Abstract With the development of spectrometer miniaturization, portable visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) devices provide new opportunities for on-site and real-time fruit quality detection. However, under practical complex measurement scenarios, the measurement stability and predictive robustness of portable devices remain limited. Soluble solids content (SSC) is widely used as a representative indicator in fruit quality evaluation and Vis-NIR quantitative analysis. To improve the predictive performance of portable Vis-NIR models, error covariance penalized regression (ECPR) was employed to explicitly incorporate the error covariance matrix estimated from repeated Vis-NIR measurements into SSC prediction modeling. Two mandarin cultivars, Panzhihua Orah mandarin and Australian mandarin, were investigated using repeated spectra acquired by a portable Vis-NIR spectrometer. Experimental results demonstrated that ECPR consistently outperformed conventional regression models. With optimal spectral pretreatment, ECPR achieved coefficients of determination of 0.949 and 0.841, with corresponding root mean square errors of prediction of 0.192 and 0.441, respectively. These results indicate that ECPR modeling based on the covariance structure of repeated measurement errors provides an effective strategy for improving the predictive accuracy and robustness of portable Vis-NIR models.
Abstract Meat products, as an important component of the human diet, have attracted widespread attention due to their high nutritional value. However, they often face challenges such as allergenicity, short shelf life, and nutritional loss. In recent years, the interaction between natural polysaccharides and muscle proteins (MP) to improve functional properties has emerged rapidly, demonstrating significant potential in MP modification. Natural polysaccharides are renewable, safe, highly biocompatible, and possess excellent biological activities. They can form MP-polysaccharide complexes through covalent and/or non-covalent interactions with MP. The formation of these complexes can improve the health and functional properties of MP, such as enhanced antioxidant activity, solubility, emulsifying properties, reduced allergenicity, foaming properties, and thermal stability. This review systematically summarizes the categories and functional properties of natural polysaccharides, with a focus on their applications in improving meat product texture, water-holding capacity, emulsification, and extending shelf life. Natural polysaccharide-protein complexes can significantly enhance the density of gel networks and improve product sensory and nutritional value while meeting consumer demands for low-fat, low-salt healthy foods. Furthermore, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of natural polysaccharides provide feasible alternatives to traditional preservatives, which conform to the industrial trends of clean label and sustainable development.
Abstract This study investigated the protective effects of uridine against Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. Uridine markedly suppressed pathogen loads in the liver and spleen, mitigating infection-induced pathological damage. In terms of systemic inflammation, uridine significantly reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β. Moreover, uridine upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Claudin-1, Occludin) and Mucin-2, while inhibiting activation of the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)-MLC signaling pathway, thus preserving barrier integrity. In addition, uridine increased fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly propionate and valerate, and modulated gut microbiota composition. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that uridine protects against L. monocytogenes infection by suppressing inflammation, strengthening the intestinal barrier, promoting SCFA production, and modulating the gut microbiota. This work provides important theoretical and experimental evidence supporting the development of uridine-based agents for prevention or mitigation of listeriosis.
Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom) is a widely consumed edible fungus valued for its nutritional properties. With the depletion of traditional wood-based substrates, the exploration of sustainable alternatives has become necessary and urgent. Bamboo sawdust has emerged as a promising substitute; however, its effects on mushroom metabolism and quality remain poorly understood. In this study, the quality and metabolic responses of L. edodes fruiting bodies cultivated on substrates in which hardwood sawdust was replaced with 0% (CK), 50% (GH), or 100% (GZ) bamboo were investigated. Bamboo supplementation significantly influenced key quality traits. Both bamboo treatments (GH and GZ) led to lighter cap coloration, reduced melanin and chitin contents, and increased polysaccharide levels. Moderate substitution (GH) did not affect fruiting body weight, whereas high substitution (GZ) significantly reduced it. Metabolomic analysis identified 517 metabolites, of which 163 were differentially accumulated across treatments, primarily consisting of phenolic acids, organic acids, amino acids and their derivatives, and alkaloids. The bamboo substrate selectively modulated several metabolites downstream of phenylalanine metabolism, particularly those involved in melanin, phenolic acid, and flavonoid biosynthesis, consistent with the observed changes in pigmentation and the accumulation of specific bioactive compounds. These findings demonstrate that bamboo-based substrates induce distinct, dose-dependent metabolic responses in L. edodes, affecting key traits related to nutrition, pigmentation, and flavor. This study provides mechanistic insights into substrate-driven metabolic regulation and supports the application of bamboo sawdust as a sustainable and effective alternative substrate for shiitake mushroom cultivation.
