Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder that can trigger gout and cause renal dysfunction. In this study, microbial fermentation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Y11 was employed to ferment salmon dark meat. Subsequently, novel peptides with high xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitory activity were derived from the fermented samples, purified, and identified. The hypouricemic effect of these peptides was evaluated using an in vitro HK-2 cell HUA model. Five fractions (G1-G5) were isolated via ultrafiltration and Sephadex G15 gel chromatography, and the fractions with higher XOD inhibition rates (G1 and G5) were combined to prepare a mixed fraction. Subsequently, 4122 peptides were identified from the mixed fraction using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Based on predictive bioactivity, toxicity, allergenicity, and solubility scores, five peptides and seven corresponding truncated peptides were selected for synthesis. Their XOD inhibitory activity was assessed, and molecular docking analysis was performed. Ultimately, GEADFMDYGR and its truncated peptide GEADF, which showed high XOD inhibitory activity in vitro (inhibition rates of 90.72 f 2.85% and 94.06 f 1.30%, respectively), were screened out. In the HK-2 HUA model, both peptides significantly reduced intracellular uric acid levels. Specifically, 0.5 mg/mL GEADFMDYGR and GEADF decreased the uric acid levels in these cells by 39.70 f 8.75 and 27.43 f 3.31 mu mol/L, respectively. Further analyses revealed that GEADFMDYGR and GEADF are reversible mixed-type XOD inhibitors. These findings provide new insights and experimental evidence guiding the development of novel therapeutic peptides for HUA.

This research focused on the structural and biological characteristics, especially the anti-hyperuricemia (HUA) activity in HUA-cell and zebrafish models, as well as the potential anti-HUA mechanism of the extracellular exopolysaccharide (EPS54) produced by the Kefir grain-originated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Based on the safety assessment, EPS54 showed minimal cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells and could promote zebrafish embryo development. Structural study indicated that EPS54 predominantly consists of glucose and mannose. The molecular weight is 43.4 kDa; it possesses a non-crystalline morphology, exhibits remarkable stability at elevated temperatures, and lacks the triple-helix configuration. EPS54 exhibited certain in vitro antioxidant properties, inhibited biofilm formation by pathogens such as H. alvei, possessed prebiotic properties, reduced blood glucose levels, and inhibited xanthine oxidase activity. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that EPS54 at a concentration of 1 mg/mL markedly reduced uric acid levels from 102.55 ± 9.85 μmol/L to 26.82 ± 1.37 μmol/L base on the cell model, and 23.35 ± 3.44 mg/mL to 7.09 ± 1.21 mg/mL based on the zebrafish model via modulating the activity of essential UA metabolic genes, especially downregulating urate anion transporter 1 and glucose transporter 9, while upregulating organic anion transporter 1 and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2. EPS54 could be used as a potential anti-HUA ingredient in the functional food.

Declining and unstable antibacterial activity restricts the application of packaging films. In this study, a curcumin/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (Cur@β-CD, CβCD) with excellent photodynamic activity was synthesized and incorporated as a functional filler into chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA)-based composite films. The structural characteristics of CβCD were analyzed using FTIR and XRD, and the film morphology was observed using SEM. The physicochemical properties and photoresponsive antibacterial activities of the CβCD-CS/PVA films were investigated. Incorporating 15% CβCD improved the overall performance of the composite films. The tensile strength reached 13.87 MPa, and the water vapor permeability decreased to 1.34×10-11 g·m-1·s-1·Pa-1. Under visible-light irradiation, the optimized photoresponsive film resulted in extremely low survival rates for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, compared with the control, bananas packaged with the as-prepared active film exhibited a markedly longer shelf life. This study provides a feasible strategy for developing high-efficiency photoresponsive antibacterial packaging films.

Lycium barbarum (goji berry, LB) is a nutrient-dense fruit that requires drying for preservation, but this process can degrade its bioactive compounds. This study compares the effects of hot-air drying (HAD), infrared drying (IRD), and pulsed vacuum drying (PVD) on drying kinetics, microstructure, and polysaccharide yield, with HPLC used for monosaccharide quantification and FT-IR for structural analysis. PVD significantly reduced drying time to 11 h, representing a 50.0% reduction compared to HAD (22 h), a 47.6% reduction compared to IRD (21 h), and a 42.1% reduction compared to HAD+ (19 h), while preserving visual quality, resulting in the lowest color difference (ΔE = 28.6) and browning index. Microstructure analysis revealed that PVD yielded a porous structure, whereas HAD led to shrinkage. Blanching improved color stability but resulted in a loss of water-soluble polysaccharides. Among all methods, HAD of unblanched LB achieved the highest LB polysaccharide (LBPs) yield (7.2%), while PVD of blanched LB produced the second-highest yield (6.6%) with better preservation of molecular structure, as confirmed by FT-IR. HPLC analysis identified glucose as the dominant sugar. These results highlight the crucial role of drying techniques in preserving the bioactivity of LBPs, offering valuable insights for optimizing their processing in functional food applications.

