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.

In order to solve the common problems of commercial sugarcane wine, such as light fruit aroma and thin wine body, this study aimed to investigate the effects of passion fruit and Liu Pao tea as flavor enhancers on the aromatic components of sugarcane fruit wine. The aromatic components of three sample groups were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results showed that a total of 98 volatile compounds were detected, with 71 in the sugarcane fruit wine group, 83 in the Liu Pao tea group, and 80 in the passion fruit group. Odor activity value (OAV) analysis revealed that 14 compounds exhibited an OAV greater than 1, while 15 compounds showed a relative odor activity value (ROAV) greater than 1. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified 25 key flavor compounds (VIP>1). Among these, γ-terpinene and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone contributed grassy and citrus aromas to the Liu Pao tea group, whereas damascenone and β-ionone enhanced fruity and floral aromas in the passion fruit group. Both passion fruit and Liu Pao tea were found to effectively enrich the aromatic composition of sugarcane fruit wine, with each enhancing the aroma profile in distinct ways. Comprehensive aromatic quality analysis indicated that passion fruit exhibited superior aromatic enhancement effects and was determined to be more suitable as an aromatic enhancer for sugarcane fruit wine.

This study investigated the differences in physicochemical properties and volatile aroma components between fresh Hotan Red grapes (GR) and their dried products including dried raisins without drying agent pretreatment (NDAR) and drying agent-pretreated raisins (DAR). The results indicated that the color of raisins darkened after drying, with an increase in red-yellow values (a^*, b^*). The contents of reducing sugars, titratable acids, and ascorbic acid increased significantly. However, drying agent pretreatment reduced the lightness (L^*) and further enhanced the red-yellow values (a^*, b^*) of raisins. Additionally, it increased the reducing sugar content while decreasing titratable acidity and ascorbic acid levels. Electronic nose (E-nose) radar fingerprint plots exhibited distinct response patterns. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile compounds, 99, 109, and 108 volatile compounds were detected in GR, NDAR, and DAR, respectively. The dominant volatile classes were alcohols (48.45%) in GR, aldehydes (58.46%) in NDAR, and ketones (45.00%) in DAR. Compared to NDAR, drying agent pretreatment led to the degradation and disappearance of D-limonene, a 2.88% reduction inthe relative content of aldehydes and ketones, affecting the concentration of characteristic aroma components in raisins. Based on OAV (Odor Activity Value)>1, pretreatment with drying agents weakened the concentrations of furfural, 5-methylfurfural, and nine other key aroma compounds. Furthermore, sixteen key aroma compounds were screened using ROAV (Relative Odor Activity Value)≥1, and three critical compounds: decanal, E-2-nonenal, and ethyl 2-methylbutyrate were identified (VIP>1), playing a crucial role in distinguishing GR, NDAR, and DAR. While GR exhibited a significantly different aroma profile compared to NDAR and DAR, the overall aroma characteristics of NDAR and DAR were similar, but NDAR had more pronounced fruity and sweet aromas than DAR. This study elucidates the differences in physicochemical properties and volatile aroma compounds between Hotan Red grapes, drying agent pretreatment and drying agent-pretreated raisins, which provides data support and a theoretical foundation for optimizing subsequent drying processes and enhancing the flavor characteristics in Hotan Red raisin production.

This study aimed to investigate the moisture distribution, eating quality and flavor properties of Xinjiang-style roasted chicken made from different chicken breeds. Five chicken breeds from Xinjiang, namely Liangfenghua, Huangma, Suqinhuang, 817, and Hyline Brown, were selected as research subjects. A comprehensive analysis, including color, texture, water-holding capacity (WHC), moisture distribution, and volatile flavor compounds, was conducted to evaluate the quality characteristics of roasted chicken products made from five chicken breeds. Additionally, a multidimensional quality assessment was implemented using fuzzy mathematics-based sensory evaluation methodology. The results showed that Liangfenghua breed had superior water-holding capacity, with a 30.69% reduction in roasting loss relative to Suqinhuang breed. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) analysis demonstrated that Liangfenghua and 817 breeds contained higher levels of immobilized water, along with high and uniformly distributed hydrogen ion content, exhibiting stronger moisture retention capacity. Moreover, 817 and Liangfenghua breeds showed higher redness (a^*) and yellowness (b^*) values, presenting a glossy and bright surface. Hyline Brown breed had a tight texture and significantly higher shear force (P<0.05), which was unfavorable for chewing. The comprehensive scores of the five roasted chicken products, based on the fuzzy mathematics sensory evaluation, were ranked as follows: 817 > Liangfenghua > Suqinhuang > Huangma > Hyline Brown. Among the 29 important volatile compounds identified from the five roasted chicken samples, methylpyrazine, 2-pentanone, pentanal, (E)-2-octenal, (E)-2-nonenal, 1-octen-3-ol, and α-pinene were served as the characteristic flavor compounds that distinguish roasted chicken from different breeds. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the selection of Xinjiang roasted chicken breeds, roasted chicken product quality regulation, and the modernization of ethnic meat processing technologies.

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.

This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which basic amino acids (L-arginine/L-Arg, L-lysine/L-Lys, L-histidine/L-His) regulated oxidation resistance and gel network formation in yak meat myofibrillar protein (MP). Different concentrations (0.08%, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.60%, w/v) of each amino acid were added to the MP system. Changes in structural properties (solubility, turbidity, surface hydrophobicity, secondary and tertiary structures) and oxidation indicators (carbonyl content, total and active sulfhydryl content) of MP, as well as gel properties (water-holding capacity, cooking loss, whiteness, strength, rheological behavior), were systematically analyzed. Results demonstrated that basic amino acids synergistically improved gel performance by neutralizing charges to reduce intermolecular repulsion, inducing conformational unfolding to expose hydrophobic groups and active sulfhydryls, and regulating secondary structures (L-Lys/L-Arg promoted α-helix to β-sheet conversion, while L-His maintained concurrent increases in both), but their effects exhibited concentration and type dependencies. In beneficial aspects, L-Lys and L-Arg significantly enhanced solubility (86.38% for 0.60% L-Arg,~25% higher than control) and reduced turbidity (suppressing aggregation). These structural optimizations combined with disulfide crosslinking from exposed active sulfhydryls formed uniform gel networks, specifically increasing water-holding capacity by~25% (L-Lys/L-Arg groups at 0.30%) and reducing cooking loss (58% reduction for 0.30% L-Lys), while significantly enhancing storage modulus G' at high temperatures (≥70 ℃, L-Lys≥0.30%, L-Arg 0.60%). L-His acted mildly, mainly increasing gel strength by 4.2% at 0.60% concentration via stabilizing α-helix/β-sheet coexistence. L-Lys and L-Arg reduced gel whiteness with increasing concentration. High concentrations (especially 0.60% L-Arg) intensified protein oxidation damage (peak carbonyl content: 5.54 nmol/mg) due to excessive unfolding and self-oxidation. In summary, L-Arg and L-Lys showed advantages in optimizing solubility, inhibiting aggregation, and promoting crosslinking through charge interactions and structural transformation, serving as effective strategies for improving gels of high-myoglobin, low-fat yak meat MP, yet requiring concentration control to balance oxidation risks. L-His provides a milder alternative. Practical applications can select amino acid types based on product requirements, offering a theoretical basis for developing low-sodium, low-phosphorus yak meat products.

