Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of sea cucumber intestinal ovigerm peptides (SCIOP) on enhancing the immune function of mice through network pharmacology and animal experiments. Methods The database was used to screen the active chemical components of SCIOP and the targets of immune cells. Gene ontology (GO) functional analysis, kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were conducted on the relevant core targets to preliminarily explore the potential targets and mechanisms of SCIOP in enhancing immune function. Male kunming mice (KM) aged 4-5 weeks old were randomly assigned to 4 groups. The experimental groups were treated with SCIOP at doses of 0.52 g/kg (SCIOP-L) and 1.04 g/kg (SCIOP-H) via gavage, the positive control group received 0.52 g/kg of sea cucumber peptides, while the blank control group was given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage. After 30 days of gavage, various immune indicators were measured, including organ/body weight ratio, delayed-type hypersensitivity, splenic lymphocyte transformation capacity, humoral immunity, and peritoneal macrophage phagocytic activity were measured. Results The results of network pharmacology showed that the active ingredients of SCIOP in enhancing immune function mought be cucumarioside, holothurin and other 15 kinds of ingredients. The key targets mought be cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A), fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) and other 46 immune targets, which mainly enriched in cell adhesion molecules, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)and other 14 signaling pathways. Animal experiment results showed that SCIOP significantly increased delayed-type hypersensitivity, serum hemolysin level, the phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages, and splenic lymphocyte transformation capacity. Conclusion SCIOP activates immune cells with characteristics of multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways, which may exert their immune-enhancing effects through various active components acting on multiple core targets and regulating a number of signaling pathways.

Objective To establish a method for determination of total arsenic in food by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Methods The 0.3 g of the biological component standard substances, namely rice and spinach, were weighed and digested using a microwave digestion instrument. Then, the collision mode was adopted to reduce the interference of mass spectrometry. The non-mass spectrometry interference was corrected by the internal standard. Acetic acid, isopropanol, methanol and ethanol were selected as sensitizers, and the concentration of the added sensitizers was adjusted and optimized. The response value of arsenic was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results The highest arsenic response value was observed at 6% isopropanol content. The established method was applied to analyze certified reference materials and real food samples. The measured values of certified reference materials all fell within their certified values and uncertainty ranges, with relative errors below 2.0%. The limit of detection for total arsenic was 0.0016 mg/kg. Conclusion This method demonstrates straightforward operation, good precision, high accuracy, and a low limit of detection, making it suitable as a reliable analytical approach for determining total arsenic content in various food samples.

Objective To establish a method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of a new illegal additive in foods, vardenafil impurity 31 by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Methods The UPLC-MS/MS was used to screen 92 kinds of substances of nafils illegally added in foods. The ultra performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) was used to analyze the structure of the test sample. After the structure was inferred, the standard substance was purchased and verified. The target substance in the test sample was confirmed to be vardenafil impurity 31. The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was established by UPLC-MS/MS, which was suitable for the qualitative and quantitative determination of vardenafil impurity 31 in foods. Results The limit of detection of vardenafil impurity 31 was 5 μg/kg, and the limit of quantitation was 10 μg/kg. The linear relationship was good in the linear range of 0.1-50.0 ng/mL, the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.9976, the average recovery rate was 85.33%-89.41%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 10%. Conclusion The established method is simple and accurate, and can be used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the new illegal additive vardenafil impurity 31 in foods.

Objective To explore the compositional differences in the volatile flavor substances of 6 kinds of Miao rice wines and compare their volatile flavor qualities. Methods Volatile compounds of 6 kinds of Miao rice wines (MJ1-MJ6) were analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the aroma qualities were compared using principal component analysis. Results A total of 99 kinds of volatile flavor substances were detected in the study, with significant differences in content and composition among the samples, among which 11 kinds of common substances such as ethyl decanoate, isobutanol, ethyl hexanoate and isoamyl acetate constituted the basic flavor of Miao rice wine. MJ1 to MJ6 contained 12, 7, 4, 7, 4 and 11 kinds of unique substances, respectively. The top 3 most abundant substances varied from sample to sample, but were mainly esters. In terms of substance categories, esters and alcohols dominated the volatile flavor substances of 6 kinds of Miao rice wines. Principal component analysis showed that alcohols, aromatics, esters, olefins, acids and other substances were the key factors affecting the aroma quality of rice wine, with the best aroma quality being obtained for rice wine MJ6. Conclusion This study clarifies the characteristics and differences of the aroma substances of 6 kinds of Miao rice wines, and provides an important reference for the development of the Miao rice wine industry.

