This study compared the digestion behavior and peptide release profiles of cow (CWPC) and sheep/goat (SWPC) whey protein concentrates under INFOGEST static in vitro gastrointestinal conditions. Although both protein sources exhibited similar degradation patterns, SWPC demonstrated 6.03% higher hydrolysis degree than CWPC. Gastrointestinal digestion significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of both protein digesta, with SWPC showing superior radical scavenging activities compared with CWPC. Peptidomic analysis identified a total of 4,434 peptides, with 2,095 and 1,521 peptides uniquely present in SWPC and CWPC digesta, respectively. These peptides were mainly derived from β-LG and α-LA. Notably, SWPC also released a greater quantity of peptides derived from lactoferrin and immunoglobulin-related proteins. The antioxidant peptide YVEELKPTPEGDL was 26.79% more abundant in SWPC digesta than in CWPC digesta (P < 0.05), whereas VGINYWLAHK and VDGKEDLIW were species-specific to SWPC and CWPC digesta, respectively. These findings suggest that SWPC has enhanced digestibility and antioxidant potential, and contribute to expanding the bioactive peptide repertoire from ruminant whey proteins. Overall, the study supports SWPC's value as a promising nutritional and functional protein source.

Goat milk is nutritionally valuable and ranks as the second most consumed dairy in China, with Shaanxi Province being the national leader. However, systematic studies on regional quality variations, grading and spoilage mechanisms of it remain limited. In this study, 124 raw milk samples were collected from 14 major dairy goat breeding areas across Shaanxi. Our results revealed that significant spatiotemporal variations, and long-distance transportation affected milk quality by increasing microbial loads and reducing fat content (P < 0.05). The grading model demonstrated high accuracy (91.8%) and reliability (AUC = 98.4%), with fat content being the most critical biomarker. Storage at 10 degrees C accelerated spoilage compared to 4 degrees C, with marked enrichment of Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae. Multi-omics analysis identified seven genus-level microbial biomarkers and five key metabolites, which are linked to goat milk spoilage. This study provides a data-driven tool for raw goat milk quality assessment and grading, reveals core microbiological and metabolic mechanisms, and offers crucial insights for quality control in the dairy industry.

This study investigated the structural and functional properties of composite hydrogels prepared from cold plasma (CP)-modified goat whey protein isolate (GWPI) and konjac glucomannan (KGM) for (3-galactosidase ((3-Gal) encapsulation. CP treatment (40 W-50 W, 10-40 s) modified GWPI structure, yielding peak surface hydrophobicity and free amino content at 50 W/40 s, which facilitated cross-linking with KGM. Composite hydrogels were fabricated under optimal CP condition (50 W/40 s) across GWPI: KGM ratios of 5:0 to 2:3. At a 4:1 GWPI:KGM ratio, the hydrogel exhibited superior network strength, mechanical properties (hardness and elasticity), water holding stability (particularly bound water retention), and crystallinity, achieving 99.36 +/- 0.48% of (3-Gal encapsulation efficiency and 98.57 +/- 0.65% in vitro (3-Gal digestion release rate. Excessive KGM content triggered phase separation, elevated free water content, and structural heterogeneity, which collectively reduced (3-Gal encapsulation efficiency. These findings confirmed that synergistic modulation of CP-modified GWPI and GWPI: KGM ratios enabled simultaneous optimization of hydrogel structure, (3-Gal encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release kinetics.