The study examined the effects of oxygen, light, temperature, non-covalent bonds, and metal ions on the precipitation amount, as well as the protein, starch, pectin, and tannin content in the supernatant of Sichuan bran vinegar, to determine the key factors influencing turbidity reversion. Using transmittance as the response value, the clarification conditions were optimized via single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology (RSM). The results indicated that oxygen and temperature were critical factors promoting turbidity reversion, with significantly shorter turbidity reversion time under aerobic conditions compared to anaerobic conditions, and higher temperature further accelerating the process. Investigations into non-covalent interactions revealed that the addition of NaCl and guanidine hydrochloride disrupted electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonds, significantly reducing precipitation while increasing the protein, starch, pectin, and tannin content in the supernatant. This suggested that electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds facilitated macromolecular complexation and subsequent precipitation. Metal ions (Fe³⁺, Ca²⁺) had no significant effect on turbidity reversion. The optimal clarification conditions determined by single-factor and RSM optimization were: acidic protease dosage of 2.10 g/L, treatment time of 2.20 h, treatment temperature of 30 °C, and standing time of 2 h, achieving a transmittance of 85.75%±0.24%. This study provides a data foundation for understanding the mechanism of turbidity reversion and offers practical solutions for industrial production of Sichuan bran vinegar.

In order to investigate the effects of postharvest ambient temperature on the physical characteristics and volatile components of jasmine flowers, J. sambac 'Shuangban-moli' flowers buds was employed as experimental materials in this study. The physical characteristics of jasmine flowers (bulk density, moisture content, floral temperature, jasmine pile temperature, CO₂ concentration, and O₂ concentration) were examined under different postharvest ambient temperatures (29±2, 35±2, and 41±2 ℃, humidity: 85%±3%). Automated thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ATD-GC-MS) was employed to analyze the volatile components of jasmine flowers under different postharvest ambient temperatures. The results showed that the physiological activities of jasmine flowers were suppressed, and the blooming process was delayed at the postharvest ambient temperature 29 ℃. In contrast, it was more conducive to their fragrance release, and jasmine flowers exhibited the highest degree of blooming, the peak flowering condition, and the faster blooming process at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃. Sensory evaluation also indicated that jasmine flowers had a rich aroma and pure white color at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃. A total of 102 volatile components were identified from jasmine flowers maintained at different postharvest ambient temperatures, including 28 esters, 19 terpenes, 15 alcohols, 11 alkanes, 7 aromatic hydrocarbons, 4 halogenated hydrocarbons, 4 aldehydes, 2 cyclic hydrocarbons (non-aromatic), 2 ethers, 2 ketones, 2 phenols, 2 acids, and 4 other substances. Jasmine flowers exhibited significantly higher relative abundance of some volatile components during the flower starts blooming stage, flower fully blooming stage, and flower starts senescence stage at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃ compared to other temperatures (P<0.05). As the key contributors to the "fresh floral scent" of jasmine flowers, such as α-farnesene and trans-caryophyllene etc terpenes with floral and fruity fragrances had significantly higher relative content during the flower starts blooming stage and flower fully blooming stage at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃ than other temperatures (P<0.05). In summary, it was beneficial for jasmine flower blooming and fragrance release at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃.

In order to improve the functional properties of pea protein isolate (PPI), such as solubility, emulsification, foaming capacity, and broaden its application in the food industry, in this study, PPI was selectively extracted using ammonium sulfate precipitation, and was covalently grafted with chitosan oligosaccharides (COS), carrageenan oligosaccharides (CAS), alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), and agaric oligosaccharides (AGS) at an oligosaccharide-to-protein ratio of 20% using cold plasma (CP) induction. The effects of this non-thermal covalent grafting with marine oligosaccharides on the solubility, thermal stability, foaming capacity, and emulsifying properties of PPI were investigated. The results showed that CP treatment induced effective and rapid covalent grafting between PPI and marine oligosaccharides. The highest grafting rate (17.89%) was observed in the PPI-COS combination. In terms of mixtures, the solubility of the covalent complexes was significantly improved (P<0.05) after CP induction relative to those without CP treatment, in the order of AGS/PPI-CP>COS/PPI-CP>CAS/PPI-CP>AOS/PPI-CP. Among them, AGS/PPI-CP showed the highest solubility (0.775 mg/mL), while COS/PPI-CP exhibited the greatest foaming capacity (146.67%), emulsifying activity (123.21%), and emulsion stability (37.73%). These enhancements significantly improved the interfacial adsorption of PPI, contributing to greater stability at both air-water and oil-water interfaces. In conclusion, non-thermal covalent grafting of marine oligosaccharides with CP was effective in enhancing the functional properties of PPI. These findings provide valuable guidance for the development of functional pea protein-based food products and related applications.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of konjac glucomannan (KGM) with varying molecular weights on the structure and gel properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) derived from frozen Antarctic krill. Using Antarctic krill MP as the research object, we compared the degradation of KGM with molecular weights of 1.5974×10⁶ Da (HMW KGM), 1.2769×10⁶ Da (MMW KGM), and 0.6912×10⁶ Da (LMW KGM) during the freezing storage process at −18 ℃. The effects on structure properties (chemical bond level, carbonyl content, surface hydrophobicity, particle size, myofibril breakage index) and gel properties (water-holding capacity, hardness, elasticity, thermodynamic) were analyzed at 0, 60, 120, and 180 days. Compared to the blank control group (MP without the addition of KGM enzymatic hydrolysis products), the MMW KGM group exhibited the highest holding capacity, hardness, and elasticity after being frozen for 180 days, with values of 67.66%±2.58%, 375.85±6.78 g, and 2.78±0.08 g, respectively. Meanwhile, the MMW KGM group demonstrated the highest levels of ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, and disulfide bonds, measuring 27.87±1.03, 20.98±1.12, and 5.19±0.12 mg/g, respectively, while the contents of carbonyl groups and surface hydrophobicity were the lowest. This suggested that MMW KGM was effective in inhibiting the oxidation of MP. Additionally, after 180 days of freezing, the results of particle size, myofibrillary rupture index, and thermodynamic index indicated that the spatial structure of MP in the MMW KGM group was the most stable. These findings confirmed that the addition of MMW KGM provided the most effective freezing protection for the MP of Antarctic krill, which offered theoretical support for the use of enzymatically hydrolyzed KGM as an antifreeze agent during the freezing and storage of aquatic products.

