To address the growing shortage of protein resources, plant-derived proteins have become a major focus in food research. Broccoli, containing approximately 25% protein on a dry-weight basis, represents a promising yet underexplored source due to limited understanding of its extractability and functional properties. In this study, we compared the protein composition and functionality of broccoli protein isolates (BPI) obtained using alkali-acid isolation (ALK-BPI) and deep eutectic solvent extraction (DES-BPI). A total of 3639, 3383, and 3556 proteins were identified in broccoli powder, DES-BPI, and ALK-BPI, respectively. Compared with ALK-BPI, DES-BPI preserved a broader range of proteins and exhibited higher similarity to unprocessed broccoli, indicating that DES extraction maintains the native protein profile. DES-BPI was particularly enriched in ribosomal and chloroplast-associated proteins, likely due to hydrogen-bonding interactions between proteins and the solvent matrix. Moreover, DES-BPI showed enrichment of stress-response proteins, which significantly contributed to its higher antioxidant activity compared with ALK-BPI (T-AOC: 1.20- fold, DPPH: 1.34- fold, ABTS: 1.18- fold). Random forest analysis identified phosphoglycerate kinase and glutathione reductase as the major contributors to antioxidant capacity. Collectively, these findings indicate that DES extraction not only enhances protein recovery but also preserves proteins with superior nutritional and functional potential. This highlights broccoli as a valuable plant protein source and provides new insights into DES as a mild and efficient approach for producing functional foods and sustainable protein ingredients.

Background Mounting evidence positions the gut microbiota as a pivotal player in the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Lycium barbarum seed polyphenols (LBSPs), a byproduct of Lycium barbarum processing, have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities, but potential anti-T2DM effects remain unclear. Purpose To evaluate the preventive effects of LBSPs against T2DM and the associated gut microbiota mechanisms. Methods The effects of LBSPs on fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, liver lipid accumulation, intestinal barrier, gut microbiota composition, and microbial metabolites were investigated in db/db mice. Results LBSPs significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, improved insulin sensitivity, and alleviated dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in db/db mice. Furthermore, LBSPs restored intestinal barrier integrity by up-regulating tight junction proteins Claudin-1, Occludin, and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1). 16S rRNA analysis revealed that LBSPs reversed gut microbiota dysbiosis, enriching Lactobacillus, Ligilactobacillus, Rikenella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, while decreasing Escherichia-Shigella and Klebsiella. Mechanically, LBSPs can modulate aromatic amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and bile acid biosynthesis by metabolomics. Mediation analysis indicated that specific gut microbiota influenced host metabolic parameters through metabolites such as 7-megastigmene-3,6,9-triol 9-glucoside. Conclusion Our findings reveal that LBSPs can be used as a potential microbiota-targeted nutraceutical that reverses gut microbiota dysbiosis and diabetes-associated metabolic disorders during T2DM progression.

ABSTRACT Kiwifruit seeds are a polyphenol‑rich by‑product of kiwifruit processing. This study evaluated the anti‑obesity effects of kiwifruit seed polyphenols (KSP) in C57BL/6 obese mice induced by high‐fat diet (HFD). The results demonstrated that KSP attenuated body weight gain and adiposity in mice, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and reduced serum and hepatic triglycerides, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Histology results confirmed KSP alleviated hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy. In addition, KSP decreased interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in serum, liver, and colon; up‐regulated UCP2 and PPAR‐γ; and down‐regulated SREBP‐1c, FAS, and CPT‐1a/b. KSP also reshaped gut microbiota by correcting the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes imbalance, suppressing Proteobacteria, and enriching Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Alistipes, and Alloprevotella, accompanied by the restoration of short‐chain fatty acids, especially propionate. This study provides new evidence supporting KSP as a promising adjunct strategy for mitigating obesity and associated metabolic disorders through the gut‐liver axis.

