To explore consumers understanding of whole-grain foods and their processing and food industry personnel perceptions of whole-grain foods in processing classification systems. Semi-structured focus groups and interviews. Online. Consumers (n=28) ≥ 18 years frequently purchasing/consuming grain foods. Food industry personnel (n=16) currently/recently employed within the grain industry. Consumers generally used whole-refined grain comparisons to gauge level of processing, perceiving whole grains as less processed. While some suggested processing elements, such as additives may influence their food choices, healthfulness was typically judged based on the presence or absence of certain nutrients. Often, other drivers of behaviour took precedence (for example, cost, familial preferences, and culinary skills). Food industry personnel viewed food processing as complex but oversimplified in current food processing classification systems. They considered that while some processed foods can be unhealthful, this does not apply to all processed foods. They emphasised the importance of holistic consumer education including that processing needs to be considered together with the foods nutritional composition to help consumers differentiate between less healthy and 'healthier' processed foods (for example, a highly processed refined grain food with added fats and sugars, and a fortified whole-grain product). Messaging around food processing should be considered alongside those on nutritional quality of foods to ensure consumers are informed in their understanding of a food's healthfulness. Policy measures addressing food processing should reflect its complexities, including the different types and functions of processing and their rationale, particularly in the context of whole grains.
Food-packaging materials protect food from spoilage by enhancing its shelf life, safety, and overall quality. Currently, a major portion of food-packaging materials are made from fossil-based synthetic polymers due to the cost and ease of processing; however, they have far-reaching consequences on the environment and human health. Their multifaceted impact on the environment is not only limited to carbon footprint throughout their life cycle but also worsened by microplastic release affecting the aquatic systems. The non-biodegradability of such petroleum-based polymers is exacerbating the waste generation upon disposal, negatively affecting soil fertility and raising massive landfill issues. The processing materials and functional additives that can migrate into food and pose toxicological risks also raise concerns. This state-of-the-art review briefly outlines the traditional production processes of available commercial food-packaging materials from different polymeric materials and additives prior to explaining their consequences and broader impacts on the environment and human health in detail. It further highlights promising alternatives, emphasizing biodegradable and renewable polymers paired with safer bio-based additives to maintain the functional performance. The paper concludes with a forward-looking perspective on advancing sustainable and environmentally responsible packaging solutions across industrial sectors.
Formalin (aqueous formaldehyde) is a well-documented human carcinogen often used as an illegal food preservative. The World Health Organization (WHO) limits the daily intake of formalin to 1.5-14 mg for adults. Higher dosages of formalin can cause death by throat swelling or lung burning. Hence, the need for an instant, selective, and sensitive method for detecting formalin is clear. The present work discusses the efficient synthesis of silica-supported molecularly imprinted polymers (SiO2@MIPs) for the selective and sensitive detection of formalin using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. This method offers rapid detection with high specificity and sensitivity, enabling timely detection of formalin in food matrices. The synthesized SiO2@MIPs are characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and a particle size analyzer (PSA). After reaction with SiO2@MIPs, formalin reacted colorimetrically with leuco fuchsin, resulting in a color change from pale yellow to purple. The adsorption parameters, including the effect of pH, time, and formalin concentration, were also investigated. The adsorption isotherms for formalin in the MIPs and the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model, and the calculated average binding affinities for formalin were 0.44 and 0.13 mg g-1 for the MIPs and NIP, respectively. Good recoveries and precision ranging between 98% and 105%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) of <5% (n = 3) in the range 0-10 mg L-1, were obtained. The Stöber method for silica coating is often considered more environmentally friendly. Iit effectively prevents structural damage to imprinting sites and ensures an adsorption capacity loss of <5% after 3 months, making the approach more sustainable. This method can serve as an alternative to formaldehyde detection in food samples, offering operational efficiency, enhanced selectivity, and environmental benefits.
