Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms by which Chuju flavonoids ameliorated lipid metabolism disorders induced by a high-fat diet in mice, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for dietary interventions in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were acclimatized for one week and subsequently assigned to the following groups: Normal diet (ND), high-fat diet with low-dose Chuju flavonoid-rich extracts (CJEL), positive control (CJE), model group (HFD), and high-fat diet with high-dose CJE (CJEH). Modeling and administration occurred concurrently over a period of 14 weeks. Measurements included body weight, organ indices, and serum and hepatic lipid parameters. The effects of CJE on lipid metabolism disorders induced by a high-fat diet were evaluated through histopathological staining, gut microbiota 16S rRNA sequencing, and Western blot analysis. Results: High-dose Chuju flavonoids significantly decreased total cholesterol (39%±3.8%), triglycerides (41.85%±3.75%), and non-esterified free fatty acids (31.1%±2.4%) in the livers of mice subjected to a high-fat diet. Additionally, these flavonoids inhibited the activity of alanine aminotransferase (32.4%) and aspartate aminotransferase (29.8%). Histopathological analysis demonstrated that CJE markedly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, as evidenced by a 62.5%±6.2% decrease in lipid droplet area in NAFLD mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed that CJE altered the gut microbiota and activated the AMPK/PPAR-α signaling pathway, which inhibited lipid synthesis and enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation. Conclusion: CJE significantly ameliorates lipid metabolism abnormalities in NAFLD mice by restoring gut microbiota balance, activating the AMPK/PPAR-α pathway to suppress hepatic lipid synthesis, and promoting hepatic fatty acid oxidation. This approach offers a viable dietary intervention strategy for the prevention of NAFLD.

Objective: From the perspective of the tumor microenvironment, this study explored the anti-tumor mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus linteus, and Cordyceps militaris. Methods: Aqueous extracts (FAEs) of Ganoderma lucidum (RL), Phellinus linteus (BJ), and Cordyceps militaris (XG) were prepared via water bath extraction and vacuum freeze-drying. The effects of the FAEs and their conditioned media (CM) on the proliferative activity of A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells were determined using the MTT assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on cells treated with 4 mg/mL FAE, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was used to identify the response characteristics of the IL-17 signaling pathway to each extract. Additionally, immunocytochemical staining, antibody blocking assays, and ELISA were used to detect the effects of the FAEs on the expression levels of the mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B and the chemokines IL-6, CCL2, CCL20, CXCL8, and CXCL10. Results: The three FAEs and CM inhibited the proliferation of the A549 cells and induced their apoptosis. Transcriptome analysis results revealed that upregulated genes were predominant in the RL and BJ groups, whereas downregulated genes were predominant in the XG group. All groups showed significant enrichment in signaling pathways related to tumor microenvironment formation. Additionally, significant alterations were observed in the expression levels of key effector molecules downstream of the IL-17 signaling pathway (ko04657) in all groups. All three FAEs significantly inhibited MUC5B expression (P<0.01). However, BJ treatment did not significantly affect MUC5AC expression (P>0.05). MUC5AC antibody blocking weakened the inhibitory effects of RL and XG on cell proliferation (P<0.05), whereas MUC5B antibody blocking significantly reduced the anti-proliferative effects of RL and BJ on the cells (P<0.05). Furthermore, all three FAEs significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-6, CCL2, CCL20, and CXCL8 (P<0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus linteus, and Cordyceps militaris can all remodel the tumor microenvironment to synergistically exert anti-tumor effects. This provides a new theoretical basis for their development as functional foods for adjuvant cancer therapy.

The content of amylose is a key factor determining the properties of rice and the quality of rice products. This article systematically reviews the structure of starch in rice, with a focus on exploring the effects of amylose content on the physicochemical properties of rice gelatinization, aging, rheology, digestion, and swelling to systematically elucidate the relationship between amylose content and rice properties and product quality. This paper summarizes its impact on the quality of various rice products such as rice, rice noodles, and rice bread. And then, the development direction of research related to rice amylose is predicted. It is pointed out that future research on rice starch should focus on the fine structural analysis of linear and branched starch, as well as the development of intelligent regulation technology. This article provides theoretical support for improving the quality of rice and rice products.