Broccoli leaves are commonly discarded during industrial processing despite being rich in bioactive phytochemicals, resulting in substantial resource waste. This study investigated the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of a microwave-assisted green extract of broccoli leaf phenolics (BLP) against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The LC-MS/MS profiling revealed that BLP is predominantly composed of cinnamic acid derivatives and flavonoids, notably sinapic acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, and luteolin. In HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice, BLP supplementation significantly ameliorated hepatic steatosis and liver injury, evidenced by reduced serum AST, ALT, and lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL). Mechanistically, BLP suppressed hepatic lipogenesis via SREBP-1c downregulation, modulated the EGFR/AKT/SREBP signaling pathway, and attenuated inflammatory responses by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α). Furthermore, BLP reinforced intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins () and restored gut microbiota homeostasis, enriching beneficial taxa (, ) while suppressing dysbiosis-associated genera. Overall, BLP could exert hepatoprotective effects via the gut-liver axis, highlighting its immense potential as a value-added, food-derived functional ingredient for NAFLD prevention.

Severe burns are often accompanied by complex symptoms including bacterial infection, immune dysregulation, inflammatory imbalance, metabolic disorders, and distributive shock, posing significant challenges to clinical treatment worldwide. Moreover, scar formation during wound healing severely affects patients' psychological well-being. However, current therapeutic strategies are insufficient to comprehensively regulate the intricate wound repair process. To address this, we designed a multifunctional hydrogel (HPP/PM@Rk3) with inherent immunomodulatory properties for burn wound repair. The hydrogel was constructed via dynamic Schiff base bonds and free radical photopolymerization, crosslinking methacrylated oxidized hyaluronic acid (OM-HA), polyethyleneimine-grafted γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA-PEI), and ginsenoside Rk3-loaded polydopamine (PDA)-coated MnO2 nanoparticles (PM@Rk3 nanoparticles). In the acidic and oxidative microenvironment of the wound, the hydrogel gradually releases PM@Rk3 nanoparticles: the PEI and PDA coatings synergistically exert antibacterial effects under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and alleviate local hypoxia. Subsequently, the PM@Rk3 nanoparticles further degrade, releasing ginsenoside Rk3, which ameliorates macrophage dysfunction in burn wounds via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and alleviates inflammation. The hydrogel effectively promotes scar-free healing of deep burn wounds and thus holds promise as a novel dressing with clinical application potential for the repair of infected deep burns.

Plant-based protein originate from extensive sources, which are restricted by extraction techniques to obtain high-quality protein. This study investigated the effect of deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction on oat bran protein structure, physicochemical, and functional characteristics. Fourteen DES/water (20 % w/w) binary mixtures were synthesized and successfully extracted oat bran protein. Among these, choline chloride to glycerol molar ratio of 1:3 (DES3) exhibited optimal extraction performance. The protein extraction rate, protein extraction yield, and protein recovery rate of DES3 were 7.19 f 0.23 %, 2.89 f 0.06 %, and 30.45 f 0.66 %, respectively. Protein content of the oat bran protein isolate (OBPI) extracted by DES3 reached 80.19 f 1.42 %, significantly higher than that of alkali extraction. DES3-OBPI had milky white appearance, intact natural spherical structure, smaller particle size, and without amino acid loss. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that DES3OBPI contained abundant water-soluble proteins. The secondary structure of DES3-OBPI showed a decrease in beta-sheet content (36.64 %), while alpha-helix (22.53 %) and beta-turn (17.84 %) contents increased. Moreover, the significant increase was observed in fluorescence intensity, zeta potential, total and free sulfhydryl groups, and disulfide bond content of DES3-OBPI. However, surface hydrophobicity and denaturation temperature were significantly reduced. Compared to alkali extraction, DES3-OBPI exhibited superior solubility, emulsifying activity, foaming ability and gel potential, which was closely related to the improvement of protein structure and physicochemical properties. In conclusion, DES3 is a novel green solvent suitable for oat bran protein extraction. DES extraction was expected to replace alkali extraction for improving protein processing properties.