This study aimed to investigate the hydrolysis characteristics of walnut protein hydrolysates and identify low-bitterness antioxidant peptides derived from them. Four proteases—papain, chymotrypsin, alkaline protease, and acid protease—were used to hydrolyze walnut proteins, and the degree of hydrolysis of the resulting hydrolysates was evaluated. The study focused on alkaline protease treatment at varying hydrolysis durations (2, 4, and 6 h), examining the degree of hydrolysis, yield, molecular weight distribution, bitterness response value, and amino acid composition of the hydrolysates. Low-bitterness antioxidant peptides were subsequently identified from the hydrolysates with reduced bitterness. Results showed that alkaline protease effectively hydrolyzed walnut proteins, achieving the highest degree of hydrolysis (55.60%±0.46%) and yield (48.86%±0.99%) after 6 h. As hydrolysis time increased, the proportion of high molecular weight components decreased, while that of low molecular weight components increased. The hydrolysate obtained after 4 h of hydrolysis exhibited the lowest bitterness response value, characterized by minimal proportions of hydrophobic and bitter amino acids in its composition, and displayed significant antioxidant activity. Two non-bitter peptide sequences, YWL and FFL, were identified from the 4 h hydrolysate. Molecular docking analysis indicated that these peptides could effectively bind to the Keap1 protein through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, thereby exerting antioxidant effects. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the development of high-quality, low-bitterness walnut-derived antioxidant peptides, offering valuable insights for their potential applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

This study established a novel magnetically induced electric field-enzymatic hydrolysis (MIEF-EH) coupled technology for the sustainable taurine extraction from abalone viscera byproducts. The results of the study indicated that the optimal extraction conditions were as follows: an excitation voltage of 1400 V, an electric field frequency of 50 kHz, a flow rate of 25 L/h, and a reaction time of 1 h. Under the optimal conditions, MIEF-EH achieved a taurine yield of 12.36 mg/g, significantly (P<0.05) outperforming both individual methods (such as MIEFE, microwave, enzymatic hydrolysis and hydrothermal) as well as other coupled approaches (microwave-enzymatic hydrolysis and hydrothermal-enzymatic hydrolysis). SEM revealed pronounced particle-size reduction and the formation of a loose, porous microstructure, correlating with improved taurine extraction. Subsequent purification via ion-exchange resin yielded taurine with 92.29% recovery and 96.78% purity, while ethanol precipitation achieved 95.30% recovery and 94.43% purity. The chemical structure and molecular mass of the purified taurine were confirmed through multi-technique validation (FT-IR, MS, and ¹H NMR). All physicochemical properties complied with the specifications of the Chinese National Standard for Food Additive Taurine (GB 14759-2010). In summary, the MIEF-EH coupled technology developed in this study provides a feasible technological pathway for green conversion of abalone viscera waste into high-purity natural taurine.

In order to explore the effects of different drying processes on the physical properties, active ingredients and antioxidant capacity of pumpkin powder, the vacuum freeze drying (VFD), hot air drying (HAD), and heat pump drying (HPD) were used for drying pumpkin and characterized by SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The results showed that the pumpkin powder of VFD had the smallest particle size (the D₅₀ was 54.63±0.90 μm), great intact color, the best adsorption and solubility, but the flow and filling properties were poor. The pumpkin powder of VFD had the highest content of active ingredients such as total phenolics (3.56±0.02 mg/g), and the strongest antioxidant capacity, and in HAD and HPD, the total phenol, total flavonoid and the antioxidant capacity of pumpkin powder were higher at 50~60 ℃, while the content of vitamin C, β-carotene were higher at 40~45 ℃. The pumpkin powder of VFD had smooth surface and internal pores, lower relative crystallinity compared to HAD and HPD, but there was no difference in the types of functional group. The results can provide experimental basis for choosing suitable pumpkin process.

To enhance the sensory quality of gluten-free highland barley flour products, this study investigated the effects of incorporating a highland barley flour-zein composite gel (at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%, mass fractions) on the dough processing characteristics and noodle quality. The results showed that with the increase of the addition amount from 0% to 50%, the peak gelatinization temperature of dough freeze-dried powder increased from 76.57 ℃ to 83.58 ℃, the breakdown value decreased from 876.00 cP to 349.67 cP, and the setback value decreased from 1141.00 cP to 816.67 cP. After adding composite gel, the viscoelasticity of the dough was enhanced, and the microstructure also confirmed that zein formed a continuous network structure, and the composite gel network could provide structural support for highland barley dough. Compared with the 0% addition of composite gel, the highland barley noodles with 40% compound gel had good cooking quality and texture characteristics, and the cooking loss of highland barley noodles was reduced by 55.75%, the breakage rate was reduced by 76.67%, the hardness was increased by 58.09 N, and the sensory score was higher than that of the other noodles. In conclusion, the highland barley flour-zein gel network serves as a structural support mechanism in gluten-free highland barley doughs and significantly improves cooking quality in highland barley noodles.

To investigate the impact of ultrasound-assisted curing on the quality attributes and protein oxidation of stir-fried chicken dices and its underlying mechanism, chicken dices were cured under ultrasound conditions (120 W, 40 kHz) for varying durations (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 min). Changes in physicochemical properties, texture characteristics, sensory quality, oxidation indicators, and protein digestibility were systematically analyzed. The results demonstrated that ultrasound-assisted curing significantly increased the moisture content of stir-fried chicken dices (P<0.05) and improved color parameters, with the 90-min treatment group exhibiting optimal L^* and a^* values (60.83 and 7.44, respectively). Texture profile analysis revealed that ultrasound treatment significantly reduced hardness (from 3474.99 g to 2673.61 g) and chewiness, effectively enhancing tenderness. Protein oxidation analysis indicated that ultrasound accelerated the oxidation process of myofibrillar protein, characterized by a decrease in total sulfhydryl group content and an increase in carbonyl group content. However, SDS-PAGE results confirmed no significant protein degradation occurred. With the extension of ultrasound time, the in vitro digestibility of protein significantly increased from 40.3% in the control group to 86.4% in the 150-minute group, while the digestibility of the 90-minute treatment group was 72.3%, and the overall sensory score significantly improved. When the ultrasound treatment duration exceeded 90 min, excessive protein oxidation occurred, leading to quality deterioration. Comprehensive analysis identified 90 min as the optimal ultrasound-assisted curing time. Under these conditions, stir-fried chicken dices exhibited the best texture characteristics, sensory quality, and nutritional value.