Abstract Genetically modified (GM) crops such as Bt11 maize have obtained biosafety certificates for cultivation across a wide geographical region, while their cultivation and use still require regulatory oversight. Therefore, the development of practical approaches to achieve effective supervision of GM crops is in great demand. Here, we propose a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (termed Cas14P) employing CRISPR/Cas14a as an end-signal reporter for sensitive analysis of GM maize. Cas14a-gRNA ribonucleoprotein (Cas14a RNP) cascades the recognition of PCR amplicons via gRNA-guided hybridization, endowing the Cas14P assay with high specificity for DNA barcode authentication. The amplification of PCR and the multiple-turnover reporting of Cas14a RNP contribute to this assay having high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.064 ng/µL DNA and 1% GM content. Moreover, the proposed assay enables clear discrimination of GM maize cultivars (Bt11) from non-GM maize ones. These results indicate that the Cas14P assay is a reliable tool for profiling GM crops.
Abstract Corn starch, constituting approximately 70% of the dry weight of kernels, fundamentally determines the quality of corn-based products, with its retrogradation being a primary factor in staling. This review systematically synthesizes the mechanisms by which diverse processing methods, including thermal (e.g. heat-moisture and dry heat treatment), nonthermal (e.g. ionizing irradiation and ultrasonic waves), and storage (e.g. low temperature) techniques, govern the retrogradation of corn starch. A key finding is that the impact of these methods is highly specific: heat-moisture treatment reorganizes molecular architecture, often inhibiting long-term retrogradation, whereas microwave and irradiation technologies primarily inhibit retrogradation through the selective degradation of amylopectin branches. Furthermore, this review critically evaluates strategies to retard retrogradation, such as incorporating nonstarch carbohydrates, polyphenols, and emulsifiers. The use of additives is contingent on their specific interaction mechanisms, such as helical complexation with lipids or spatial hindrance from polysaccharides, which disrupt the reassociation of starch chains. By analyzing corn starch processing methods and additive interventions, this review provides a foundational framework for the targeted manipulation of starch functionality. Additionally, practical insights are provided for extending product shelf-life and developing novel, high-value-added corn starch products.
Abstract With the widespread application of genetically modified (GM) technology, the safety and traceability of derived edible oils from GM oilseed crops and their oil products have raised significant public concerns. However, the advancement of GM identification methods for oil products remains constrained by the absence of convenient and reliable extraction methods. This review first categorizes components that are commonly selected for GM identification into DNA, proteins, and fatty acids, and then critically evaluates the principles, advantages, and limitations of core methodologies, including classical and silica/magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction, protein precipitation strategies, and fatty acid separation techniques. Furthermore, emerging alternative solutions, including functionalized nanoparticles and ionic liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems, are highlighted as potential strategies to address the challenges associated with low yield and analyte degradation. We also propose cross-disciplinary insights from forensic and archeometric trace analysis, as well as the application of microfluidic devices, which could further enhance the performance of existing GM identification methods. This review not only synthesizes current technological landscapes but also presents a pathway for next-generation pre-treatment protocols, aiming to support accurate, sensitive, and practical GM oil authentication in both regulatory and commercial settings.