BACKGROUND:Feed- and food-borne mycotoxins are an important concern in dairy safety, and heat-stable toxins are difficult to remove by conventional thermal processing. In this study, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) were selected as representative parent mycotoxins, and an artificially contaminated goat milk model was used to evaluate the ability of dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (DBD-CP) to reduce these compounds. The immediate effects of DBD-CP on microbial load and selected quality attributes were also assessed. RESULTS:The reduction of AFB1 and OTA increased with increasing voltage and treatment time, and followed first-order kinetic behavior. After treatment at 50 kV for 4 min and 30 kV for 10 min, AFB1 reduction reached 64.3% and 54.3%, respectively, whereas the corresponding OTA reduction efficiencies were 69.1% and 63.1%. DBD-CP treatment also effectively reduced the microbial load of goat milk, achieving microbial inactivation comparable to pasteurization when the applied voltage exceeded 30 kV or the treatment time was longer than 6 min. In terms of quality attributes, moderate DBD-CP treatment, especially 30 kV for ≤6 min or <40 kV for 4 min, caused limited changes in pH, titratable acidity, particle size distribution, lactose, protein, soluble solids, and microstructure. In contrast, higher voltage or prolonged exposure resulted in more evident physicochemical and microstructural changes. CONCLUSION:DBD-CP reduced parent AFB1, OTA, and microbial load in artificially contaminated goat milk while largely preserving selected quality attributes under moderate treatment conditions. These findings support its potential as a complementary non-thermal approach for goat milk processing. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) persists in cow milk after pasteurization, posing a safety concern. Although aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is rarely found naturally in milk, its extreme stability makes it an ideal model toxin for challenging non-thermal technologies. Using artificially contaminated cow milk, this study focused solely on evaluating dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (DBD-CP) for degrading both toxins and assessing its impact on milk components. Degradation followed first-order kinetics, reaching 70.45% (OTA) and 71.83% (AFB1) at 50 kV-4 min, surpassing pasteurization. DBD-CP maintained milk acidity, colour, and core nutrients. It also enhanced colloidal stability and achieved pasteurization-equivalent microbial inactivation at ≥30 kV-4 min. Mechanistic details remain to be elucidated. DBD-CP effectively degrades heat-stable mycotoxins while preserving milk quality, offering a promising non-thermal strategy for dairy processing.

A biodegradable edible film based on cold plasma-modified goat milk casein, Chinese yam polysaccharide, and chitosan was developed. The effects of different casein-to-polysaccharide ratios on the functional and structural properties of the films were systematically investigated. This study aimed to optimize the formulation, elucidate the mechanism of structural changes, extend the shelf life of pork, and provide a natural bio-based active packaging solution. The results revealed that the film with a 1:2 ratio had a hydrophobic surface and exhibited significantly superior barrier properties against moisture, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and oil (P < 0.05). Its tensile strength and elongation at break reached 21.65 MPa and 52.33%, respectively. At this ratio, the film promoted hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions and enhanced cross-linking density, resulting in a dense and uniform network structure. Moreover, the film extended pork shelf life by 2-4 days. Therefore, this film shows great potential as a food packaging material.

A novel fireproof material@UIO-66-gold nanoparticles (AS@UIO-66-AuNPs) fiber network using low-cost fireproof material (AS) via an in-situ synthesis strategy has been developed. This functionalized network anchors specific aptamers (Apt), creating a highly efficient aptamer affinity column for the sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in food samples. Notably, this work focuses on the construction of an aptamer-based affinity pretreatment column rather than a signal-output sensing platform, aiming to improve target enrichment and matrix cleanup prior to instrumental analysis. Under optimized conditions, the method demonstrated excellent analytical performance, with a linearity range of 1–100 µg/kg and a detection limit of 0.157 µg/kg. Validation with spiked recovery experiments on corn, soybean meal, and rapeseed meal showed satisfactory recoveries and strong agreement with a commercial detection kit. The method also exhibited excellent reproducibility and reusability. Overall, the AS@UIO-66-AuNP/Apt system represents a cost-effective, stable, and selective strategy for the pretreatment and enrichment of AFB1, with potential applicability to other targets through aptamer replacement, thereby supporting the development of multifunctional aptamer affinity columns.

To enhance the stability and bioavailability of chlorogenic acid (CHA), laccase (LAC)-catalyzed cross-linking was employed to prepare whey protein isolate (WPI)-CHA nanocomposites. The complexes exhibited sensitivity to variation in pH and temperature. This study investigated the effects of pH (3.0-7.0) and temperature (15-45 degrees C) on the structural, antioxidant, and functional properties of WPI-CHA (WC) and WPI-LAC-CHA (WLC) complexes. Under the optimal catalytic conditions for LAC (pH 5.0, 35 degrees C), WLC complexes exhibited the highest structural stability, characterized by the smallest particle size (133 +/- 3.93 nm), highest surface hydrophobicity (822.79 +/- 1.74), and lowest free amino content (209.99 +/- 1.09 mM/mL). The 52 % fluorescence quenching, amide I red shift and >180 kDa aggregates formation confirmed tertiary structure unfolding and covalent cross-linking, indicative of efficient protein-polyphenol conjugation. WLC complexes exhibited optimal radical scavenging activity at pH 5.0 and 35 degrees C, with DPPH and ABTS scavenging rates of 78.33 +/- 5.11 (mu moL TE/g) and 83.99 +/- 1.92 %, respectively. Following in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, WLC complexes retained superior antioxidant capacity (48.5 +/- 2.21 mu moL TE/g for DPPH and 70.5 +/- 1.70 % for ABTS) compared to free CHA and WC complexes. WLC complexes exhibited significantly greater UV protective efficiency of CHA, functional characteristics (solubility, EAI, ESI, FC and FS) compared to WC. These findings highlighted LAC-catalyzed cross-linking as an effective strategy to fabricate high-performance WPI-CHA nanocomposites, which might be applied in nano-carriers and packaging materials in the food industry.

Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen linked to severe neonatal infections, and its strong desiccation tolerance enables persistence in low-moisture processing environments. Its survival under sublethal, process-relevant temperatures poses a major challenge to powdered infant formula (PIF) safety. Our previous work associated elevated tolQ expression with heat tolerance in C. sakazakii, but its functional role remained unclear. ΔtolQ mutant of BAA-894 was constructed via a pTmobSacB suicide plasmid and sequence-verified to assess tolQ-mediated stress adaptation. Compared with the wild type, ΔtolQ reduced viable counts by 0.35 log CFU/mL under non-mild heat stress (NMHS; 37 °C) and 0.90 log CFU/mL under mild heat stress (MHS; 52 °C), whereas complementation restored near wild-type growth. During desiccation, the mutant showed reductions of 1.20 and 1.93 log CFU/mL under NMHS and MHS, respectively. Under acid stress (pH 3.5), it maintained viability but lacked wild-type growth increases. Flow cytometry revealed fewer membrane-intact cells, especially under MHS. Transcriptomics identified 1,894 differentially expressed genes enriched in translation, flagellar assembly, envelope integrity, carbon metabolism, and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate that tolQ supports survival and transcriptional homeostasis under sublethal heat, highlighting its potential as a target for improving thermal control in food-processing environments.

The study focused on the effects of pulsed electric field (PEF) and cold plasma (CP) treatments on the microflora, physicochemical and sensory properties, bioactive protein content, endogenous enzyme activity, and protein digestion of goat milk. Compare to the raw milk (4.37 Log CFU/mL), the most effective microbial inactivation was achieved with PEF at 22 kV/120 s (0.67 Log CFU/mL) and with CP at 24 V/25 min (2.36 Log CFU/mL). The inactivate effect of PEF was superior to that of CP treatment. The ability of PEF to reduce microbial load is higher than that of CP treatment. The diversity of the microbial community was reduced after both PEF and CP treatments, with the PEF group exhibiting a similar flora distribution to raw milk. There was a significant decrease in fat content (by 8.29 % and 8.87 %), except lactose and protein, after PEF and CP treatment, respectively. Compared to P treatment, PEF treatment retained more bioactive proteins (83.33 % immunoglobulin G, 83.87 % immunoglobulin M, 86.84 % lactoferrin). In terms of physicochemical properties, PEF treatment retained the color and volatile components but increased the initial viscosity of goat milk. However, CP treatment was more effective than PEF treatment in inactivating endogenous enzymes and enhancing protein digestion. The disappearance and reduced abundance of certain bioactive peptides were observed following both PEF and CP treatments. These findings demonstrated that PEF and CP treatments both were potential to replace pasteurization for goat milk.

Alkaline-assisted processing facilitated the development of camellianin A (CA)-soy protein isolate (SPI) conjugates, with systematic characterization of polyphenol incorporation effects on macromolecular architecture and emulsion stabilization capacity. Multi-spectroscopic profiling confirmed CA-induced structural reorganization of SPI matrices, verifying conjugate formation. Dose-dependent enhancement patterns were observed, where increased CA loading positively correlated with total phenolic content, surface hydrophilicity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power. The derived nanoemulsions demonstrated superior oxidative stabilization capacity and storage stability, outperforming SPI-only stabilized systems. Our results can advance the utilization of CA in functional foods, providing practical guidance for developing novel food-grade nanoemulsions with enhanced delivery efficacy.

The effect of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on the formation and physicochemical properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) gel was systematically evaluated. It was found that visual appearance, gel strength, water-holding capacity, and swelling ratio of the APS-WPI gels were enhanced with increasing APS concentration. APS addition also notably promoted the enhancement in the absolute value of zeta potential with a simultaneous increase in size. Rheological results exhibited that APS-WPI gels had higher apparent viscosities, loss modulus, and storage modulus than native WPI. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the water cavity structure of the gel network was denser when 1.2 g/100 mL APS was used. Additionally, disulfide bonds and hydrogen-bonding interactions between WPI and APS were considered the major contributing forces affecting the formation of APS-WPI gels, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and molecular forces. These results indicated that APS is effective in improving the gelling properties of WPI, which provides a reference for the potential application of a gelling agent in functional foods.