In recent years, roughly 20 million new cancer cases have been diagnosed worldwide, leading to about 9.7 million deaths, while roughly 50 million individuals suffered from neurodegenerative diseases. One common feature of these conditions is oxidative damage. Astaxanthin ranks among the most potent natural antioxidants and exhibits antioxidant activity 6,000 times greater than vitamin C, but poor oral bioavailability and susceptibility to temperature and light exposure limited its application as an oral nutritional supplement. In this study, astaxanthin nanogels (NGs-Ast) with high light and thermal stability as well as oral targeted delivery were synthesized. NGs-Ast forms a gel network structure through electrostatic adsorption and hydrogen bonding interactions. The light resistance and heat resistance of astaxanthin improved by 242.36% and 222.16% respectively than free astaxanthin. The gastric release rate of NGs-As was reduced by 60.95% than free astaxanthin, while the cumulative intestinal release rate remained virtually unchanged. Consequently, NGs-Ast exhibits superior oral intestinal bioavailability relative to free astaxanthin. Furthermore, the synergistic action of astaxanthin and carboxymethyl chitosan enhanced the radical scavenging rate by 270.02% for ABTS+ and 200.15% for •OH radicals compared to free astaxanthin. The experimental results of oxidative damage prevention showed that NGs-Ast decreased ROS levels by 56.92% through enhancing SOD and CAT activity, reduced MDA production by 62.9%, and effectively prevented oxidative damage induced by H2O2. Overall, the research offers insights on the targeted delivery and efficient utilization of astaxanthin, with potential applications in the oral nutritional supplement industry.

The development of antioxidant peptides that can benefit both human health and the environment is a major focus in antioxidant research. The study aimed to isolate and identify antioxidant peptides from fermented sea cucumber intestines and evaluate their cytoprotective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. A new peptide AAAFEGKW (AP3) was obtained through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and virtual molecular docking screening. Synthetic peptide AP3 (1000 μmol/L) demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities of 52.99 ± 1.05, 65.10 ± 0.70, and 54.17 ± 0.85%, respectively. Cytoprotective analysis revealed that the peptide AP3 protected oxidatively damaged HepG2 cells by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, enhancing the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, and reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. Thus, AP3 exhibits strong potential as a novel antioxidant, making it suitable for applications in functional foods and food preservation.

Under the dual challenges of the energy crisis and environmental pollution, the technology of photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production has become a research hotspot in clean energy due to its green and sustainable characteristics. As a novel quasi-one-dimensional semiconductor material, fibrous red phosphorene (FRP) exhibits remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution potential, owing to its moderate bandgap, high carrier mobility, and excellent air stability. Based on first-principles calculations, we systematically investigated the regulatory mechanisms of a series of non-metallic elements X (B, C, N, O, Si, S, As, and Se) doping on the electronic structure and catalytic performance of single-layer FRP. The results show that the element X can effectively enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of single-layer FRP. Among them, four doped systems (S-doped at site 1, B-doped at sites 1/2/5) exhibit excellent catalytic activity for HER. In particular, the B-doped system at site 2 has the most ideal free energy of hydrogen adsorption (ΔGH*), and its overpotential (η = –0.074 V) is comparable to that of the noble metal Pt catalyst. Through the analysis of the electronic structure, it is found that the enhancement of the HER catalytic activity is closely related to the downward shift of the X pz-band center at the adsorption site. There is a direct proportional relationship between ΔGH* and the X pz-band center (R2 ≥ 0.78), indicating that the X pz-band center can serve as a key electronic descriptor for regulating the HER activity. Further verification by calculations using the HSE06 hybrid functional shows that the band edge positions of the B-doped system can span both sides of the redox potential of water, and the light absorption range covers the visible light region, indicating the thermodynamic feasibility and spectral response advantages of this system in the application of photocatalytic overall water splitting. This study provides important theoretical guidance for the design of efficient FRP-based photocatalytic materials based on the non-metallic doping strategy.

