PubMed

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116283. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116283. Epub 2025 Mar 17.ABSTRACTFruits and vegetables (FVs) are rich sources of macro and micro-nutrients crucial for a healthy diet. In addition to these nutrients, FVs also contain fibre and phytochemicals known for their antioxidant properties. Despite the growing evidence of the disease-preventive role of antioxidants in FVs, their bioavailability and bioaccessibility vary significantly and have not been adequately explored. Lactic acid bacterial (LAB) fermentation is considered the most appropriate and accessible biotechnological approach to maintain and enhance the safety, nutritional, sensory and shelf-life properties of perishable foods such as FVs. This review critically assesses how LAB fermentation could be utilised as a promising biotransformation strategy to enhance the bioavailability of antioxidants in FVs. Furthermore, it discusses the potential use of uniquely nutritious Australian native fruits as suitable candidates for LAB fermentation. Further research is essential to identify the beneficial properties of bioactive compounds and effective LAB-based biotransformation strategies to improve the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of antioxidants in FVs.PMID:40253191 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116283

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116235. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116235. Epub 2025 Mar 22.ABSTRACTL-theanine (L-Thea), a bioactive amino acid found in tea, demonstrates remarkable nutraceutical properties. Isoproterenol (ISO) has been utilized as a reliable and potent agent to induce heart failure (HF) in murine models. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms through which L-Thea alleviates ISO-induced cardiac damage via the examination of proteomic and metabolomic data. Herein, we first successfully developed an ISO-induced cardiac injury model in mice. Then, the intervention with L-Thea demonstrated an improvement in cardiac performance and enhanced ventricular function. The results of histological assessments suggested that L-Thea has the potential to mitigate inflammatory infiltration, cardiomyocytes loss, and myocardial fibrosis in heart tissue affected by ISO-induced cardiac injuries in mice. Moreover, the proteomic data indicated that L-Thea led to a significant reduction in apoptosis, the p53 signaling pathway, and the IL-17 signaling pathway within cardiac tissue. Significantly, there were five KEGG pathways that were shown in both the proteome and metabolome, including apoptosis, purine metabolism, cAMP signaling pathway, ABC transporters and cytochrome P450. The western blot results further confirmed that L-Thea induced the downregulation of BAX (pro-apoptotic protein) and the upregulation of BCL-2 (anti-apoptotic protein), thereby suppressing apoptosis in the cardiac tissue of mice. Collectively, L-Thea possesses the capacity to function as a dietary supplement for the prevention or management of cardiac damage induced by ISO.PMID:40253182 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116235

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116203. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116203. Epub 2025 Mar 14.ABSTRACTThis study investigated the dynamics of aroma compounds in different locations of tea leaves at various stages of the Oolong tea-making process via metabolomics analysis and ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene transcriptome analysis of metabolism-related enzymes. In addition, this study focused on examining the composition and metabolic synthesis pathways of milk flavor compounds during the processing of Jin Xuan Oolong tea. This study showed that a total of 57 aroma compounds were identified, whereas the abundance of the heat map showed a decreasing abundance of these compounds from the first leaves to the stems. The milky aroma compounds were divided into two groups based on changes during the leaf-stirring process (shaking). Specifically, hexanal, 1-octen-3-ol, and trans-2-decanal decreased throughout this process. In contrast, heptanal, limonene, and jasmone increased, producing Oolong tea with a milky fragrance. Moreover, the results of this study on gene expressions of metabolic enzymes and fatty acid contents indicated the milky flavor compounds were derived from fatty acid metabolism. Therefore, this study provides theoretical support and information on the knowledge of Oolong tea processing, which potentially allows the tea industry to improve the quality of the tea to bring this fantastic flavor to consumers.PMID:40253174 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116203

