Food frontiers最新文献

{"title":"Comparative Effects of Different Sugar Substitutes in a Mice Model of Type 2 Diabetes Induced Renal Injury","authors":"Yilin Bian,&nbsp;Bin Wang,&nbsp;Sha Liu,&nbsp;Huaxue Huang,&nbsp;Wenjun Xiao","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70364","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70364","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global incidence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) due to type 2 diabetes is rising and is becoming one of the most threatening complications. Excessive sugar intake accelerates DKD progression, highlighting safe, low-calorie sugar substitutes as potential intervention. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of different sugar substitutes on DKD and explore their underlying mechanisms. We established a mouse model of DKD using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin and systematically compared the effects of Mogroside V (MOG), stevioside (ST), sucralose (TGS), erythritol (ERT), and sucrose (SUC). DKD mice exhibited typical renal injury characteristics along with increased renal oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. MOG and ST interventions significantly improved insulin levels; reduced blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urinary microalbumin levels; restored renal tissue structure; and alleviated oxidative-inflammatory damage in DKD mice. ERT and TGS also mitigated oxidative-inflammatory damage but had weaker effects, whereas SUC failed to improve DKD. Combined metabolomics, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analyses indicated that different sugar substitutes exert comprehensive metabolic protection by regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, AMPK, MAPK signaling pathways, and FcεRI signaling pathways. Specifically, MOG significantly alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in DKD mouse kidneys by suppressing the mRNA expression of <i>Alox5</i>, <i>Pla2g4</i>, <i>Raf1</i>, <i>Hras</i>, <i>Ma2pk1</i>, <i>Mapk1</i>, and <i>Cysltr1</i>, as well as p-ERK and 5-lipoxygenase protein expression. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the nutritional value of sugar substitutes in DKD.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70364","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148848962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Effects of Different Sugar Substitutes in a Mice Model of Type 2 Diabetes Induced Renal Injury","authors":"Yilin Bian,&nbsp;Bin Wang,&nbsp;Sha Liu,&nbsp;Huaxue Huang,&nbsp;Wenjun Xiao","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70364","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70364","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global incidence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) due to type 2 diabetes is rising and is becoming one of the most threatening complications. Excessive sugar intake accelerates DKD progression, highlighting safe, low-calorie sugar substitutes as potential intervention. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of different sugar substitutes on DKD and explore their underlying mechanisms. We established a mouse model of DKD using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin and systematically compared the effects of Mogroside V (MOG), stevioside (ST), sucralose (TGS), erythritol (ERT), and sucrose (SUC). DKD mice exhibited typical renal injury characteristics along with increased renal oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. MOG and ST interventions significantly improved insulin levels; reduced blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urinary microalbumin levels; restored renal tissue structure; and alleviated oxidative-inflammatory damage in DKD mice. ERT and TGS also mitigated oxidative-inflammatory damage but had weaker effects, whereas SUC failed to improve DKD. Combined metabolomics, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analyses indicated that different sugar substitutes exert comprehensive metabolic protection by regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, AMPK, MAPK signaling pathways, and FcεRI signaling pathways. Specifically, MOG significantly alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in DKD mouse kidneys by suppressing the mRNA expression of <i>Alox5</i>, <i>Pla2g4</i>, <i>Raf1</i>, <i>Hras</i>, <i>Ma2pk1</i>, <i>Mapk1</i>, and <i>Cysltr1</i>, as well as p-ERK and 5-lipoxygenase protein expression. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the nutritional value of sugar substitutes in DKD.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70364","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148848963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fucoxanthin Attenuates Hepatic Damage in a d-Galactose-Induced Accelerated Aging Mouse Model: Insight Into Underlying Mechanisms","authors":"Han-Ni Wei,&nbsp;Cheng-Yu Yang,&nbsp;Hui Li,&nbsp;Shi-Xiang Wu,&nbsp;Qing-Yan Zou,&nbsp;Yan Zheng,&nbsp;Kazuo Miyashita,&nbsp;Yu-Hong Yang,&nbsp;Lei Du","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70359","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70359","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global population is aging rapidly, and aging-related hepatic damage poses a significant public health challenge. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of fucoxanthin (Fx), a marine carotenoid, against hepatic damage in a <span>d</span>-galactose (<span>d</span>-gal)-induced accelerated aging mouse model. Accelerated aging was induced by daily intraperitoneal injection of 400 mg/kg <span>d</span>-gal for 12 weeks, during which the Fx groups received daily gavage of Fx at 50 and 100 mg/kg. The results demonstrated that Fx treatment significantly attenuated <span>d</span>-gal-induced hepatic damage, as evidenced by reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, improved liver histopathology, and decreased DNA damage. Furthermore, Fx treatment delayed the hepatic aging-like phenotype by down-regulating the protein expression of senescence markers, such as p53, p21, p16, and β-galactosidase. Mechanistically, Fx treatment alleviated hepatic oxidative stress by reducing levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyls, as well as restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Additionally, Fx treatment appeared to suppress <span>d</span>-gal-induced hepatic inflammation by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, as reflected by decreased phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta (IκKβ), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha (IκBα), and NF-κB p65, along with reduced protein levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Importantly, Fx treatment inhibited <span>d</span>-gal-induced activation of multiple programmed cell death pathways in the liver, including the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, the receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)/receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) necroptotic signaling cascade, and the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptotic signaling cascade. These findings suggest that Fx has potential as a nutraceutical ingredient for supporting liver health during aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70359","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148849090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRPerfectus158 Alleviates Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Mice and Is Associated With Modulation of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Activity","authors":"Dun Su,&nbsp;Yajuan Guo,&nbsp;Yue Wang,&nbsp;Xiaoyue Bai,&nbsp;Guiyuan Yu,&nbsp;Huixian Han,&nbsp;Yizhi Jing,&nbsp;Yuanzhi Yin,&nbsp;Wenjie Chen,&nbsp;Jing Li,&nbsp;Zhengyuan Zhai,&nbsp;Yanling Hao","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70353","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder marked by chronic low-grade inflammation, heightened visceral sensitivity, and disruptions in gut microbiota composition. In this study, the alleviating effects and underlying mechanism of <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</i> LRPerfectus158 was investigated using an IBS mouse model established through <i>Citrobacter rodentium</i> infection followed by water-avoidance stress. LRPerfectus158 administration significantly alleviated IBS-like symptoms, including reduced fecal moisture content, restored colon length, and attenuated visceral hypersensitivity. Behavioral assessments further showed that LRPerfectus158 alleviated anxiety-like behaviors. Moreover, LRPerfectus158 administration decreased serum corticosterone levels, accompanied by reduced hippocampal injury, suggesting a potential association with altered hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Colonic histology and molecular analyses revealed that LRPerfectus158 mitigated inflammation, increased goblet cell abundance, and enhanced epithelial barrier integrity by upregulating ZO-1 and MUC2 at both mRNA and protein levels. Transcriptomic profiling further confirmed the dual effects of LRPerfectus158 in IBS, demonstrating its ability to alleviate intestinal neural hypersensitivity while concurrently suppressing mucosal inflammation and strengthening epithelial barrier integrity. Metagenomic sequencing showed that LRPerfectus158 was associated with alterations in gut microbiota composition, including increased relative abundances of taxa such as <i>Muribaculum</i>, <i>Duncaniella</i>, <i>Bacteroides uniformis</i>, and <i>Ligilactobacillus murinus</i>. Collectively, these findings suggest that LRPerfectus158 is associated with alleviation of IBS-like symptoms, correlating with modulation of the gut microbiota, reinforcement of the intestinal barrier, and reduced HPA axis hyperactivation, which highlights its potential as a promising probiotic candidate for IBS intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70353","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148849089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRPerfectus158 Alleviates Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Mice and Is Associated With Modulation of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Activity","authors":"Dun Su,&nbsp;Yajuan Guo,&nbsp;Yue Wang,&nbsp;Xiaoyue Bai,&nbsp;Guiyuan Yu,&nbsp;Huixian Han,&nbsp;Yizhi Jing,&nbsp;Yuanzhi Yin,&nbsp;Wenjie Chen,&nbsp;Jing Li,&nbsp;Zhengyuan Zhai,&nbsp;Yanling Hao","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70353","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder marked by chronic low-grade inflammation, heightened visceral sensitivity, and disruptions in gut microbiota composition. In this study, the alleviating effects and underlying mechanism of <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</i> LRPerfectus158 was investigated using an IBS mouse model established through <i>Citrobacter rodentium</i> infection followed by water-avoidance stress. LRPerfectus158 administration significantly alleviated IBS-like symptoms, including reduced fecal moisture content, restored colon length, and attenuated visceral hypersensitivity. Behavioral assessments further showed that LRPerfectus158 alleviated anxiety-like behaviors. Moreover, LRPerfectus158 administration decreased serum corticosterone levels, accompanied by reduced hippocampal injury, suggesting a potential association with altered hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Colonic histology and molecular analyses revealed that LRPerfectus158 mitigated inflammation, increased goblet cell abundance, and enhanced epithelial barrier integrity by upregulating ZO-1 and MUC2 at both mRNA and protein levels. Transcriptomic profiling further confirmed the dual effects of LRPerfectus158 in IBS, demonstrating its ability to alleviate intestinal neural hypersensitivity while concurrently suppressing mucosal inflammation and strengthening epithelial barrier integrity. Metagenomic sequencing showed that LRPerfectus158 was associated with alterations in gut microbiota composition, including increased relative abundances of taxa such as <i>Muribaculum</i>, <i>Duncaniella</i>, <i>Bacteroides uniformis</i>, and <i>Ligilactobacillus murinus</i>. Collectively, these findings suggest that LRPerfectus158 is associated with alleviation of IBS-like symptoms, correlating with modulation of the gut microbiota, reinforcement of the intestinal barrier, and reduced HPA axis hyperactivation, which highlights its potential as a promising probiotic candidate for IBS intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70353","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148848933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fucoxanthin Attenuates Hepatic Damage in a d-Galactose-Induced Accelerated Aging Mouse Model: Insight Into Underlying Mechanisms","authors":"Han-Ni Wei,&nbsp;Cheng-Yu Yang,&nbsp;Hui Li,&nbsp;Shi-Xiang Wu,&nbsp;Qing-Yan Zou,&nbsp;Yan Zheng,&nbsp;Kazuo Miyashita,&nbsp;Yu-Hong Yang,&nbsp;Lei Du","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70359","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70359","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global population is aging rapidly, and aging-related hepatic damage poses a significant public health challenge. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of fucoxanthin (Fx), a marine carotenoid, against hepatic damage in a <span>d</span>-galactose (<span>d</span>-gal)-induced accelerated aging mouse model. Accelerated aging was induced by daily intraperitoneal injection of 400 mg/kg <span>d</span>-gal for 12 weeks, during which the Fx groups received daily gavage of Fx at 50 and 100 mg/kg. The results demonstrated that Fx treatment significantly attenuated <span>d</span>-gal-induced hepatic damage, as evidenced by reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, improved liver histopathology, and decreased DNA damage. Furthermore, Fx treatment delayed the hepatic aging-like phenotype by down-regulating the protein expression of senescence markers, such as p53, p21, p16, and β-galactosidase. Mechanistically, Fx treatment alleviated hepatic oxidative stress by reducing levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyls, as well as restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Additionally, Fx treatment appeared to suppress <span>d</span>-gal-induced hepatic inflammation by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, as reflected by decreased phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta (IκKβ), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha (IκBα), and NF-κB p65, along with reduced protein levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Importantly, Fx treatment inhibited <span>d</span>-gal-induced activation of multiple programmed cell death pathways in the liver, including the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, the receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)/receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) necroptotic signaling cascade, and the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptotic signaling cascade. These findings suggest that Fx has potential as a nutraceutical ingredient for supporting liver health during aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70359","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148848935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to “Teadenol A, a Key Cleavage Product of EGCG in Dark Tea, Alleviates Depressive-Like Behavior by Modulating the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in CUMS-Induced Rats”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70325","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Zhao, T., Y. Chen, Y. Zhao, et al. 2026. “Teadenol A, a Key Cleavage Product of EGCG in Dark Tea, Alleviates Depressive-Like Behavior by Modulating the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in CUMS-Induced Rats.” <i>Food Frontiers</i> 7, no. 3: e70292. https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70292.</p><p>In the funding section, the grant number for the National Key Research and Development Program of China was incorrect. The correct grant number is: 2022YFD2101103.</p><p>The funding section should read:</p><p>This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFD2101103), the Key Research and Development Program of Hunan Province (2024JK2150), Hunan Provincial Youth Science Foundation (Category A; 2025JJ20022), the National Tea Industry Technology System Project (CARS-19), the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (2023JJ50004), and the Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department (20B282).</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70325","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148848651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to “Teadenol A, a Key Cleavage Product of EGCG in Dark Tea, Alleviates Depressive-Like Behavior by Modulating the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in CUMS-Induced Rats”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70325","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Zhao, T., Y. Chen, Y. Zhao, et al. 2026. “Teadenol A, a Key Cleavage Product of EGCG in Dark Tea, Alleviates Depressive-Like Behavior by Modulating the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in CUMS-Induced Rats.” <i>Food Frontiers</i> 7, no. 3: e70292. https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70292.