This study aimed to investigate the effects of a nitrite composite substitute (NSCS) composed of several natural substances (0.03% monascus red, 0.04% Nisin, and 0.03% rosemary) on the eating quality, total bacterial count, nitrite residue, and other indices of yak meat sausages during storage (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 d), and to clarify the substitution effect of NSCS on nitrite in minced meat products. Results showed that NSCS exerted positive effects on improving the eating quality of yak meat sausages, reducing the total bacterial count and nitrite residues by substituting nitrite. Specifically, on day 9, the NSCS-treated group exhibited the highest water-holding capacity (86.1%), which was 15.5% higher than that of the nitrite-treated group (P<0.05). The cooking loss rate of the NSCS-treated group was significantly lower than that of the nitrite-treated group (P<0.05), and also significantly lower than that of the control group except on day 7 (P<0.05). During the storage period of 1~9 d, there was no significant difference in the total bacterial count between the NSCS group and the nitrite group, and both were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). On day 1, the nitrite residue in the nitrite-treated group reached the maximum of 28.3 mg/kg, which was significantly higher than those in the NSCS-treated group and the control group (P<0.05). On day 9, the nitrite residue in the nitrite-treated group dropped to the minimum of 11.2 mg/kg. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in nitrite residue between the NSCS-treated group and the control group. In conclusion, NSCS can replace nitrite to a certain extent in the processing of yak meat sausages. This finding provides important reference significance for the development of green and organic yak meat products, and also offers theoretical references for research on nitrite substitutes in other minced meat products.

In this study, soaking solutions prepared from rosemary, clove, and mint extracts were used for the pretreatment of Undaria pinnatifida. Combined with electronic sensory analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques, the effects of different extract addition amounts, solid-liquid ratios, and soaking times on the quality and deodorization effect of Undaria pinnatifida were analyzed, and the optimal pretreatment process was screened out. The results showed that the optimal deodorization process was as follows: extract concentration of 4 g/L, solid-liquid ratio of 1:4 (g/mL), and soaking time of 40 min. Mint and rosemary extracts exhibited color-protecting effects (ΔE<2, moderate color difference), while clove extract could improve the texture properties of Undaria pinnatifida (P<0.05). The electronic nose results indicated that the contents of nitrogen oxides and inorganic sulfides in Undaria pinnatifida soaked with clove and rosemary extracts were the highest. A total of 52 volatile compounds were identified in Undaria pinnatifida by GC-MS, among which 6 were key flavor substances. Rosemary extract reduced the contents of fishy substances such as hexanal, 1-pentanol, and 2-heptanol in Undaria pinnatifida, and increased the contents of floral and fruity compounds including 3-octanone, β-ionone, 1-octen-3-ol, eugenol, eucalyptol, and 4-allylanisole. This study provides a theoretical basis for deodorization and quality preservation during the deep processing of Undaria pinnatifida.

The combination of Nisin with active substances can broaden its antibacterial spectrum and endow the system with antioxidant capacity, thereby synergistically enhancing food preservation efficacy. Consequently, it attracted much attention in the field of food safety research. In particular, the construction of composite films using Nisin-based compounds as functional components through different film-forming methods (such as coating, casting, extrusion, and electrospinning, etc.) became a research hotspot in the field of food active packaging in recent years. This article begins with a brief introduction to Nisin and its antibacterial mechanism, followed by a comprehensive overview of the bioactive substances utilized in conjunction with Nisin and their synergistic effects. Then, the research progress of Nisin compounds active films in food preservation, specifically from the aspects of different film-forming techniques, is mainly reviewed. Furthermore, the limitations of the current research and the future development directions are summarized and discussed, with the expectation of providing a reference for the efficient application of Nisin in the field of food preservation.

To investigate the impact of compound microbial fermentation on Gastrodia elata quality (fermented liquid), providing a theoretical foundation for its industrial deep processing. Gastrodia elata was fermented using a compound microbial consortium (Lactobacillus plantarum, Acetobacter pasteurianus, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus, FJ group), with unfermented (CK) and enzymatically hydrolyzed (MJ) groups as controls. Physicochemical properties (total acidity, pH, etc.) were assessed. HPLC analyzed gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, determined total phenols, and total flavonoids, evaluated their antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Volatile compounds and differential metabolites were identified using SPME-GC-MS. Sensory evaluation assessed overall quality and flavor. The results showed that compared to CK, FJ significantly increased total acidity (2.6-fold), decreased pH, and elevated the content of crude polysaccharides (247.65±16.10 mg/g) and ethanol (0.54%vol±0.02%vol). MJ showed minimal physicochemical changes except in polysaccharides. HPLC revealed that microbial fermentation enhanced the production of bioactive compounds (gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol), significantly increased total phenols (promoted 29.45% vs. CK), total flavonoids (promoted 44.08% vs. CK), antioxidant activity, and hypoglycemic activity (FJ>MJ>CK). SPME-GC-MS identified increased alcohols, acids, and esters in FJ, with characteristic differential metabolites including 3-penten-2-one, isoamyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate. Sensory evaluation confirmed improved quality, imparting distinct alcoholic and sweet notes. These results provide that compound microbial fermentation effectively enhances the bioactive components, functional properties, and sensory quality of Gastrodia elata, offering valuable insights for developing functional foods and advancing its industrial processing.

