Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a functional food with both edible and medicinal properties. It is rich in various bioactive compounds and holds significant development value and application prospects in food nutrition, medicine, and health. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on the synthesis mechanism and pharmacological activities of phenolic compounds in jujube fruits, clarifies the composition of their main components, sorts out the research advances in extraction technologies of jujube phenolic compounds, and focuses on analyzing the content differences and distribution patterns across cultivars and tissue parts. On this basis, it examines the regulatory mechanisms of phenolic compound synthesis in depth, with a particular focus on elucidating the regulatory networks of genes and transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Meanwhile, this review comprehensively summarizes the pharmacological activities of phenolic compounds in jujube fruits, including antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effects. It also elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying these bioactivities, such as regulating signaling pathways and scavenging free radicals. Finally, it analyzes the limitations of current research and proposes key directions for future development. This review provides theoretical support and a scientific basis for the in-depth development and utilization of jujube phenolic compounds as well as for the research and development of related functional foods and drugs.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a toxic compound formed during the improper processing or storage of honey, endangering human health. Thus, rapid and accurate detection of 5-HMF is essential. In this study, we fabricated uniform gold nanorod (AuNR) array surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates with high-density plasmonic hot spots by optimizing the AuNR aspect ratio and employing a novel three-phase self-assembly technique, significantly enhancing detection sensitivity and reproducibility. The AuNR array (aspect ratio of 3.5) showed the strongest signals due to the close match between its 781 nm longitudinal LSPR wavelength and the 785 nm excitation laser wavelength, enabling efficient resonant coupling. Leveraging the dual-resonance of the AuNR arrays, tip-induced field focusing and nanogap-mediated plasmon coupling synergistically produced ultrahigh electromagnetic enhancement for SERS detection. Using AuNR array-3.5 as the SERS substrate, the signal intensity demonstrated a positive correlation with a concentration of 5-HMF in the range of 1-50 mg/L, with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.093 mg/L. The substrate revealed excellent uniformity (relative standard deviation, RSD = 3.86%), reproducibility (inter-batch RSD = 2.51%), reusability (RSD = 13.2%) and stability (stored at 4 °C for 30 days). In spiked honey samples, this method achieved an LOD of 35.4 mg/kg, well below the international maximum residue limit (40 mg/kg), and recovery values ranging from 73.32% to 95.92%, confirming its high sensitivity and accuracy. This work provided a rapid, efficient approach for detection of 5-HMF in honey and highlights its application potential in SERS-based food safety monitoring technologies.

This study employed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to investigate the dynamic changes in the lipidome of soybean at different growth and developmental stages, and integrated these with analyses of fat and major fatty acid contents to elucidate their patterns of variation. The results showed that the late seed-filling stage was the critical period for fat accumulation, with an increase of 197.85% (11.06 g/100 g) compared with the mid seed-filling stage. Fatty acid contents peaked at this stage, with linoleic acid and oleic acid being the most abundant across all stages. Lipidomic analysis revealed 67 compounds significantly upregulated and 251 compounds significantly downregulated from mid to late seed-filling stage. Under negative ion mode, 57 compounds were significantly upregulated and 80 compounds significantly downregulated (P < 0.05), belonging to 5 classes and 34 subclasses, with glycerophospholipids (GP) and glycerolipids (GL) as the dominant components. Lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA) (16∶0/18∶3), triacylglycerol (TG) (27∶0COOH/2∶0; 29∶3COOH/2∶0), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) (17∶3/18∶1; 17∶2/18∶1) showed extremely significant changes (P < 0.01). KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the glycerolipid metabolism pathway was significantly enriched (P < 0.001) as the key pathway for oil accumulation, with annotated compounds including 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid, LPA) and phosphatidic acid (PA). These results demonstrate that the transition from mid to late-seed-filling stage is the key period for lipid accumulation, involving GP, GL and sphingolipids (SP). The compounds annotated in glycerolipid metabolism, together with the key rate-limiting enzymes of triglyceride synthesis, reflect the dynamic regulation of oil accumulation, which is essential for soybean oil biosynthesis.