Under the dual challenges of the energy crisis and environmental pollution, the technology of photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production has become a research hotspot for clean energy due to its green and sustainable characteristics. Fibrous red phosphorus (FRP), as a novel quasi-one-dimensional semiconductor material, exhibits remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution potential because of its moderate bandgap, high carrier mobility, and excellent air stability. Based on the first-principles calculations, the regulatory mechanisms of electronic structure and catalytic performance of single-layer FRP doped by a series of nonmetallic elements X (X = B, C, N, O, Si, S, As, and Se) are systematically investigated in this work. The results show that the element X can effectively enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of single-layer FRP. Among those doped systems, four specific systems (S-doped at site 1, B-doped at sites 1/2/5) exhibit excellent catalytic activity for HER. Especially, the B-doped system at site 2 has the most ideal free energy of hydrogen adsorption (Delta G(H)*), and its overpotential (h = -0.074 V) is comparable to that of the noble metal Pt catalyst. The analysis of the electronic structure indicates that the enhancement of the HER catalytic activity is closely related to the downward shift of the X p(z)-band center at the adsorption site. There is a direct proportional relationship between Delta G(H)* and the X p(z)-band center (R-2 >= 0.78), indicating that the X p(z)-band center can serve as a key electronic descriptor for regulating the HER activity. Further verification by calculations using the HSE06 hybrid functional shows that the band edge positions of the B-doped system can span both sides of the redox potential of water, and the light absorption range covers the visible light region, indicating the thermodynamic feasibility and spectral response advantages of this system in the application of photocatalytic overall water splitting. This study provides important theoretical guidance for designing efficient FRP-based photocatalytic materials based on the non-metallic doping strategy.

In 2020, Rainbow trout production reached 959,600 tons, representing 4 % of the global trout output. However, microbial contamination and lipid and protein oxidation spoil around 15 % of total aquatic products. Traditional food preservatives, used for their antibacterial or antioxidant properties, often fall short due to the disparity between the radical-scavenging ability of antioxidants and the ROS-generating capability of antimicrobial agents. This study developed bifunctional xylitol-based carbon dots (xβ-CDs) using 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HP-β-CD), which exhibited both super antioxidant and high antibacterial activities. The incorporation of xylitol into xβ-CDs substantially enhanced their functional performance. The xβ-CDs displaying remarkable inhibition of DPPH (1-Diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine), ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate), and ·OH radicals (96.31 %, 99.74 %, and 99.72 %, respectively), rivaling the antioxidant capacity of vitamin C (VC). The xβ-CDs also effectively combated spoilage bacteria by compromising the cell wall and membrane integrity, reducing total protein, AKP, and ATP enzyme levels by 51.25 %, 70.08 %, and 57.80 %, respectively. Moreover, storage tests revealed that xβ-CDs extended the shelf life of Rainbow trout fillets by 3 days. These results indicate that xylitol/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin carbon dots offer a promising approach to preventing bacterial infections, protein oxidation, and lipid oxidation in rainbow trout.

IntroductionDates (Phoenix dactylifera), often questioned for their high sugar content, may provide anti-diabetic benefits through their phytochemicals. Date vinegar offers a potentially effective alternative with reduced sugar content and enhanced bioactivity. This study evaluated the effects of date vinegar on glycemic control and lipid profiles in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dyslipidemia while exploring the molecular mechanisms of its bioactive compounds in managing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and T2DM.MethodsA 10-week randomized controlled trial assessed the clinical effects of date vinegar. Complementary experiments explored therapeutic mechanisms through computational analysis and assessed sugar reduction and bioactive preservation under varying drying conditions. Fifty adults with T2DM and dyslipidemia were randomized into two groups: 25 participants received 20 mL of date vinegar daily, while 25 received a placebo. Clinical parameters were measured, including HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar. Computational docking and molecular dynamics simulations investigated interactions of bioactive compounds with key protein targets.ResultsSignificant improvements were observed: HbA1c reduced from 6.85 to 6.08%, LDL cholesterol from 121.05 to 111.09 mg/dL, and fasting blood sugar from 168.4 to 147.6 mg/dL (p < 0.05). Key compounds with stable protein-ligand complexes confirmed were bound to targets such as ACE, β1AR, hATRs, AR, DPP-IV, and SGLT1. Higher drying temperatures reduced sugar content to match fresh dates but compromised bioactive integrity.ConclusionDate vinegar offers a dual target therapeutic strategy for managing T2DM and CVDs, supported by clinical and computational findings.