Objective To investigate the lipid-lowering and liver protective effects of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on hyperlipidemic model rats. Methods The 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and low, medium and high dose groups of NMN (10, 50, 250 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. The normal group was given maintenance feed, while the other groups were given high-fat feed to establish a high-fat model. After successful modeling, gastric lavage intervention was performed in each group. After 5 weeks of intervention, serum biochemical indicators and blood lipids were measured, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high densitylipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels, glucose (GLU), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CREA) levels, combined with pathological observation of liver histological changes and nonalcoholic fattyliver disease activity score (NAS) of liver tissues was evaluated. Results Compared with the normal group, the body weight of the model group rats increased significantly, and the levels of TG, TC, LDL-c and ALT (P<0.01) in their serum increased significantly, AST and ALP levels significantly increased (P<0.05) The level of HDL-c (P<0.05) decreased significantly, while GLU and CREA showed no significant changes. Compared with the model group, the TG, TC and ALT levels in the low and medium dose groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the LDL-c in the medium dose group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). The TG, AST and ALT content in the high-dose group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). However, TC and LDL-c were significantly reduced (P<0.01); there was no significant difference in HDL-c, ALP, GLU and CREA. Compared with the model group, the low, medium, and high dose groups improved hepatic steatosis and inflammatory infiltration in rats, and the total score of NAS in the medium and high dose groups was reduced and showed statistical significance. Conclusion NMN can reduce the blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemic SD rats and has a certain protective effect on the liver.

Objective To optimize the processing technology for preserved fruit made from red pitaya peel. Methods The 3 primary factors sodium citrate concentration, sugar solution concentration, and baking time were selected based on single factor experiments. Sensory scores of the preserved red pitaya peel fruit were used as response variables, and the optimal processing conditions were determined using response surface methodology. Results The optimal processing conditions for the peel and preserved fruit of red-fleshed pitaya was determined: 0.75% sodium citrate (for color retention), 40% sugar solution concentration and a baking time of 3.0 hours. The resulting product exhibited a vibrant color and distinctive taste. Conclusion This study proposes a novel method for producing preserved fruit using red pitaya peel, thereby effectively utilizing by-products from pitaya processing.

Objective To investigate the effects of enzymatic hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication extraction conditions on the yield, antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of Mori fructus polysaccharides. Methods Using Mori fructus pomace as the raw material and the yield of Mori fructus polysaccharide as the index, the extraction conditions was optimized through single-factor experiments. Then the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS⁺) radical scavenging capacity, and the inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity of hot water extracting polysaccharide (HWP), enzyme-assisted extracting polysaccharide (EWP), ultrasound-assisted extracting polysaccharide (UWP), enzymatic hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication extracting polysaccharide (EUP) were investigated. Results The optimal conditions for polysaccharide extraction by enzymatic hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication was obtained. Mori fructus pomace powder was mixed with water at ratio of 1:80 (g:mL), and 2.0% composite enzyme (cellulase and pectinase at a ratio of 1:1, V:V) was added in the mixture which was maintained at 50 ℃ for 2 h with stirring. Then the mixture was treated by ultrasonication at 400 W and 60 ℃ for 50 min, and the final yield of EUP was 4.81%, increased by 7.6%, 17.5% and 21.6% compared with HWP, EWP and UWP. EUP also exhibited an improvement in the scavenging activity of both ABTS⁺ radical and DPPH radical. Compared with HWP, EWP and UWP, the semi-inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of α-amylase activity of EUP was 1.18 mg/mL, reduced by 40.1%, 18.6% and 30.6%, respectively, and the IC₅₀ of α-glucosidase activity of EUP was 0.31 mg/mL, reduced by 16.8%, 8.0% and 39.4%, respectively. Conclusion The enzymatic hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication extraction can not only improve the Mori fructus polysaccharide yield, but also enhance the antioxidant power and hypoglycemic activity of Mori fructus polysaccharide, which has a potential application prospect in the industry.