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116189. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116189. Epub 2025 Mar 14.ABSTRACTMicronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) impact more than three billion individuals worldwide, particularly those in impoverished and marginalized communities, leading to adverse long-term health consequences. Biofortification, which focusses on enhancing the nutrient density of food crops, presents a promising strategy to address this challenge. Recent studies involving both model organisms and human subjects have demonstrated that, beyond remedying common dietary insufficiencies, micronutrients can modulate the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome. The microbiota, in turn, utilize these micronutrients, facilitating digestion, synthesizing essential nutrients, and modulating immune responses, thereby establishing a bidirectional relationship known as the micronutrient-microbiome axis. Numerous studies have also documented significant variations in these interactions, highlighting the complex dynamics of the micronutrient-microbiome relationship. The composition and interactions of the microbiota have been investigated using various methodologies, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, RT-PCR, metagenomics, and metabolomics. This review explores recent advancements in understanding the reciprocal relationship between micronutrient levels and the gut microbiome, emphasizing key findings that provide critical insights for the development of targeted dietary strategies aimed at alleviating MNDs and improving overall health.PMID:40253169 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116189

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116180. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116180. Epub 2025 Mar 22.ABSTRACTGreen tea processed from albino tea cultivars is characterized by fresh aroma and umami taste. However, research on albino green tea remains limited, and the compounds responsible for its aroma and flavor have yet to be comprehensively analyzed. To develop and utilize various albino tea cultivars, this study employed green tea processed from four albino tea cultivars, namely 'Tezaobai' (TZB), 'Ruixue 1'(RX1), 'Naibai' (NB) and 'Zhongbai 4' (ZB4), as materials. High-resolution mass spectrometry techniques were utilized to analyze volatile and non-volatile metabolites. The sensory evaluation revealed that TZB exhibited a pronounced bitterness alongside a distinct fruity aroma. NB demonstrated significantly higher sweetness, umami, and roasted aroma compared to other teas. ZB4 was characterized by cooked-corn aroma and astringency. RX1 displayed balanced sensory attributes. Research indicated that the bitterness in TZB stemmed from high alkaloid content, while elevated ethyl acetate levels might contribute to fruity aroma. NB contained substantial amino acids that enhance its sweetness and umami. Maillard reaction products, such as 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, contributed to its roasted aroma. The astringency of ZB4 was significantly influenced by compounds like myricetin-3-galactoside, myricetin, and other flavonoids and glycosides. The prominent cooked-corn aroma in ZB4 came from dimethyl sulfide. In summary, this study offers an initial investigation into the impact of various albino tea cultivars on the quality of green tea. It establishes a theoretical foundation for the selection of high-quality materials for the production of albino green tea and establishes a practical groundwork for the development and utilization of albino tea cultivars.PMID:40253163 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116180

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116317. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116317. Epub 2025 Mar 20.ABSTRACTMaintaining the quality of fresh-cut navel oranges during storage remains a significant challenge due to microbial infestation. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a multifunctional gelatin-based (MG) film in retaining flavor, delaying quality deterioration, and extending the shelf life of fresh-cut navel oranges. Basic quality indicators demonstrated that MG film packaging effectively maintained the appearance and texture of fresh-cut navel oranges, reduced water loss and microbial growth, and extended the freshness period compared to unpacked samples and PE film. Additionally, the MG film packaging delayed a decline in the β-glucosidase (β-GC) activity, reduced fruit softening and flavor degradation, and maintained the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content, particularly limonene and myrcene. The non-targeted metabolomics results showed that MG film significantly inhibited the degradation of organic acids, flavonoids, and sugars, further slowing the deterioration process. Furthermore, the MG film inhibited spoilage fungi (Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Pseudomonas) and foodborne bacteria such as Pantoea, Enterobacteriaceae, and Gluconobacter by restricting microbial nutrient utilization and metabolic activity, which modulated the microbial community structure and greatly delayed spoilage processes. This study highlighted the potential of MG film in delaying quality deterioration and extending the shelf life of fresh-cut fruits by inhibiting microbial growth.PMID:40253158 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116317