Background Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels (>7.0 mg/dL in men and >6.0 mg/dL in women). HUA has become a global health concern and is strongly associated with various chronic diseases. In recent years, food-derived xanthine oxidase (XOD)-inhibitory peptides have gained significant attention due to their safety, nutritional value, and potent biological activity. Food-derived XOD-inhibitory peptides represent promising alternatives for HUA management. Scope and approach This review provides an overview of the sources, conventional, and emerging preparation methods of XOD-inhibitory peptides. The structure-activity relationship and mechanisms of XOD-inhibitory peptides were comprehensively summarized. Additionally, the application of deep learning was evaluated. Key findings and conclusions Food-derived (including plants and animals) XOD-inhibitory peptides are mainly prepared by two methods: conventional methods, such as enzymatic hydrolysis, chemical synthesis, and microbial fermentation; and emerging technologies, such as bioinformatics, phage display, and artificial intelligence. In the optimization of peptides based on the structure-activity relationship, the XOD inhibitory activity was significantly enhanced. Food-derived XOD-inhibitory peptides may regulate UA metabolism by inhibiting XOD activity, promoting UA excretion, maintaining intestinal homeostasis, and reducing inflammation. Furthermore, deep learning models can more accurately predict peptide-XOD interactions, thereby accelerating the discovery and optimization of novel XOD-inhibitory peptides. Considering their safety and therapeutic potential, XOD-inhibitory peptides hold significant potential as supplements for HUA management.

To study the types of quorum quenching bacteria in soil and their quorum quenching characteristics, the study screened, isolated, and identified quorum quenching strains from soil and assessed their quorum quenching properties, the inhibitory and dispersion abilities on the biofilm of Hafnia alvei (H. alvei), and the potential types of quorum quenching enzymes by specific primer amplification. Four bacteria that showed significant degrading activity against the quorum sensing signals produced by H. alvei were isolated and identified as Enterobacter hormaechei (GS31), Bacillus cereus (GS44), Bacillus thuringiensis (GS48), and Serratia sp. (GS53). E. hormaechei GS31 exhibited the highest level of quenching activity, followed by Serratia sp. GS53, B. cereus GS44, and B. thuringiensis GS48. The cell-free supernatant of E. hormaechei GS31 and Serratia sp. GS53 contained compounds with potential quorum quenching activity, whereas the crude cell extract of B. cereus GS44 and B. thuringiensis GS48 contained such chemicals. The crystal violet staining and optical microscopy assay indicated that the isolated strains exhibited different inhibitory and dispersion capabilities against the biofilm of H. alvei. Among them, E. hormaechei GS31 exhibited the most significant effect, with inhibition and dispersion rates of 42.9% and 53.0%, respectively. The homologous gene amplification results suggested E. hormaechei GS31, B. cereus GS44, and Serratia sp. GS53 likely involved AiiA lactonase and PvdQ acylase gene. Additionally, B. thuringiensis GS48 was likely to possess AiiA lactonase gene. The screening and study of quorum quenching activity of strains degrading N-acyl homoserine lactone in soil enriching quorum quenching bacterial resources and provide a theoretical reference for developing aquaculture preservatives based on quorum quenching bacteria.

This study screened for the inhibitory peptides from the collagen of barracuda fish skin then determined its inhibitory effect on hyperlipidemia. The results showed that the collagen was type I, mainly containing alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta chains. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the fiber structure, sheet structure, multilayer aggregation structure, which was loose and porous. For an optimal enzymatic digestion process the pH was 10, the dosage of alkaline protease was 3000 U/g, and the temperature 50 degrees C, with a degree of hydrolysis of 26.03%. The peptides of less than 1 KDa were selected by protein ultrafiltration and LC-MS identification revealed 220 peptides. The results indicated that GAPGFPGPR can be the best inhibitory peptide based on its bioactivity, water solubility, toxicity, ADMET and molecular docking technology. In vitro experiment showed that the GAPGFPGPR had significant inhibitory effects on the cholesterol ester transfer protein. The zebrafish experiment further verified that the GAPGFPGPR significantly reduced the total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the hyperlipidemia model. Therefore, the study has demonstrated the potented for developing health care products or drugs to improve hyperlipidemia.