Objective To analyze the content characteristics of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in the dorsal and abdominal muscles of wild and farmed Larimichthys crocea, and carry out the food health threat and risk assessment. Methods The content of 6 kinds of heavy metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry in the dorsal and abdominal parts of wild [(35.16±4.62) cm in length and (510.68±33.74) g in weight] and farmed [(32.90±1.11) cm in length and (454.19±20.03) g in weight] Larimichthys crocea. The pollution index method and health risk assessment were used for analysis. Results The average content of Hg, As, Cu and Zn in the dorsal and abdominal of wild and farmed Larimichthys crocea were 0.128, 0.032, 4.179 and 5.526 mg/kg, and 0.023, 0.195, 4.106 and 5.389 mg/kg, respectively. Pb and Cd were not detected. Based on the single heavy metal pollution index, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd in the dorsal and abdominal of wild and farmed Larimichthys crocea and Hg in the dorsal and abdominal of farmed Larimichthys crocea were pollution-free levels. There was slight pollution of Hg and As in the abdomen part of wild Larimichthys crocea, and mild pollution of Hg in the dorsal of wild Larimichthys crocea. Serious pollution level of As was found in the dorsal and abdominal of the farmed Larimichthys crocea. The comprehensive pollution index value of 6 kinds of heavy metals in the muscle of wild Larimichthys crocea was less than 1, which were pollution-free. And comprehensive pollution index value in the muscle tissue of farmed Larimichthys crocea was between 1.0<PI≤2.0, which were mildly polluted. Conclusion The content of heavy metals in the dorsal and abdominal muscles of wild Larimichthy crocea don’t exceed the detection standard, and the As element in the dorsal and abdominal muscles of farmed Larimichthys crocea exceeds the standard. There is no obvious health risk for the wild and farmed Larimichthys crocea muscles. This study systematically reveals the problem of As enrichment in farmed Larimichthys crocea, and early warning of feed or environmental risks; through the two-dimensional assessment of pollution index and health risk, the safety evaluation model of aquatic products is constructed. The research results have practical guiding significance for improving China’s aquaculture standards and improving the quality and safety supervision level of aquatic products.

Objective To optimize the acid hydrolysis-Fehling reagent titration method and the acid hydrolysis-3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method to compare the consistency of different methods for measuring starch content in grain crop samples. Methods Experimental conditions, including ethanol washing volume, acid addition volume, acid hydrolysis time, sample solution pH, detection wavelength, chromogenic agent volume, color development time and color development temperature, were optimized to determine the optimal processing conditions for determining the starch content in such products. Results The optimal conditions for the acid hydrolysis-Fehling reagent titration method were as follows: After weighing the sample, fats and soluble sugars were removed using an appropriate amount of petroleum ether and ethanol; 25 mL of hydrochloric acid was added, followed by condensation reflux for 120 minutes; the hydrolyzed sample solution was neutralized with sodium hydroxide, filtered, and the filtrate was titrated with alkaline copper tartrate methyl and ethyl solution at a rate of one drop every 2 seconds. The optimal conditions for the acid hydrolysis-DNS colorimetric method were as follows: After removing fat, sugar and acid hydrolysis, the sample solution pH was adjusted to 8-9; for samples with color and high protein content, 10 mL of lead acetate was added to reduce or eliminate pigment interference; after filtration, 2 mL of DNS was added to the filtrate, followed by color development in a water bath at 90-100 °C for 12 minutes; the absorbance was measured at 540 nm using a spectrophotometer, and the determination was completed within 4 hours. Both methods had a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 2% and a relative error (RE) of less than 4%. The measurement results had passed mean consistency test and paired samples t-test. Conclusion The 2 kinds of optimized methods are more efficient and accurate compared to the national standard method, with good accuracy and precision making them suitable for starch content determination in grain crops.

Objective To investigate the contamination situations and exposure risks of deoxynivalenol (DON) and their derivatives in grains and their products in Hebei Province. Methods Totally 1594 grains and their products in Hebei Province from 2016 to 2023 were investigated. DON and its derivatives were determined by isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Their concentrations were analyzed, and the exposure risk of DON to grains and their products among residents in Hebei Province was evaluated based on adult dietary consumption. Results The detection rates of DON were the highest in wheat and their products, ranging from 61.40% to 97.78%. The detection rates of DON in corn and its products were ranging from 36.13% to 86.75%. The detection rate of DON in rice was relatively low, with a detection rate of 0% in rice and 20.31% in Job’s tears. Risk assessment showed that the chronic exposure range for adults was 0.02-0.62 μg/(kg·bw·d), which was lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake guidance value of 1.0 μg/(kg·bw·d). Conclusion DON contamination is relatively common in grains and their products. Among these, wheat and their products exhibit the highest detection rate and contamination levels of DON, followed by corn-based products, while rice-based products show relatively lower contamination levels. For adults, the dietary exposure to DON through the consumption of wheat-based foods, corn, and rice does not pose a significant chronic intake risk. Wheat-based foods are the primary source of DON exposure in the population. Continuous monitoring of DON contamination in grains and their products is necessary to reduce dietary exposure risks.