This study optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for faba bean protein (FBP) and evaluated its gelation potential. Three types of protein gels (acid-, salt-and enzyme-induced) were prepared, and the physicochemical properties, structures and gel characteristics of ultrasound-assisted extracted faba bean protein (UAE-FBP) were discussed. The results showed that the optimal extraction parameters were a material-liquid ratio of 1:10, and an ultrasound power of 500 W for 30 min. Compared to the alkaline-extracted faba bean protein (AE-FBP), the protein purity, ash content and fat content of UAE-FBP showed no significant differences, while the protein particle size and turbidity were significantly reduced. Furthermore, UAE-FBP showed a significant increase in beta-sheet content and surface hydrophobicity by 4.82% and 53.87%, respectively, while particle size, turbidity, and beta-turn content were significantly decreased. Compared to AE-FBP gel, the enzyme-induced and acid-induced protein gels of UAE-FBP exhibit significantly increased gel strength, water-holding capacity, and gel quality, while presenting higher apparent viscosity, storage modulus (G '), and loss modulus (G ''). In conclusion, the ultrasonic extraction process has a relatively high protein extraction rate, and UAE-FBP is more suitable for processing into transglutaminase (TG)-induced gels, providing a novel strategy and valuable insights for the utilization of FBP.

Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) poses a serious threat to public health, yet conventional detection methods remain time-consuming and lack sufficient sensitivity for complex food matrices. To address this gap, a Tb3 +-doped mixed-valence cerium-based metal-organic framework (Tb3+@MVCM) was developed as a dual-functional probe via in situ partial oxidation of cerium-based metal-organic frameworks (Ce-MOFs) followed by Tb3+ doping. This probe exhibits both fluorescence emission and redox activity. Based on this, we designed a dual-recognition, dual-mode aptasensor combining the Gram-positive bacteria binding capability of vancomycin (Van) with the specific molecular recognition of nucleic acid aptamers (Apt). The fluorescence signal of the Apt/Tb3+@MVCM-Van/Fe3O4-L. monocytogenes complex enabled highly sensitive detection with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.19 CFU/mL, while the residual probe catalyzed a colorimetric reaction yielding an LOD of 6.48 CFU/mL. The analytical performance of this strategy was further validated using real tap water and milk samples, each spiked at three concentration levels. The obtained recoveries ranged from 92.3 % to 109 %, with relative standard deviations below 5.76 %, confirming its applicability for real sample analysis. Overall, this study presents an innovative approach for the rapid detection of L. monocytogenes, and provides a convenient tool for food safety monitoring.

A novel magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) material, ferroferric oxide@UIO-66@ glycidyl methacrylate (Fe3O4@UIO-66@GMA), was developed for the rapid and efficient enrichment and detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in feed samples. The Fe3O4 core provides magnetic properties for easy separation, while UIO-66, a zirconium-based metal–organic framework (MOF), offers a high surface area and abundant active sites for adsorption. The introduction of GMA enhances the interaction between the target toxin and the adsorbent material, improving the selectivity and sensitivity of the extraction process. Under optimized conditions, Fe3O4@UIO-66@GMA exhibited unparalleled adsorption performance, achieving efficient adsorption of AFB1 within 15 min and demonstrating an adsorption capacity as high as 18.51 mg/g. More importantly, spike recovery experiments indicated that this novel material could effectively enrich and detect AFB1 in complex feed matrices, providing a promising approach for AFB1 monitoring in the food and feed industry.

This study utilized a high-fat diet-induced obese male C57BL/6 mice model to investigate the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LL-1 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LP-16. A gut microbiota analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing, along with measurements of body weight, lipids, inflammation markers, and gut metabolites, revealed that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) significantly reduced body weight, blood lipid levels, and liver oxidative stress. They also enhanced gut microbiota diversity and evenness, potentially by modulating the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio to limit excess energy absorption. Malondialdehyde (MDA) showed extremely significant positive correlations with Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, and Colidextribacter, and a significant positive correlation with Helicobacter, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) exhibited opposite trends. Specifically, Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus showed negative correlations with MDA levels and positive correlations with SOD and GSH-Px. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) positively correlated with Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, Mucispirillum, and Lactobacillus, but negatively correlated with Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, Colidextribacter, Alistipes, and Helicobacter. They increased SCFA levels by promoting beneficial bacteria and reducing pathogens, alleviating obesity and hyperlipidemia. Additionally, they regulated the gut microbiota, decreasing bile acids and long-chain fatty acids while increasing SCFAs, short peptides, and vitamins, thereby improving gut metabolic disorders and enhancing host gut health.

