Food & Function最新文献

{"title":"Identification, saltiness-enhancing effect, and antioxidant properties of novel saltiness-enhancing peptides from peanut protein†","authors":"Peng Wang, Jun Li, Hongbo Yi, Danshi Zhu, Shengnan Wang, Na Zhang, Xiaofei Guo and He Liu","doi":"10.1039/D4FO05274A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO05274A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >In order to reduce the use of traditional salt (NaCl), this study aimed to rapidly identify novel peptides with salt-reducing effects from peanut protein. Four potential peptides were identified through virtual screening and molecular docking. The sensory evaluation and electronic tongue confirmed that the peptides SPDIY, DPSPR, QPGDY, and SPPGER had significant saltiness-enhancing effects, with saltiness enhancement thresholds ranging from 0.16 to 0.64 mmol L<small>⁻¹</small>. Among them, DPSPR exhibited the most pronounced effect in enhancing saltiness, capable of replacing approximately 56.7% of NaCl. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies indicated that amino acid residues Arg272, Glu161, Gln279, Arg168, and Ser165 were found to play key roles in ligand–receptor binding. Additionally, antioxidant activity assays demonstrated that the peptide QPGDY contributed to free radical scavenging in a dose-dependent manner through the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism. The combination of virtual screening technology and experimental validation greatly improved the efficiency and accuracy of peptide discovery and functional characterization, offering a promising strategy for the development of low-sodium foods with antioxidant properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 10","pages":" 3934-3948"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143951554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comment on “Circulating fatty acids and risk of severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the UK biobank: a prospective cohort of 116 223 individuals” by P. Zhuang, Y. Ao, X. Liu, H. Ye, H. Li, X. Wan, Y. Zhang and J. Jiao, Food & Function, 2024, 15, 10527†","authors":"Zhitao Chen, Yangjun Gu, Shusen Zheng and Qiyong Li","doi":"10.1039/D4FO05002A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO05002A","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 11","pages":" 4615-4617"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/fo/d4fo05002a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143954337","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":"Dietary fiber mitigates the differential impact of beef and chicken meat consumption on rat intestinal health†","authors":"Núria Elias Masiques, Jo De Vrieze, Lieselot Y. Hemeryck, Lynn Vanhaecke, Stefaan De Smet and Thomas Van Hecke","doi":"10.1039/D5FO00900F","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO00900F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >In this rat feeding study, it was hypothesized that the impact of red (<em>vs.</em> white) meat consumption on gut health is more pronounced in fiber-deprived diets, whereas fiber-rich diets may attenuate meat-related differences. For this purpose, rats were fed a red (beef) or white (chicken) meat diet with and without fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) for three weeks. Gut health was assessed through colonic microbiota, fermentation metabolites, oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA adducts and histology. In rats on the fiber-deprived diets, beef consumption resulted in higher abundance of mucin-degrading bacteria <em>Akkermansia</em> and lower blood glutathione levels compared to chicken-fed rats. Adding FOS to the meat diets modulated the gut microbiota and fermentation metabolites, affected oxidative stress and inflammation markers in tissues and blood, increased colon length, and reduced fat deposition and liver weight. Thus, results showed that the dietary context should be considered when evaluating the impact of red meat consumption on gut health.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 10","pages":" 3949-3962"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/fo/d5fo00900f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143951482","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":"Multi-omics analysis reveals the attenuation effect of C-phycocyanin on aging-induced subfertility in female mice†","authors":"Zhe Han, Xin Wen, Lei Ge, Cheng-Jie Zhou, Dui Sun, Qi Yang, Fang-Rui Xue, Kang Ding and Cheng-Guang Liang","doi":"10.1039/D5FO00344J","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO00344J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Excessive inflammatory responses within the ovary are one of the main causes of subfertility in elderly women. Eliminating these responses can reverse fertility in aged individuals. Here, we demonstrate that administering 300 mg kg<small>⁻¹</small> day<small>⁻¹</small> C-phycocyanin (PC) to 36-week-old female mice for 45 days can reduce age-related fertility decline, resulting in an increase in litter size from 7.53 to 10.90. PC administration in aged mice enhances ovarian antioxidant enzyme levels, promotes first polar extrusion, and supports early embryonic development. Additionally, PC increases the proportion of normal spindle–chromosome complexes, normalizes mitochondrial distribution, reduces ROS levels, and decreases early apoptosis in aged mice. Notably, PC intervention mitigates age-related changes in gut microbiota composition, serum metabolite profiles, and ovarian gene expression patterns. Mechanistically, PC exerts its effects by suppressing interferon-γ expression, attenuating interferon responses, and preventing ovarian fibrosis, thereby improving reproductive function in aged female mice. Collectively, these findings highlight PC as a potential therapeutic agent to counter age-related fertility decline through targeted anti-inflammatory mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 11","pages":" 