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116312. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116312. Epub 2025 Mar 19.ABSTRACTVariations in metabolite accumulation particularly anthocyanins have been of keen interest to the global tea industry due to their potential health benefits. Previous studies on tea genome, transcriptome, and metabolome provided an integrated spectrum of bioactive metabolites biosynthesis in tea plants. However, comprehending knowledge of anthocyanin biosynthesis and its accumulation in tea plants needed to be unified with multi-omics approaches that can build a complete depiction of the regulatory genomic machinery for improving quality characteristics in tea. Furthermore, true visualization, interpretation, and precise dissection of key traits required significant enrichment of multi-omics data for integration of machine learning. This review emphasizes the role of genetics, epigenetics, and transcriptional regulation of early (EBG) and late biosynthetic genes (LBG) involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation in purple tea. Additionally, other factors including key transcription factors, transporters, photosynthesis, vacuole pH, and co-biosynthesis of other flavonoids were discussed. We envision an integration of pangenome and genome-wide strategies (GWAS, mGWAS, EWAS) which can offer new insights for the breeding of anthocyanin-rich tea cultivars to fetch better trade revenue and nutraceutical benefits.PMID:40253154 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116312

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116310. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116310. Epub 2025 Mar 22.ABSTRACTMulti-strain microbial fermentation plays an important role in the formation of rich flavor of cereal vinegar, but it also brings challenges to the control of fermentation process and the judgment of fermentation end point. In this study, the differences of microbial community structure and metabolites composition in fermented grains (termed CuPei in Chinese) of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar before and after acetic acid fermentation were compared. First, the physical and chemical indicators of CuPei during acetic acid fermentation of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar were used to identify the fermentation endpoint. Second, the changes of metabolites in CuPei before and after the fermentation endpoint were investigated using metabolomics. A total of 43 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, including 18 esters, 9 acids, 2 alcohols, 5 ketones and 3 aldehydes. Hereinto, formamide, pyrazine and dibutylphthalate were the key intermediate metabolites. Furthermore, five species, including Komagataeibacter sp., Limosilactobacillus panis, Lactobacillus acetoolerans, Limosilactobacillus pontis and Acetilactobacillus jinshanensis were identified as key functional microorganisms involved in the production of these unique metabolites by metatranscriptomics. These findings improve our understanding of the relationship between microbial succession and flavour formation in the acetic acid fermentation process of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar, thereby improving the accuracy of judging the fermentation endpoint of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar, and improving the flavour quality of the product.PMID:40253153 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116310

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116295. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116295. Epub 2025 Mar 18.ABSTRACTSustained release technology facilitates precise regulation of active ingredient delivery, attenuating enzymatic degradation while optimizing bioavailability in malabsorptive conditions. Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) catalyzes isopeptide bond formation via acyl transfer reactions, conferring resistance to gastrointestinal digestion. However, the in vivo sustained release potential of MTGase-modified fish gelatin (MTGase-modified-FG) remains uncertain. In this study, enzymatic modification was performed using MTGase at graded concentrations (0.00 % (Nor), 0.06 % (LD), 0.12 % (MD), and 0.21 % (HD)), with sustained release of collagen evaluated through pharmacokinetic analysis. The results indicated that the MTGase-modified-FG supplementation exhibited a dose-dependent sustained release, extending Tmax from 2.00 ± 0.00 h (Nor) to 5.33 ± 1.15 h (HD). Notably, suboptimal crosslinking (LD/MD) enhanced skin collagen deposition, whereas excessive modification (HD) induced malabsorptive phenomena that may be attributed to the presence of excessive isopeptide bonds. Metabolomic analysis identified MTGase-modified-FG modulated the serum metabolome in collagen-related metabolites (LysoPC, Lysine, succinate), mechanistically linked to choline metabolism in cancer and lysine catabolism. Additionally, the gut microbiota remodeling was modulated by the suppression of Ruminococcus and Blautia, as well as by the expansion of Faecalibaculum and Bifidobacterium at the genus level. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that MTGase-modified-FG enhanced collagen deposition via the TGF-β/Smads and MAPK/AP-1/MMP pathways in human dermal fibroblast cells. These findings suggest that MTGase-modified confers the sustained release properties to fish gelatin, and provides a new collagen supplementation strategy for individuals with malabsorption syndromes.PMID:40253148 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116295

