Journal of Functional Foods最新文献

{"title":"Huangshui polysaccharides from baijiu fermentation by-products: Emerging structures, functional activities, structure-function relationships and green valorization perspectives","authors":"Wei Cheng ,&nbsp;Qiang Chang ,&nbsp;Yongqing Li ,&nbsp;Xuefeng Chen ,&nbsp;Yuxi Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Huangshui, a traditionally overlooked by-product from Baijiu fermentation, is now recognized as a rich source of functional polysaccharides (HSPs). Recent studies have demonstrated that HSPs exhibit diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and gut microbiota-modulating effects, primarily determined by their complex structural features such as monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, branching patterns, and chain flexibility. This review systematically summarizes advances in HSP extraction, purification, and structural characterization, emphasizing how extraction strategies influence their physicochemical properties and bioactivities. Special focus is placed on emerging insights into structure-function relationships, particularly how molecular architectures modulate immune signaling and gut microbial ecology. Furthermore, the dynamic remodeling of HSPs during Baijiu fermentation and the pivotal roles of CAZymes are discussed, providing deeper understanding of fermentation-driven polysaccharide diversity. Finally, green bioprocessing and enzymatic valorization strategies are proposed to transform Huangshui from an environmental burden into a valuable bioresource, aligning with sustainable development and circular economy principles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 107004"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144907376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Laminarihexaose of U. Pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar exerts anticancer effects by activating natural killer cells","authors":"Hengmin Han ,&nbsp;Jung-Eun Kim ,&nbsp;Leeseon An ,&nbsp;Soo In Ryu ,&nbsp;Eun-OK Lee ,&nbsp;Hyo-Jeong Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106994","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106994","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>β-Glucan oligosaccharides, including laminarihexaose (LH), can prime innate immunity. However, their capacity to potentiate natural killer (NK)-cell antitumor activity remains unclear. Purified LH from <em>Undaria pinnatifida</em> (Harvey) Suringar was applied (25–400 μg/mL) to murine primary NK cells, human NK cells, and two tumor systems. A non-cytotoxic dose of 100 μg/mL LH activated both murine and human NK cells and curtailed their corresponding B16-F10 and A549 organoid expansion. Activated NK cells infiltrated tumor spheroids, triggered apoptosis, as indicated by increased cleaved caspase-8 and caspase-3 levels, and decreased PARP levels. High doses of 300 and 600 μg/mL LH promoted apoptosis and suppressed A549 organoid growth. LH increased NKp30 expression and enhanced IFN-γ secretion in NK-92 cells. LH bound to NKp30 with high affinity. These results suggest that LH promotes NK cell-mediated tumor suppression. Isolated LH from <em>U. pinnatifida</em> (Harvey) Suringar shows potential as an anticancer agent in immunotherapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106994"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144903823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of clinical effectiveness and microbiome impact between specific polymeric and monomeric diet for exclusive enteral nutrition in pediatric Crohn's disease: a prospective cohort study","authors":"Yiyoung Kwon ,&nbsp;Yeonjae Jung ,&nbsp;Hyun-Seok Oh ,&nbsp;Eun Sil Kim ,&nbsp;Yoon Zi kim ,&nbsp;Yon Ho Choe ,&nbsp;Mi Jin Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106997","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106997","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>According to the ECCO-ESPGHN guideline for the treatment of newly diagnosed pediatric Crohn's disease (CD), exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) treatment is recommended for inducing remission. This study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness and changes in the microbiome between the monomeric diet and a specific polymeric diet.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This prospective study included 38 healthy children and 48 pediatric patients with moderate to severe CD. The patients divided into two groups according to the type of EEN: monomeric diet (group A, <em>n</em> = 24) and polymeric diet (group B, n = 24).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All patients achieved clinical remission. Baseline alpha diversity was lower in CD patients than in healthy controls (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Shannon diversity was statistically associated with ESR (<em>p</em> = 0.037). <em>Faecalibacterium, Streptococcus sanguinis</em> group<em>, Enterococcus</em> had decreased after EEN treatment (<em>p</em> = 0.003, <em>p</em> = 0.003, <em>p</em> = 0.026, respectively). There were differences in bacterial taxa between the two groups before starting EEN, but these differences disappeared after EEN. <em>Bacteroides acidifaciens</em> group and <em>Butyricicoccus faecihominis</em> group were associated with CRP (<em>p</em> = 0.016, <em>p</em> = 0.027, respectively) and ESR (<em>p</em> = 0.004, <em>p</em> = 0.012, respectively).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The polymeric diet, like the monomeric diet, can also induce clinical remission and is therefore a viable option for EEN treatment. An 8-week course of exclusive enteral nutrition is sufficient to achieve significant improvements in inflammation and weight gain. The microbiome was correlated with clinical indicators, but no significant differences were observed between the two groups.