Poor diet is now the leading cause of early death globally. In part, this is because our complex food supply chains are increasingly at risk of overprocessing, contamination, low nutrient content, and economically motivated fraud. Chemical testing can offer insights into these concerns, but testing methods are frequently impractical. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a premium food of high nutritional value, but because of its growing popularity and high price, it can be a target for mislabeling, substitution, dilution, and/or false claims of origin. Rapid and accurate testing methods for its characterization are therefore increasingly important. We used two direct forms of mass spectrometry (MS)-laser desorption/ionization (LDI) MS and direct analysis in real time (DART) MS-to obtain complex chemical signatures of edible oils. The data generated on a set of reference samples were then used to develop and train three independent machine learning (ML) models that assess key characteristics of a test oil. We also developed a proof-of-concept DART-MS/MS assay add-on for the quantification of bioactive phenols in EVOO. Our approach accurately predicts several attributes of an edible oil based on novel markers and intricate patterns within the acquired data. Further, pure reference standards and an isotopically-labeled internal standard allow accurate quantification of the constituent phenols. Because there is no chromatography, both the mass fingerprints and quantification can be performed in seconds-minutes. The method uses low (milliliter) volumes of sample and green solvents, and when combined with ML, it offers rapid data analysis and comprehensive result interpretation.
Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging pathogen of global concern due to its capacity to acquire antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants, yet its presence in the food environment remains unexplored. This study investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, virulence genes, biofilm formation, and genomic characteristics of K. pneumoniae isolated from a widely consumed street food in Bangladesh. A total of 90 fuchka and related samples from different sources were collected and analyzed using culture-based methods, PCR confirmation, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight assay, and 16S rRNA sequencing. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the disk diffusion method, and resistance- and virulence-associated genes were detected by PCR. Biofilm formation was quantified using a 96-well microtiter plate assay, and genetic diversity was assessed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) fingerprinting. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on four representative isolates for in-depth genomic characterization. K. pneumoniae was recovered from 46.7% of samples. Among the isolates, 37.5% exhibited a multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype, with universal resistance to ampicillin. Virulence genes including wabG (90.5%) and uge (95.2%) were highly prevalent, whereas rmpA and bfp were absent. Capsular serotypes K3 and K5 were detected in 16.7% of isolates. The class 1 integron (int1) (83.3%) and tetA (56.7%) were the most frequently detected resistance determinants. Biofilm formation was observed in 31% of isolates and significantly associated with the MDR phenotype. WGS revealed clinically relevant sequence types (ST2262) phylogenomically related to human clinical strains. These findings indicate that fuchka may act as a reservoir for virulent and MDR K. pneumoniae, highlighting the urgent need for improved hygiene practices and integration of street food into the One Health antimicrobial surveillance framework. The presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae in ready-to-eat street foods poses a significant public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where informal food vending is widespread. Fuchka is consumed daily by diverse population groups in Bangladesh, including children and young adults, making it a potential route for silent transmission of clinically important pathogens. The detection of MDR strains harboring virulence factors, integrons, and biofilm-forming ability suggests an elevated risk of persistence, spread, and limited treatment options in case of infection. This study highlights street food as an overlooked reservoir in the One Health framework, bridging community environments and clinical settings. Improved surveillance, vendor hygiene training, and enforcement of food safety regulations are crucial to reduce the risk of dissemination of these high-risk strains.
A dual-metal metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanozyme, Fe/Mn-MOF/CeO2, with high peroxidase-like activity was successfully synthesized via a stepwise solvothermal-hydrothermal combined liquid-phase composite strategy. A colorimetric/fluorescence dual-mode sensing platform was fabricated for the detection of norfloxacin (NOR) in milk and honey. The material takes advantage of the synergistic electronic effect of Fe/Mn bimetallic active sites and the reversible Ce4+/Ce3+ valence cycle to remarkably enhance its peroxidase-like activity. The nanozyme can trigger the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which oxidizes colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB). In the established sensing system, NOR can elevate the absorbance signal at 652 nm and quench the fluorescence emission at 435 nm (λex = 360 nm), thereby enabling dual-signal quantitative detection of NOR. Under optimized experimental conditions, the colorimetric mode afforded a linear detection range of 0.100-225 µM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 78.0 nM, while the fluorescence mode delivered a linear range of 0.100-225 µM and an LOD of 46.0 nM. The freshly prepared nanozyme exhibits selectivity against both structural analogs and non-specific interferents, as well as outstanding long-term stability for up to 90 days. In spike-and-recovery experiments with real milk and honey samples, the established sensor presented satisfactory recoveries of 98.6%-103% and relative standard deviation (RSD) values less than 5.00%. This work proposes an innovative sensing strategy for the quantitative determination of antibiotic residues in milk, honey, and other dairy products, which holds great potential for improving the on-site monitoring capability of food safety.