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116281. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116281. Epub 2025 Mar 20.ABSTRACTApigenin was previously identified as a potent hypouricemic agent by comparative metabolomics and in silico analysis. Bioavailability (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) is the major concern for bioefficacy of phytochemicals administered orally. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish an enterohepatic microenvironment biomimetic model comprised of intestine epithelial cells and liver cells to evaluate the bioavailability and hypouricemic bioactivity of apigenin. The results indicated that cumulative 26 % of the supplemented apigenin was absorbed by intestinal epithelium over 240 min. With a maximum 24 % (1.37 μg/mL) of the absorbed apigenin, in its parent form, was distributed to the basolateral extra-enterohepatic compartment. Extensive phase I and phase II metabolism occurred in both enterocytes and hepatocytes. Ten and eighteen metabolites were detected in apical and basolateral medium representing intestinal excretion and systemic distribution, respectively. Apigenin-7-sulfate was the predominant metabolite released in intestinal lumen, while apigenin sulfation, acetylation, and taurine-conjugated products were the major metabolites likely distributed systemically. Importantly, apigenin supplementation significantly lowered uric acid level in the basolateral compartment, which demonstrated its hypouricemic bioactivity after the absorption through intestinal epithelium and supported its potential as a nutraceutical for hyperuricemia prevention. This in vitro enterohepatic model provides a valuable tool for rapidly assessing the bioavailability and bioactivity of dietary components.PMID:40253145 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116281

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116262. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116262. Epub 2025 Mar 15.ABSTRACTSugar substitutes that maintain the homeostasis of glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism are important for nutritional intervention in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the specific metabolic effects remain unclear. The aim of this study was to systematically compare the effects of four common sugar substitutes on a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2DM mouse model from the perspective of hepatic glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. In this study, based on the establishment of a T2DM mouse model induced by an HFD combined with STZ and nontargeted metabolomics, the effects of four sugar substitutes on regulating and improving sugar, lipid, and protein metabolism were systematically evaluated. The results showed that mogroside V (MOG), stevioside (ST), and erythritol (ERT) enhanced protein synthesis via the mammalian target of the rapamycin/p-P70S6K pathway. MOG and ST also improved glucose and lipid metabolism by activating the phosphor-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) pathway and upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. Sucralose primarily improves lipid metabolism by downregulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, whereas ERT increases lipid droplet accumulation in the liver. These findings provide a foundation for the application of sugar substitutes in T2DM nutritional interventions.PMID:40253141 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116262

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116247. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116247. Epub 2025 Mar 15.ABSTRACTProton NMR is one of the key analytical technologies in the field of metabolomics, as it allows one to combine untargeted, targeted, and quantitative metabolite measurements. One of NMR's greatest strengths is the ability to unambiguously identify compounds when present at mg/L concentrations, without the use of expensive or hard-to-source reference compounds. Furthermore, identification can be performed non-destructively on complex samples without the need for further sample preparation and isolation. Here, we describe a series of NMR experiments and data processing techniques to unambiguously identify the metabolite pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) in wine samples, without prior enrichment or separation from matrix compounds and other metabolites typically present in wine. Subsequently, the concentration of pGlu in 100 Australian wines was determined using standard NMR protocols. Statistical analysis demonstrated that occurrence of pGlu is associated with glutamic acid, is linked to vintage conditions and accumulated heat over the growing season, and is negatively associated with rainfall during the growing season. Overall, the results establish the presence and typical concentrations of the amino acid metabolite pGlu in Australian wine.PMID:40253135 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116247

