Stroke is a neurological disease with high incidence and severe disability. Stroke recovery is closely associated with the homeostasis of the gut-brain axis and the regulation of neuroinflammation and neuronal function. As a prebiotic with potent gut microbiota-regulating and anti-inflammatory activities, stachyose (STA) has been increasingly recognized for its beneficial effects on host health. To explore the neuroprotective effects of STA on stroke and its underlying mechanisms, we established a photothrombotic stroke mouse model and performed integrated multi-omics analyses, including 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics of feces, as well as metabolomics and transcriptomics of brain tissue. The 16S rRNA analysis showed that STA treatment significantly reshaped the gut microbial community structure in mice. Metabolomics of brain and feces further identified brain-gut shared metabolites, which may act as signaling molecules in the gut-brain axis, and these key metabolites were significantly correlated with specific microbial taxa and critical genes. Transcriptomic analysis of brain tissue revealed that STA treatment markedly regulated the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway, which is crucial for the synthesis, release and binding of neurotransmitters, as well as for neuronal survival, differentiation and maintenance of neural function. Collectively, STA may exert neuroprotective effects in stroke by regulating gut microbiota-associated metabolites and subsequently modulating the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway, thereby mediating crosstalk along the gut-brain axis.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have become ubiquitous contaminants in food production systems, raising increasing concerns regarding their potential effects on gastrointestinal and systemic health. This review summarizes current evidence on the occurrence, sources, and biological effects of MPs/NPs within food production chains and their implications for the human gut. Experimental in vitro studies demonstrate that MPs/NPs can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, metabolic dysregulation, and epithelial barrier dysfunction, while in vivo animal studies show disruption of gut homeostasis, microbiota alterations, systemic translocation, and hepatic, metabolic, and immune disturbances. Co-exposure to environmental pollutants and food-associated chemicals may further enhance toxicity through synergistic mechanisms. Although human evidence remains limited, MPs have been detected in human tissues, including the liver, indicating the possibility of systemic exposure. Emerging evidence also suggests complex interactions between MPs/NPs and the gut microbiome, although the clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain. Therefore, current knowledge is derived predominantly from experimental models, and substantial uncertainties remain regarding human exposure levels, dose-response relationships, and long-term health consequences. Further well-designed human studies and standardized exposure assessment methods are essential to clarify the health risks associated with dietary MPs/NPs.
Given the perishable nature of seafood, accurate and rapid freshness monitoring is essential for ensuring food safety and public health. In this study, a ratiometric fluorescent tag was proposed for detecting ammonia to assess seafood freshness, using D-penicillamine-capped silver/copper nanoclusters (DPA-AgCuNCs) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as dual-emission probes. The synthesized DPA-AgCuNCs with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties exhibited high sensitivity toward ammonia, with a limit of detection of 2.95 ppm (3σ/s). By integrating orange-emitting DPA-AgCuNCs with green-emissive FITC, the fabricated ratiometric fluorescent tag exhibited a distinct orange-to-green fluorescence transition with increasing ammonia concentration, enabling direct visual assessment of freshness. A fluorescence colour card was further established for rapid preliminary differentiation among fresh, less fresh, and spoiled samples. Convolutional neural network (CNN)-assisted image analysis was introduced as a complementary approach to improve the objectivity and consistency of freshness classification, achieving precision values of 95.24%, 100%, and 100% for fresh, less fresh, and spoiled shrimp, respectively. For on-site monitoring, the CNN was integrated into a smartphone application (FreshSense), constructing a simple platform for rapid monitoring of seafood freshness. This proof-of-concept system is rapid, on-site, and non-destructive, demonstrating its potential for practical screening in food quality and safety.
Rice bran is an abundant agricultural by-product rich in proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, exhibiting potential for Pickering emulsion stabilizers. However, these nutrients predominantly exist as insoluble rice bran natural complexes (IRBNC), which are underutilized due to their compact structure, limited wettability, and poor interfacial activity. To overcome these limitations and optimize the interfacial properties of IRBNC for enhanced emulsification, three catechin monomers with varying numbers of phenolic hydroxyl groups and galloyl moieties—epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epicatechin gallate (ECG) were selected as structural models to modify IRBNC. Appropriate concentrations of EC (25 mg/g), EGC (50 mg/g), and ECG (25 mg/g) decreased the ordered structure of proteins in IRBNC, shifted particle wettability from highly hydrophobic (127.015°) to amphiphilic (ranging from 86.976° to 95.695°), loosened the compact layered microstructure, thereby improving interfacial activity (equilibrium interfacial tension: 20.43 to 16.19 mN/m). Consequently, Pickering emulsion stabilized by IRBNC modified with appropriate concentrations of EC, EGC, and ECG exhibited smaller average droplet size (from 59.94 μm to 46.32 μm) and lower creaming index values (from 23.9% to 14.5%) compared with unmodified IRBNC. Moreover, appropriate catechin modification inhibited the formation of lipid oxidation products in IRBNC-stabilized Pickering emulsions during storage. Notably, modification efficiencies followed a structure-dependent trend (ECG > EGC > EC), with ECG exhibiting the strongest effect due to its galloyl substitution and higher phenolic hydroxyl density. Overall, appropriate catechin modification, particularly with ECG, represents an effective strategy to tailor the structural and interfacial properties of IRBNC for enhanced Pickering emulsion stabilization.