The gut microbiome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of food allergy (FA), prompting microbiome-focused interventions. We evaluated, in a phase 1 open-label trial (NCT02960074), the safety and efficacy of oral encapsulated fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) in 15 adults with peanut allergies. An increase in the peanut reactivity threshold was noted in 3 of 10 participants not pretreated with antibiotics and 3 of 5 participants pretreated with antibiotics, without safety issues. In responders, FMT increased tolerogenic RORγt+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and decreased T helper 2 cells (TH2 cells). Mice transplanted with the microbiomes of post-FMT responders were protected from FA in association with increased RORγt+ Treg cell percentages and increased colonization with members of the gut Bacteroides. In both humans and mice, protection by FMT was associated with increased bile acid metabolites. Deletion of a bile salt hydrolase in a candidate protective Bacteroides abrogated FA suppression in mice. These results suggest that FMT is a safe and potentially promising therapeutic modality for treating FA.
Acrolein (ACR), a harmful aldehyde commonly generated during food thermal processing, poses risks to food safety and human health. This study found that several flavanones in pomelo peel (PP) can effectively trap ACR and form corresponding adducts. The capture effects of naringin (NAR), naringenin (NARE), hesperetin (HES), hesperidin (HED), and neohesperidin (NHED) from PP flavonoids (PPFs) on ACR were explored, along with the in vitro simulated digestion of the resulting adducts. Six adducts were prepared and purified during simulated food heating, whose structures were elucidated by MS, UV, and NMR analyses. Four of these adducts (NAR-ACR-1, NARE-ACR-1, NARE-ACR-2, and NARE-ACR-3) were novel compounds. DPPH radical scavenging and cytotoxicity assays revealed that PPFs and their ACR adducts are potent antioxidants with low toxicity, suggesting that PPFs may serve as novel inhibitors of ACR in food processing.
Novel food sources must undergo allergenicity assessments to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance. Xylo-oligosaccharide-rich extract (XOS) derived from the valorization of olive (Olea europaea) pit is categorized as a novel food in the context of European Union (EU) food laws. Despite the functional benefits of xylo-oligosaccharides such as prebiotic, gut modulation, and weight management being a well-established area, there is a lack of information on the allergenic potential of olive pit-derived XOS extract. The study aimed to evaluate the cross-reactivity of olive pit-derived XOS extract with other allergens through both in vitro and in silico approaches. In vitro cross-reactivity was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against eight EU-legislated allergens: wheat (gluten), milk, hazelnut, pistachio, soy, almond, lupin, and peanut. In silico allergenicity prediction was performed by analyzing the XOS extract amino acid sequence homology with known allergens. In the in vitro tests, hazelnut exhibited the highest cross-reactivity (0-2.81 ppm), followed by gluten (0-2.10 ppm), almond (0-1.167 ppm), and pistachio (0.210-0.800 ppm). Milk showed minimal cross-reactivity (0-0.07 ppm), while soy and lupin responses were below detection limits. The in silico analyses revealed that 81% of the 83 amino acid sequences showed no evidence of allergenicity, 7% showed weak evidence, and 12% indicated strong allergenic potential. The findings of the study suggest that olive pit-derived XOS extract may contain proteins with the potential for cross-reactivity with certain allergens, corroborating emerging concerns about fruit-derived allergenic responses. Further clinical studies are recommended to generate additional insights on this preliminary investigation.
Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are globally utilised, with approximately 80% of the world's population relying on herbal medicines for healthcare. The rapid growth of the TCM industry has raised significant concerns regarding pesticide residues, which pose risks to product quality and public health. Current monitoring is insufficient, and divergent international regulations challenge safety assurance and trade. This study aimed to develop and validate a multi-residue method for detecting 589 pesticides in multi-matrix TCMs using QuEChERS sample preparation coupled with LC-MS/MS. Twenty-eight TCMs, categorised into five groups (radix/rhizome, fructus, flos, folium/cortex, herba), were analysed. Samples were extracted with acidified acetonitrile and cleaned up with a composite sorbent (PSA/C18/GCB/MgSO4/SiO2). Analysis employed a C18 column and dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM). The method demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 > 0.999) from 1-50 ng/g. The method detection limits (MDLs) and quantification limits (MQLs) were 0.003-0.004 mg/kg and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Average recoveries ranged from 60% to 121% with RSDs ≤ 20.0%. Application to 120 commercial batches revealed 98 pesticides, with farmland-grown root/rhizome TCMs showing the highest levels (e.g. diphenylamine at 317 μg/kg). The validated method establishes a robust high-throughput platform for global regulatory monitoring. By addressing the extreme chemical diversity of food-medicine plants, this study provides a standardised solution for ensuring the safety and international trade compliance of TCMs in the global functional food market.
Aflatoxins (AFs) are key contaminants in sesame seeds, threatening global food safety. Databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for records from January 1, 2005, to December 14, 2025. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine aflatoxin prevalence and concentration in sesame seeds and assessed human health risk using the Margin of Exposure (MOE) approach. The pooled prevalence order was AFB1 (28.93%) > AFB2 (18.09%) > AFG2 (10.80%) > AFG1 (9.95%), while concentration order was AFG1 (32.290 µg/kg) > AFB1 (28.302 µg/kg) > AFB2 (3.183 µg/kg) > AFG2 (0.131 µg/kg). White sesame seeds showed higher prevalence than black. Monte Carlo simulation indicated consumers in nearly all studied countries face unacceptable health risk, with MOE values well below 10,000. Seven countries for adults and Iran and Malaysia for children fell below this safety threshold. Nigeria, Egypt, and Pakistan showed the highest risk levels across age groups. The findings highlight the need for strict monitoring and control strategies along the supply chain to reduce exposure and protect health.
Adult obesity prevalence exhibits significant spatial disparities across England. While traditional global regression models often overlook local variations, it is unclear whether these relationships vary spatially or remain stable. This study aims to robustly identify determinants of clinical obesity and test for spatial non-stationarity using best-practice diagnostics. Using 2023/24 data from 151 Upper Tier Local Authorities, we employed a spatial econometric framework. We specified a row-standardized Queen's contiguity matrix for global models. A Spatial Error Model (SEM) was benchmarked against the Spatial Durbin Error Model (SDEM) to test for the significance of local spillovers, and against Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to test for coefficient non-stationarity. Obesity prevalence showed strong clustering (Moran's I = 0.58). The SEM (AICc: 806.4) significantly outperformed both OLS (AICc: 891.9) and GWR (AICc: 865.3), effectively eliminating residual spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I = -0.03, p > 0.05). Robustness checks using the SDEM did not significantly improve fit (p = 0.08). GWR Monte Carlo diagnostics indicated that coefficients for fast-food density and inactivity were spatially stationary (p > 0.05). Fast-food density exhibited a robust negative association, supporting the "urban paradox," while physical inactivity and low fruit/vegetable consumption were significant positive drivers. Contrary to the "one-size-fits-all" critique, the determinants of obesity appear structurally consistent across England. The "urban paradox" likely reflects broader urbanization patterns rather than direct causality. Policy should focus on national-level structural interventions addressing deprivation and physical activity.
