. Four machine learning algorithms-Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN)-were used to develop the model. The identification accuracy ranked as: combined technology (94.12%) > stable isotope technology (92.94%) > mineral element technology (89.41%). For algorithms, performance followed: RF and KNN > SVM > LDA. The optimal model integrating the combined technology with the RF algorithm achieved an overall accuracy of 94.12%, exhibiting excellent performance for the origin discrimination of PGI Sunite lamb.
Lutein Pickering emulsions stabilized by tea polyphenol/cassia seeds represent a promising delivery system for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of lutein, a lipophilic antioxidant with known health benefits. T...Lutein Pickering emulsions stabilized by tea polyphenol/cassia seeds represent a promising delivery system for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of lutein, a lipophilic antioxidant with known health benefits. This system leverages the synergistic effects of tea polyphenols and cassia seeds to form robust emulsions through Pickering stabilization and evaluate its application of blue light-induced eye damage. The Pickering emulsion exhibited favorable viscoelasticity, pH stability, and antioxidant activity. When tea polyphenols were combined with cassia seeds, the emulsion's antioxidant capacity was significantly enhanced-specifically, its ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging rates increased by 55.63% and 32.68%, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the lutein-loaded Pickering emulsion effectively alleviated retinal damage and exhibited strong reactive oxygen species scavenging activity. These results indicate that tea polyphenol/cassia seed-stabilized lutein Pickering emulsions can effectively protect and deliver lutein, offering a dietary approach to reduce retinal damage from blue light.
This study aimed to identify allergenic epitopes of tropomyosin by characterizing peptide interactions with major histocompatibility complex class II (pMHC-II) using semiempirical quantum computation (Geometry, Frequency...This study aimed to identify allergenic epitopes of tropomyosin by characterizing peptide interactions with major histocompatibility complex class II (pMHC-II) using semiempirical quantum computation (Geometry, Frequency, Noncovalent, extended Tight Binding, GFN2-xTB), Molecular Mechanics Poisson Boltzmann surface area (MMPBSA) and GFN-FF, and verified their correlation with experimental allergenicity. The results clarified that nine species-conserved peptides were identified, six of which were validated as antigenic epitopes. Interactive interface within pMHC-II complexes identified critical residue pairs and structural motifs for antigen presentation mechanism. By capturing electronic and dispersion effects, GFN2-xTB performed better than MMPBSA and GFN-FF in charged-ligand system, exhibiting a Pearson correlation of -0.74 between ΔG and IgE inhibition. Furthermore, partial least squares regression using interactive isosurface areas in GFN2-xTB revealed a correlation between MHC-II' anchors and IgE binding (R = 0.77). Conclusively, molecular dynamics combined with GFN2-xTB can elucidate epitope peptides' distribution, specific anchors, and correlation between ΔG and IgE.
A multifunctional hydrogel system was constructed using gelatin, oxidized sodium alginate, and thioketal via a Schiff base reaction. Three polyphenols with distinct chemical structures, 6'-O-Caffeoylarbutin (CA), gallic...A multifunctional hydrogel system was constructed using gelatin, oxidized sodium alginate, and thioketal via a Schiff base reaction. Three polyphenols with distinct chemical structures, 6'-O-Caffeoylarbutin (CA), gallic acid (GA), and tannic acid (TA), were loaded into the hydrogel. The physicochemical properties and bioactivities of hydrogels were systematically investigated. Results showed that the GA-loaded hydrogel exhibited a uniform honeycomb-like porous structure and displayed the optimal antioxidant activity, with an ABTS radical scavenging rate as high as 96.51%. The CA-loaded hydrogel possessed the best mechanical properties. All three hydrogels formed inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus and displayed favorable biocompatibility. Thioketal endowed the hydrogel with the ability to release on demand in response to reactive oxygen species, and significantly enhances clearance capacity for O₂ and ·OH of hydrogels. All polyphenol-loaded hydrogels exhibited radical scavenging rates exceeding 63%. This dual-network hydrogel can serve as an ideal carrier to achieve stable loading, controlled release of active polyphenols, showing potential applications in delivery systems.
