Yan Jin, Hongze Wang, Ziyao Zhang, Enhui Jin, Can Yang, Jing Meng, Tao Wu, Min Zhang
{"title":"Chronic exposure to milk odorant might ameliorate the depressive-like behavior of mice through gut-brain axis.","authors":"Yan Jin, Hongze Wang, Ziyao Zhang, Enhui Jin, Can Yang, Jing Meng, Tao Wu, Min Zhang","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00455-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00455-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mental disorders are one of the leading causes of global health burden, while food flavors play a significant role in promoting the appetite and mood of people. This study aimed to investigate the intervention effects of two kinds of pleasant food odorants on depressed mice induced by reserpine. After 6-week exposure, beef odorant and milk odorant could effectively reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), restored hippocampal structure, elevated neurotransmitters (5-HT, DA, NE), and upregulated BDNF/GFAP expression. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that both odorants could ameliorate the gut microbiota dysbiosis, increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and reducing Firmicutes. Overall, milk and beef odorants showed reletively positive effect on depressed mice through gut-brain axis, where milk odorant was more pronounced. GC-MS analysis identified oleic acid in milk odorant as a potential active component. These findings highlighted food-derived odors as promising nutritional interventions for depression through neuroinflammation modulation and microbiota-gut-brain axis regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"108"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12185742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144476149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From dairy to plant products: Understanding their structural fingerprints with X-rays.","authors":"Eleonora Olsmats, Adrian R Rennie","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00493-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00493-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Global interest in milk alternatives increases rapidly due to health awareness, their allergen-friendliness, and concerns about sustainability. While dairy product microstructure and rheology are widely studied, plant-based alternatives remain less understood, with limited comparative studies of different plant sources and brands. This study uses ultra-small, small and wide-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS, SAXS, WAXS) to analyse structural fingerprints of commercial plant-based milk, yoghurt and cream alternatives versus dairy products. These techniques allow characterization across multiple length scales from large oil droplets and aggregated structures to carbohydrate/protein networks and glyceride crystalline phases. Correlations between intensity and fat (USAXS) and carbohydrate content (SAXS) provide structural insights, while SAXS and WAXS data correlated with solid fat and crystal packing are important for melting behaviour and viscosity perception. Light scattering confirmed fat-content-related size trends and revealed larger structures of non-lipid materials in plant-based samples. The study provides a basis for understanding scattering data where structural fingerprint plots, using colour scales to compare intensity and intensity gradient, allow ready data interpretation that will be beneficial for analysis with artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This approach helps optimize plant-based formulations by connecting structure and functionality and demonstrates the potential of scattering techniques in food structure research and design.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"109"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12185757/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144476150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improved gut microbiota by selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum DD98 alleviates chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis via inhibiting the STING pathway.","authors":"Yu-Shuang Qiu, Chen Ye, Qiao Li, Ling-Chen Jiang, Can-Can Zhou, Hui Fu, Dong-Jie Li, Daijie Chen, Fu-Ming Shen","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00473-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00473-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intestinal mucositis, a common chemotherapy side effect, lacks effective treatments. This study evaluated the protective effect of selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum DD98 (SeDD98) on irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis. Irinotecan caused intestinal mucositis, characterized by weight loss, severe diarrhea, damaged intestinal structure, reduced tight junction proteins, and gut dysbiosis. These effects could be inhibited by SeDD98. Additionally, fecal microbiota from SeDD98-treated mice protected against intestinal mucositis. Mechanistically, irinotecan activated the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) / nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway, whereas SeDD98 and fecal microbiota from SeDD98-treated mice suppressed this activation. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail (ABX) blunted the protective effect of SeDD98 and its inhibition of the STING/NF-κB pathway. These findings suggest that SeDD98 could protect against intestinal mucositis via inhibiting the STING/NF-κB pathway, likely through improving gut microbiota. Overall, SeDD98 may be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis via gut microbiome improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"107"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12182572/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144340300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sea dragon metabolome and lipidome unveil bioactive functional food candidates with sepsis therapeutic activities.","authors":"Huixiang Wu, Miaoyu Li, Lijun Ge, Weibo Lu, Xuewei Shen, Yu Zhang, Zengyan Wu, Jianding Wang, Yonghui Wu, Huijuan Mao, Jianliang Zhang, Qingcheng Wang, Jing Xue, Qing Shen, Yuexing Tu","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00469-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00469-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sea dragons (Syngnathus) are valuable marine resources with notable interspecific