4367-4382"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143952817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probiotics improve lung function and QOL in participants with exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial†‡","authors":"Yongcan Wu, Caixia Pei, Xiaomin Wang, Yilan Wang, Demei Huang, Shihua Shi, Shuo Kou, Zherui Shen, Shuiqin Li, Yacong He, Fei Wang and Zhenxing Wang","doi":"10.1039/D4FO05254D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05254D","url":null,"abstract":"<p > <em>Background</em>: Probiotics have been reported to alleviate pulmonary inflammation through the gut–lung axis. However, their effects on PM<small>_2.5</small>-induced toxic reactions have not yet been well studied. <em>Objective</em>: This study aims to investigate the effects of probiotics on lung function and quality of life in participants exposed to PM<small>_2.5</small>, as well as to explore the potential mechanisms underlying these effects. <em>Methods</em>: 120 volunteers were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to receive either a placebo or 2.5 × 10<small>⁹</small> cfu g<small>⁻¹</small> LGG probiotics once daily for four consecutive weeks, with a follow-up period of 6 months. An analysis of covariance was conducted for data statistics, using PM<small>_2.5</small> exposure and baseline measurements as covariates. Least squares means and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to explore the effect of PM<small>_2.5</small> exposure on changes in the intestinal microbiota. A mixed linear model analysis was used to construct a model with baseline values and PM<small>_2.5</small> exposure as covariates to analyse the effects of PM<small>_2.5</small> on SF-36, COOP/WONCA charts, and lung function, and the intervention effect of LGG on these parameters. <em>Results</em>: 120 participants were included. Probiotic intervention demonstrated benefits in the Shannon index and β diversity. After the probiotic intervention, the scores of quality-of-life charts increased during the follow-up period. The pulmonary function indicators, including FEV1, FEF50%, and FEF75%, were statistically different from those in the placebo group. <em>Conclusion</em>: Probiotic intervention can reshape the gut microbiota, offering potential benefits for improving the quality of life in participants chronically exposed to PM<small>_2.5</small>.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 9","pages":" 3627-3642"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143913714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The unexpected role of B vitamins in osteoarthritis: a call for caution†","authors":"Jingkai Di, Liying Song, Lujia Liu, Yijing Di, Shuai Chen and Chuan Xiang","doi":"10.1039/D4FO05162A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO05162A","url":null,"abstract":"<p > <em>Background</em>: The purpose of this study was to investigate the single and mixed effects of B vitamins on OA. <em>Methods</em>: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, from 2003 to 2018, were extracted. A weighted multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the association between B vitamin intake alone and OA. In addition, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and quantile g-calculation (qgcomp) models were used to evaluate the combined effects of six B vitamins on OA. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to assess possible nonlinear associations between individual B vitamins and OA. <em>Results</em>: The study found that vitamin B<small>₁</small> (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.05–1.30), vitamin B<small>₂</small> (OR = 1.12, 95%CI = 1.02–1.22), vitamin B<small>₁₂</small> (OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 1.00–1.01) and total folate (OR = 1.001, 95%CI = 1.000–1.001) increased the risk of OA. Subgroup analysis showed that the association was more significant in people older than 65 and in women. In addition, the mixed effect model also suggested that the mixed effect of six B vitamin mixtures on OA risk was greater. Among them, vitamin B<small>₂</small> and vitamin B<small>₁₂</small> contributed the most to the promotion of OA disease by B-complex vitamins. Folic acid, however, showed a protective effect on the bone and joints in the mixed effect model. <em>Conclusion</em>: The data show that the intake of B vitamins accelerates the occurrence and progression of OA. People with OA disease and those at high risk should be cautious about using vitamin B as a dietary supplement.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 9","pages":" 3658-3670"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143913728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The interaction between starch and phenolic acids: effects on starch physicochemical properties, digestibility and phenolic acids stability","authors":"Faying Zheng, Feiyue Ren, Xuchun Zhu, Zhaowei Han, Yuanqiang Jia, Xiaoyong Liu, Bingyu Chen and Hongzhi Liu","doi":"10.1039/D5FO00855G","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO00855G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Starch and phenolic acids, two common plant-based food components, can interact to form complexes during food processing, thus improving the functional properties of both starch and phenolic acids. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the effects of the interaction of the two components on the multi-scale structure, and key physicochemical and functional properties of starch, as well as the stability of phenolic acids. The main conclusions are as follows: (i) factors such as starch conformation, specific properties of phenolic acids and experimental conditions influence the extent of starch–phenolic acid interactions; (ii) the formation of the complexes significantly alters the microstructure, crystalline structure and thermal stability of starch; (iii) phenolic acids compete with starch for available free water, thereby altering starch gelatinization. This competition reduces the self-interaction of starch chains and retards the starch retrogradation; (iv) combined phenolic acids alter the structural properties of starch, while free phenolic acids inhibit the activity of digestive enzymes, collectively resulting in decreased starch digestibility; and (v) the thermal stability and biological activity of phenolic acids are closely related to the stability of the structure of starch–phenolic acid complexes. Finally, the review highlights current challenges and future research directions in the study of starch–phenolic acid interactions, aiming to advance the development of starch and phenolic acids in food and industrial applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 11","pages":" 4202-4225"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143951637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The natural dihydrochalcone phloretin reduces lipid accumulation via downregulation of IIS and sbp-1/SREBP pathways in HepG2 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans†","authors":"Qi Gu, Litao Wang, Mingyue Xu, Wanmei Zhou, Guosheng Liu, Haiting Tian, Thomas Efferth, Chenlu Wang and Yujie Fu","doi":"10.1039/D5FO01105A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5FO01105A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Phloretin, a natural dihydrochalcone, exhibits significant potential in modulating lipid metabolism both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>. This study investigated the effects of phloretin on lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em>. In HepG2 cells, phloretin reduced lipid accumulation, ROS levels, and lipid peroxidation while ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction. It downregulated lipid synthesis genes (<em>SREBP</em>, <em>FASN</em>) and upregulated PI3K-AKT pathway genes (<em>AKT</em>, <em>FOXO</em>, <em>MTOR</em>). In <em>C. elegans</em>, phloretin alleviated lipid accumulation-induced growth and locomotor impairments, reduced lipofuscin, ROS, glucose, and triglyceride levels, and modulated amino acid and lipid metabolism pathways. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of <em>sbp-1</em>, <em>mdt-15</em>, <em>fat-5</em>, <em>fat-6</em>, and <em>fat-7</em>, and upregulation of <em>daf-16</em>, <em>age-1</em>, and <em>skn-1</em>. Mutant studies confirmed that phloretin's lipid-lowering effects were mediated through the IIS and <em>sbp-1</em>/<em>SREBP</em> pathways. These findings suggest phloretin is a promising candidate for regulating lipid metabolism and preventing hyperlipidemia.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 11","pages":" 4383-4398"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143955868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of maternal Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S58 supplementation on offspring rat immunity and gut health†","authors":"Yu-Ting Zhao, Yu-Hang Jiang, Xi Zhang, Wei-Gang Xin, Xiao-Yong Chen, Jia-Jia Song, Chen Wang and Hua-Yi Suo","doi":"10.1039/D4FO04702H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO04702H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Pregnancy and lactation provide several opportunities for maternal dietary interventions to confer health benefits to newborns. However, the effects of maternal probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on offspring immunity and intestinal health remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation with the probiotic <em>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</em> S58 (LP.S58) during pregnancy and lactation on the intestinal health and immunity of rat offspring. The results demonstrated that LP.S58 was effectively transmitted to the gastrointestinal tissues of offspring rats following maternal supplementation during pregnancy, lactation, or both, without affecting the normal development of individual organs. Furthermore, maternal LP.S58 supplementation significantly increased the serum levels of IL-4, IL-10, SOD, and T-AOC, while reducing those of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, LPS, and NOS in the offspring. Additionally, it upregulated the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins and downregulated pro-inflammatory factors in the offspring rats, thereby improving intestinal health. More importantly, LP.S58 supplementation significantly increased the levels of beneficial gut bacteria, including <em>Akkermansia</em> and <em>Lactobacillus</em>, in the offspring rats. In conclusion, these findings indicate that maternal supplementation with specific probiotics during pregnancy and lactation may positively influence the immune function and intestinal development of offspring.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 9","pages":" 3355-3368"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143913662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Harnessing food-derived bioactive peptides for iron chelation: an alternative solution to iron deficiency anemia","authors":"Bing-De Zheng and Mei-Tian Xiao","doi":"10.1039/D4FO05823B","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4FO05823B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global public health issue. In recent years, food-derived peptide–iron chelates have attracted attention as a potential solution. This review centers on the sources of food-derived peptides for iron chelation, covering marine organisms, terrestrial animals, and plant sources. The formation mechanisms and properties of peptide–iron chelates are discussed. Moreover, the potential applications of these chelates in ameliorating IDA are explored. The review also highlights the challenges and future research directions in the development and utilization of food-derived peptide–iron chelates.</p>","PeriodicalId":77,"journal":{"name":"Food & Function","volume":" 11","pages":" 4226-4241"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143951934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}