</p><p>In the funding section, the grant number for the National Key Research and Development Program of China was incorrect. The correct grant number is: 2022YFD2101103.</p><p>The funding section should read:</p><p>This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFD2101103), the Key Research and Development Program of Hunan Province (2024JK2150), Hunan Provincial Youth Science Foundation (Category A; 2025JJ20022), the National Tea Industry Technology System Project (CARS-19), the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (2023JJ50004), and the Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department (20B282).</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70325","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148848652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hawthorn Polyphenol Nanoparticles Alleviate Exercise-Induced Fatigue by Modulating Energy Metabolism and the Gut Microbiome in Mice","authors":"Chun Zhang,&nbsp;Yan Wang,&nbsp;Jiancheng Ma,&nbsp;Yihong Chen,&nbsp;Donglin Shi,&nbsp;Hao Wang,&nbsp;Xuedong Chang,&nbsp;Suwen Liu,&nbsp;Lina Dong","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70358","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70358","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Polyphenols exert a variety of physiological effects; however, their utility is hampered by their limited bioavailability owing to their unstable nature. The bioavailability can be improved by encapsulating them in nanoparticles. In this study, hawthorn polyphenol nanoparticles (HPN) were prepared using an antisolvent method and layer-by-layer self-assembly, and the effects of HPN in alleviating exercise-induced fatigue in mice were investigated. The average size of HPN was 63.37 nm. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and simulated intestinal fluid retention of HPN after 6 h was 65.08% and 98.91% higher, respectively, than those of the unencapsulated form. The retention time for HPN in mice extended to 19.7 h. The time to exhaustion during swimming against gravity increased from 114 s in the model group to 225 s in the HPN group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). These effects were associated with reduced levels of fatigue-related metabolites, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced hormone levels, and increased energy reserves (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). HPN alleviated fatigue by regulating the abundance and composition of the gut microbiota and the mRNA expression levels of <i>AMPK</i>, <i>PI3K</i>, <i>Akt</i>, and <i>mTOR</i>. In summary, this study demonstrates that HPN can achieve a sustained release of polyphenols and alleviate exercise-induced fatigue, providing a theoretical basis for its application in functional sports foods.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70358","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148784784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant-Derived Byproducts for Probiotic Encapsulation: A Composition–Microstructure–Function Review","authors":"Khadijat Oladayo Ganiyu,&nbsp;Jian Zhao","doi":"10.1002/fft2.70357","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70357","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Probiotic delivery in foods is limited by viability losses during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal (GI) transit. Encapsulation may improve probiotic survival, but its effectiveness depends on both the carrier matrix and the surrounding food environment. This review examines plant-derived byproducts, including peels, pomaces, press cakes, pulp residues, and fiber-rich streams, as functional co-components of probiotic carrier systems. Rather than treating these materials as generic sustainability additives, we classify them according to dominant compositional fractions, including soluble polysaccharides, insoluble fibers, resistant starch, phenolic-rich extracts, and protein-containing fractions. A composition–microstructure–function framework is used to evaluate how byproduct composition, processing history, matrix properties, and stress conditions influence probiotic retention, release, and survival. Reported benefits are most interpretable when supported by matched comparators and physicochemical or microstructural measurements. Semiquantitative synthesis shows that byproduct effects vary across storage and GI conditions. Stronger mechanistic attribution is possible when viability improvements are reported alongside descriptors such as water activity, particle morphology, swelling, release behavior, and structural features. Translation remains constrained by feedstock variability, inconsistent reporting, limited comparator designs, regulatory uncertainty, fractionation scalability, and sensory or consumer-acceptance challenges. Overall, plant-derived byproducts show promise as candidate matrix components for food-grade probiotic delivery systems. Future progress will require safety qualification, specification-based material selection, evidence-weighted performance assessment, and validation in realistic food systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":73042,"journal":{"name":"Food frontiers","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fft2.70357","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148784785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}