Abstract As a significant horticultural cash crop, melon has attracted considerable attention for its postharvest preservation. Biogenic amines are a class of small-molecule nitrogenous bases widely present in living organisms, including putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and histamine, which play a significant role in the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables. This review systematically examines the mechanisms and applications of biogenic amines in delaying melon senescence and enhancing stress resistance through regulating ethylene synthesis, scavenging free radicals, stabilizing cell membranes, and inducing cold-resistant proteins. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of biogenic amines in mitigating quality deterioration caused by chilling injury, physiological disorders, and pathogen infections. The prospects for the use of biogenic amines in melon preservation are also explored, providing a reference for innovation in postharvest preservation technologies.
Abstract Anthocyanins, a class of flavonoid polyphenols, are highly water-soluble compounds in plant cell sap. Structural modifications dictate their physicochemical properties and physiological activities while also conferring upon plant organs a broad spectrum of colors ranging from orange‒red to blue‒purple. As key pigments in plants, anthocyanins perform diverse biological roles, including the efficient scavenging of reactive oxygen species to exert antioxidant effects, along with notable potential in anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protective, metabolic regulatory, vision-preserving, and neuroprotective functions. Biosynthesis of anthocyanins is initiated through the phenylpropanoid pathway, driven by multiple enzymes and under coordinated genetic regulation. However, the low natural yield of anthocyanins limits their large-scale application. To overcome this constraint, microbial heterologous expression systems have been developed. Escherichia coli has emerged as an efficient platform for enhancing anthocyanin production through metabolic engineering strategies. Similarly, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been engineered to achieve heterologous anthocyanin synthesis via reconstruction of the phenylpropanoid pathway. This review summarizes the chemical structures, physiological functions, and biosynthetic pathways of anthocyanins, with particular emphasis on metabolic engineering approaches aimed at improving anthocyanin yield in microbial systems. The insights presented here are intended to provide a valuable reference for advancing the industrial production and application of anthocyanins.
Abstract Objectives Intestinal aging is a core manifestation of systemic aging characterized by intestinal barrier dysfunction. Probiotics can modulate intestinal homeostasis to delay aging, whereas the mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Materials and Methods In this study, the anti-aging effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Q7 on Caenorhabditis elegans cultured at 20 °C were explored through a multi-dimensional analysis of intestinal homeostasis. Results The results demonstrated that the mean lifespan of C. elegans in the L. plantarum Q7 group reached 22.44 ± 2.86 d, representing a 44.12% extension compared with that of the E. coli OP50 group. L. plantarum Q7 intervention significantly reduced intestinal lipofuscin accumulation and enhanced intestinal barrier integrity. Furthermore, it reshaped the intestinal microbiota by displacing Escherichia coli to Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, establishing a more stable and advantageous microecosystem. It also increased the levels of acetic acid and isobutyric acid and shifted the intestinal metabolic profile from protein fermentation dominance to carbohydrate fermentation dominance. At the molecular level, L. plantarum Q7 intervention upregulated the expression of genes involved in autophagy initiation (unc-51, atg-18, and lgg-1), antioxidant defense (sod-3, gst-4, and rnr-2), and intestinal barrier function (ajm-1, dlg-1, hmp-1, and hmp-2). Correlation analysis further revealed a significant positive correlation network among microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acid metabolites, and host gene expression, indicating a potential interconnected network underpinning the anti-aging effects of L. plantarum Q7. Conclusions This study revealed the anti-aging mechanisms of L. plantarum Q7 through regulating intestinal homeostasis, providing a scientific basis for developing targeted probiotic anti-aging intervention strategies.