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116243. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116243. Epub 2025 Mar 14.ABSTRACTColloidal nanoparticles (CNPs) are the main form of nutrients in soup products. Lamb soup has the efficacy of improving immunity, benefiting qi and tonifying the kidney. However, its immune mechanism remains unclear. In this study, BALB/c mice were constructed in normal control, prevention (P), model, cyclophosphamide immunodeficiency (CTX) and qi deficiency syndrome (QDS) groups. 18 mice were used for 7-d acclimitization and 5-d intraperitoneal injection modeling. After that, 3 mice were put to death to evaluate the modeling, and 15 mice were used for subsequent detection indicators. The less body weight, shorter exhaustion swimming time, lower organ index and lower plasma immunoglobulin content indicated that the CTX and QDS mouse models were successfully established. Results indicated that CNPs contributed to the weight gain as well as repaired the injury of the spleen and thymus in mice. Plasma immunity indices revealed that CNPs increased the immunoglobulin content of mice in the P, CTX, and QDS groups, thereby improving their immunity. Combined with metabolomics and KEGG database, GnRH, cAMP, Neurotrophin and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways were the key signaling pathways of lamb soup CNPs to enhance mice's immunity. This study aimed to provide a theoretical foundation for lamb soup to enhance immune function.PMID:40253134 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116243

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116214. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116214. Epub 2025 Mar 14.ABSTRACTDepression is strongly linked to dysfunctions in the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Jasmine tea, a traditional Chinese beverage made by combining green tea with Jasminum sambac, has potential antidepressant effects. However, its potential to alleviate depression via modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis remains largely unstudied. In this study, we used a rat model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) to investigate the effects of jasmine tea extract (JT) on depression-related symptoms. Behavioral assessments, inflammatory marker analysis, hippocampal histology, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression assays demonstrated that JT alleviated depressive behaviors, reduced brain tissue damage, and restored cognitive function in CUMS-exposed rats. JT also significantly reduced intestinal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and modulated oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, and CAT), suggesting a role in preserving intestinal integrity. Further, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that JT shifted the gut microbiota composition in favor of beneficial bacteria such as Romboutsia, Blautia, and Monoglobus, while decreasing the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria, including Bifidobacterium, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Escherichia-Shigella. Meanwhile, non-targeted and targeted metabolomics analyses showed that JT influenced key metabolic pathways involving tryptophan, short-chain fatty acids, and bile acids, helping to restore metabolic balance across various tissues (feces, colon, serum, and cerebral cortex) in the depressed rats. These findings indicate that JT may alleviate depression by modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis, highlighting its potential as a dietary intervention for depression management.PMID:40253129 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116214

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116205. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116205. Epub 2025 Mar 13.ABSTRACTP. sibirica seed kernels are a valuable source of nutrition with various therapeutic properties. However, research on their active ingredients and medicinal properties remains limited. This study comprehensively evaluates the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant capacity, and secondary metabolites in P. sibirica seed kernels from six Chinese provinces. The bioactive constituents and antioxidant capacity of P. sibirica seed kernels varied across different provenances. Using targeted metabolomics, 15 comparative data groups were obtained for P. sibirica seed kernel samples. In total, 1133 secondary metabolites were identified, including nine classes of phenolic acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, etc., with phenolic acids (270) and flavonoids (261) emerging as the major metabolites. In particular, P. sibirica seed kernels from Zhalantun City, Hulun Buir City, Inner Mongolia exhibit potential as promising food and medicine sources. The differentially accumulated metabolites showed that these compounds were primarily enriched in secondary metabolic pathways, including the biosynthesis and metabolism of isoflavones, flavonoids, and flavanols. High concentrations of flavonoids affected the antioxidant capacity of P. sibirica through free radical scavenging. Correlation analysis identified 26 metabolites significantly and positively correlated with antioxidant capacity (r ≥ 0.9, p < 0.0001). These results offer a theoretical basis for understanding metabolic mechanisms underlying the variable antioxidant capacity among P. sibirica seed kernels from different provinces. They also provide insights to guide the development and utilization of P. sibirica germplasm.PMID:40253127 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116205