The cooking process not only affects textural and nutritional properties but also results in flavor changes of food, while these changes and detailed metabolic mechanisms in potato and its products are unknown. In this study, GC–MS and untargeted metabolomics were performed to investigate the variations of flavor and metabolite during heating, storing, and reheating of potatoes. The results showed that heating increased acids and reduced aldehydes, which were associated with metabolites such as arginine and asparagine. Moreover, storing increased acids and alcohols while decreasing aldehydes, potentially caused by succinic acid and glucose-6-phosphate. Reheating increased aldehydes and reduced alcohols and esters, involving pathways including alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and α-linolenic acid metabolism. PLS model and correlation analyses revealed strong associations between volatile categories and key metabolites. These results will provide a novel insight in potato processing and storage strategies, thereby improving the taste and quality of potato related products.

To elucidate the legume-specific effects on glycemic control, and the potential mechanisms involving gut microbial co-abundance networks, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism in adults with or at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). We analyzed 258 MetS-susceptible adults cross-sectionally and 82 participants in a dietary intervention incorporating black beans. Food frequency questionnaires, glycemic measurements (fasting plasma glucose [FPG], insulin [INS], and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]), and multi-omics data (16S rRNA gene sequencing, metabolomics, and SCFA-related genotyping) were integrated. Cross-sectionally, higher mung bean and edamame intakes are consistently associated with lower FPG, while ormosia, black bean, and soybean associated with lower INS and HOMA-IR. In the intervention, black bean consumption decreased FPG (P = 0.018) alongside enrichment of beneficial microbes and a relative suppression of pro-inflammatory taxa. Co-abundance analysis revealed two competing microbial guilds: a butyrate-producing guild positively associated with legumes and inversely with glycemic indices, and a pro-inflammatory guild showing opposite patterns. Furthermore, the rs12994030 variant in a butyrate-synthesis pathway modified the associations of legume intake with INS and HOMA-IR (P for interaction < 0.05). In conclusion, specific legumes confer glycemic benefits in MetS-prone adults, driven by cooperative gut microbial guilds and modulated by butyrate-associated host genetics.

Aging is a time-dependent biological process characterized by degenerative changes in the body, influenced by genetics, environment, and dietary habits. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have emerged as promising candidates for promoting health, with evidence supporting their role in enhancing immunity, maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, and mitigating systemic inflammation induced by oxidative stress. However, influenced by multiple factors such as regional differences, diverse extraction methods, and structural complexity, LBPs have limitations in basic research and industrial applications, which impeded the in-depth development of LBPs in anti-aging and aging-related diseases mechanisms research, and industrial utilization. This review comprehensively summarizes the source, extraction, purification, structural characterizations of LBPs, and bioactivities on aging and aging-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and musculoskeletal disorders. We reviewed the mechanisms through which LBPs exert their benefits, including immune regulation, modulation of gut microbiota, anti-oxidation properties, and overall host health. Additionally, we also discussed the applications of LBPs in functional foods, medicines, animal feed, and skincare products. The findings from ongoing and future clinical trials highlight the potential of LBPs to delay aging and alleviate aging-related diseases, offering valuable insights for their use in clinical settings and as functional food ingredients.

BackgroundDiabetic chronic wounds are trapped in a vicious cycle of persistent inflammation and excessive ROS, where concurrent anti-inflammation and antioxidant stress are prerequisites to accelerate healing. Natural bioactive substances, due to their abundant biological activity and good biological safety characteristics, have demonstrated great potential in the field of tissue engineering. Broccoli stem pectin (BSP) possesses excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can be used as a plant-based extract for treating diabetic wounds.MethodsA polyvinyl alcohol/broccoli stem pectin (PVA/BSP) hydrogel was fabricated via a freeze-thaw physical crosslinking process without chemical agents. The broccoli stems pectin and polyvinyl alcohol form a synergistic multi-level dynamic network through crystalline domains, hydrophobic interactions, and dynamic hydrogen bonding. The mechanical, swelling, and antioxidant properties were characterized in vitro. Biocompatibility was assessed using L929 fibroblasts. The hydrogel’s immunomodulatory function was evaluated by measuring its effects on macrophage polarization (iNOS/CD206) and inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-6, IL-10) in vitro and in vivo. Its therapeutic efficacy was tested in both acute and diabetic full-thickness wound models in rats, followed by histological and transcriptomic analyses.ResultsThe PVA/BSP hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical strength (tensile stress: 0.95 MPa) and excellent free radical scavenging ability. It was highly biocompatible and promoted fibroblast migration. In vivo, the hydrogel significantly accelerated wound closure in both acute and diabetic models by reshaping the wound microenvironment: it scavenged ROS, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and promoted macrophage polarization toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Transcriptomics revealed that these effects were mediated through synergistic inhibition of the NF-κB and IL-17 signaling pathways.ConclusionThe PVA/BSP hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties through purely physical crosslinking. Meanwhile, it retains the biological activity of pectin and can promote diabetic wounds healing by regulating the immune microenvironment.