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106997"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144903822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antioxidant and antiproliferative potential activity of the marine carotenoid fucoxanthin in the treatment of chronic blood cancer","authors":"Sara Damiano ,&nbsp;Consiglia Longobardi ,&nbsp;Valeria Iervolino ,&nbsp;Salvatore Florio ,&nbsp;Antonio Giordano ,&nbsp;Alessandra Pelagalli ,&nbsp;Carmen Avagliano ,&nbsp;Chiara Lauritano ,&nbsp;Roberto Ciarcia","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106998","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106998","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing interest in functional foods has highlighted the potential of marine-derived compounds in preventing chronic non-communicable diseases, including cancer. Fucoxanthin (FUCO), a xanthophyll carotenoid extracted from brown seaweed, has shown promising biological activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of FUCO on the human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cell line. FUCO treatment significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, while glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels remained unchanged, suggesting that ROS accumulation may occur independently of antioxidant depletion. Furthermore, FUCO inhibited the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/ Protein Kinase B/ Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway and induced apoptosis in K562 cell line. These findings support the potential role of fucoxanthin as a functional food compound with antioxidant and antiproliferative properties, and its possible application in the prevention and treatment of chronic leukemia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106998"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144902237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review","authors":"Zhiqiang Dai ,&nbsp;Yan Zhao ,&nbsp;Yu Ke ,&nbsp;Jianhong Huang ,&nbsp;Jincheng Zhu ,&nbsp;Huiwen Wu ,&nbsp;Ying Yang ,&nbsp;Huayu Shang ,&nbsp;Zhi Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106990","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106990","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Age-related anabolic resistance may render conventional dietary protein recommendations insufficient for the elderly population. Increased intake of high-quality protein is required to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, maintain muscle health, and prevent sarcopenia. Concurrently, global population growth, accelerated aging, and rising consumption of animal-based proteins (ABP) necessitate the urgent development of sustainable protein alternatives. This review examines various alternative protein sources (APS), including plant-based proteins (PBP), insect-based proteins (IBP), mycoprotein, and cultured meat, to support muscle health during aging. Furthermore, this research aligns with China's dual carbon goals (carbon peak and neutrality), promoting sustainable and low-carbon development. Consequently, identifying sustainable APS is crucial. This review aims to establish a theoretical basis for the application of APS in the elderly population and to inform future empirical investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106990"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144893154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium longum ZFML006 extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans via MAPK and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways","authors":"Ruonan Wang ,&nbsp;Yimin Li ,&nbsp;Gang Wang ,&nbsp;Zihao Zhang ,&nbsp;Yingjie Huang ,&nbsp;Ran Tuo ,&nbsp;Ruomeng Dong ,&nbsp;Zhen Li ,&nbsp;Xiangfeng Chen ,&nbsp;Shuxun Liu ,&nbsp;Qing Gu ,&nbsp;Ping Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106992","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106992","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global burden of aging populations and age-related functional decline presents a major public health challenge. Although live <em>Bifidobacterium</em> exhibits anti-aging properties, its strict anaerobic requirements limit its utility, whereas heat-inactivated preparations may offer enhanced stability and functional activity. This study characterized <em>Bifidobacterium longum</em> (<em>B. longum</em>) ZFML006 and systematically evaluated its anti-aging efficacy in <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> (<em>C. elegans</em>) using heat-inactivated administration. Treatment resulted in a 30.64 % increase in lifespan, a 15.20 % reduction in fecundity, a 49.92 % decrease in lipofuscin accumulation, a 20.69 % improvement in thermotolerance, a 14.8 % increase in oxidative stress survival, and enhanced motility. Additionally, it led to 10.6 % lower Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels and elevated Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed coordinated downregulation of <em>daf-2</em> and <em>akt-2</em>, accompanied by the upregulation of <em>daf-16</em>, <em>sod-3</em>, <em>pmk-1</em>, <em>nsy-1</em>, <em>skn-1</em>, and <em>sek-1</em>, confirming the modulation of both Insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. These findings establish heat-inactivated ZFML006 as a potent anti-aging intervention by precisely regulating conserved longevity mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106992"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144902484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of oyster (Crassostrea gigas) supplementation on the function of skeletal muscles in SD rats","authors":"Yun Ma ,&nbsp;Baojun Sun ,&nbsp;Hitomi Maruta ,&nbsp;Hiromi Yamashita","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106995","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106995","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oysters are rich in taurine, an amino acid essential for skeletal muscle function. Seasonal and regional variations in taurine content in <em>Crassostrea gigas</em> from Hiroshima and Hyogo ranged from 546.0 ± 20.6 to 1081.1 ± 28.1 mg/100 g. To evaluate physiological effects, Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered oyster homogenates for 10 days. Taurine levels significantly increased in plasma (130.4 ± 5.3 μmol/L vs. 97.8 ± 5.4 μmol/L, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and in the gastrocnemius muscle (60.7 ± 2.5 μmol/g vs. 52.1 ± 1.6 μmol/g, P &lt; 0.05). Expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2 A, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and GLUT4 genes was upregulated (1.3–1.7 times), and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) increased in the soleus muscle (1.6 times, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Enhanced mitochondrial activity was also supported by increased SDH staining and mitochondrial DNA content. These results suggest that oyster supplementation improves skeletal muscle oxidative capacity, potentially via AMPK activation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106995"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144902236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A fruitful approach to gut health and functionality","authors":"Paulo Sérgio Loubet Filho ,&nbsp;Vitória Helena de Oliveira Teixeira Reis ,&nbsp;Patrícia Berilli ,&nbsp;Giovanna Monteiro Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Áquila Matheus de Souza Oliveira ,&nbsp;Gabriela Torres Silva ,&nbsp;Elisvânia Freitas dos Santos ,&nbsp;Cinthia Baú Betim Cazarin","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106989","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106989","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fruits are essential for human health due to their bioactive compounds (BC), including dietary fibers, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins. These compounds offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota-modulating properties, improving intestinal health by enhancing peristalsis, reducing constipation, and strengthening the gut barrier. Polyphenols help prevent oxidative stress, chronic diseases, and gut dysbiosis, while prebiotic fibers and short-chain fatty acids support microbial diversity and immune function. Specific fruits, such as mango, kiwi, berries, and avocado, aid in inflammatory bowel disease management by reducing inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and improving microbiome composition. Fruits also alleviate constipation by retaining stool moisture and enhancing motility. Their role in gut integrity includes modulating microbiota, enhancing tight junction proteins, and reducing oxidative stress. Overall, fruits provide diverse benefits for gastrointestinal health and chronic disease prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106989"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144889050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Echinochrome A inhibits epithelial–mesenchymal transition and induces cell death mediated by DNA damage in human triple-negative breast cancer cells","authors":"Soon Yong Park ,&nbsp;Mi-So Jeong ,&nbsp;Cong So Tran ,&nbsp;Jinyoung Lee ,&nbsp;Da-Young Eum ,&nbsp;Seyeon Jung ,&nbsp;Elena A. Vasileva ,&nbsp;Seoung Rak Lee ,&nbsp;Hyoung Kyu Kim ,&nbsp;Natalia P. Mishchenko ,&nbsp;Jin Han ,&nbsp;Yoo Jin Choi ,&nbsp;Si Ho Choi ,&nbsp;Hwayoung Yun ,&nbsp;Kyu Heo","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106993","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106993","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Echinochrome A (Ech A), a marine-derived compound from <em>Scaphechinus mirabilis</em>, is known for its potent antioxidant activity. Its pharmacological derivative, Histochrome, is used to treat ischemia and cardiovascular disorders. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. This study explores the anticancer effects of Ech A on TNBC cells. Ech A showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, resulting in 65–75 % cell death in BT549, SUM149, and SUM159 after 72 h of treatment at 50 μM, while no viability changes in MCF10A. At lower concentrations, Ech A suppressed TNBC cell migration and invasion by 60–80 %, along with downregulation of EMT markers Snail and Claudin-1. At higher doses, Ech A induced cell death via DNA damage. These results suggest that Ech A may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for TNBC by targeting metastatic potential and/or cell viability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106993"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144880110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spirulina maxima extract enhances immune function via NF-κB and MAPK pathways and ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and intestinal damage in mice","authors":"Hae-Sun Park ,&nbsp;Sung-Min Kim ,&nbsp;Jong-Yeon Kim ,&nbsp;Woon-Yong Choi ,&nbsp;Eun-Jung Park ,&nbsp;Hae-Jeung Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.106987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Spirulina maxima</em> is a filamentous cyanobacterium known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its immune-enhancing mechanisms remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effects of <em>S. maxima</em> 70 % ethanol extract (SM) and its underlying mechanisms using RAW 264.7 macrophages and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression mouse model. Additionally, the protective effects of SM against cyclophosphamide induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage were evaluated. In RAW 264.7 cells, SM increased phagocytic activity, nitric oxide production, and cytokine gene expression via activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. In a mouse model, oral administration of SM increased natural killer cell activity and the serum levels of immunoglobulins and cytokines. In addition, SM alleviated intestinal mucosal damage and increased the expression of tight junction genes. These findings suggest that SM has potential as a multifunctional agent for immune modulation and intestinal health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 106987"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}