This study systematically investigated the effects of ⁶⁰Co-γ-ray irradiation on the structural characteristics and processing properties of gluten proteins. Gluten protein samples were irradiated at doses of 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 kGy. The investigation assessed the free sulfhydryl groups, disulfide bonds, secondary structure, molecular weight distribution, color attributes, water-holding capacity, emulsifying properties, taste profiles of gluten protein, and the pasting characteristics of the wheat starch-gluten protein reconstituted system under varying irradiation conditions. The results demonstrated that after γ-ray irradiation treatment, the free sulfhydryl group content in wheat gluten protein consistently exceeded that of the control group. Meanwhile, the disulfide bond content decreased gradually from 488.71 μmol·g⁻¹ to 259.21 μmol·g⁻¹. The protein secondary structure exhibited a conversion from α-helix to β-sheet. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated partial degradation or aggregation of proteins. Irradiation improved certain processing properties of wheat gluten protein. Notably, at an irradiation dose of 7 kGy, the L^* value of color raised by 14.61%, water-holding capacity increased by 0.09 g/g, and emulsion activity and stability were enhanced by 1.84-fold and 5.48-fold, respectively. Irradiation exhibited relatively limited effects on the taste of gluten protein and the pasting properties of wheat starch-gluten protein reconstituted systems. The peak viscosity, final viscosity, and breakdown value of reconstituted flours decreased only at the highest irradiation dose of 9 kGy (P<0.05). This study provides a theoretical foundation for the application of irradiation in flour product processing and gluten protein modification.

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.

Taking gray Sufu inoculated with Mucor UV-M2 as the research object, the changes of volatile metabolites, microorganisms and their correlation during fermentation of grag Sufu were explored. In this study, the quality of the fermentation process was comprehensively evaluated using physicochemical indexes and sensory assessment methods. The results confirmed that the fermentation process reached an optimal state after 40 days. Non-targeted volatile metabolomics analysis revealed significant variations in metabolites at different fermentation stages. Based on the odor threshold, 18 compounds with an odor activity value (OAV)>1 were evaluated. Among them, 11 compounds contributed to the aroma profile, including esters, aldehydes, and ketones, while 7 compounds were associated with unpleasant odors, mainly sulfur-containing compounds. Microbiological analysis demonstrated that the diversity of fungi and bacteria decreased significantly as the fermentation progressed. Through Spearman correlation analysis, it was found that the bacteria Tetragenococcus and Halanaerobium exhibited positive correlations with most volatile compounds with OAV>1, whereas Acinetobacter showed negative correlations with these compounds. Among fungi, Mortierella, Aspergillus, Malassezia, Botrytis, Penicillium, and Sagenomella were positively correlated with most of the compounds, while Actinomucor and Candida showed negative correlations. Furthermore, the results of redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that, among bacteria, Weissella and other genera were positively correlated with salt content. In the fungal community, amino-acid nitrogen was positively correlated with Mortierella, salt content was positively correlated with Actinomucor, and pH was positively correlated with Kodamaea. These findings suggest that the quality indexes of gray Sufu are positively associated with the core microbial flora. Overall, the above results indicate a significant correlation between the aroma characteristics and the microbial community at different stages during the fermentation of gray Sufu. This study provides valuable references for enhancing the flavor quality of gray Sufu through microbial regulation techniques.

To explore the effect of berberine hydrochloride on the proliferation and differentiation of chicken myoblasts. In this study, the effects of berberine hydrochloride on cell proliferation and differentiation were detected by CCK-8 assay, EdU staining and Desmin immunofluorescence staining. The gene expression levels of myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) and myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD) were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The effects of berberine hydrochloride on the gene expression profiles of chicken myoblasts were also investigated by RNA sequencing analysis. The results showed that berberine hydrochloride treatment significantly promoted the proliferation of chicken myoblasts while inhibiting the expression of MYOD (P<0.01) and MYF5 (P<0.05). Desmin staining showed slightly weaker fluorescence signals in the cytoplasm of the experimental group than that of the control group, indicating that berberine hydrochloride inhibited the differentiation of chicken myoblasts to a certain extent. In addition, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis (GO) showed that the differential genes were mainly enriched in extracellular space and matrix, cell adhesion, and cell migration regulation after berberine hydrochloride treatment; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis (KEGG) showed that the differential genes were mainly enriched in tyrosine metabolism, TGF-β signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and cell adhesion molecule-related signaling pathway. The RT-qPCR results showed that in the TGF-β pathway, the expression of Inhibitor of DNA Binding 1 (ID1) and Paired-like Homeodomain Transcription Factor 2 (PITX2) was upregulated, while Follistatin (FST) was downregulated. In the MAPK pathway, the pro-proliferative genes Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2), Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 (FGF7), FBJ Murine Osteosarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (FOS), Fms-related Tyrosine Kinase 1 (FLT1), and MAPK-activated Protein Kinase 3 (MAPKAPK3) were all upregulated, whereas the calcium channel gene Calcium Voltage-gated Channel Subunit Alpha1 E (CACNA1E) was downregulated. These findings suggested that berberine hydrochloride might synergistically regulate the proliferation-differentiation balance of myoblasts through the interaction between the TGF-β and MAPK signaling pathways. In this study, we found that berberine hydrochloride promoted the proliferation of chicken myoblasts and analyzed the molecular mechanism and provided theoretical support for the efficient culture of chicken myoblasts in vitro.

This study aimed to screen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with high exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing capacity from traditional yak yogurt in Western Sichuan, and to characterize the structure and functional properties of the EPS. Among 185 LAB strains isolated, Limosilactobacillus fermentum 197 was identified as a high EPS producer. The fermentation medium was optimized through single-factor experiments, and the EPS was purified using DEAE-52 and CL-6B column chromatography. The purified fraction EPS1 was structurally characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance, and its bioactivities were evaluated in vitro. The results showed that the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for EPS production were maltose and soybean peptone, both at 40 g/L. After optimization, the EPS yield reached 1699.83±34.31 mg/L, representing a 5-fold increase compared to the original yield. The purified EPS1, with a yield of 15.07%, had a molecular weight of 2.11×10⁵ Da and was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, and mannose. It contained both α- and β-glycosidic bonds, exhibited a triple-helix structure, and displayed a flaky porous morphology under microscopy. In vitro assays demonstrated that EPS1 at 10 mg/mL exhibited scavenging rates against ABTS⁺, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals of 57.07%, 46.54%, and 49.68%, respectively, and an α-amylase inhibition rate of 51.46%. This study reveals the relationship between the structure of EPS1 and its antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities, providing a theoretical basis for developing functional dairy products using LAB-derived EPS and offering new insights into the utilization of lactic acid bacteria resources from plateau pastoral areas.

