Food & Function

Food-derived nanomaterials optimizing bioactive peptides is an emerging route in the functional food field. Zein and gum arabic (GA) possess favorable encapsulation properties for controlled release, targeted delivery and stabilization of food bioactive ingredients, and thus are considered as promising carriers for delivery systems. In order to improve the bioavailability of rice selenium-containing peptide TSeMMM (T), the nanoparticles (ZTGNs) containing peptide T, zein and GA have been previously prepared...

Objective : The aim of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis of observational studies to explore the latest evidence on the influence of whole grain and fiber consumption on total chronic liver diseases. Methods : We searched the PubMed and Web of Science online databases and reference lists of eligible articles up to June, 2024. Results : The odds ratio (OR) between whole grain intake and total chronic liver disease risk was 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81 to 0.99, p < 0.001) and indicated an OR of 0...

Background : Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been suggested as a possible therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, their efficacy in improving blood glucose levels in NAFLD patients remains uncertain. Objective : The aim of this study was to assess the effects of supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics on fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in NAFLD patients. Methods : We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for relevant trials published up to March 2024...

Consumption of high-fat diets (HFDs) is a contributing factor to obesity, insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several studies suggested the protective role of bioactives present in Citrus fruits against the above mentioned chronic metabolic conditions. In this study, we evaluated if a flavonoid-rich extract of Citrus bergamia (bergamot) juice (BJe) could inhibit HFD-induced intestinal permeability and endotoxemia and, through this mechanism, mitigate the associated hepatic damage in C57BL/6J mice...

Food nanotechnology, which applies nanotechnology to food systems ranging from food production to food processing, packaging, and transportation, provides tremendous opportunities for conventional food science and industry innovation and improvement. Although great progress and rapid growth have been achieved in food nanotechnology research owing to the unique food features rendered by nanotechnology, at a fundamental level, food nanotechnology is still in its initial stages and the potential adverse effects of nanomaterials are still a controversial problem that attract public attention...

Lactoferrin (LF) and osteopontin (OPN) are bioactive milk proteins which can form heteroprotein complexes and complex coacervates. This research studied the effect of LF-OPN complexation and complex coacervation on the simulated infant gastrointestinal digestion of LF with subsequent examination of gut and bone health bioactivities in preclinical models. In an infant digestion model, the proteolytic profile of LF was unaltered by the pre-association of LF and OPN. Gastric proteolysis of LF was increased when the model gastric pH was reduced from 5...

Cholestatic liver disease is caused by disorders of bile synthesis, secretion, and excretion. Over the long term, progressive liver cell damage from the disease evolves into liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, ultimately leading to liver failure and even cancer. Notably, cholestatic liver disease has a complex pathogenesis that remains relatively unclear. In this study, we generated two mouse models of cholestatic liver disease using a 0.1% 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet and α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) gavage...

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Medium- and long-chain triglyceride (MLCT) is a striking structural lipid for the supply of energy and essential fatty free acids (FFAs) in the food field. This study aimed to prepare MLCT by enzymatic interesterification of rubber seed oil (RSO) and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). Fortunately, the conversion of synthesized MLCT could reach 75.4% by the catalysis of Novozym 40086 (7 wt% to MCT) at a temperature of 40 °C with the substrate mole ratio of 1 : 0.7 (RSO : MCT). The as-synthesized MLCT contained unsaturated fatty acid (USFA, 50...

Our previous studies have highlighted the potential of silver carp hydrolysate (SCH) in managing chronic diseases. Unfortunately, its fishy smell and bitter taste limited consumer acceptance. Prebiotic oligosaccharides are often used as dietary supplements, ignoring their role as carbonyl ligands in the Maillard reaction to enhance food's sensory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to improve SCH's sensory attributes and investigate its physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities using prebiotic oligosaccharides via the Maillard reaction...

The cholesterol lowering properties of oats and barley, attributed to their high β-glucan content, are well established, but it remains unclear whether mushrooms, also rich in β-glucan, exhibit a similar functionality. We aimed to quantify the β-glucan content of commonly consumed Australian mushrooms and evaluated their bile acid binding capacity, the primary cholesterol lowering mechanism of β-glucan. Raw, boiled and fried Australian grown Agaricus bisporus (button, cup, flat and brown mushrooms) and Pleurotus spp...