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116178. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116178. Epub 2025 Mar 25.ABSTRACTPoria cocos a traditional Chinese medicinal material with both culinary and therapeutic applications, contains pachymic acid (Pac) as one of its main active compounds, which has demonstrated anti-lipid accumulation and hypoglycemic effects. However, its impact on the biochemical changes in the enterohepatic axis induced by a high-fat diet remains poorly understood. This study investigated the protective mechanism of Pac using a high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mouse model. 16S rRNA sequencing of gut microbiota revealed that Pac administration reduced the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, restored Akkermansia abundance, decreased Desulfovibrio and Streptococcus population, and ameliorated gut dysbiosis. Concurrently, Pac treatment reduced the expression of hepatic inflammatory factors by mainly adjusted LPS/TLR4/MYD88/NFκB pathway. Liver transcriptome analysis indicated that Pac primarily affects genes involved in lipid metabolism, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Specifically, Pac inhibited FASN, SREBP1c, and SCD1 expression while upregulating PPARα and CPT1α, thereby improving high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in mice. Additionally, Pac treatment reduced hepatocellular apoptosis. Non-targeted liver metabolomics analysis following Pac intervention revealed increased levels of acylcarnitine and oleic acid. Collectively, these findings suggest that Pac alleviates high-fat diet-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and damage by modulating gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and apoptosis. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of Pac and offers a reference for the development and utilization of Poria cocos resources in addressing NAFLD.PMID:40253122 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116178

Food Res Int. 2025 May;209:116154. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116154. Epub 2025 Mar 13.ABSTRACTPolyphenol diversity was investigated among seven lentil species, including Lens culinaris (cultivated lentil), L. orientalis, L. tomentosus, L. odemensis, L. lamottei, L. ervoides, and L. nigricans, using photodiode array detection coupled with liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Principal component analysis showed that most species grouped individually, except L. tomentosus and L. odemensis, which overlapped. The LC-MS data from both negative and positive electrospray ionization modes were used to identify 85 polyphenols observed in the UV-vis spectra, which included 27 proanthocyanidins, 17 flavonols, 15 flavones, and 12 hydroxybenzoic acids. An untargeted (comprehensive) analysis of the LC-MS data using Compound Discoverer software identified additional polyphenols (231 total), including numerous overlapping proanthocyanidins that contribute to a broad peak in the UV-vis spectra. The software analysis uncovered some notable differences among polyphenol profiles and intensities within the flavones, flavonols, and phenolic acids present in the species. This result indicates natural variation among the lentil wild relatives, which in part, is attributed to structurally isomeric compounds. A hierarchical clustering analysis, and a differential analysis using volcano plots used to look for statistically significant differences in polyphenols, illustrated significantly lower relative levels of polyphenols in L. culinaris compared with the wild types, especially within the proanthocyanidins and flavones. Our results highlight the potential of lentil wild relatives to enhance lentil seed quality.PMID:40253117 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116154

Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Apr 17:143274. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143274. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPlant-derived nanoparticles are gaining attention for enhancing the delivery and bioavailability of bioactive compounds, though the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate dried hawthorn-derived nanoparticles (DHNPs), focusing on their composition, molecular interactions and impact on polyphenol absorption. The results showed that DHNPs, averaging 275.7 nm, were primarily composed of polysaccharides and high content of polyphenolic compounds (~25 %), with covalent and non-covalent interactions forming between them. Saponification increased the polyphenol release, and metabolomics identified 252 polyphenolic compounds, with 195 showing a relative increase post-treatment, including caffeic acid and (-)-catechin. An in vitro intestinal absorption test using Caco-2 cell monolayer model demonstrated that DHNPs-bound polyphenols exhibited significantly higher permeability (27.90 %) compared to free polyphenols (12.38 %), indicating that endocytosis may serve as a potential pathway through which DHNPs enhance polyphenol absorption. This study provides new insights into the role of plant-derived nanoparticles contributing to bioactive compound delivery and bioavailability.PMID:40253047 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143274