This study aimed to construct an intelligent screening platform for co-amorphous materials (CAMs) based on machine learning and large language models to improve the development efficiency of co-amorphous systems for food...This study aimed to construct an intelligent screening platform for co-amorphous materials (CAMs) based on machine learning and large language models to improve the development efficiency of co-amorphous systems for food-derived bioactive compounds. The platform enabled formation-probability prediction and interpretable analysis, thereby supporting the efficient development of CAMs. Guided by this platform, three novel myricetin-based CAMs were successfully developed. Solid-state characterization confirms the successful amorphization of the three systems. Multiscale simulations reveal that multi-site noncovalent interactions are the main driving forces for amorphization. The CAMs markedly improved myricetin wettability and simulated digestive release. The CAMs enhanced antioxidant activity, with the lowest DPPH and ABTS IC values reaching 4.21 and 1.86 μM, respectively. CAMs increased the inhibition zone diameters against S. aureus and E. coli to approximately 1.14-1.26-fold and 2.12-3.15-fold those of free myricetin, respectively. Preservation studies further show that the three materials effectively extend the shelf life of tomatoes.
In this study, a flower-like CoNi bimetallic layered double hydroxide (CoNi-LDH) with a high specific area was synthesized, and CoNi-LDH/PtNPs composites were fabricated by self-assembling PtNPs onto the LDH surface. The...In this study, a flower-like CoNi bimetallic layered double hydroxide (CoNi-LDH) with a high specific area was synthesized, and CoNi-LDH/PtNPs composites were fabricated by self-assembling PtNPs onto the LDH surface. The resulting composites were employed to construct an electrochemical biosensing interface for the efficient detection of methyl parathion (MP). The porous CoNi-LDH, combined with the high conductivity of PtNPs, provided a suitable microenvironment for hemoglobin (Hb) immobilization, preserve bioactivity while accelerating electron transfer. This synergy significantly enhanced electrochemical response, improving detection sensitivity. The developed biosensor exhibited a linear response to MP in the range of 1-110 ng mL with a detection limit of 0.38 ng mL. In the analysis of vegetable samples, the sensor demonstrated reliable analytical performance, yielding recoveries of 91.1-102.1% with RSDs below 8.0% which were matched HPLC results (R = 0.9949). This work offers a practical electrochemical strategy for monitoring MP residues in agricultural products, demonstrating promising application prospect.
Accurate identification of strong-aroma baijiu is crucial for market regulation. This study constructed a dual-mode colorimetric-fluorescence sensor array based on CuMn-His@NCDs nanocomposites. Under neutral conditions,...Accurate identification of strong-aroma baijiu is crucial for market regulation. This study constructed a dual-mode colorimetric-fluorescence sensor array based on CuMn-His@NCDs nanocomposites. Under neutral conditions, the composite exhibits laccase-like activity, while under acidic conditions it demonstrates oxidase-like activity, catalyzing 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), o-phenylenediamine (OPD), and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AP) to produce distinct signals. A six-channel array enabled multidimensional output. For the training set, the array achieved 100% classification accuracy in identifying 13 phenolic and 8 non-phenolic compounds using principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The array successfully distinguished 18 similar strong-aroma baijiu varieties, achieving 100% training accuracy, while blind prediction tests on unknown samples yielded 88.8% accuracy. The sensor array exhibits excellent repeatability (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 5%) and stability (response retention >81.58% after 15 days). This sensor holds significant potential for baijiu authentication.
The 3D printing of surimi-based foods holds the promise for personalized nutrition. The printability and functional performance of surimi inks still need to be improved. The effect of Pickering emulsion gels stabilized b...The 3D printing of surimi-based foods holds the promise for personalized nutrition. The printability and functional performance of surimi inks still need to be improved. The effect of Pickering emulsion gels stabilized by bighead carp myosin (BCMPEGs) on the perfomance and properties of 3D printing surimi inks was investigated. BCMPEGs reduced the apparent viscosity of surimi inks to enable smooth extrusion for improving the printing accuracy of surimi inks, especially after adding 20% BCMPEGs. Besides, BCMPEGs could enhance the whiteness and water holding capacity of 3D printing surimi gels through dense gel network formation. Furthermore, BCMPEGs acted as fillers to restrict free water mobility and improve the matrix homogeneity to yield high gel strength for 3D printing surimi gels. Additionally, BCMPEG-modified 3D printing surimi gels were ideal for dysphagia diets. This work provides a strategy of constructing protein-stabilized Pickering emulsion gels to develop 3D-printable surimi for customized nutrition and texture.