phenotypic similarities and variations in composition and efficacy. This study employed multi-omics technologies to comprehensively analyze and structurally identify the molecular components of six species of Syngnathus, effectively screening interspecific differential markers. Untargeted metabolomics revealed a total of 18 classes and 2264 metabolites, and lipids were found to be the principal differential metabolites. Lipidomics were utilized for in-depth lipid detection, expanding the original 412 lipids detected through metabolomics to 2078 lipids, among which 47 differential metabolites and 138 differential lipids were selected from multi-omics results. The integration of network pharmacology and molecular docking elucidated the multifactorial mechanisms by which Syngnathus exerts anti-sepsis effects, including modulation of inflammatory responses, and regulation of apoptosis, while identifying key targets such as IL6, STAT3, and MAPK14. This study suggests that they may have potential as natural sources for the development of anti-sepsis foods. Further studies on their bioavailability and in vitro and in vivo efficacy are required in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"106"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12179263/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144333626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Current status and future trends of eco-friendly management of postharvest fungal decays in tomato fruit.","authors":"Zhenshuo Wang, Mumian Wu, Qinhong Liao, Yawen Wang, Yuan Sui, Chao Gong","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00477-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00477-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article reviews sustainable strategies to control postharvest fungal decay (e.g., Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria spp., and Colletotrichum gloeosporioide) in tomato. Eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides, focusing on microbial antagonists, and integrated approaches combining biological control with natural compounds, are discussed. Emerging technologies like microbial consortia, nanomaterials, and CRISPR/Cas9 show great potential, though further research and regulatory approval are required. These sustainable methods are crucial for maintaining tomato quality and yield while supporting environmentally responsible production.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"104"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12177070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Franz-Ferdinand Roch, Monika Dzieciol, Cameron R Strachan, Muhammad Sharjeel Chaughtai, Narciso M Quijada, Tea Movsesijan, Evelyne Selberherr
{"title":"Microbial succession and interaction in vacuum-packed beef: a longitudinal study of bacterial and fungal dynamics.","authors":"Franz-Ferdinand Roch, Monika Dzieciol, Cameron R Strachan, Muhammad Sharjeel Chaughtai, Narciso M Quijada, Tea Movsesijan, Evelyne Selberherr","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00479-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00479-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The microbial dynamics of vacuum-packed (VP) beef are shaped by interactions between bacterial and fungal communities, influencing spoilage and meat quality during storage. While bacterial succession is well studied, fungal roles remain underexplored. We examined microbial communities in VP beef over 85 days using spike-in, qPCR, 16S/18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, culture-based methods, whole genome sequencing, and co-culture experiments. Initially dominated by Pseudomonas and Brochothrix, the bacterial community shifted toward lactic acid bacteria (LAB) by day 15. Fungal communities remained diverse, with Kurtzmaniella, Barnettozyma, Debaryomyces, and Yarrowia as key genera. Co-culture experiments revealed a triangular interaction: yeasts enhanced LAB, LAB inhibited Enterobacterales, and Enterobacterales suppressed yeasts. Genomic analyses suggest yeast metabolites support LAB, LAB inhibit via acids and bacteriocins, and Enterobacterales produce fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes. These findings highlight fungi's overlooked role and the importance of inter-kingdom interactions in meat microbiomes, offering a foundation for strategies to improve meat safety and shelf life.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"105"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12177058/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hongyi Zhang, Qiaoling Ma, Weichao Wang, Bin Wang, Jiawen Liu, Fu Wang, Yuan Hu, Lin Chen, Youping Liu, Qi Wang, Hongping Chen
{"title":"Oyster shells water extract ameliorates propylthiouracil-induced goitre in rats via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway.","authors":"Hongyi Zhang, Qiaoling Ma, Weichao Wang, Bin Wang, Jiawen Liu, Fu Wang, Yuan Hu, Lin Chen, Youping Liu, Qi Wang, Hongping Chen","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00483-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00483-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oysters are recognized for flavor and health benefits, but their shells are regarded as waste, contributing to resource inefficiency. This study investigates the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of oyster shells, using a fraction partitioning approach to separate the oyster shells water extract (WE) into two fractions: WE of extra-membranous (WEE, <1000 kDa) and intra-membranous (WEI, >1000 kDa). Using UPLC-Q-Exactive MS, 231 components were identified such as organic acids, amino acids. ELISA analysis revealed that high-dose WEE significantly increased serum T3, T4, FT3, and FT4 levels while reducing TSH, and improved thyroid tissue lesions. Network pharmacology identified 291 drug-disease intersection targets enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, the RT-qPCR and WB results showed that high-dose WEE protected against propylthiouracil-induced goitre by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway. This study evaluated the anti-goitre potential properties of WE and provided a theoretical basis for further development of oyster shells as a functional food source.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"103"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12170888/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144310240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rahma Sr Mahrous, Hoda Fathy, Doaa A Ghareeb, Ali S Abdel-Hamid, Reham S Ibrahim