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2025 Apr 17:117350. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117350. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLung cancer is a significant contributor to global mortality rates in the human population. However, the results of current treatment options are still unsatisfactory. Thus, the study explores low-toxic natural substances that release caspases and trigger apoptosis. Neohesperidin (NHP), a flavonoid, has anticancer efficacy although its molecular mechanism is unknown. In the current work, through in-silico and in-vitro screening, we discovered that NHP significantly reduces the expression of x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (xIAP) and ATP on its administration, leading to apoptosis in human and mice lung (A549 and LLC-1) cancerous cells. Furthermore, NHP promoted the production of second-mitochondria-derived-activator-of-caspase (SMAC) and triggers mitochondrial dysfunction which also promotes apoptosis (51.1 %) as well as necrosis (25.8 %). This mechanism is regulated by mitochondria-mediated (Bax and Bcl-2) caspases-dependent apoptotic and ROS mediated pathway which increases SMAC expression by 21.2 % along with lowering the xIAP level (by 36.5 %). Moreover, network pharmacology was utilized to delineate the interactions of the compounds within biological networks, emphasizing their potential to target multiple pathways. In addition, we investigated the alterations in metabolites within A549 cells caused by NHP using liquid-chromatography-high-resolution-mass-spectrometry (LC-HRMS)-based metabolomics. The results revealed perturbations in metabolomes that are involved in multiple pathways. Therefore, this study indicates that NHP is a potential therapeutic agent to mitigate and control the proliferation of lung cancer and also regulates the energy metabolism.PMID:40252982 | DOI:10.1016/j.taap.2025.117350

Cancer Lett. 2025 Apr 17:217730. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2025.217730. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) carry variable malignant potential, requiring precise clinical management. However, the heterogeneity and progression of PCNs remain poorly understood. This study analyzed the microbiome, metabolome, and ionome profiles of cyst fluids from 188 patients, including 165 with PCNs and 23 with other cyst types, using PacBio full-length 16S/ITS sequencing, LC-MS/MS, and ICP-MS. Bioinformatic analyses were performed, and metabolic enzyme and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related gene expression were examined using the PAAD TCGA dataset. PCNs were classified into distinct histopathological subtypes, including mucinous cystic lesions (MCLs) and serous cystic lesions (SCLs). MCLs demonstrated lower microbial diversity compared to SCLs, indicating microbial instability. Streptococcus and Staphylococcus were identified as key taxa in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), respectively. MCLs exhibited metabolic shifts towards lipid metabolism, while IPMNs showed distinct metabolic profiles potentially reflecting inflammation-related metabolic reprogramming. Ionic diversity varied among subtypes, with MCLs showing reduced diversity and IPMNs presenting broader ionic profiles. Palmitic acid (PA), a metabolite linked to Streptococcus, may contribute to pro-inflammatory metabolic alterations in IPMN. Our preliminary experiments demonstrated that co-culturing Streptococcus orails (S. orails) with ASAN-PaCa cells promoted their proliferation, accompanied by an elevation of PA levels in the supernatant. This integrative microbiome-metabolome-ionome analysis highlights histopathological heterogeneity among PCNs. While mechanistic associations remain to be fully defined, mucinous lesions may be more susceptible to microbe-driven metabolic disruption, with Streptococcus-associated lipid alterations as a potential contributing factor.PMID:40252823 | DOI:10.1016/j.canlet.2025.217730