Malachite green (MG), an illegally used aquaculture dye with carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, remains a persistent contaminant in aquatic environments and food chains, necessitating the development of highly sensitive and reliable analytical platforms for trace-level monitoring. In this study, a hierarchical EuFeO3/ZnO@Ti3C2T x MXene heterostructure was successfully engineered as a noble-metal-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for ultrasensitive MG detection in aquaculture water. The hierarchical assembly of EuFeO3 and ZnO on conductive Ti3C2T x MXene generated electronically coupled heterointerfaces that facilitated rapid charge transfer and efficient carrier transport. Structural and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful formation of the ternary architecture with intimate interfacial integration, enhanced visible-light absorption, enlarged surface accessibility, and significantly suppressed charge-carrier recombination compared with pristine and binary systems. Consequently, the EuFeO3/ZnO@Ti3C2T x substrate delivered markedly amplified Raman responses, achieving ultrasensitive MG detection at concentrations as low as 10-9 M with an enhancement factor of 7.31 × 106. The substrate further demonstrated excellent linearity, reproducibility, and stable analytical performance in complex aquaculture water matrices, achieving recoveries ranging from 82.7% to 111.8% with relative standard deviations below 13.8%. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the enhanced SERS activity was predominantly governed by chemical enhancement arising from interfacial charge-transfer interactions between the heterostructure and MG molecules, while the conductive MXene scaffold accelerated electron transport and strengthened analyte-substrate coupling. This work not only demonstrates an effective strategy for constructing MXene-based semiconductor heterostructures with enhanced charge-transfer characteristics, but also provides a promising noble-metal-free SERS platform for practical food safety monitoring and environmental contaminant detection.
Smoking is a traditional preservation method in Vietnam, widely applied to shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) as well as meats, yet the use of plastic-contaminated fuels poses emerging food safety concerns. This study provides the first congener-specific characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) in smoke-dried shiitake produced with wood and wood adulterated by polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Using GC-MS/MS combined with multivariate analyses, we observed clear differences in contaminant accumulation driven by fuel composition. Clean wood (W) yielded the lowest burdens, with PCB levels < 150 ng/kg, PCDD/Fs negligible, and PAHs < 650 µg/kg. Plastic-adulterated fuels significantly increased contamination (Kruskal-Wallis p < 0.001), with PAH and PCB/PCDD/F levels following robust gradients of W < PE < PS < PVC (PCBs/PCDD/Fs) and W < PE < PVC < PS (PAHs). PE was characterized by light PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, and acenaphthene) and moderate PCB increases; PS, by high-molecular-weight PAHs and coplanar PCBs; and PVC, by the broadest enrichment, including nearly all tested PCDD/F congeners. Hierarchical cluster analysis and PCA confirmed clustering by fuel type and revealed pollutant fingerprints specific to each plastic. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the toxicological risks of plastic-contaminated smoking fuels in Vietnamese shiitake processing and provide baseline data essential for risk assessment and food safety policy.
Wild meat remains a critical source of food security and income in tropical regions, yet it poses significant public health risks due to the potential for zoonotic disease transmission. To better understand these risks, we conducted 2,374 structured interviews with hunters and food preparers across 44 rural villages in Cameroon and surveyed 64 wild meat vendors in four regional markets. This study explores prevailing wild meat handling practices and perceptions of disease risk, providing essential insights for designing targeted interventions to safeguard human health and livelihoods. Hunting patterns varied by ethnicity: a higher percentage of Indigenous Baka reported hunting than Bantu, and Baka hunters were more likely to target bats, a high-risk taxonomic group. Gender, age, and ethnicity also shape behaviours. Women and older individuals were generally less likely to hunt or handle animals exhibiting clinical abnormalities. However, notable differences were observed between ethnic groups. Among the Indigenous Baka, women frequently participated in hunting, particularly by setting snares, whereas Bantu women seldom did so. Across both groups, women were more likely than men to take home carcasses found dead and to hunt small mammals such as rodents. These distinctions highlight how gendered and cultural norms influence patterns of wildlife contact and exposure to zoonotic risk. Hygiene standards during the handling and processing of wild meat were generally very low. Fewer than 1% of household respondents reported using any protective equipment, and only 6% cleaned butchering surfaces with soap. A substantial number admitted to consuming or selling meat from animals that appeared visibly diseased, exhibiting signs such as abnormal organs, discolouration, or unusual odours. Injuries sustained during butchering were also commonly reported, further compounding health risks. Concern about disease was relatively low, reported by only 14.7% of households. However, it was associated with a modest increase in the likelihood of handwashing (by 5 percentage points) and a more substantial increase in the possibility of avoiding contact with dead animals (by 16 percentage points). Ethnic and gender differences influenced both concerns about disease risk and behaviours. These findings highlight the importance of designing public health strategies grounded in local sociocultural realities, aimed at reducing zoonotic risk while safeguarding livelihoods and respecting the economic and cultural roles that wild meat plays within communities.