Background: The sensory quality of melon (Cucumis melo L.) is determined by the complex interplay of metabolites within the fruit. However, the underlying metabolic mechanisms based on consumer sensory experience remain underexplored. Methods: Sensory evaluation was conducted on twelve melon cultivars, recording flesh color and quantitatively scoring acidity, sweetness, firmness, and aroma intensity. Based on the sensory results, eight cultivars were selected to establish two contrasting groups: sweet-type vs. acidic-type and orange-fleshed vs. green-fleshed. Untargeted metabolomics (UPLC-QTOF-MS) was then performed to analyze the samples, and differential metabolites were screened using OPLS-DA combined with univariate analysis. Results: Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the key distinction between sweet and acidic taste profiles was associated with the specific accumulation of citric acid within the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in the acidic-type group. Regarding flesh color, the orange-fleshed group was enriched with carotenoid derivatives like β-citraurinene and the oxidized tocopherol product α-tocopherolquinone, whereas the green-fleshed group mainly accumulated phytol, a chlorophyll degradation product, along with more abundant terpenoids. Conclusions: By integrating sensory phenotyping with metabolomic analysis, this study identified key differential metabolites and candidate pathways associated with taste and color in melon, providing metabolic insights and data resources for quality evaluation and regulation.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae is a major pathogen of bovine mastitis. Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) is considered a multifunctional virulence factor in bacterial pathogens and plays a novel role in host-pathogen interaction: PGK1 facilitates energy acquisition and immune evasion in intracellular group B streptococcus infection; PGK1 enhances systemic dissemination by facilitating evasion of host immunity in S. pyogenes infection; PGK1-derived S. pneumoniae promotes epithelial adhesion and lung colonisation. Understanding the mechanisms underlying mammary epithelial cell damage and milk synthesis inhibition is critical for developing mastitis prevention strategies. Aim: To establish an intracellular infection model of S. agalactiae in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) to investigate the effects on apoptosis and elucidate mechanisms disrupting milk synthesis with a focus on PGK1 and the JAK2/STAT5 pathway. Methods: BMECs were infected with S. agalactiae (multiplicity of infections: 20-100, 2-8 h). Cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cytoskeletal changes were assessed. PGK1 expression, apoptosis markers and milk synthesis mediators (JAK2/STAT5/ELF5/CSN2) were analysed via qRT-PCR and western blot. PGK1 knockdown and JAK2 inhibitor (50 mu M AG490 for 24 h [DMSO vehicle control]) treatment validated the pathway involved. Major Findings: S. agalactiae infection caused time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity (maximal LDH release: similar to 40% increase, P < 0.05; cell viability reduction: similar to 35%, P < 0.05 at an MOI = 100 for 8 h). Infection induced cytoskeleton rearrangement and apoptosis (apoptosis rate, 25.3% vs. control, 5.1%, P < 0.05) and upregulated PGK1 expression. PGK1 knockdown reduced apoptosis by similar to 50% (P < 0.05). S. agalactiae downregulated JAK2/STAT5/ELF5 (P < 0.05) and impaired milk protein synthesis. CSN2 expression was decreased by similar to 60% (P < 0.05) and partially rescued by PGK1 knockdown but exacerbated by AG490. Implications: PGK1-mediated apoptosis and JAK2/STAT5/ELF5 suppression are key mechanisms in S. agalactiae inhibiting milk synthesis. Molecular targets for mitigating mastitis-induced milk loss were identified, supporting dairy safety and productivity strategies.