This study investigated the antioxidant activity and stability of walnut peptide-metal chelates using walnut peptides (WP, Mw<1 kDa) as raw material. The antioxidant capacity of WP chelates with different metal ions prepared by coordination was systematically evaluated, followed by screening of optimal-activity chelates and comprehensive assessment of their antioxidant capacity and stability. Molecular docking was employed to identify the peptide segment exhibiting the strongest antioxidant capacity within walnut peptides and elucidate its specific binding interactions. Results showed that the walnut peptide-calcium chelates (WP-Ca) exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant activity（P<0.05）, achieving 74.00%±0.54% DPPH and 85.27%±0.67% ABTS⁺ radical scavenging rates, surpassing other metal-ion chelates. WP-Ca also maintained high stability across various pH, temperatures, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Molecular docking identified NALVAPHY as the optimal peptide for DPPH chelation, with its antioxidant activity mediated by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding with DPPH. This study provides theoretical support for valorizing walnut processing by-products and advances the development of novel metal-chelated peptide antioxidants, with particular implications for functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Exploring the xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitory peptide from Chlorella pyrenoidosa could provide a scientific basis for hyperuricemia prevention and treatment strategies, and promote the comprehensive utilization of microalgal protein resources. In this study, Chlorella pyrenoidosa was used as the raw material to extract proteins. With the XOD inhibition rate and the degree of hydrolysis (DH) as evaluation indicators, the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were optimized through single-factor and response surface experiments. Based on this, further analysis of XOD inhibitory peptide was conducted. The results showed that papain was the most suitable protease, and the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were pH7.0, hydrolysis temperature 48.0 ℃, hydrolysis time 4.0 h, enzyme dosage 2000 U/g, and substrate concentration 10 mg/mL. Under these conditions, the theoretical inhibition rate was 73.78%, and the actual inhibition rate reached 71.56%±0.51%. The amino acid composition of Chlorella pyrenoidosa XOD inhibitory peptide was reasonable, with essential amino acids, hydrophobic amino acids, and basic amino acids accounting for 43.17%, 45.07%, and 14.15% of the total, respectively. Additionally, they exhibited moderate stability under gastrointestinal digestion conditions, but their inhibitory activity decreased significantly under high temperature or strong acid/alkaline conditions. They were also relatively sensitive to metal ions such as Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The relative molecular mass mainly concentrated below 1 kDa, and the ultrafiltered fraction with a molecular weight <3 kDa showed the highest XOD inhibitory activity, with an IC₅₀ of (5.23±0.68) mg/mL. This study provides a theoretical reference for the development and utilization of food-derived uric acid-lowering peptides.

The present study investigated the effects of resistant corn starch (RCS) heat-treated at various temperatures (25, 40, 60, 80, and 100 ℃) on tilapia myofibrillar protein (MP) emulsion gel viscoelastic properties, particle size distribution, microstructure, centrifugal stability, Raman spectroscopy and three-dimensional (3D) printing characteristics. The results showed that the RCS heat-treatment temperature significantly modulated the hydrophobic interactions, thereby affecting the emulsion gel rheology and structural stability. When the RCS heat treatment temperature was 40 ℃, RCS swelled moderately, and the emulsion gel exhibited optimal performance, demonstrating pseudoplastic flow behavior, high elasticity, and a uniform particle size distribution. Apparent viscosity, storage modulus (G'), thixotropic recovery rate, and particle size uniformity increased significantly, thus enhancing the gel network structure and stability. This formulation exhibited excellent 3D printing extrudability and self-supporting ability, maintaining its structural integrity even after astaxanthin loading. Raman spectroscopy revealed that hydrophobic forces primarily governed gel network formation without covalent bond involvement. When the RCS heat treatment temperature exceeds 60 ℃, the the linear starch in the RCS leaches out, causing decrease in apparent viscosity and shear stress.Collectively, this study elucidated the mechanism through which heat-treatment temperature regulated RCS to influence RCS-MP emulsion gel stability. The findings showed that 40 ℃ was the optimal temperature for enhancing rheology and 3D printing performance, thereby providing a crucial theoretical basis for developing high-precision, personalized 3D printing food-grade inks and expanding RCS applications in functional foods.

