Developing sustainable, functional plant-based foods is increasingly important. This study developed an almond-based spread enriched with Lacticaseibacillus casei ATCC 334 using ultrasonication, lactic fermentation, and microencapsulation. Ultrasound treatments at 40-80% amplitude for 5-10 min were assessed; the mild condition (40%, 5 min) reduced syneresis and enhanced the antioxidant activity of the almond extract. Four spreads were produced, and the formulation combining ultrasound treatment, fermentation, and spray-dried microencapsulated probiotic showed favorable physicochemical and probiotic stability characteristics. It exhibited suitable composition (moisture, 47.1%; fat, 29.9%; protein, 10.4%), controlled acidity (3.1%; pH 4.7), and a metabolite profile containing amino acids, polyols, and lipophilic antioxidants. The product displayed a firmness of 0.95 N and a stable gel structure for 21 days. Antioxidant capacity increased during storage, while probiotic viability remained above functional levels and persisted after simulated gastrointestinal digestion (>= 6 Log CFU/g). These results demonstrate that integrating these technologies improves stability and probiotic performance in almond-based fermented spreads.
This study provides evidence of the fungistatic capacity of an active edible film containing quercetin and orange essential oil (OEO), demonstrating favorable mechanical properties and stability for postharvest applications. Phytopathogenic fungi are a major cause of postharvest losses and waste. Certain bioactive compounds, such as quercetin (a key component of the natural chemical defense system of plants) and OEO, are known for their fungicidal properties. OEO contains a high concentration of terpene molecules that share chemical similarities with quercetin, potentially enhancing its bioavailability and toxicity. Active edible films offer a promising means of delivering bioactive compounds to help reduce the spread of fungal infections in food. Therefore, this study sought to develop an active edible film incorporating quercetin and OEO to inhibit the spore germination and growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Three edible films were formulated: PQN1 (0.075 mg/mL quercetin, 20 mg/mL OEO), PQN2 (0.030 mg/mL quercetin, 5 mg/mL OEO), and a control (PC) without active compounds. PQN1 exhibited the highest fungistatic activity, inhibiting C. gloeosporioides growth by 32.3 +/- 0.8%. PQN1 also showed greater stability than PC, as indicated by zeta potential values (-63.3 +/- 6.2 mV vs. -5.224 +/- 5.4 mV, respectively). The elongation percentage and water vapor permeability (WVP) increased in films containing the active compounds, while tensile strength, Young's modulus, and solubility decreased in the presence of OEO. No significant difference in thickness was observed. Overall, the PQN1 edible film shows potential for preventing C. gloeosporioides contamination in fruits and vegetables.
The assessment of individual specialization in marine top predators provides insight into their role in marine ecosystems. The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is considered a generalist consumer; however, adult females could exhibit individual specialization to meet the energetic demands of reproduction. We evaluated foraging variability and individual specialization in adult females from the San Benito Archipelago (Mexican Pacific), using vibrissae from recently weaned pups as maternal proxies. Stable isotopes analyses (δ13C and δ15N) were conducted on vibrissae segments collected in two breeding seasons (2016–17 and 2022–23). Isotopic profiles showed consistent temporal patterns across years, with ¹³C and ¹⁵N-enriched values during the post-molting migration, and ¹³C-depleted values during lactation, reflecting maternal energy transfer. At colony level, isotopic niche widths (4.5–7.3‰2) indicate a generalist strategy. However, individual niches were considerably smaller (< 1‰2), revealing within colony partitioning. The individual specialization index (SI) revealed that 65
BRAF kinases are involved in cancer cell survival and metastasis. Mutations in BRAF are frequent in several types of cancer, occurring in more than 50
The introduction of heavy metals into water or soil is a significant global issue affecting environmental health and food security. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), such as chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb), are non-biodegradable and toxic to living organisms. In contrast, essential elements, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or selenium (Se), can cause harm due to their deficit or excess. The exposure of an organism to such substances increases the concentration of them at a higher level of the trophic chain, a process known as biomagnification. Pollution of farmlands, coasts, or water bodies in agriculture is a major concern. The increase in the use of nanotechnologies, such as nanomaterials in agriculture, has introduced such substances into the environment and into the food chain. The consumption of products that contain PTEs can cause harm to human health, including neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, and several types of cancer. The aim of this research is to present the current advances regarding biomagnification in aquatic and terrestrial food chains of PTEs and metal-based nanomaterials in order to understand the data related to biomagnification, to find the routes of exposure to these substances, and, finally, to establish and monitor the risk assessment for human health.