This study aimed to assess livestock feed resources, feeding systems, feed availability and major feed-related constraints in the Korahey Zone of the Somali Region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four purposively selected districts of the Korahey Zone. Three kebeles (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia) were selected from each district, and 240 livestock-owning households were purposively sampled. Data on livestock population, landholding size, feed resources, feeding systems and feed-related constraints were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Feed-related constraints were prioritized using a ranking index, while dry matter (DM) supply and livestock maintenance requirements were estimated to determine the feed balance. Camels and goats were the dominant livestock species in the study area. Natural pasture was the principal feed resource (75%), and 90% of respondents practised free grazing on natural pasture. The estimated annual feed supply from natural pasture was 2196 tons DM, whereas the annual livestock maintenance requirement was 4023.68 tons DM, indicating that available feed met only 54.6% of the maintenance requirement. The major feed resources included natural pasture, crop residues, improved forages, household food leftovers, maize and sorghum. The main constraints affecting feed availability were drought, grazing land shortages, limited availability of improved forage seeds, feed shortages, invasive plant species, inadequate extension services and land-use conflicts. Livestock production in the Korahey Zone is constrained by insufficient feed resources, resulting in a substantial feed deficit. Improving livestock productivity requires rangeland rehabilitation, expansion of improved forage production, better feed resource management, strengthened extension services and further research to develop sustainable feeding strategies for the area.
Rapid, accurate, and reliable detection of pathogenic bacteria remains a critical need in clinical, food, and environmental monitoring. In today's context, nucleic acid amplification-mediated biosensing have emerged as a prominent approach to improve detection sensitivity, whereas dual-mode signal readout approaches have more enhanced analytical robustness and reliability. This review outlines recent advances in nucleic acid signal amplification strategies, including enzyme-based methods like LAMP, RPA, and RCA, as well as enzyme-free approaches like HCR, CHA, and EDR. Special attention is given to incorporating these amplification methods into dual-mode biosensing systems that combine both optical and electrochemical transduction mechanisms. This integration enables complementary signal generation and improves detection accuracy by reducing false-positive and false-negative results. This study critically examines the advancement of nucleic acid signal amplification strategies (NASAS)-mediated dual-mode sensing systems for detecting major pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio species, focusing on selectivity, sensitivity, assay design, and real-sample applicability. Finally, the review highlights present challenges related to system integration, standardization, and point-of-care applications. Additionally, it outlines potential future directions for rendering nucleic acid amplification-based dual-mode probes into practical diagnostic devices. Overall, this study affords a comprehensive synthesis of emerging approaches and design mechanisms for next-generation diagnostic scaffold for pathogen analysis.