Sleep disorders present significant challenges to public health, necessitating effective and sustainable solutions beyond conventional pharmacological interventions. This study aims to investigate the potential of honey and its compositions as a functional food for addressing sleep disorders. A comprehensive review of existing literature explores honey's intrinsic properties and impact on sleep quality. The findings suggest that honey, with its unique composition and soothing effects, offers a promising avenue for enhancing sleep patterns without relying on pharmaceutical drugs...

Small pentacyclic peptides, represented by nisin, have been successfully utilized as preservatives in the food industry and have evolved into a paradigm for understanding the genetic structure, expression, and control of genes created by lantibiotics. Due to the ever-increasing antibiotic resistance, nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides have received much attention, which calls for a summarization of their synthesis, modification and applications. In this review, we first provided a timeline of select highlights in nisin biosynthesis and engineering...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) poses a significant health threat due to its potential progression to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. Without proper management, NAFLD can lead to severe complications and significantly impact overall health and longevity. This study explores the potential anti-steatosis effects of Nankun Mountain Mao tea (MT) on hepatic lipid accumulation using both in vitro and in vivo models. In vitro experiments reveal that MT reduces lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and counteracts hepatic steatosis induced by palmitic acid and oleic acid...

Soy isoflavones from soy sauce residues have important biological activities. However, the anti-aging and reproduction-promoting effects of glycitein are still rarely reported. Here, we systematically evaluated and explored the anti-aging and reproduction-promoting effects of glycitein in Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ). Firstly, we analyzed the effects of glycitein on the lifespan under normal and heat stress, reproduction, locomotion, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of C. elegans . The results showed that 100 μmol L-1 glycitein increased the anti-stress ability of nematodes and activated the antioxidant defense system...

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disease condition incorporating the abnormal accumulation of various metabolic components, including overweight or abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and abnormal glucose tolerance, hypertension, atherosclerosis, or dyslipidemia. It has been proved that the gut microbiota and microbial-derived products play an important role in regulating lipid metabolism and thus the onset and development of MetS. Previous studies have demonstrated that oligosaccharides with prebiotic effects, such as chitosan oligosaccharides, can regulate the structure of the microbial community and its derived products to control weight and reduce MetS associated with obesity...

The interactions between dietary cholesterol and intestinal microbiota strongly affect host health. Sulfonation is a major conjugating pathway responsible for regulating the chemical and functional homeostasis of endogenous and exogenous molecules. However, the role of cholesterol sulfonation metabolism in the host remains unclear. This work was designed to profile cholesterol-specific host-microbe interaction and conversion focusing on cholesterol sulfonation metabolism. Results indicated that the serum and fecal cholesterol sulfate (CHS) levels were significantly higher than those of total bile acid (TBA) levels in hypercholesterolemic mice...

Plants from Moraceae are globally popular as they represent a valuable resource with wide applications in food, health-care products, and other fields. Prenylated flavonoids are important active components in Moraceae. These compounds share a flavonoid skeleton with prenylated side chain, mostly in the form of single or multiple isoprenyl substituents and benzodimethylfuran structures. So far, nearly 400 prenylated flavonoids have been found in Moraceae, especially a large number of Diels-Alder adducts, which are characteristic components of this family...

Acute heavy drinking can lead to a rapid increase in blood ethanol concentration, resulting in dizziness, liver damage, and other adverse effects. Although lactic acid bacteria possess the ability to degrade ethanol, the mechanisms remain unclear. For the first time, our study revealed that Limosilactobacillus fermentum DACN611, derived from traditional Chinese fermented yogurt, exhibited superior ethanol degradation capability, achieving a 90.87% ± 8.12% reduction in ethanol concentration in a 2.5% (v/v) ethanol MRS broth over 24 h, among fifty lactic acid bacteria strains...

Aim : We hypothesized that milk, yogurt, and cheese have differential impacts on energy expenditure (EE) and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods : C57BL/6 mice ( n = 16 per group) were fed a HFD or a HFD supplemented with fat-free milk (MILK), fat-free plain yogurt (YOG), or reduced-fat cheddar cheese (CHE; 19 kcal% fat), each provided at 10% of the daily energy intake, for 8 weeks. EE was quantified using a metabolic chamber. Metabolic pathways related to BAT mitochondrial function and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) abundance were assessed...