With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, its applications in food science have become increasingly widespread—particularly in the preservation of meat products—where it demonstrates substantial potential. This study systematically reviews the key applications of AI in meat product preservation, encompassing quality assessment, cold chain monitoring, shelf-life prediction, the development of microbial prediction models, intelligent packaging optimization, and consumer behavior analysis. AI-enabled preservation strategies are effective in maintaining meat product quality. Notably, machine learning (ML) algorithms offer distinct advantages in the real-time monitoring of critical quality indicators and the prediction of shelf life under diverse preservation conditions, thereby providing robust support for producers’ decision-making processes. Furthermore, this study explores in depth the application prospects and development trends of AI in meat product preservation, with the aim of offering novel insights to facilitate the development of more efficient and intelligent meat preservation processes. By integrating AI technology, the meat preservation sector is expected to undergo an intelligent transformation—shifting from a traditional experience-driven paradigm to a data-driven one—thereby elevating the overall development level of the industry.
Biopolymer-derived packaging films have gained prominence as eco-friendly substitutes for traditional petroleum-based plastics, driven by escalating environmental concerns. Gallic acid (GA), a naturally abundant polyphenolic compound, exhibits robust antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, positioning it as a pivotal functional additive in biodegradable food packaging systems. Integration of GA into biopolymer matrices enhances mechanical resilience, oxygen barrier efficiency, and oxidative stability, primarily through its role as an oxygen scavenger. These enhancements collectively extend food shelf life while preserving nutritional and sensory quality. Additionally, GA-functionalized films mitigate lipid oxidation and microbial proliferation, thereby elevating food safety standards. Beyond performance improvements, the utilization of GA aligns with global sustainability goals by reducing reliance on non-renewable plastics. This comprehensive review critically evaluates recent advancements in GA-modified biopolymer films, emphasizing their structural-functional synergies, efficacy in food preservation, and contributions to environmentally responsible packaging solutions. Key challenges, including scalability, economic feasibility, and consumer acceptance, are also discussed to guide future research and industrial adoption.
Consumers today increasingly demand safe, additive-free meat that is high in sensory and nutritional quality. This shift highlights the need for natural preservation methods to enhance safety and shelf life. Research has shown that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their antimicrobials are promising bio-preservatives, inhibiting spoilage, preventing pathogens, and improving meat quality. This review thoroughly examines comprehensive information on the use of LAB-derived antimicrobial agents, with a particular focus on LAB-derived postbiotic components (bacteriocins) as innovative bio-preservatives in meat, beef, poultry, and their products. This article discusses the use of LAB strains as starter cultures in fermented meat products and as protective cultures in non-fermented systems. It emphasizes the benefits of combining multi-strain probiotic LAB blends with their cell-free supernatants, which contain postbiotics in different forms. This review also details the properties, sources, and classification of LAB-derived bacteriocins, along with the antimicrobial effectiveness of both purified and semi-purified bacteriocins in their direct and dynamic forms. Additionally, it explores the synergistic effects of LAB-derived substances when combined with other preservation methods within hurdle technology approaches. Moreover, it revisits the physicochemical and sensory effects of LAB-based antimicrobials on meat products, which are often overlooked in food safety and quality studies. The challenges of the large-scale application of LAB and their antimicrobial substances in the meat industry are also discussed, including regulatory issues, technological feasibility, and sensory changes that impact biopreservation. Special attention is given to safety concerns, including antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and toxin production, emphasizing the importance of strain-specific risk assessments prior to industrial use. Ultimately, this review proposes alternative solutions to overcome these barriers, supporting LAB-based bio-preservation as a sustainable way to meet increasing demand for safe, high-quality meat. Further research is recommended to optimize the application of LAB and their antimicrobials across various meat products under industrial processing conditions.