The browning of Thompson seedless grapes during shade-drying significantly hampers the sustainable and healthy development of the industry. This study investigates the browning phenomenon and reactive oxygen species (ROS) dynamics when Thompson seedless grapes, treated with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), and water (QS), are dried in the shade. The effects of these treatments on ROS metabolism were analyzed through physiological, biochemical, and proteomic analyses. The findings showed that ATP treatment markedly delayed the increase in browning and reactive oxygen content, maintained high activity levels of ROS scavenging enzymes (superoxide dismutase and peroxidase), reduced malondialdehyde production—a membrane lipid peroxidation product—and preserved cell membrane integrity compared to QS and DNP treatments. Proteomic analysis identified three biological pathways involved in ROS metabolism in Thompson seedless grapes: glutathione metabolism, ascorbic acid, and glyoxalate metabolism, and peroxisomal pathways. Exogenous ATP treatment upregulated the expression of 17 proteins (SOD, APX, GPX, GST, GR), with significant increases in GST2 (D7SKQ2), POD1 (F6H095), SOD3 (D7TI74), and SOD4 (F6HTX9) by 1.707, 1.589, 1.644, and 2.213-fold, respectively. Therefore, ATP treatment maintains ROS scavenging proteins’ expression, reduces the accumulation of ROS, maintains a balance in ROS metabolism, maintains the cell membrane stability and suppresses the oxidation of lipids, thus delaying the browning of Thompson seedless grapes. These findings are significant for regulating browning in the shade-drying process of Thompson seedless grapes.

【Objective】This study elucidated the antifungal rate and mechanism of lipopeptide extracts from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens against Alternaria alternata in tomatoes, aiming to provide scientific basis for green control of black spot disease in tomatoes.【Method】A alternata, the dominant pathogen of tomato black spot, was taken as the research object. The antifungal mechanism of B. amyloliquefaciens lipopeptide extract on A. alternata was investigated through in-dish antifungal test, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation test, in vitro fruit test and transcriptomic analysis.【Result】In-dish antifungal test showed that the inhibition rate of B. amyloliquefaciens lipopeptide extract on the growth of A. alternata colony was 56.00% and the inhibition rate on mycelium biomass was 60.14% on the seventh day of culture. SEM showed that lipopeptide extracts treatment could lead to distortion and collapse of A. alternata mycelium and spores. In vitro fruit test showed that the diameter of tomato black spot disease lesion decreased by 89.97% after inoculation with lipopeptide extract. Compared with the control group, the incidence of black spot decreased from 17.94% to 6.25%, and the control effect of black spot disease was 65.16%. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on A. alternata mycelium treated with lipopeptide extract and untreated, and the differential genes of MAPK signaling pathway and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis signaling pathway were analyzed, respectively. And it was found that the gene encoding Ras homologous gene family A (Rho1) was significantly up-regulated. The genes encoding protein Ste50, glucose-6-phosphatase, hexokinase, pyruvate carboxylase and 6-phosphofructokinase were significantly down-regulated. These up-regulated and down-regulated genes may be the key genes related to the inhibition of A. alternata growth by lipopeptide extract.【Conclusion】The lipopeptide extract can inhibit the growth of A. alternata by destroying spore and mycelium structure and regulating the expression of key genes.

Black spot disease in tomatoes, caused by Alternaria sp, results in the contamination of the tomatoes with Alternaria mycotoxins, especially tenuazonic acid (TeA). In this regard, TeA accumulation in processing tomatoes and their derived food products represent a serious health hazard. In this regard, our previous study provided evidence that lipopeptides produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens XJ-BV2007 effectively inhibit A. alternata and TeA accumulation. In the present study, we significantly increased the production of lipopeptides by optimizing the composition of the culture medium and the fermentation conditions utilizing single-experiments and response surface methodology. The optimal medium (6.0 g/L maltose, 9.0 g/L peptone, and 5.0 g/L yeast extract) and fermentation protocol (4.5 % starter inoculation volume and 44 h of fermentation at 33 °C) increased the yield of lipopeptides by 111 %. Spraying field-planted tomato plants with lipopeptides at 10day intervals decreased the incidence of black spot disease in tomato fruit and the level of TeA mycotoxin. Notably, the expression level of AaTAS1, which encodes TeA, was substantially downregulated in diseased tomatoes. A molecular docking model indicated that the lipopeptide fengycin has a strong binding potential with TeA. Results of the study provide a foundation for further exploring the use of B. amyloliquefaciens XJ-BV2007 and/or its lipopeptides as biopesticides for the control of black spot disease and prevention of TeA contamination in processing tomato products.