Vegetables are essential components of the human diet, they face numerous challenges during postharvest handling, including water loss, discoloration, and decay. Among these issues, postharvest yellowing of green vegetables is one of the most urgent and economically significant problems, as it greatly diminishes visual appeal, nutritional quality, and market value. Yellowing also creates substantial obstacles for the sustainable development of the vegetable industry. The phenomenon is primarily driven by chlorophyll degradation, a complex physiological process influenced by multiple environmental and biochemical factors. Recent studies have revealed that chlorophyll breakdown is tightly regulated at the molecular level, involving coordinated changes in gene expression, enzyme activity, and cellular metabolism. With continuing advancements in agricultural science and technology, a variety of strategies have been proposed to mitigate postharvest yellowing. These include gene knock-out approaches to delay senescence, functional packaging materials that modulate storage environments, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize supply-chain management and storage conditions. Emerging AI-based technologies show particular promise for real-time monitoring, early prediction of yellowing, and precision control of postharvest environments. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying postharvest yellowing of vegetables, examines the internal and external factors that influence chlorophyll degradation, and evaluates current preventive strategies. It also highlights future research directions, emphasizing that integrating AI with modern preservation techniques will be crucial for improving postharvest management and enhancing the overall quality and shelf life of vegetables. Further validation and practical application of these approaches are needed to advance real-world postharvest systems.

Ginsenosides, a class of bioactive substances, exhibit multi targets and notable anti-aging properties. However, their application as functional food ingredients is still limited. This review begins by examining the research advancements related to key drivers of aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. By integrating data from network pharmacology and molecular docking, it systematically reviews the intervention effects of ginsenosides on aging mechanisms that the regulation of cellular senescence and the maintenance of mitochondrial function and intestinal flora homeostasis. Biosynthesis strategies provide a viable pathway for the industrial production of ginsenosides and the development of functional foods. Furthermore, structural modifications combined with targeted delivery systems, supported by AI, have been strategically employed to enhance bioavailability and unlock their full bioactive potential as functional food ingredients. This work highlights the necessity of dietary ginsenosides in aging management based on the health burden of aging, and proposes an integrated strategy covering biosynthesis, mechanisms, AI-driven delivery applications and safety verification. It provides a comprehensive perspective on ginsenosides as functional food ingredients for evidence-based aging management.

Oral insulin administration offers significant advantages of accurate dosage, convenient administration, and improved patient compliance compared to subcutaneous injection. However, existing oral insulin formulations struggle to overcome the physiological barrier in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to low bioavailability and uncontrolled burst release. In this research, an insulin delivery system (SC@AP@INS) with a micro-nano structure was developed using nano-micelles (AP) based insulin delivery system cross-linked with pH-responsive sodium alginate hydrogel. In vitro experiment indicated that AP micelle promotes the speedy penetration of mucus and enhances the absorption of insulin. SC@AP@INS overcomes the gastrointestinal barrier, protects insulin from severe gastric conditions, and achieves a pH-responsive drug release in the intestine. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic SD rats, the oral administration of SC@AP@INS exhibited a sustained and safer hypoglycemic effect than subcutaneous injection, while achieving an oral bioavailability of 12.91%. Additionally, SC@AP@INS effectively regulates the blood sugar of diabetic rats for a long time by simulating the action process of endogenous insulin. In vitro experiments and in vivo experiments show that the hydrogel has excellent biological safety. Taken together, the SC@AP@INS hydrogel has the advantages of convenient preparation and high utilization, conferring it with great potential for oral protein delivery.

