Microalgae are promising future food sources with short growth cycles and high nutritional value. UPLC-HRMS analysis of eight edible microalgal species identified over 500 lipid molecular species, including glycolipids, phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycerides, and betaine lipids. Nannochloropsis gaditana exhibited the highest lipid content, with polar lipids accounting for 75.2% of the total lipids and ahigh eicosapentaenoic acid content of 29.9% of the total fatty acids, while Dunaliella salina was highly enriched in sphingolipids (50.3% of the total lipids), making the two species ideal industrial raw materials for glycolipid and sphingolipid production, respectively. These eight edible microalgal species were abundant in polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, a rare acylated derivative of sulfolipid, acyl-sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (acSQDG), was identified in five microalgal species. Multivariate analysis confirmed lipid classes as effective biomarkers for discriminating the eight cross-phyla edible microalgal species. Overall, this study provides comprehensive lipidomic characterization of these eight microalgae and offers valuable guidance for the industrial development of microalgal oils.
Novel spirocyclic butenolide derivatives containing a thiazolylhydrazone motif were designed and synthesized, and their structures were characterized by 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR and HR-ESI-MS. Their in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities were evaluated. Compounds 5ab and 5bc displayed the best antifungal activities against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and the EC50 were 2.19 and 2.38 μg/mL, respectively. Their protective efficacies were 100% after treatment with 5ab, 5bc, and boscalid, and the curative efficacies were 70.5%, 62.8%, and 79.5% at 100 μg/mL, respectively. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations indicated that 5ab influenced the ultrastructure and function of S. sclerotiorum. The propidium iodide staining and relative conductivity assays demonstrated that 5ab destroyed the cytoderm integrity and affected the membrane permeability of S. sclerotiorum in a concentration-dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis indicated that the pathways related to the plasma membrane, the integral component of the membrane, and carbohydrate metabolism were significantly enriched. These results could provide solid evidence for the discovery of novel antifungal agents.
Quantitative detection of Salmonella typhimurium is of vital importance for promoting food safety monitoring and control. This study successfully developed a 3D-printed microchannel device that integrates cleaning and detection functions, enabling sensitive and semi-automatization colorimetric detection of Salmonella typhimurium. Firstly, the magnetic beads modified monoclonal antibody (MBs-Anti), Salmonella typhimurium and PtRu@ZrFe-MOFs@Apt nanozymes were successively added to the centrifuge tube to facilitate the formation of the MBs-Anti-Salmonella typhimurium-PtRu@ZrFe-MOFs@Apt sandwich complex. Then, the above incubated mixture was injected into the reaction tank of the microchannel device and washed with PBS containing hydrogen peroxide to separate the sandwich complex from the impurities in the sample solution. Subsequently, the TMB substrate solution was added to facilitate the catalytic oxidation of the sandwich complex, thereby forming the blue oxidized TMB product. The RGB image of the blue product was captured using a portable smartphone device, and the colorimetric signal of the image was analyzed to determine the concentration of Salmonella typhimurium. The microchannel device can detect Salmonella typhimurium within a concentration range 101 to 106 CFU/mL within 75 min, with a detection limit of 3.3 CFU/mL. It is worth noting that the 3D-printed microchannel device constructed has good universality. By replacing the corresponding antibodies, aptamers and other biological recognition elements, it can be extended to the detection of other pathogenic bacteria.
In agriculture, biotic stresses can be defined as damage caused to plants by other living organisms and can significantly reduce the yield and quality of cultivated products. Among biotic stressors, pathogenic fungi and bacteria, nematodes, viruses, molds, harmful insects, and weeds are the most challenging to fight to maintain crop health and ensure high yields in agriculture. Nowadays, synthetic pesticides are the primary tool used to combat them, but they are also among the major causes of environmental pollution, posing significant risks to human and animal health. In this context, biopesticides offer a safer and more sustainable approach. Their development and use are essential for reducing the environmental impact of farming and for promoting long-term agricultural productivity. This review aims to provide an overview of the new biopesticides discovered in the past decade (2014-2024), describing their natural sources and chemical and biological properties, as well as their role in the protection of agrarian crops.