Mycotoxin in grape and its products (wine, raisin) is a widely concerned issue of food safety, it closely associated with consumers’ health. In this study, an analytical strategy by combining second-order calibration method with excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence detection followed photo derivatization (PD) was explored for rapid and sensitive analysis of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA) in grape, raisin and wine. Except simple solvent extraction by ethyl acetate and concentration by vacuum distillation, samples don’t need other complicated treatment steps any more. With the aid of predominant second-order advantages of alternative trilinear decomposition (ATLD) algorithm, ‘pure’ spectra and quantitative signals of targeted mycotoxins can be resolved from the heavily interfered EEM profile of sample even in the presence of spectral overlaps and unknown backgrounds. The recoveries of AFB1, OTA and ZEA in four kinds of samples are in the range of 90

This study aimed to assess the effects of different light-emitting diode (LED) light treatments (red, green, and purple) on the sensory and nutritional quality and metabolite profile of Thompson seedless raisins during the drying process. Our results indicated that shading treatment exhibited the best preservation of the color and chlorophyll content of raisins, with a chlorophyll concentration of 38.77 mu g/g. Compared to the control group, the purple LED light treatment group exhibited significantly enhanced chlorophyll content, total phenolic content, ascorbic acid (AsA) content, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2 '-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities (P < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis revealed changes in the metabolite profile of the purple LED light treatment group. The significantly upregulated metabolites were primarily flavonoids, including hesperetin-7-O-glucoside, myricetin-3-arabinoside, and trans-cinnamic acid. Conversely, the significantly downregulated metabolites were mainly amino acids (including isoleucine, proline, and glutamic acid), luteolin, and naringin. The purple LED light treatment accelerated the accumulation of pigments and flavonoids, and enhanced phenolic and ascorbic acid contents and radical scavenging capacity in grapes. Thus, the use of purple LED light treatment can significantly improve the nutritional quality of Thompson seedless raisins, demonstrating considerable potential for application in raisin production.

Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been found to exhibit significant therapeutic effects on T2DM. The mechanism of AM (root) extract ameliorating diabetes and its medicinal components were deep inverstigated in this work. A mouse oral trial, LC-HRMS-based untargeted metabolomics, quantitative spectrum effect relationship analysis (QSERA), and network pharmacology was integrated for this studying. With the aid of data-mining by AntDAS (Automatic Data Analysis Strategy) platform, 59 bioactive compounds involved in the Leprdb/db mouse model of T2DM therapy were screened from LC-HRMS fingerprints of AM (root) extract even in the presence of heavily interfered background. The key bioactive AM (root) metabolites, astragaloside and l-arabinose, influence T2DM targets including IL2 and HSP90AA1. Molecular docking experiment revealed high-affinity binding between astragaloside and l-arabinose and these core targets. QSERA predicted the specific regulatory effects of bioactive compounds on T2DM in mice. This integrated approach provides a novel strategy for interpreting the pharmacodynamic effects of AM (root) extract in T2DM, which may facilitate the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is susceptible to Alternaria fungi, accumulating Alternaria toxins including tenuazonic acid (TeA). Previous studies have primarily focused on overall contamination levels; however, this study employs MALDI-MSI and LC-MS/MS techniques to provide the first detailed analysis of the spatial distribution and average levels of TeA in individual tomatoes. Among 77 lesioned processing tomato samples, the exceedance rate of TeA was notably high. MALDI-MSI reveals TeA's spatial distribution, while LC-MS/MS offers quantitative data but is affected by sample processing. Specially, We found internal fungal colonization causing outward lesions with decreasing core-to-surface TeA. Artificial inoculation experiments elucidate the infection dynamics of Alternaria alternata and TeA accumulation over time. The tgCotA line exhibited significant resistance to A. alternata and a significant reduction in TeA content, while the tgChitinase line showed an increase in TeA content. This study provides novel strategies for control of TeA in tomatoes and their derived products.