Inefficient clearance of tumor-associated cellular debris sustains chronic inflammation and reinforces tumor-promoting immune niches in the colorectal cancer (CRC), yet strategies to selectively enhance macrophage-mediated cellular debris clearance remain largely unexplored. Here, we engineered a dual-targeted oral nanoplatform based on probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) for selective delivery of astaxanthin (AXT-EVs) to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in inflamed colonic tissues. Following oral administration, AXT-EVs preferentially accumulated within TAMs and induced functional reprogramming toward enhanced inflammatory debris resolution. Internalized AXT downregulates bridging integrin 2 (BIN2), a previously unrecognized negative regulator of macrophage phagocytic remodeling, thereby restoring macrophage-mediated clearance of tumor-associated cellular debris and disrupting debris-driven inflammatory amplification. In murine CRC models, AXT-EVs significantly inhibited tumor progression, alleviated intestinal inflammation and restored epithelial barrier integrity. Our findings identify defective macrophage debris clearance as a therapeutically targetable driver of colorectal tumorigenesis and establish a probiotic nanovesicle-based strategy as an immune-modulating platform for restoring tissue clearance homeostasis.

The bioactivity of procyanidins (PCs) is closely associated with their degree of polymerization (DP), yet the pharmacokinetic mechanisms underlying these DP-dependent effects remain unclear. In this study, comparative pharmacokinetic and metabolomic analyses were performed in rats following gavage (250 mg/kg) of monomeric (-)-epicatechin (EC), dimeric procyanidin B2 (PCB2), and trimeric procyanidin C1 (PCC1). Systemic exposure and urinary recovery of intact PCs decreased progressively with increasing DP, with EC showing the highest plasma exposure (AUC0-48 h = 7975 μg·h/L) and 48 h urinary excretion (221.54 μg). In contrast, PCB2 produced the highest levels of depolymerization-derived flavan-3-ol monomers in plasma, yielding a combined EC and catechin AUC0-48 h of 1266.21 μg·h/L, suggesting enhanced metabolic conversion of dimeric PCs in vivo. Metabolomics further revealed that PCB2-derived metabolites exhibited greater plasma retention but lower urinary elimination than those detected in EC and PCC1 groups. PCC1 showed minimal absorption and excretion, indicating limited bioavailability of highly polymerized PCs. Collectively, this study reveals distinct DP-dependent pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles of PCs and provides new insights into the structure-metabolism relationships of flavan-3-ols.

Dietary polyphenols exhibit diverse bioactivities, but their clinical application is limited by poor bioavailability due to low solubility, rapid metabolism, and restricted absorption. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in nanocarrier-based strategies for improving dietary polyphenol delivery. Four representative nanocarrier types are analyzed, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanosuspensions, and polymeric micelles. We discuss how their physicochemical properties and interfacial interactions enhance solubility, stability, and targeted delivery, while also highlighting limitations such as potential toxicity, limited loading capacity, and formulation complexity. A key focus of this review is the integration of machine learning (ML) into nanocarrier design to optimize performance. Supervised models such as support vector machines, random forests, and XGBoost achieve high predictive accuracy for encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, and biodistribution. ML further enables high-throughput screening, toxicity prediction, and iterative refinement of formulations, improving the efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenol delivery. ML-driven integration of multi-omics data provides mechanistic insights into interactions among nanocarriers, polyphenols, and biological systems, supporting biomarker discovery and precision delivery. Additionally, we present a stepwise workflow that integrates nanotechnology and ML to guide the rational development of dietary polyphenol formulations. Finally, we discuss current challenges, including data heterogeneity, model interpretability, and regulatory considerations, and outline future directions to advance ML-driven nanocarrier strategies for efficient dietary polyphenol delivery. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive framework and highlights the unique contribution of integrating nanotechnology and ML for designing next-generation functional foods and precision nutrition.