The plant root system dynamically grows and senses stress, especially phytotoxic heavy metals (HMs), which threaten plant growth and human health through food contamination. Agricultural soils act as reservoirs and pathways for HMs, with accumulation intensified by human activities, including industrial discharges, mining, and heavy use of agrochemicals. Persistent HMs, including cadmium, lead, chromium, and arsenic, alter soil properties, disrupt microbes, and impair nutrient cycling. Strategies to reduce HM stress in plants include nanomaterials, noted for their high reactivity and tunability. Nano-selenium (nano-Se), a trace element, shows promise in regulating plant stress tolerance. Evidence indicates that nano-Se reduces HM uptake and translocation by strengthening antioxidant defenses and modulating rhizosphere and hormonal processes, thereby enhancing root growth, microbial activity, and nutrient-water uptake under metal stress. This review summarizes recent advances in nano-Se signaling, focusing on rhizosphere chemistry and plant-microbe interactions, and examines their potential for sustainable crop growth in HM-polluted soils.
Chiral pesticides and herbicides (CPHs) show significant enantioselective differences in bioactivity, toxicity, and environmental behavior, making single-enantiomer production highly desirable for better efficacy and lower ecological risk. Among existing methods, lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution is a more environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and chromatographic separations, as it has advantages of mild reaction conditions, low toxic and harmful byproducts, and excellent catalytic performance. Lipases have been broadly utilized for the production and processing of various CPHs, including organophosphorus pesticides, aryloxypropionate herbicides, pyrethroids, and aromatic amides. During the processing carried out through esterification, transesterification, and hydrolysis reactions, strategies such as solvent engineering, tailored reaction media, enzyme immobilization, and membrane-assisted processes can improve the catalytic efficiency, stereoselectivity, and stability. Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted design of lipase, such as rational design, semirational design, and de novo design, will greatly change the prospects of enzyme engineering for the lipase-catalyzed enantioselective resolution of CPHs.
Cassia seed is an edible and medicinal plant, and cassia seed polysaccharides (CSP) are its important active components, which have attracted considerable attention due to their diverse pharmacological activities and extensive application prospects. It demonstrates notable pharmacological effects, including antitumor, ocular protective effects, and wound-healing properties. Owing to its dual status as both a medicine and food, CSP serves as a natural thickener and functional food ingredient. Structurally, CSP are predominantly galactomannans, which underpin their industrial utility. Furthermore, its excellent film-forming ability makes it a promising material for drug delivery systems and biodegradable food packaging. This review comprehensively summarizes the current research progress on CSP, with a focus on its structural characteristics, pharmacological mechanisms, and diverse applications. By critically analyzing the structure-activity relationships and future prospects, this work aims to provide valuable insights for further research and development of CSP in the food, pharmaceutical, and materials science industries.
A series of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone derivatives (A1-A23, B1-B23, and C1-C2) bearing a diaryl ether moiety were designed and synthesized. Bioassays revealed that several target compounds demonstrated potent fungicidal and bactericidal activities, particularly against Phytophthora capsici and Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae (Psa). Notably, compound C2 (EC50 = 0.74 mg/L) exhibited the highest antioomycete activity against P. capsici and admirable in vivo activities (protective activity of 100.0% and curative activity of 84.2%) against P. capsici. Meanwhile, compound A10 (EC50 = 11.38 mg/L) showed the strongest antibacterial activity against Psa and significant protective activity (74.4%) against kiwifruit bacterial canker. Preliminary mechanistic studies of P. capsici suggested that compound C2 exerts its bioactivity primarily by binding to respiratory chain complex III, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial ATP synthesis and impairing fungal energy metabolism. This work provides valuable insights for the development of MBL derivatives incorporating a diaryl ether moiety as promising novel agricultural fungicidal and bactericidal agents.