This study aimed to screen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starters with high exopolysaccharides (EPS) production and to analyze their metabolic mechanisms. By assessing the EPS content in fermented skim milk co-cultured with nine laboratory-isolated EPS-producing LAB strains and commercial strains, the optimal starter (designated as the SW group) was identified as a composite of the laboratory-isolated Lactobacillus pentosus strain 15 and commercial strains. The EPS content and viscosity of skim milk fermented by the SW group were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those observed in the control group (S group). Through the integration of physicochemical analysis and LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics, a total of 67 differential metabolites were identified, comprising 40 upregulated and 27 downregulated metabolites. Metabolic analysis indicated activation of the arginine biosynthesis pathway, as demonstrated by the upregulation of arginine and its precursor N-acetylglutamate-5-semialdehyde (NAGSA), alongside the downregulation of ornithine. Concurrently, the essential amino acid L-leucine was significantly upregulated. Organic acids, including 2-hydroxyhexanoic acid and hydrocinnamic acid, were found to modulate acidity, while the accumulation of benzoic acid contributed positively to shelf life extension. Furthermore, the upregulation of EPS synthesis precursors, specifically UDP-glucose and glucuronic acid, indicated that EPS synthesis predominantly involved glycosidic bond linkages among UDP-glucose, UDP-glucuronic acid, and GDP-mannose. Pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the cofactor biosynthesis pathway was the primary driver of the metabolic flux of EPS, with phenylalanine metabolism supplying essential nutrients and arginine biosynthesis facilitating the accumulation of functional components. Collectively, this study elucidated that the SW group enhanced nutritional value, antibacterial efficacy, and EPS production through multi-pathway metabolic regulation, thereby improving product texture and nutritional fortification. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for optimizing the quality of fermented foods.

Tomato grey mould, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a severely damaging global disease. This study isolated a strain of antagonistic bacteria with strong inhibitory effects against the important plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea from healthy branches and leaves of Camellia sinensis in Yunnan's Gaoligong Mountain. The morphological and molecular biological identification results indicated that the antagonistic strain was Bacillus subtilis, which was designated as DB2203A. The fermentation conditions of strain DB2203A were optimized through single-factor and orthogonal experiments, and the antibacterial activity of the fermentation broth was determined along with a preliminary exploration of the antibacterial substances under these conditions. This study isolated and screened seven strains with strong antagonistic effects against pathogenic fungi from leaf and branch tissues. Among them, strain DB2203A exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect against B. cinerea, with its sterile fermentation broth achieving an inhibition rate of 74.77% against the pathogen. The optimal medium for the strain DB2203A was LB medium, with the best fermentation conditions being an inoculation volume of 6%, a filling volume of 50%, an initial pH of 7.0, and a fermentation time of 72 h. The research results also showed that the antifungal activity of the 40 times diluted fermentation broth against B. cinerea was 59.25%. Moreover, the lipopeptide substances in the fermentation broth could inhibit the growth of the mycelium of B. cinerea. The strain B. subtilis DB2203A and its lipopeptide metabolites exhibit promising potential for the green control of tomato gray mold, providing a theoretical foundation and microbial resources for the development of microbial products.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different heat treatment methods (atmospheric pressure cooking, high-pressure cooking, atmospheric pressure steaming, high-pressure steaming, and microwave heating) and time (2 to 10 minutes) on the quality of Antarctic krill. The results showed that under the same heating time, the heat treatment loss rate of atmospheric pressure steaming was the lowest, and it was significantly lower than the other four methods within 6 minutes (P<0.05). Microwave heating performed best in terms of crude protein, crude fat, astaxanthin content, L^*, b^* values, and sensory scores, while atmospheric pressure cooking had the highest a^* value. As the heating time increased, the heat treatment loss rate of all five methods rose, and the differences were significant within 6 minutes (P<0.05), the contents of crude protein and crude fat decreased, and there was no significant difference within 6 minutes and 8 minutes or more (P>0.05), but the difference between 6 and 8 minutes was significant (P<0.05), the astaxanthin content and sensory scores first increased and then decreased, reaching the highest at 6 minutes, and then significantly decreased after 6 minutes (P<0.05), L^* and b^* values increased, while a^* value decreased, and the color differences were significant between 6 and 8 minutes (P<0.05). Through a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact of heat treatment methods and time on various quality indicators of krill, it was concluded that microwave heating was preferred within 2 to 6 minutes, followed by high-pressure steaming; both microwave heating and high-pressure steaming were optimal within 6 to 8 minutes; and microwave heating and atmospheric pressure steaming performed better at 8 minutes or more. This study provides a theoretical basis for the processing of Antarctic krill, which is helpful for optimizing the processing flow, improving product quality, and promoting industrial development.

To explore the effects of different pretreatment methods on the structure and physicochemical properties of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from millet bran and to achieve its high-value utilization. This study used millet bran as the raw material and SDF yield as the indicator. Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were employed to determine the optimal pretreatment conditions for the different pretreatment methods (ultrasound, superfine grinding, and ultrasound-superfine grinding combination). The effects of different treatment methods on the structure and physicochemical characteristics of millet bran SDF were analyzed by measuring indicators such as monosaccharide composition, molecular weight distribution, infrared spectra, internal particle structure, micro-morphology, thermogravimetric, water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, swelling capacity, and solubility. The results showed that under the conditions of grinding particle size of 800 mesh, solid-liquid ratio of 1:40 (g/mL), ultrasonic power of 330 W, and ultrasonic time of 50 min, the highest SDF yield of millet bran reached 20.44%±0.17%, representing a 2.68-fold increase in yield. Compared with conventional grinding, ultrasound, and superfine grinding, their combination altered the relative content of monosaccharide components in millet bran SDF. The combination of both methods increased the proportion of high molecular weight components to 45.42%, forming a loose and porous structure on the crystal surface, and had the most obvious effect on reducing its orderliness and thermal stability. Meanwhile, analysis of physicochemical characteristics indicated that the ultrasound-superfine grinding combination significantly improved the water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, swelling capacity, and solubility of millet bran SDF (P<0.05). Therefore, the combined treatment of ultrasound and superfine grinding enhances the physicochemical characteristics by improving its structure, thereby improving the processing performance and increasing the potential utilization value of millet bran SDF.

This study employed response surface methodology to optimize the preparation process of phosphorylated chicory polysaccharide iron. It characterized the structure of the composite using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Through simulated artificial gastrointestinal fluid digestion experiments, sucrase hydrolysis experiments, and mucin-binding capacity assays, the in vitro digestive characteristics of phosphorylated chicory polysaccharide iron were systematically analyzed. The results indicated that the optimal reaction conditions were a reaction time of 1.1 h, a reaction temperature of 64 ℃, and a pH of 10. Under these conditions, the iron content of the prepared phosphorylated chicory polysaccharide iron reached 26.97%±0.25%. Infrared spectroscopy of phosphorized chicory polysaccharide iron showed that the O-H and C=O groups in the phosphorized chicory polysaccharide coordinate with Fe³⁺. XPS confirmed that iron was introduced into the phosphorized polysaccharide in the trivalent state (Fe³⁺). SEM observation revealed that the composite morphology was a dense layered structure. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion results showed that the iron retention rate in gastric fluid was >97% after 24 hours, while in the simulated intestinal environment containing mucin and sucrase, 59% was released after 7 hours, with a cumulative release rate of 74.5%±0.5% after 24 hours. This study provides a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of chicory polysaccharide resources and the development of polysaccharide iron supplements.