In recent years, plant-based nutrition has attracted great interest worldwide. Inulin is a soluble prebiotic dietary fiber derived from plants that enhances digestive health by modulating the gut microbiota. It is fermented by Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids, which promote gut barrier integrity, immune equilibrium, metabolic health, and overall systemic wellness. Additionally, it enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids, strengthens gut barrier function, and reduces inflammation. As a prebiotic, it is fermented by colon bacteria. Prebiotics positively influence the gut microbiota due to their ability to be selectively utilized by beneficial bacteria through specific enzymatic activities. Based on this biological relevance, this review summarizes recent evidence on the structural characteristics, functional properties, and health effects of inulin. A comprehensive literature search (2017–2025) was conducted using major electronic databases, such as MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, identifying 130 studies investigating its influence on gastrointestinal function, metabolic regulation, inflammation, and chronic disease outcomes. This evidence indicates that inulin supplementation can reduce intestinal inflammation, improve lipid and glucose metabolism, and modulate the gut–brain axis. However, variations in dose, degree of polymerization (DP), host condition, and baseline microbiota composition have contributed to inconsistent or even adverse responses across studies. Overall, inulin represents a multifunctional dietary ingredient with promising clinical potential. To fully utilize its benefits, future research should focus on standardized clinical protocols, DP-specific evaluations, and long-term safety assessments to guide the development of next-generation prebiotic formulations tailored to individual microbiome profiles.
Food safety is a critical global concern,as toxic substances in food pose serious risks to public health.With the rise of novel food products such as cell-cultured,fermented,and genetically modified items,there is an urgent need for more efficient and accurate methods to assess food toxicity.Traditional testing approaches often lack the speed,scalability,and sensitivity needed to detect emerging toxicants.Omics-based technologies now offer comprehensive insights into biological responses,enabling the identification of subtle or unknown toxic effects.However,the complexity and scale of omics data present significant challenges for interpretation.To address this,artificial intelligence(AI)has emerged as a powerful tool to analyze large datasets and improve toxicity prediction.In this review,we summarize key categories of food toxicants,introduce omics technologies and publicly available databases,outline general AI modeling workflows,and highlight recent applications of AI in food safety.Together,AI with large amount of food-related data are shaping the future of food safety strategies.
Foodborne pathogens pose persistent threats to global health and food security,necessitating rapid and non-destructive detection technologies compatible with irregular food surfaces.Conventional rigid surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)substrates struggle with poor conformal contact and sampling inefficiency in real-world applications.This review highlights the transformative role of flexible SERS sensors,which combine mechanical adaptability with plasmonic enhancement to enable in situ pathogen detection on complex food matrices.We systematically analyze advances from 2020 to 2025,focusing on three parts:(1)flexible sensing strategies integrating label-free fingerprinting and specific recognition elements to enhance specificity in complex food matrices;(2)flexible substrate designs using natural/synthetic polymers and hybrid composites to balance optical performance and durability;and(3)conformal sampling methods enabling effective pathogen capture.Critical challenges in sensitivity-stability trade-offs,field-portable integration,and spectral reproducibility are being addressed through emerging solutions such as machine learning-assisted calibration and self-cleaning interface prototypes.By bridging material innovation with practical deployment needs,flexible SERS platforms demonstrate practical potential for decentralized food safety monitoring.Future progress hinges on scalable fabrication techniques and AI-driven systems integrating machine learning for predictive monitoring,where real-time pathogen detection synergizes with blockchain-enabled traceability to enable proactive risk management throughout supply chains.
Deoxynivalenol (DON), which is commonly found in various cereals and their derivative products, has received considerable attention because of its significant threat to food security and agricultural economics, as well as its chronic harmful impact on humans and livestock. There is an urgent need to develop strategies to mitigate various DON-induced health issues in humans. This review presents the current research on DON toxicity, focusing on its worldwide contamination of foods and feeds, and reveals the main mechanisms of various toxicities induced by dietary DON exposure. Additionally, this study elucidates the molecular pathways underlying different nutritional strategies for mitigating DON-induced toxicity. Different types of DON-induced damage occur through various pathways, including the MAPK, NF-κB, caspase 3/GSDME, PERK, and Ca2+/CaM/CaMK II pathways. Some polyphenols, active proteins, and specific essential nutrients have shown potential in alleviating DON toxicity by regulating different signalling pathways, promoting cell division, inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and enhancing the body’s antioxidant capacity, among other effects. This review aims to provide a foundation for advancing research on novel detoxification strategies for DON-induced toxicity and to support the development of evidence-based safety protocols for DON control in the food industry.