Cronobacter spp. exhibit remarkable resilience to extreme environmental stresses, including thermal, acidic, desiccation, and osmotic conditions, posing significant challenges to food safety. Their thermotolerance relies on heat shock proteins (HSPs), thermotolerance genomic islands, enhanced DNA repair mechanisms, and metabolic adjustments, ensuring survival under high-temperature conditions. Acid tolerance is achieved through internal pH regulation, acid efflux pumps, and acid tolerance proteins, allowing survival in acidic food matrices and the gastrointestinal tract. Desiccation tolerance is mediated by the accumulation of protective osmolytes like trehalose, stabilizing proteins and membranes to withstand dryness, especially in dry food products. Similarly, osmotic stress resilience is supported by compatible solutes such as trehalose and glycine betaine, along with metabolic adaptations to balance osmotic pressures. These mechanisms highlight the adaptability of Cronobacter spp. to diverse environments. Moreover, exposure to sublethal stresses, including heat, osmotic, dry, and pH stresses, may induce homologous or cross-resistance, complicating control strategies. Understanding these survival mechanisms is essential to mitigate the risks of Cronobacter spp., especially in powdered infant formula (PIF), and ensure food safety.

In this study, a semi-quantitative lipidomics approach was utilized to comprehensively delineate the alterations in the lipid profiles of sheep milk before and after fermentation. A total of 887 lipids were identified in both raw sheep milk (RM) and fermented sheep milk (FM), which could be systematically classified into 30 subclasses, with triglycerides, phosphatidylethanolamines, and phosphatidylcholines emerging as the predominant lipid types in both sample groups. In total, 91 significantly different lipids (SDLs) were selected between RM and FM. Compared to RM, 33 SDLs were up-regulated in FM, while 58 SDLs were down-regulated. Furthermore, based on fold change (FC) values, phosphatidylserines (PS (18:1_20:2) and PS (16:0_20:0)) and lysophosphatidylethanolamines (LPE (18:1/0:0) and LPE (0:0/16:0)) were selected as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between RM and FM. Further analysis revealed that 91 SDLs were involved in 39 metabolic pathways, with glycerophospholipid metabolism identified as the most crucial among them. These results provided comprehensive lipidomics data on sheep milk and its fermented milk, which are invaluable for investigations into the nutritional health benefits and flavor characteristics of fermented milk.

In this study, iron-based metal-organic framework@platinum nanoparticles (FeMOF@PtNPs) with outstanding peroxidase-like catalytic activity was synthesized using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. Leveraging this catalytic platform, a cost-effective colorimetric aptasensor was developed for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) residues in feed. The sensor exhibited a linear response to AFB1 concentrations ranging from 10 to 1000 nM, with a detection limit as low as 2.18 nM under optimized conditions. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity and stability. The reliability of the proposed aptasensor was validated by testing real feed samples, with results closely matching those obtained using the standard ELISA method. This suggests that the constructed colorimetric aptasensor holds great potential for practical applications. In addition to AFB1 detection, the proposed sensing platform can be readily adapted for various analytes by replacing the corresponding aptamer. This offers broad applicability in food safety, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics.

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which dephosphorylation accelerates myofibrillar protein degradation by regulating mitochondrial apoptosis in porcine postmortem muscle. Phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that mitochondrial proteins could be phosphorylated and dephosphorylated by PKA and AP, respectively, and these proteins are mainly involved in apoptotic signaling and cytoskeletal organization. Mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and myofibrillar degradation significantly increased from 2 h to 72 h postmortem, irrespective of phosphorylation status. Notably, the dephosphorylated group (AP) exhibited lower phosphorylation level but showed greater apoptotic potential and myofibrillar degradation, as evidenced by increased mitochondrial membrane permeability, cytochrome c oxidation, and marked reductions in desmin and troponin-T levels, which decreased by 49.3 % and 64.3 %, respectively-significantly exceeding those in the control and phosphorylated (PKA) groups. These findings suggest that dephosphorylation may enhance mitochondrial apoptotic signaling, which could accelerate postmortem degradation of myofibrillar proteins.