A homogeneous neutral polysaccharide (PPP-1; 1.5 × 104 Da) was isolated from pomegranate peel and characterized as a glucose-rich glucan with α-/β-pyranose linkages and a triple-helix conformation. PPP-1 improved lipid dysregulation in oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells, reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) by up to 76.2 and 70.4%, respectively, and lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), accompanied by suppression of SREBP-1c and FAS via SIRT1/AMPK activation. In high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, PPP-1 reduced weight gain and epididymal fat by 42.1 and 41.5%, alleviated hepatic steatosis, and lowered alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase by 27.9 and 32.1% without affecting food intake. PPP-1 also corrected HFD-induced dyslipidemia, increasing HDL-C by 36.4% and reducing TG and LDL-C by 37.0% and 35.4%. PPP-1 lowered the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and enriched Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Metabolomics confirmed normalization of obesity-related metabolites and modulation of lipid-related pathways. These findings identify PPP-1 as a dual-acting hepatic and prebiotic polysaccharide with promise for metabolic health.
The frequent detection of oxytetracycline in agricultural soils may alter the environmental behavior and risks of coexisting pesticides. This study investigated the influence of oxytetracycline on the degradation and phytotoxicity of pendimethalin in a soil-soybean system. Results demonstrated that oxytetracycline at 50 mg/kg prolonged the half-life of pendimethalin in soil from 33.0 days to 40.8 days. Coexposure inhibited the activities of urease, dehydrogenase, and catalase in the soil. While pendimethalin alone showed no adverse effects on soybean growth, coexposure with oxytetracycline induced pronounced growth inhibition and enhanced oxidative stress. Ecological risk assessment confirmed significantly elevated risks to earthworms. Further analysis revealed suppressed CYP450 and GST activities in both soil and soybean plants, with more pronounced reductions observed in the plants. These findings indicate that the coexistence of antibiotic-herbicide can enhance herbicide persistence and increase environmental contamination risks.
Foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella rank first among bacterial foodborne diseases, representing a significant risk to public health and food safety, which necessitates the development of rapid and sensitive detection technologies. This study developed an upconversion‑tungsten disulfide PCR fluorescence sensor based on a "dual quenching-dual recovery" mechanism for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). By utilizing the dual properties of tungsten disulfide, which include peroxidase-like activity and high fluorescence quenching efficiency, the sensor establishes a quantitative correlation between the upconversion fluorescence signal and S. typhimurium concentration, following target-specific signal amplification via PCR. The constructed method demonstrated good specificity and repeatability, with a detection limit as low as 22.5 CFU/mL. Furthermore, by reducing the number of PCR cycles by approximately 12 (from 34 to 22), the detection time was shortened by about 24 min while achieving a detection limit comparable to that of qPCR. The sensor performed excellently in real food matrices (chicken, eggs, fish), showing spike recovery rates of 92.0%-106.3% and relative standard deviations below 10%. In summary, the upconversion fluorescence biosensing strategy integrated with PCR amplification presented in this study provides a highly sensitive, rapid, and reliable solution for the pathogen detection, significantly enhancing the capacity for prevention and control of foodborne diseases.
Cellular agriculture (CA), an emerging and sustainable agricultural paradigm, offers a promising solution to global challenges in food security and environmental sustainability. However, the large-scale manufacturing of CA is hindered by its dependence on serum-based culture media, which are costly and compositionally variable and raise biosafety and animal welfare concerns. Addressing this bottleneck requires the development of affordable, reliable, and ethically compliant serum-free media (SFM). This perspective elucidates the functional roles of serum components, summarizes recent advances in serum substitutes, and highlights microorganism-derived substitutes as particularly promising because of their low cost, compositional stability, and scalability. Furthermore, we outline the evolution of SFM formulation from empirical and design-of-experiment-based optimization to multiomics-driven formulation and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted design. Overall, this review provides a focused framework for understanding current challenges, design strategies, and future directions of SFM development for CA.