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.

In this study, lard, whey protein, sucrose fatty acid ester, and glucose syrup were employed as raw materials to optimize the preparation of powdered fat through orthogonal experimental design, with encapsulation efficiency as the evaluation index. The effect of powdered fat on the physicochemical properties of dumpling wrappers were systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that the powdered fat prepared under optimized conditions exhibited an embedding rate of 85.36% with uniform particle distribution. The incorporation of powdered fat gradually reduced the hardness and tensile strength of the dumpling wrappers, while the tensile distance reached a maximum value of 135.51 mm at a 4% addition level. According to the rheological study, the dumpling wrappers' energy storage modulus and loss modulus peaked at 4% powdered fat (87314 Pa and 46281 Pa, respectively). The incorporation of powdered fat initially reduced moisture mobility in dumpling wrappers, followed by a subsequent increase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that at a 4% powdered fat concentration, the dumpling wrappers formed a compact and continuous gluten network structure. However, this structural integrity was compromised at higher concentrations. Therefore, an appropriate addition of powdered fat can enhance the sensory qualities of dumpling wrappers while stabilizing the gluten network. These results provide a theoretical basis for improving dumpling wrappers quality.

To investigate the changes in nutritional characteristics of Amanita caesarea under different drying treatments, in this study, we used fresh A. caesarea as raw material and subjected them to three drying methods: vacuum freeze drying, hot air drying, and natural sun drying. The 10 kinds of minerals, 18 kinds of amino acids, volatile substances, fatty acids, crude protein, total sugar, crude fat, crude fiber, ash and riboflavin in Amanita caesarea after different drying treatments were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, Coomassie brilliant blue method, phenol-sulfuric acid method, Soxhlet extraction method, acid-base hydrolysis method of fiber analyzer, determination method of total ash in food and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The results showed that vacuum freeze drying yielded the highest levels of crude protein, total sugar, and riboflavin, different drying methods had a significant impact on riboflavin content, while their effects on crude fat, crude fiber, and ash were relatively small. The mineral calcium (Ca) content was highest in hot air drying, whereas iron (Fe), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) were highest in vacuum freeze drying. The total amino acid content, amino acid score, and essential amino acid index were ranked as follows: vacuum freeze drying>natural sun drying>hot air drying. The number of volatile compounds was highest in vacuum freeze drying, followed by natural sun drying and hot air drying. The types and contents of fatty acids were vacuum freeze drying>natural sun drying>hot air drying. Based on the above three drying methods, it could be seen that vacuum freeze drying had the best retention effect on the types and contents of nutritional in A. caesarea, followed by natural sun drying and hot air drying. Therefore, vacuum freeze drying was more suitable for drying A. caesarea. This study provides a theoretical basis for more scientific and rational drying of A. caesarea and other edible fungi by investigating the retention basic nutrients and volatile substances under three different drying treatments.

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 focused on 14 edible fungi species—including Flammulina velutipes, Volvariella volvacea, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lyophyllum decastes, Agrocybe cylindracea, Lentinula edodes, Phallus indusiatus, etc. The ash content, protein content, crude polysaccharide content, amino acid composition and content of these edible fungi were systematically determined and analyzed. The volatile flavor substances were analyzed using HS-SPME/GC-MS, while the non-volatile flavor components such as free amino acids and 5'-nucleotides were also evaluated. The results showed that among the 14 edible fungi, the protein content of Agrocybe cylindracea was the highest, reaching 40.12 g/100 g, the ash content of Volvariella volvacea was significantly higher than that of other species (P<0.05). Agaricus subrufescens contained the highest polysaccharide content, reaching 11.77 g/100 g. More than 150 volatile substances were detected, with 60 kinds of volatile components being the richest in Tricholoma matsutake, and the key flavor substances of 14 edible fungi were mainly alcohols and aldehydes, including 1-octen-3-ol and isovaleraldehyde. The results of the determination of non-volatile substances showed that the total content of flavor nucleotides ranged widely, with the highest total content in Volvariella volvacea, followed by Agaricus bisporus, Tricholoma matsutake and Pleurotus ostreatus, with contents of 3.45, 2.50, 2.42 and 2.35 mg/g respectively, all categorized as medium levels. Agaricus bisporus had the highest Glu content, and its equivalent umami concentration (EUC) reached 1142.12 g MSG/100 g, belonging to the top umami grade. The main organic acid was succinic acid, which had the highest content in Volvariella volvacea, Agrocybe cylindracea and Agaricus subrufescens. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis indicated that there were significant differences in the nutritional and flavor components of different edible fungi. Volvariella volvacea, Agrocybe cylindracea and Agaricus bisporus formed independent clusters due to their unique nutrient compositions. This study revealed the nutritional composition and flavor characteristics of different edible fungi through multi-faceted analysis, providing a theoretical basis for the development of high-value-added products and functional food design.

To investigate the influence of lemongrass extract on the fishy odor of Yellow River carp, this study focused on the fishy smell value and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and sensory score as evaluation indicators to optimize the deodorization process. Using the electronic nose and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) technology, combined with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, the volatile components before and after deodorization were analyzed. The results showed that under the conditions of LE concentration of 1.5%, material-liquid ratio of 1:5 (g:mL), and soaking time of 46 min, the fishy degree value and TBA value were the lowest, which were 1.248 points and 0.264 mg MDA/kg respectively. Electronic nose analysis showed that LE treatment had an inhibitory effect on fishy substances containing sulfur, alcohol, aldehydes and ketones. A total of 42 volatile flavor substances were identified by GC-IMS. Among them, the content of aldehyde compounds was the highest before deodorization, and it was significantly reduced by 76.62% after deodorization treatment. By using the relative odor activity value and the variable projection importance factor, the characteristic compounds of carp before deodorization were screened out as valeraldehyde, butyraldehyde, heptanaldehyde, propionaldehyde, 1-hexaldehyde-M, and 1-hexaldehyde-D. After deodorization treatment, the main characteristic aroma compounds were acetone and ethyl acetate, which could bring pleasant fruity and floral flavors to the fish body. In conclusion, lemongrass extract can effectively reduce the characteristic fishy smell of Yellow River carp and improve its overall flavor quality, providing a certain theoretical basis for its industrial application in aquatic product processing in the future.