The co-delivery of bioactive compounds (BCs) is a potential technique for increasing health benefits beyond those offered by individual nutrients. Presently, the combination of BCs has made perfect sense to boost the nutritional value and health benefits of food products. These combinations integrate the science of whole foods, ancient remedies, and nutraceuticals to improve bioavailability, reduce costs, increase patient compliance, and deliver synergistic therapeutic and biological effects. However, BCs have various drawbacks, including short shelf life due to low chemical stability, poor water solubility, restricted absorption resulting in low bioavailability, quick metabolism and excretion, and vulnerability to breakdown during in vivo digestion. Polymeric-based nanoparticles address this restriction. Polymeric-based nanoparticles systems for co-delivery BCs have demonstrated potential for targeted delivery, controlled release, and improved therapeutic results, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties. This study focuses on polymeric-based nanoparticles for co-delivery of BCs, which are effective carrier for effective targeted and increased biological activity. The study indicated that polymer-based nanoparticles are effective carriers for co-delivering BCs, as they enhance stability, encapsulation efficiency, and therapeutic efficacy and enable controlled, targeted release at specific sites in the human body. Therefore, polymeric-based nanoparticles show promise as innovative nanocarriers for enhancing the stability, protection, controlled release, targeted delivery, and biological activity of co-delivered BCs.
Abstract Food fermentation is a complex biological process driven by the entire microbial community. Core functional microorganisms are the key taxa that dominate fermentation processes and determine the final quality of fermented products. This review classifies them into dominant species and low-abundance keystone taxa based on relative abundance and functional contribution, and summarizes their latest identification and functional research in solid-, semi-solid-, and liquid-state fermentation systems. These microorganisms play a central role in unique flavors, textures, and nutritional values through fermentation metabolism. We systematically reviewed the techniques for functional verification and targeted regulation of core functional microorganisms, and clarified their interaction relationships, community succession patterns, and functional regulation mechanisms. Finally, the current challenges faced by related research are analyzed. In the future, research on functional microorganisms will integrate metagenomics, synthetic biology, and multi-omics technologies to further optimize microbial strains and fermentation processes, aiming to provide theoretical support for the standardized development of the fermented food industry.
Green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum is a major source of postharvest loss in lemon. Here, we tested whether beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) primes lemon fruit for enhanced resistance and explored the transcriptional coordination linking redox control to antimicrobial defenses. In inoculated fruit, BABA pretreatment delayed symptom development, slowed lesion expansion, and reduced fungal biomass. Compared with inoculation alone, BABA-pretreated fruit showed attenuated H2O2 accumulation, lower malondialdehyde content and electrical conductivity, but higher total antioxidant capacity, indicating restrained oxidative injury. In parallel, BABA increased the accumulation of phenolics, flavonoids, and coumarins and enhanced beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities. In line with these coordinated defense outputs, we identified a NAC transcription factor, ClNAC72L, as a candidate regulatory node responsive to BABA priming and infection. Yeast one-hybrid assays showed that ClNAC72L binds NAC recognition sites in promoters of redox- and defense-related genes, including ClRBOHD, ClAPX, ClLOX, ClPAL, ClCHS, ClF6 ' H1, ClGLU, ClPR4, and ClPDF1.2. Dual-luciferase assays supported target-dependent regulation by ClNAC72L, with repression of the ClRBOHD and ClLOX promoters and activation of the other promoters tested. Consistently, transient overexpression of ClNAC72L in lemon fruit reduced disease development and fungal biomass while dampening infection-associated oxidative injury. Taken together, these results indicate that BABA primes a coordinated defense program in postharvest lemon that couples redox buffering with enhanced antimicrobial metabolism, at least in part through ClNAC72L.