Liposomes have long been established as versatile and biocompatible carriers for biologically active molecules. Advances in manufacturing technology have dramatically broadened their application landscape, positioning them today as effective platforms for the oral delivery of pharmacologically active compounds, nutrients, and dietary supplements. Developing effective oral liposomal formulations, however, demands more than empirical optimization. It requires a strategy that simultaneously accounts for the complex physiological environment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the physicochemical profile of the encapsulated payload, and the practical realities of scalable production. This work presents an integrative framework that unifies four critical decision-making axes: the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), Lipinski's Rule of Five, log P assessment and production process constraints. By mapping BCS categories onto specific GI absorption mechanisms, this framework enables the rational engineering of liposome architecture and properties to actively exploit physiological uptake routes. If the approach is effectively applied, liposomal carriers can achieve bioavailability enhancement that is to some degree independent of the payload's intrinsic membrane permeability and markedly less susceptible to food-effect interference compared to conventional oral formulations. Critically, aligning payload BCS class and log P with manufacturing feasibility supports the rational selection of production methods and excipient systems, striking a calibrated balance among encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, physicochemical stability, and scale-up practicality. The power of this integrated approach is illustrated through two contrasting compounds, vitamin C (highly hydrophilic, BCS Class I) and vitamin D (highly hydrophobic, BCS Class IV), representing opposite ends of the physicochemical spectrum. These case studies demonstrate that tailoring liposome composition and processing conditions to the specific payload profile and GI physiological context can yield meaningful, nutritionally relevant gains in oral bioavailability for both hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules. This framework provides a scientifically rigorous and industrially actionable foundation for the rational development of next-generation oral liposomal formulations, systems that are not only mechanistically optimized but also commercially viable, ultimately contributing to improved therapeutic and nutritional health outcomes.
Dietary fiber could inhibit β-carotene bioaccessibility by restricting its release from the food matrix, interfering with digestive enzyme activities, binding bile salts, or modifying viscosity and other physicochemical properties of the digesta. In this study, we investigated whether high methoxyl pectin (HMP), a soluble dietary fiber found in fruits/vegetables and an additive for the food industry would impact β-carotene bioaccessibility under various physiological digestive conditions, following the INFOGEST gastrointestinal model. Concentrations of pancreatin plus bile salts and shear forces (simulated by varying water bath rounds/min. and glass bead addition) were modified in the presence (1.15 mg/mL digesta) and absence of HMP. Endpoints measured in the digesta included β-carotene bioaccessibility, surface tension, viscosity, micelle size, zeta potential, and triglyceride lipolysis. Adding HMP reduced overall bioaccessibility of β-carotene from 32.1±6.2% to 24.1±5.7% (p<0.001). All other parameters also had a significant impact on the bioaccessibility of β-carotene, that is, bile/pancreatin concentration (p<0.001), water bath shaking speed (p<0.001), and glass beads (p = 0.001). Surface tension, viscosity, and micelle size were less strongly affected by HMP addition (p<0.05), though not triglyceride lipolysis. The inhibitory effect of HMP varied depending on bile/pancreatin concentration and shear-forces, with strongest reductions when β-carotene bioaccessibility was highest at onset.
With rising global demand for high-quality food crops, soybean production is constrained by an inherent yield-quality trade-off that conventional practices cannot easily overcome. Zinc oxide nanomaterials (ZnO NMs) show great potential for crop improvement, but their molecular mechanism underlying soybean quality regulation remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs, 5.56 nm) and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs, 29.68 nm) on soybean growth and quality via root and foliar application with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Among these experimental groups, root application of 50 mg/kg ZnO QDs (R-QD-50) was selected as the optimal combination based on regular analyses and used for integrated transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses. The results showed that ZnO NMs significantly promoted soybean growth, yield and quality in ZnO NMs type, application mode and concentration-dependent manner. Multi-omics integration identified three common pathways: taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, butanoate metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Among them, only phenylpropanoid biosynthesis formed a complete transcriptome-proteome-metabolome regulatory chain. Key genes phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and cinnamic acid-4-hydroxylase (C4H) were significantly upregulated, the related synthases increased by ~ 35% at the protein level, and downstream metabolites including isoflavones, lignin and phenolic acids were increased by ~ 52%. Overall, this study clarified the potential molecular mechanism of ZnO NMs in improving soybean quality and provided theoretical reference for the application of ZnO NMs in soybean quality improvement under controlled pot conditions.