Thirteen commercially available fermented rice cakes were selected to assess their quality. We evaluated the color, specific volume, texture, and volatile flavor compounds. The differences and correlations among these indicators were also investigated. Furthermore, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify key indices representing overall quality. The results showed that 13 commercially available fermented rice cakes exhibited variations in specific volume, color, texture, types and contents of volatile flavor substances, and sensory characteristics. In the correlation analysis between specific volume, color index, and sensory evaluation indice: rice white color was significantly negatively correlated with b^* value (P<0.05), and extremely significantly positively correlated with L^* value and specific volume (P<0.01). In the correlation analysis between texture and sensory evaluation indices: moderate stickiness and uniform air pores were significantly correlated with adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness (P<0.05). In the correlation analysis between flavor substances and sensory evaluation indices: isoamyl alcohol and phenylethanol were extremely significantly positively correlated with fermented flavor (P<0.01), and isoamyl alcohol was significantly positively correlated with cereal flavor (P<0.05). Through principal component analysis, four principal components were ultimately identified with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 91.166%, namely cohesiveness, viscosity, isoamyl alcohol content, and b^* value, which could serve as core quality indicators for fermented rice cake and characterize the overall quality characteristics of fermented rice cake.

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%.

This study evaluated the effects of three freezing methods (traditional refrigerator freezing, RF, spiral tunnel freezing, SF, and liquid nitrogen immersion freezing, LF) on the flavor profile of shredded pork with green pepper dishes, using fresh samples as controls. Flavor analysis was performed using an electronic nose (E-nose) combined with headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Multivariate statistical approaches including principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and odor activity value (OAV) calculations were employed to characterize key flavor compounds. The E-nose results showed that the W1W sensor, which detected sulfur compounds, exhibited the strongest response, indicating a high concentration of sulfur-containing volatiles. GC-MS analysis identified 81 volatile compounds, with hexanal and camphene levels increasing significantly after freezing, while benzaldehyde and β-bisabolene decreased significantly (P<0.05). Through OAV and OPLS-DA analyses, 27 flavor-active compounds and 35 treatment-discriminatory volatiles were identified. Ten key compounds with both OAV>1 and variable importance in projection (VIP) >1 were determined to be critical for flavor, including benzaldehyde (almond-like) and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (meaty and green pepper-like notes). Notably, RF treatment led to accumulation of off-flavor compounds like hexadecane and (Z)-2-decenal, while SF and LF treatments better preserved the fresh-like flavor profile. This study identifies the key flavor compounds in shredded pork with green pepper dishes and provides practical insights for maintaining flavor quality in preprepared foods through optimized freezing processes.

Sweet cherries are susceptible to quality deterioration during postharvest storage and transportation, including flesh softening and spoilage, which greatly reduce their commercial value. In order to preserve postharvest quality and extend the shelf life of the fruit, this study utilized 'Samituo' sweet cherries as the experimental material to investigate the effects of pre-harvest spraying with alginate oligosaccharides at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/L on fruit quality-related parameters and the activities of cell wall degrading enzymes during low-temperature storage. The results indicated that the pre-harvest application of alginate oligosaccharides at various concentrations effectively delayed the decline in soluble solids content, titratable acidity, and fruit firmness, while also reducing the rate of fruit weight loss, as compared to the control group. Treatment with alginate oligosaccharides delayed the decline of L^*, a^*, and b^* values and color saturation, while also inhibiting the activities of pectate lyase, pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, pectin methylesterase and polygalacturonic acid transeliminase. Among the treatments, 200 mg/L alginate oligosaccharides exhibited the most pronounced effect. The correlation analysis reveals that titratable acidity was significantly and positively correlated with the activities of β-galactosidase and pectin methylesterase, while was distinctly negatively correlated with the activities of polygalacturonase and cellulase. In contrast, soluble solids content exhibited a significant negative correlation with polygalacturonase, cellulase, polygalacturonic acid transeliminase, pectate lyase, and β-galactosidase activities. Furthermore, fruit hardness showed a significant negative correlation with the activities of polygalacturonase, cellulase, pectate lyase, and β-glucosidase. Weight loss was significantly positively correlated with polygalacturonase and cellulase activities, whereas it was significantly negatively correlated with the activities of polygalacturonic acid transeliminase, pectin methylesterase, pectate lyase, β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, and pectin methylesterase. These findings suggest that pre-harvest application of alginate oligosaccharides can delay fruit softening and maintain storage quality by suppressing the activity of enzymes related to fruit cell wall degradation.

This study developed a high-stability indicator film containing a roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) anthocyanin extract (RAE)-oxalic acid (OA) co-pigment indicator (RAO), investigated the stability of the RAO indicator and its effects on the structure and performance of the indicator film, and applied the film to monitor the freshness of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). The results showed that the stability of the RAO indicator improved compared with single RAE indicator. Moreover, the film with the RAO indicator showed enhanced performance. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the indicator film increased from 16.10 MPa and 280.95% to 17.81 MPa and 349.45%, respectively. Its moisture content and water solubility decreased from 19.10% and 42.71% to 13.98% and 34.69%, respectively. Under conditions of 4 ℃, 45% humidity, and no light exposure, the RAO indicator film could be stored for up to 82 days (ΔE<5). When used for monitoring the freshness of channel catfish at 4 ℃, the indicator film changed from rose-red to yellow-gray as the fish spoiled, demonstrating its accuracy in monitoring the spoilage process and its great potential for freshness monitoring applications.

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 investigate the effects of pre-harvest salicylic acid (SA) spraying on post-harvest quality and antioxidant metabolism of prunes (Prunus domestica L.), 'French' prune trees in Xinjiang were treated with SA solutions at concentrations of 1, 2, or 4 mmol/L. Applications were made during four key developmental stages: fruit set, expansion, color change, and maturity. A control group received water sprays. Following harvest, fruit were stored at 1.0±1.0 ℃ and 90%~95% relative humidity. Quality parameters and antioxidant metabolism indicators were assessed at 15 days intervals over the 90 days storage period. Results demonstrated that pre-harvest spraying of SA could significantly maintain the hardness, soluble solids content and titratable acid level of plum fruits during post-harvest storage, and inhibit the color blackening, respiration and weight loss rate of fruits. The 2 mmol/L SA treatment proved most effective. At the end of storage, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the 2 mmol/L SA-treated prunes were 1.17, 1.40, 1.54, 1.23, and 1.26 fold those of the control group, respectively (P<0.05). The contents of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) were 2.70 and 1.08 fold those of the control group, enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities and effectively maintaining AsA and GSH levels. Additionally, the production rate of superoxide anion (O₂⁻·), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, as well as cell membrane permeability, were suppressed. This indicated that spraying SA before harvest could maintain the post-harvest quality of prunes by enhancing their antioxidant metabolism capacity.