Sialyllacto-N-tetraose a (LSTa) is a representative member of sialylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that exhibits distinctive physiological properties, including antiviral defense and modulation of intestinal immunity. Efficient synthesis of LSTa remains a central challenge in the research on complex sialylated HMOs. To address the challenges of large-scale production, this study screened a highly efficient α-2,3-sialyltransferase to establish a glycosyltransferase module in Escherichia coli, and it was functionally coupled with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for endogenous cytidine-5'-triphosphate (CTP) cofactor regeneration. LSTa was successfully synthesized via a modular biosynthesis strategy, utilizing N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) as substrates. Then through systematic optimization of induction parameters and catalytic reaction conditions, LSTa productivity and substrate conversion efficiency were substantially enhanced. Ultimately, a whole-cell catalytic process was implemented in a 5 L bioreactor, achieving a maximum titer of 38.03 g/L for LSTa, demonstrating the scalability and potential for the biosynthesis of complicated sialylated HMOs.
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites commonly found in cereal crops, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. In this study, a multicopper oxidase from Bacillus megaterium (BmCueO) has been identified as an effective catalyst for degrading Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Zearalenone (ZEN). Through semi-rational design, a triple-point mutant (D373P/Q144Y/Q350F) was constructed to enhance its thermostability and catalytic performance. The engineered variant exhibited a 3.96-fold increase in half-life at 60 °C, along with improvements of 22.6% and 48.2% in AFB1 and ZEN degradation activities, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis confirmed the structural transformation of AFB1 and ZEN into less toxic derivatives, while zebrafish and Ames assays verified reduced the toxicity and mutagenicity of the degradation products. The variant efficiently degraded AFB1 and ZEN in feed matrices, demonstrating its potential for application. These results highlight the promise of the engineered BmCueO as a safe and efficient biocatalyst for mycotoxin detoxification in feed systems.
This study evaluated the effects of dietary selenium (Se) supplementation on immunoglobulins, lactoferrin (LF), and the antioxidant and immune activities of donkey milk using metabolomic and proteomic analyses. Fourteen lactating donkeys were randomly assigned to the control (basal diet, 0.04 mg of Se/kg of DM) or Se (basal diet + 0.3 mg of Se/kg of DM as selenium yeast) groups for 10 weeks. Se supplementation increased LF and immunoglobulin concentrations, as well as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities in whey (P < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis revealed that Se upregulated key metabolites, including niacin and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, involved in nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and tyrosine metabolism pathways. Proteomic analysis identified differentially abundant proteins, including ceruloplasmin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, fatty acid binding protein 4, and interleukin 1 receptor type 1, involved in ferroptosis, NF-kappa B, and PPAR signaling pathways. Overall, Se enhances donkey milk immune and antioxidant activities by modulating its metabolite and protein composition.
Bioactive triterpenoids present in plant-derived foods are emerging as modulators of metabolic health, although their molecular targets and mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we characterize Pomolic acid and Hederagenin, two pentacyclic triterpenoids from Rosa canina, as antagonists and selective modulators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Both compounds reduced lipid accumulation during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and antagonized rosiglitazone-induced PPARγ transactivation without intrinsic agonist activity. Pomolic acid behaved as a neutral antagonist, repressing adipogenic and lipogenic gene expression and preventing TRAP220 recruitment. In contrast, Hederagenin selectively modulated PPARγ target genes involved in lipid handling while limiting triglyceride accumulation. TR-FRET assays confirmed direct binding to the receptor, and molecular dynamics simulations revealed a betulinic acid─like binding mode that destabilizes helices H11-H12 and disrupts the AF-2 coactivator interface. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how structurally related dietary triterpenoids modulate PPARγ signaling and support them as candidates for metabolic disease strategies.