In this study, the effects of different treatment times (40, 50, 60 s) on the changes of physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of postharvest fresh-cut Dendrocalamus brandisii (D. brandisii) shoots during storage were investigated using dielectric barrier discharge-cold plasma (DBD-CP). The results showed that DBD-CP improved the brightness of fresh-cut D. brandisii shoots with the highest contents of total phenols, total flavonoids, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars compared with CK group. At the 30th day of storage of CP₁, CP₂, and CP₃-treated D. brandisii shoots, peroxidase activity decreased by 11.13, 15.96, and 5.03 U/g (P<0.05), polyphenol oxidase activity decreased by 0.28, 1.21, and 0.62 U/g (P<0.05), phenylalanine deaminase activity decreased by 1.99, 7.19, and 5.81 U/g (P<0.05), 4-coumaroyl-coenzyme A ligase activity decreased by 3.17, 4.41, and 1.81 U/g (P<0.05), pectin content increased by 23.61%, 58.33%, and 44.44% (P<0.05), and cumulative synthesis of cellulose and lignin decreased by 7.81, 37.24, and 13.86 mg/g (P<0.05), 0.54, 0.68, and 0.55 mg/g (P<0.05), respectively. Principal component analysis showed that CP₂ had the smallest confidence circle, indicating that it had the best quality stability of D. brandisii shoots. This study provides some theoretical basis for the application of DBD-CP technology in the field of postharvest preservation and processing of D. brandisii shoots.

In order to systematically explore the slated noodle-making suitability of various wheat varieties, twenty-three varieties of wheat predominantly cultivated in Huang-Huai winter wheat region were selected and their grain qualities, flour physicochemical properties, pasting and mixing properties, as well as the resultant white-salt noodles quality were comprehensively evaluated using the multiple statistical methods like correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. The results showed that there were significant differences in hardness index, wet gluten contents and damaged starch contents, viscosity and breakdown value, and the corresponding dough’s stabilization time and weakening degree among different varieties of wheat. Likewise, the variation coefficients among these quality indexes also showed obvious differences. Correlation analysis indicated that kernel hardness, flour protein contents, wet gluten contents, and water absorption exhibited significant positive correlations (P<0.05) with the sensory quality of white salt noodles. Principal component analysis showed that the evaluation index of wheat grain quality could be dimensionally reduced by five principal component factors, with a cumulative contribution rate of 75.097%, which could be used to explain most information of original variables, among which the first principal component (reflecting flour quality and mixing characteristics) and the second principal component (reflecting wheat grain quality and gelatinization characteristics) played a major role in wheat variety evaluation. Combined with the results of cluster analysis, 23 wheat varieties could be divided into 4 categories. Among these, the white salt noodles made by the second wheat variety had moderate hardness, chewiness, and gumminess, the lowest cooking loss rate and the highest sensory score, underscoring its suitability for making white salt noodles. The second type of wheat varieties specifically included: Zhengyumai 16, Zhoumai 36, Weilong 169, Zhengmai 179, Zhengmai 103, Yubao No.1 and Kaimai 21, and their variety index thresholds were as follows: protein content 10.85%~12.93%, peak viscosity 2262.00~2748.00 cP, minimum viscosity 1406.00~2021.00 cP, stability time 1.5~4.7 min, hardness 2812.00~4012.00 g, chewiness 1878~2588 g and cooking loss rate 3.31%~5.36%.

The synergistic sterilization approach, which combines ultrasound with light, serves as an emerging green non-thermal sterilization technology that can effectively overcome the limitations of single technology application and markedly enhance antibacterial efficacy against foodborne pathogens. This enhancement in antibacterial efficacy is achieved through the direct synergistic effects of physical energy, without the need for exogenous sono/photosensitizers, and offers distinct advantages in terms of efficiency and environmental sustainability. This paper provides an overview of the current progress regarding the sterilization efficacy, mechanisms and practical applications of ultrasound, light (including UV light, blue light, infrared light and pulsed light) as well as their combination (primarily UV and blue light) on various microorganisms. Studies have demonstrated that ultrasound-light synergistic sterilization technology can not only remarkably improve the inactivation efficiency against foodborne pathogens, but also well preserve food product quality, thus providing a novel technical approach for food non-thermal sterilization. Future research should aim to further clarify the underlying synergistic mechanisms, expand the application scope, and accelerate the industrialization of this technology in the food sector. Overall, this paper provides a solid theoretical reference for the development and practical application of ultrasound-light synergistic sterilization technology.