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by excessively high levels of uric acid in the body and is a contributing factor to the development of various chronic diseases. In recent years, the prevalence of hyperuricemia has been increasing annually, driving the need for safe and effective approaches to regulate uric acid metabolism. Although commonly used clinical urate-lowering drugs demonstrate significant efficacy, they are often limited by high costs and potential adverse effects. Substantial research indicates that natural bioactive compounds derived from plants can intervene in uric acid metabolism through multi-target and multi-pathway synergistic actions, offering the dual advantages of wide availability and a favorable safety profile. This review focuses on phytochemical from various sources, summarizing the dosage, efficacy, and mechanisms of flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and saponins in regulating uric acid metabolism. These active components primarily work by inhibiting the activity of key uric acid synthesis enzymes (XOD, ADA) to reduce uric acid production, and by regulating renal urate transport proteins (such as downregulating URAT1 and GLUT9, upregulating ABCG2 and OAT1) to promote uric acid excretion. Furthermore, certain components also possess multiple mechanisms such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-modulating effects, thereby synergistically exerting hypouricemic efficacy. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the development of phytochemicals and natural urate-lowering drugs.

Saponins are bioactive ingredients derived from higher plants and marine animals. The possess a range of medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and cholesterol-lowering effects. Furthermore, as natural antibacterial and surfactant agents, they exhibit significant potential for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries. Marine animal saponins mainly exist in sea cucumbers and starfishes, which have good biological activity and have broad prospects for development and utilization. However, due to the low content of saponins in marine animals, their industrial application is limited. Therefore, enhancing the extraction efficiency and purity of marine animal saponins has become a major research focus. This article delineates and classifies contemporary methodologies for the extraction and purification of saponins from marine fauna. Although laboratory-scale isolation of high-purity saponins predominantly relies on organic solvent extraction coupled with chromatographic purification, the transposition of this paradigm to an industrial context is impeded by limitations pertaining to solvent toxicity, limited production capacity, and prohibitive costs. Emerging strategies to circumvent these drawbacks encompass the implementation of environmentally benign solvents, notably deep eutectic solvents and supercritical fluids, frequently augmented by physical (e.g., ultrasonic, microwave) or enzymatic treatments. The incorporation of a pre-enrichment step prior to final purification further constitutes a viable optimization tactic. This paper comprehensive analysis provides a foundational framework for the preparation of marine saponins and underscores their potential in the formulation of functional foods, thereby advocating for their enhanced utilization in promoting human health.

Probiotic microencapsulation technology is essential for enhancing the gastrointestinal delivery efficiency and the targeted colonization capacity of live bacterial strains, as different materials and fabrication methods enable the construction of microcapsules with distinct characteristics. This review systematically examines the delivery mechanisms, material systems, and advancements in food applications of probiotic microencapsulation. In terms of the delivery mechanism, it begins with an elaboration of multiscale encapsulation techniques such as extrusion, internal emulsification, and microfluidic technology, highlighting its advantages and applicable context in delivery mechanisms. In the field of materials science, the structural-functional properties and protective efficacy of polysaccharides, proteins, and intelligent responsive wall materials are analyzed. At the application level, it summarizes the key influencing factors and current application status of microcapsules in dairy products, fruit and vegetable beverages, and functional dietary supplements. The review clarifies the compatibility patterns between encapsulation technologies, such as extrusion, and various wall materials, demonstrating their potential to enhance probiotic stress resistance and improve food functionality. It also reveals the gap between theoretical development and industrial application in this field, providing valuable insights for industry-academia-research collaboration and precise regulation of microbial communities. Finally, the review envisions future research needs, including the development of low-cost, eco-friendly wall materials, personalized strain-material compatibility strategies, and innovations in large-scale continuous manufacturing processes, to facilitate the transition of probiotic microencapsulation from laboratory-scale research to industrial implementation.

Driven by the challenge of meat spoilage during storage and transport, as well as the environmental impact of traditional plastics, green and biodegradable nanocellulose is emerging as a promising solution in meat preservation packaging. This review summarizes the preparation methods for nanocellulose and its composite films, systematically examining the progress in the application of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)-based films in meat packaging. A detailed discussion is presented on the mechanisms of nanocellulose synergizing with functional materials to enhance the nanocellulose-based films' ultraviolet resistance, barrier properties, antimicrobial activity, biodegradability, and intelligent responsiveness, along with their application advantages, which suggests that nanocellulose composite films with designable multifunctionality and environmentally friendly characteristics possess promising industrial application prospects. Finally, this review outlines future development prospects, aiming to inspire novel perspectives for the research and application of biodegradable packaging.