Effects of two nighttime light interruption conditions and three inflorescence harvest times were studied on two photoperiod-insensitive and three photoperiod-sensitive varieties of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) grown in California, USA, to determine how these affected agronomic and nutritive values relevant to animal feed metrics, as well as the expression of cannabinoids. Cannabinoid potency was quantified using a newly developed UPLC-DAD method. Light sensitivity, light intensity, and harvest time significantly influenced agronomic and nutritional characteristics, in addition to the plant's cannabinoid profile. High light intensity increased agronomic and nutritional variables, but the response varied by genotype. Cannabinoids increased in photosensitive varieties grown under high light intensity, while the latter harvests demonstrated the highest values in all varieties. This indicates that specific plant genotypes and their response to light availability may be a means to optimize hemp's nutritional profile and address safety concerns surrounding cannabinoid expression for use as a livestock feed source.
This research is the inaugural investigation into the anti-IBD properties of a polysaccharide derived from Chenopodium quinoa Willd. bran (CWBP-2-1). CWBP-2-1 is a polysaccharide with a multibranched structure mainly composed of Gal, Man, Glc, and Ara. Its molecular weight is 23.267 kDa. The main chain consists of →4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →2)-α-d-Manp-(1→, →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →2,6)-α-d-Galp-(1→, and →6)-β-d-Glcp-(1→. CWBP-2-1 exhibits preventive effects against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. It can alleviate tissue damage and inflammatory symptoms of colitis and inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway. CWBP-2-1 relieved the imbalance in the gut microbiota caused by DSS and inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria. Additionally, metabolomic analysis of the colon and liver indicated that CWBP-2-1 could prevent metabolic disorders caused by DSS-induced colitis in the gut-liver axis. These results suggest that CWBP-2-1 exhibits preventive potential against DSS-induced colitis in mice and may serve as a promising plant-derived polysaccharide for further investigation in intestinal health-related research.
Fungal DMATS-type prenyltransferases catalyze the prenylation of diverse natural products, particularly indole derivatives, but also plant metabolites such as flavonoids. The prenyltransferase UcdE from Aspergillus ustus was previously suggested to catalyze ortho-prenylation of the p-terphenyl derivative dihydroxyterphenyllin. Biochemical investigations with recombinant UcdE substantiated this function and proved the importance of the phenyl ortho-dihydroxylation in p-terphenyls. Testing of various flavonoids, hydroxynaphthalenes, and other polyphenols provided further evidence for the prerequisite of an ortho-dihydroxyphenyl moiety for their acceptance by UcdE. Structural analysis revealed exclusive C2'-prenylation of flavonoids, differing clearly from the prenylation positions of most known prenyltransferases at C-6, C-8 or C-3'. The distinguishing properties of UcdE highlight its unprecedented specificity among prenyltransferases as a promising tool for selective biocatalysis, expanding the range of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and nutritional applications.
D-Tagatose is a low-calorie rare sugar with glycemic control and obesity prevention benefits, making it a promising functional sweetener. One-step epimerization of D-fructose to D-tagatose by D-tagatose 4-epimerase (T4E) is an attractive approach, but current T4Es suffer from low activity and poor thermostability. To address this, a novel T4E from the Thermoproteales archaeon (TaDt4e) was identified and engineered. A truncation variant Δ104-123 increased activity by 76.9%, and directed evolution produced the double mutant S46A/I113M with a 153.8% increase over wild-type enzyme. Using 100 g/L D-fructose, whole-cell biotransformation with S46A/I113M achieved 12.1% conversion within 10 min, and the purified enzyme reached 23.8% within 90 min. These results show that coordinated engineering of noncatalytic and active-site regions can substantially improve the catalytic performance of TaDt4e. This study not only identifies TaDt4e as a promising candidate for D-tagatose production, but also provides insights into the semirational or rational engineering of T4Es and related enzymes.