{"title":"Network pharmacology and UPLC/MS/MS metabolic profiling unveil the anti-inflammatory potential of Trifolium alexandrinum.","authors":"Rahma Sr Mahrous, Hoda Fathy, Doaa A Ghareeb, Ali S Abdel-Hamid, Reham S Ibrahim","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00459-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00459-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trifolium alexandrinum, commonly known as berseem clover, has long been used in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. In this study, we explore the anti-inflammatory potential of T. alexandrinum through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and LC-MS/MS metabolic profiling. The ethanolic extract of T. alexandrinum was fractionated and analyzed, revealing a rich profile of phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, triterpenoid glycosides, and purine nucleosides. Network pharmacology analysis identified key bioactive compounds, such as tryptophan and adenosine, which exhibited strong interactions with inflammation-related genes, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and INF-γ, as demonstrated from the \"compound-target-pathway\" constructed network. The arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, which plays a pivotal role in inflammation, was the top-listed pathway in the network. For the sake of confirmation, tryptophan and adenosine were isolated from the butanol fraction, and their structures were elucidated using <sup>1</sup>H-NMR, <sup>13</sup>C-DEPTQ, and HRESI-MS. In vitro studies using LPS-stimulated WI38 human fibroblast cells demonstrated that the butanol fraction of the extract significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with adenosine and tryptophan showing particularly potent anti-inflammatory effects comparable to the synthetic drug piroxicam. These findings suggest that T. alexandrinum and its constituents, particularly polar compounds in the butanol fraction, hold promise as natural anti-inflammatory agents. This study not only elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of T. alexandrinum but also highlights its potential as a functional food ingredient with both nutritional and therapeutic benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"102"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167384/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144294174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ágota Ragyák, Zsófi Sajtos, Edina Baranyai, Elemér László
{"title":"Long term compositional profiling of historical tokaji aszú wines.","authors":"Ágota Ragyák, Zsófi Sajtos, Edina Baranyai, Elemér László","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00468-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00468-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the elemental composition of unique Tokaji aszú wines produced between 1999 and 2019, representing the longest period for this wine type to date. Twenty-one samples were analyzed using ICP-OES and FTIR techniques. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed significant variations linked to vintage, annual precipitation, sunshine hours, and temperature. Potassium and chromium levels showed strong negative correlations with age, while calcium exhibited a slight increasing trend. FTIR analysis highlighted compositional differences driven by environmental factors, with PCA clustering vintages based on similar weather patterns. These findings emphasize the influence of environmental conditions on the elemental profile of aged aszú wines, offering insights into historical agricultural practices and environmental shifts. The study underscores the value of long-term wine analysis for understanding climate impacts, optimizing future wine production, and preserving the heritage of traditional viticulture. It highlights elemental profiling as a promising tool for historical analysis, environmental assessment, and sustainable viticultural planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"101"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12166034/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144294173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vitamin D: recent advances, associated factors, and its role in combating non-communicable diseases.","authors":"Deepika, Anita Kumari, Surender Singh, Md Faruque Ahmad, Debolina Chaki, Vikram Poria, Sandeep Kumar, Neha Saini, Nisha Yadav, Neelam Sangwan, Mona N BinMowyna, Zayed D Alsharari, Nahla Kambal, Jae Han Min, António Raposo","doi":"10.1038/s41538-025-00460-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41538-025-00460-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The field of nutrigenomics has produced numerous studies indicating the impact of vitamin D on various disease conditions. Trace elements of this vitamin in the body play a significant role in the regulation of body metabolism. This immunomodulatory vitamin plays a role in management of both communicable (viz. respiratory illness like COVID-19 and Respiratory tract infections) and non-communicable diseases e.g., cancer, osteomalacia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Deficient levels, i.e., vitamin D deficiency in body can lead to the onset of chronic non-communicable illnesses. Vitamin D plays a direct and sometimes indirect role in the progression (when deficient) and prevention (when sufficient) of non-communicable diseases. This essential nutrient may be obtained through dietary intake or supplements. However, the absorption of it relies on various factors, including the presence of complementary nutrients, chemical forms, and external stimuli such as UV-B and a healthy gastrointestinal tract. This review discusses vitamin D absorption and its role in non-communicable diseases with updates on methods for evaluating and fortifying this vitamin in varied diets. We also briefly highlight recommended dietary allowances by age group, absorption difficulties, and its significance in non-communicable disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":19367,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Science of Food","volume":"9 1","pages":"100"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12166060/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144294075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}