This study aimed to extract the active substance from Laminaria japonica (L. japonica) and evaluate their composition and hypolipidemic activity. The alcohol extract of L. japonica (LJA), water extract of L. japonica (LJW), enzymic hydrolysates of L. japonica (LJE) and dietary fiber extract of L. japonica (LJDF) were prepared by using different polar solvents combined with ultrasound-assisted alcohol extraction, water extraction, complex proteolytic enzymes and sodium carbonate acid, and their composition was analyzed. The above four active substances were mixed to obtain the total active substances of L. japonica (LJM). This study adopted C. elegans as a model organism to investigate the effects of bioactive compounds derived from L. japonica on lipid metabolism-related biochemical parameters and Messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription levels. The result revealed that the main components of LJA included choline, phospholipids, pyrimidines, terpenoids, arachidonic acid, steroids, polyphenols and disaccharides; LJW mainly consisted of two polysaccharides with molecular weights of 368.0 kDa and 1.0 kDa, with monosaccharide composition of glucose, galactose, fucose, mannose and arabinose; LJE mainly consisted of protein active peptides, containing six proteins (YP_006639117.1, AIW62928.1, WDS74817.1, WDS74887.1, QBF51285.1 and ABB80121.1), 43 peptides; LJDF mainly consisted of two polysaccharides with molecular weights of 717.073 kDa and 11.502 kDa, with monosaccharide composition of mannose aldehyde, gulonose aldehyde, galactose and fucose. The result of C. elegans experiments demonstrated that the L. japonica active substances significantly reduced triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P<0.01). Meanwhile, these substances also increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels (P<0.01). At the mRNA transcription level, the L. japonica active substances significantly upregulated genes NHR-49, FAT-5, FAT-6, FAT-7, DAF-2, and DAF-16 (P<0.01). Conversely, the substances significantly downregulated genes MOD-1, ACS-2, and AGE-1 (P<0.01). This suggested that the L. japonica active substances improved C. elegans lipid peroxidation and reducing lipid accumulation in C. elegans through regulating fatty acid β-oxidation (NHR-49, MOD-1 and ACS-2), fatty acid synthesis (FAT-5, FAT-6 and FAT-7) and insulin (DAF-2, AGE-1, DAF-16) signaling pathways.

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.

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and underlying mechanism of ethanol extract from Chrysanthemum morifolium. 'Boju' (CME) on atherosclerosis (AS). An AS model was established using ApoE⁻/⁻ mice, which were randomly divided into a model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose CME groups (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), a positive control group (simvastatin 3 mg/kg), and a normal control group, with an intervention period of 12 weeks. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in serum were measured. Pathological changes were observed via Oil Red O staining of the aorta and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of the liver. The expressions of LXRα and ABCA1 in liver tissue and NF-κB p65 in the aorta were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. In in vitro experiments, a foam cell model was established by inducing RAW264.7 macrophages with ox-LDL, and the cells were divided into a control group, a model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose CME groups (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL). Cell viability, foam cell rate, intracellular contents of TC, cholesteryl ester (CE), and free cholesterol (FC), as well as the expressions of genes and proteins related to relevant signaling pathways were detected. Additionally, the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 was used to verify the mechanism. The results showed that compared with the model group, CME significantly decreased the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, and increased the serum level of HDL-C (P<0.01). Pathological staining demonstrated that the low-, medium-, and high-dose CME groups could reduce aortic lipid deposition and hepatic steatosis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, CME significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of LXRα and ABCA1 in liver tissue (P<0.01), with the protein level of LXRα upregulated from 0.31±0.04 in the model group to 0.91±0.06 in the high-dose CME group. In addition, CME reduced the protein expression of p-NF-κB p65 in the aorta and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.01), and the protein level of p-NF-κB p65 decreased from 1.85±0.18 in the model group to 0.92±0.11 in the high-dose CME group. Meanwhile, CME decreased the intracellular contents of TC and CE and the CE/TC ratio in RAW264.7 macrophages, thereby inhibiting foam cell formation. Moreover, it upregulated the expressions of PPARγ, LXRα, and ABCA1 and inhibited the activation of the NF-κB pathway, and no significant differences were observed in key indicators such as p-NF-κB p65, ABCA1, TC, CE, and CE/TC ratio between the high-dose CME group and the BAY11-7082 inhibitor group. These results indicated that AS could be significantly inhibited by CME through activating the LXRα/ABCA1 pathway to regulate cholesterol metabolism and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway to alleviate inflammatory responses.

Starch, the primary source of carbohydrates in food, plays a crucial role in nutrition and health owing to its digestive properties and functional regulation and has been a subject of extensive research. Recently, researchers have non-covalently combined polyphenols with starch, which significantly altered its structural and functional properties. As research has progressed, it has been observed that polyphenols can form covalent bonds with starch chains through chemical agent coupling, free radical grafting, enzymatic catalysis, and acid-mediated pathways. Synthesized covalent conjugates exhibit superior structural and functional performance compared to non-covalent complexes and have become a focal point in the field of starch functional regulation, achieving significant advancements. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the binding mechanisms of starch and polyphenols through non-covalent and covalent interactions, compare them with non-covalent interaction mechanisms, and analyze the advantages of covalent interactions in binding modes and structural characteristics using structural characterization techniques. Additionally, by analyzing the functional characteristics of both, it emphasizes the significant advantages of covalent conjugates in thermal stability, digestion resistance, and antioxidant activity. Subsequent researchers can focus on starch-polyphenol covalent binding technology, which is expected to provide innovative approaches for the combination of natural ingredients and functional foods and contribute to the sustainable development of the food industry.

In recent years, with the popularization of the concept of healthy diet, foods with glycemic index (GI) less than or equal to 55 (low GI) have gradually become the focus of consumers' attention. Among them, low GI noodles is a staple food that can regulate the level of blood sugar after meals, which have the advantages of reducing post-meal blood sugar fluctuations, preventing cardiovascular disease, regulating insulin levels, and enhancing satiety. In this manuscript, the research status of low GI noodles in recent years are summarized. The concept, classification, measurement method and influencing factors of GI are briefly described firstly, and then the influence mechanism of different types of raw materials, raw and auxiliary materials and different processing methods on the texture characteristics, sensory evaluation and starch content of low GI noodles are discussed, mainly focuses on the effects of different types of products on the level of postprandial blood glucose. Finally, the development prospect of low GI noodles is anticipated, in order to provide a theoretical basis for future research and market application in this field.

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.

Peptidoglycan (PG) is a class of microbial polysaccharides with the functions of immunomodulation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, adsorption and toxicity reduction, which mainly exists in the bacterial cell wall. Due to its unique biological functions and structural properties, it has attracted much attention in scientific research and practical applications, and is now widely used in many fields such as medical, aquatic, and food. This paper summarizes the research progress of peptidoglycan in terms of its structure, biosynthetic pathway, extraction, function and application. In terms of extraction, the traditional physical and chemical methods, enzyme digestion and the emerging combined extraction method are described, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are analyzed. The potential link between the biological functions of peptidoglycan and bacterial pathogenicity and immunomodulation is explored in depth. The results and challenges in practical applications are discussed, and the broad prospects of peptidoglycan research in multiple fields are envisioned for the future. By reviewing the current status of peptidoglycan research from multiple perspectives, it provides a reference for the subsequent in-depth study of its properties and the expansion of its applications.

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.