Artificial sweeteners (ASs), high-intensity substitutes for sugar with minimal calories, are used extensively in foods. In recent years, their potential health risks to humans have gradually attracted more attention as consumption levels increase. This systematic review examines how different doses of artificial sweeteners affect the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, liver, and tumor development, along with their underlying mechanisms. Research indicates that common sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame generally increase the risks of colitis, atherosclerosis, fatty liver disease, and tumors by disrupting gut microbiota, raising intestinal permeability, and inducing chronic inflammation. Although individual artificial sweeteners show minor protective effects within acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits or at specific doses, overall negative health effects tend to dominate. The review also highlights that current ADI standards, based only on short-term exposure assessments, significantly underestimate the cumulative and combined health risks from long-term, mixed exposures in real-world settings. Therefore, future efforts should incorporate multi-omics and systems toxicology approaches to develop a dynamic risk assessment system based on real-world exposure levels and population variability. This framework will provide scientific evidence for the safe use and regulation of artificial sweeteners.

Chili pulp represents a new category of chili-based products, functioning as the fundamental base material for downstream applications including chili sauces, hot pot soup bases, and compound seasonings. Consequently, the quality of the pulp directly influences the market competitiveness of the terminal products. This study investigated four cultivars of horn peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) from Inner Mongolia (LZ-1-R01, H1, 7#, and HL23). Chemometric methods combined with multivariate statistical analysis were employed to comparatively evaluate the multi-dimensional quality attributes and assess the processing suitability of the resultant chili pulp. These attributes included color properties (L^*, a^*, b^* values, and color value), textural characteristics (rheological properties and particle size distribution), nutritional components (carotenoids and capsaicinoids), and volatile flavor compounds. Results showed that, H1 chili pulp exhibited the best overall appearance and consistency, showing the highest brightness (L^* value: 38.38±0.5) and the smallest particle size (distribution range: 3.12 to 1430 μm; volume mean diameter: 407.47±1.50 μm; area mean diameter: 146.53±1.94 μm), and it also demonstrated optimal fluidity (initial viscosity: 241.07 Pa·s, δ<0.4). LZ-1-R01 chili pulp contained the highest carotenoid content (699.78±9.04 μg/g). And 7# chili pulp showed the highest content of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin (12.12±0.17 μg/g and 24.14±0.86 μg/g, respectively). HL23 chili pulp presented a relatively balanced profile across all quality indicators. A total of 48 volatile flavor compounds were identified in the four chili pulps using GC-IMS. Among them, 7# chili pulp exhibited the highest total peak intensity of volatile flavor compounds. Methyl salicylate was identified as the characteristic volatile component of H1, while 3-methyl-2-butenal (D) was the key differential compound for 7# and LZ-1-R01. The key differential markers for HL23 included 3-hydroxybutan-2-one (M/D), butylbenzene, 2-heptanone, and butanal (M/D). Furthermore, combined with the ROAV, 3-methylthiopropanal was identified as a key volatile flavor substance in the chili pulp. Based on the quality attribute analysis, all four chili varieties were deemed suitable for pulping. Chili pulps with distinct characteristics could be selected according to specific application requirements; for instance, H1 was suitable for developing high-smoothness products such as table sauces, while 7# and LZ-1-R01 could be utilized for color blending in product formulations. This research provides a novel perspective for the multi-scenario application of chili processing.

Kiwifruit is rich in nutritional value but is difficult to preserve and prone to spoilage. Processing it into juice is an important approach to retaining its nutritional quality. Traditional thermal processing techniques can easily lead to flavor deterioration and nutrient loss, while non-thermal processing technologies provide a new pathway for producing high-quality kiwifruit juice. This review summarizes the basic principles of three non-thermal processing technologies—high pressure processing, ultrasound, and cold plasma—and systematically compared their effects on microbial control, color, texture, and nutritional components during kiwifruit juice processing. All three technologies can effectively sterilize or inhibit microbial growth. In terms of color, high pressure processing and cold plasma treatments exhibit better color preservation, although excessive cold plasma treatment is found to potentially accelerate browning, while ultrasound treatment tends to induce browning during storage. Regarding texture, ultrasound treatment is shown to enhance the apparent viscosity and stability of the juice, cold plasma treatment reduces viscosity but improves stability, and high pressure processing treatment demonstrates a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing viscosity. In terms of nutrient retention, cold plasma treatment results in the lowest loss rate of vitamin C, whereas ultrasound treatment leads to the highest loss rate. Both technologies are also observed to cause sucrose degradation, while changes in phenolic compounds depends on treatment intensity, duration, and the specific type of compound. Furthermore, this study explore the potential regulatory effects of these three technologies on kiwifruit juice allergenicity. Given that each individual non-thermal processing technology possesses distinct advantages and limitations, future research should focus on developing synergistic application models integrating multiple techniques. Establishing a comprehensive non-thermal processing system will overcome the application bottlenecks of single technologies and further advance the adoption of non-thermal techniques in the kiwifruit processing industry.