Annually, up to 25 % of food globally spoils due to microbial pollution. Traditional antibacterial nanomaterials had issues like high dosage, lacked of catalytic activity, and instability. Therefore, Na/N-doping carbon dots nanozymes (Na/N-CDs nanozymes) was developed to fight spoilage organisms. The structural stability of Na/N-CDs nanozymes was enhanced due to the change of lattice structure. Na/N-doping with the peroxidase-mimetic activity was 4.3 times higher than reported HRP activity. It showed strong antimicrobial activity by catalyzing H₂O₂ into ROS, with a MIC of 0.03 mg·mL-1. And the catalytic activity was over 32 times higher than precursor substances. In contrast, Fe and Cu-doping CDs with a MIC of 0.5 mg·mL-1 had no nanozyme activity. The results of antibacterial and spoilage assays showed that Na/N-CDs nanozymes antibacteria by damaging cell membranes, degrading DNA, and inhibiting key enzymes, thereby extending the shelf life of salmon fillets by 3 days, indicating potential in aquatic product preservation.

Food bioactive ingredients are widely used in food due to their excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antibacterial properties, aiming at improving nutritional value and promoting human health. However, their complete absorption and use by the human body are difficult due to their poor water solubility and stability. In recent years, nanocarriers such as nanocapsules, liposomes, nanoparticles and nanomicelles have emerged as promising strategies to address these issues. Among these carriers, nanogels have become a research hotspot due to their smaller particle size, larger specific surface area, and higher loading capacity. This study aimed to discuss the research status of nanogels and their developmental direction. First, from the perspective of environmental responsiveness, three most commonly used and critical nanogels were briefly introduced: pH-responsive, temperature-responsive, and redox-responsive, and their synthetic materials were briefly summarized from two aspects of natural and synthetic polymers. Second, the preparation methods of nanogels were expounded from the perspective of physical chemistry, and their loading and release mechanisms were emphatically introduced, laying a foundation for further research. Finally, the study examined the application of nanogels in food and other fields, providing new ideas for developing advanced bioactive component delivery systems.

Food-borne pathogens, pesticide and drug residues are major food safety issues, causing around 420,000 deaths annually worldwide. Traditional antibacterial agents are prone to drug resistance, and chemical degradation of pesticide and drugs also has certain safety problems. In recent years, photocatalytic carbon dots (CDs) with excellent photoelectron transfer characteristics have been widely reported in inhibiting the growth of foodborne pathogens and degrading residual compounds in food. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the antibacterial and degradation mechanisms of photocatalytic CDs is crucial. This paper begins by detailing the synthesis and classification of photocatalytic CDs. The antibacterial mechanisms of photocatalytic CDs are then explored from three primary perspectives: destroy the cell surface, oxidative protein, and damage genes. The degradation mechanisms associated with different photocatalytic systems are also summarized. Special emphasis is placed on the applications of photocatalytic CDs in enhancing food safety, including their integration into food packaging films and their effectiveness in degrading pesticide residues. Finally, the current challenges that hinder the broader application of photocatalytic CDs and their composites in the food industry are discussed in the paper, providing valuable insights for future research and development in this emerging field.

Globally, billions of tons of food are lost or wasted annually due to microbial contamination. Hydrogels are a new type of fresh-keeping material because of their porous three-dimensional network structure, offering enhanced loading capacity. However, traditional hydrogel packaging materials often suffer from limitations such as poor frost resistance, lack of catalytic antibacterial activity, and low factory application rate. In this study, firstly, carbon dots (CPCDs) catalyzing oxygen under visible light irradiation with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity (The minimum photocatalytic antibacterial concentration of H. alvei and P. fluorescens was 62.5 mu g/mL) were synthesized. A hydrogel was rapidly formed using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin within 14 min of one-time freezing at -20 degrees C through hydrogen bonds, and excellent photocatalytic antibacterial activity and timely preservation were achieved by loading CPCDs. The low swelling (3.0) of the hydrogel and a release rate of <20% reduced the loss of CPCDs, thereby achieving a sustained antibacterial effect. Additionally, In the DSC experiment, no significant peak was observed between -80 degrees C and - 20 degrees C. The hydrogel was not crystallized and maintained its flexibility, which proved that the hydrogel had good frost resistance. The hydrogel could be completely peeled off from the surface of the Oncorhynchus mykiss fillet with a force of <0.5 N without any residue. The hydrogel showed no significant cytotoxicity and could extend the shelf life of O. mykiss fillet by >3 days. These findings underscored the potential of the developed hydrogels as efficient materials for the rapid preservation of frozen seafood.