Background: During the germination of soybean seeds, many biochemical metabolic reactions become extremely active, resulting in a series of physiological and biochemical activities, and the seeds being rich in nutrients. Studying the network and key genes that regulate the nutritional content of bean sprouts is particularly important. Methods: In this study, the nutrient contents of Dongnong 254 and Heze small beans were measured when the bean sprouts were 1 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm and 7 cm long, and transcriptome sequencing was performed. Results: Clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the samples could be divided into three groups. The differences between Dongnong 254 and Heze small bean samples with sprout lengths of 5 cm and 7 cm were greater than those between materials. Through differential expression analysis, 18,472 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the material included 1816 unique DEGs, and a total of six clusters with statistical significance were identified, which were enriched in pathways related to photosynthesis and sugar metabolism. The 6938 DEGs among the materials included 1044 unique DEGs, and a total of nine statistically significant clusters were identified, which were mainly annotated in pathways related to photosynthesis, hormones and flavonoids. Three specific modules that were significantly related to the nutritional content of bean sprouts were identified via WGCNA. The connectivity and functional annotation of genes within the modules were calculated, and nine candidate genes were found, nine of which encoded transcription factors (Glyma.16G071900 (WD40), Glyma.17G172400 (bHLH), Glyma.18G148000 (AP2) and Glyma.01G003000 (MYB)). Conclusions: These research results provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of soybean sprout development and nutritional components and provide new genetic resources for the study of nutritional components in soybean sprouts.

Black spot disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata, commonly infects apple (Malus domestica) during postharvest storage and transportation, diminishing fruit quality, contaminating the fruit with toxins, and causing significant economic losses. Here, we investigated the effect of 0.1 mmol L-1 sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor, on lesion diameter, fruit quality, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in A. alternata-inoculated apples. SNP not only effectively decreased lesion diameter but also maintained fruit quality and cell membrane integrity. Additionally, SNP enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and genes encoding of peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT), and decreased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O-2(center dot-)) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and membrane permeability. Collectively, these results demonstrate that SNP inhibits ROS accumulation and increases antioxidant enzyme activity, and that the mechanism of SNP-induced resistance is related to the regulation of ROS metabolism.

Soybean is an important oil crop and cash crop in China,which not only guarantees people's living needs,but also provides more choices for local agricultural production and creates considerable economic benefits for farmers.Pesticide residue,heavy metal pollution,mycotoxin pollution and plasticizer pollution are the main quality and safety risks in soybean and its products.The present situation of the main pollutants in soybean and its products is summarized in this paper.It points out the possible quality and safety problems of soybean and its products,and puts forward the corresponding control measures to ensure the quality and safety of soybean and its products,in order to provide some thinking and reference for the healthy and rapid development of China's soybean industry.

As the most important melon cultivar grown in the north-western provinces of China, Hami melon (Cucumis melo) produces large edible fruits that serve as an important dietary component in the world. In general, as a climacteric plant, melon harvested at 60% maturity results in a product with bad quality, while the highest-quality product can be guaranteed when harvesting at 90% maturity. In order to clarify the genetic basis of their distinct profiles of metabolite accumulation, we performed systematic transcriptome analyses between 60% and 90% maturity melons. A total of 36 samples were sequenced and over 1.7 billion reads were generated. Differentially expressed genes in 60% and 90% maturity melons were detected. Hundreds of these genes were functionally enriched in the sucrose and citric acid accumulation process of C. melo. We also detected a number of distinct splicing events between 60% and 90% maturity melons. Many genes associated with sucrose and citric acid accumulation displayed as differentially expressed or differentially spliced between different degrees of maturity of Hami melons, including CmCIN2, CmSPS2, CmBGAL3, and CmSPS2. These results demonstrate that the phenotype pattern differences between 60% and 90% maturity melons may be largely resulted from the significant transcriptome regulation.

Studying the metabolic patterns underlying the key quality traits during the growth and development of melon is very important for the quality improvement and breeding of melon fruit. In this study, we employed transcriptomics and metabolomics to analyze the primary metabolic changes occurring in melon ('Xizhoumi 25') across five growth and development stages. We identified a total of 666 metabolites and their co-expressed genes, which were categorized into five different metabolic and gene modules. Through the analysis of these modules, the main metabolic pathways during the growth and development of melon were demonstrated from a global perspective. We also discussed the contribution of sucrose accumulation, the TCA cycle, and amino acid metabolism to the quality and flavor of melon. Enzymes related to amino acid metabolism were proposed, including Amine oxidase (AOC), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), tryptophan synthase (TRPB), etc. These results and data can provide new insights for further study on the metabolic regulation of melon quality and improve fruit quality.