Polysaccharide- and protein-based hydrogels possess good biocompatibility, abundant functional groups, and tunable network structures, making them sustainable materials for food packaging. Through the regulation of crosslinking, pore architecture, and intermolecular interactions, these hydrogels can achieve diverse packaging functionalities, ranging from basic barrier protection to active preservation and even intelligent regulation. This review focuses on how the structure-function relationships of hydrogels realize specific packaging functionalities and comparatively discusses four representative morphologies: coatings, films, absorbent pads, and microspheres. The discussion covers the transition from matrix-dominated passive barrier functions to additive-enabled active preservation, and finally to stimuli-responsive systems. It further elucidates how precise structural regulation in these functional systems impacts key preservation behaviors, such as moisture control, gas permeability, antimicrobial activity, and controlled release. Building on these structure-function principles, this paper further introduces data-assisted strategies for hydrogel food packaging, showing their potential in accelerating formulation screening, predicting transport behavior, and reducing trial-and-error costs.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the extraction efficiency, physicochemical, and functional properties of yellow pea protein (YPP) using deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and to assess the effect of DESs on alcalase activity and the hydrolysis of YPP. Proteins extracted with DESs exhibited higher purity than those obtained by alkaline extraction (>93% vs. 70%). Among the DES systems, DES-2 (choline chloride: urea: water, molar ratio 1:2:1) showed the highest protein extraction efficiency (approximately 72 ± 2%) and enhanced relative Alcalase activity to approximately 116.9%. YPP was purified by dilution with acidified water (1:40 v/v), followed by centrifugation. DES-2-extracted YPP (DES-YPP-2) exhibited higher band intensity, particularly in the higher molecular weight regions, lower fluorescence intensity, and greater intensity of characteristic amide bands than alkaline-extracted YPP, as evidenced by SDS-PAGE, fluorescence spectroscopy, and FTIR analyses, respectively. DES-YPP-2 also showed a lower zeta potential (~ -0.2 mV), reduced particle size (824 ± 31 nm), and a higher contact angle (θ = 73°), indicating significant changes in the physicochemical properties of the DES-extracted protein. The increased solubility of DES-extracted protein (up to 15%) and the consequently greater stability of its emulsion and foam, when compared to alkaline-extracted YPP, confirmed the results of the structural and physicochemical analyses. These findings demonstrate that DES-2 has a strong ability to extract high-molecular-weight globulin proteins. Furthermore, this approach supports the valorization of yellow split pea, an underutilized agricultural by-product, into value-added protein ingredients.
Cognitive development is associated with diet, activity, sleep, metabolic health, and socioeconomic status. However, evidence remains limited, as most studies have focused on clinical groups or single factors. We examined the combined associations of these variables with cognitive function in school-aged children from the general population. We evaluated 170 school-aged children from a population-based cohort (mean age 6.33 ± 0.03 years; 49% female). Children were evaluated after an overnight fast (>8 h), and anthropometric, metabolic, and socioeconomic variables were evaluated. Diet and physical activity were assessed using validated questionnaires (Vioque FFQ and enKid). Cognitive function was assessed using NEPSY-II and TONI-2 subsets. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. Cognitive function was positively associated with Mediterranean diet adherence, sleep duration, socioeconomic status, and negatively associated with ultra-processed food intake, TV viewing, and metabolic markers including insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein, and gamma-glutamyltransferase (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that Mediterranean diet adherence (OR 2.18, 95%CI 1.08-4.40), economic status (OR 2.50, 95%CI 1.13-5.49), sleep duration (OR 2.90, 95%CI 1.42-5.92), and HOMA-IR (OR 0.47, 95%CI 0.23-0.96) as independently associated with cognitive outcomes, particularly in attention, language, and memory. Lifestyle factors and socioeconomic conditions are independently associated with cognitive function in children. Key message: Diet, sleep, metabolic health, and socioeconomic status are associated with cognitive function in school-aged children. Novelty: Simultaneously examines multiple factors associated with cognition in school-aged children from a population-based cohort. Impact on cognition: Mediterranean diet adherence, sleep duration, and metabolic health were positively associated with several cognitive domains, including attention, language, and memory. Practical use: Highlights the potential relevance of healthy lifestyles and social equity in relation to cognitive development. Broader significance: Highlights the multifactorial nature of cognitive development in children.
Watersheds are natural units and meta-ecosystems of the earth's land surface providing multiple ecological functions. However, little is known about the biodiversity-ecological multifunctionality relationships of watersheds, particularly regarding how these relationships scale to large and complex landscapes. Here, we explore the impact of forest tree species richness on the ecological multifunctionality of watersheds in terms of carbon sequestration, carbon storage, water supply, water regulation, and soil conservation, by utilizing integrated ground-sourced forest inventory datasets comprising 846 forest watersheds from the Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative, the Global Streamflow Indices and Metadata Archive, and remote sensing data products. We find a consistently positive relationship between forest tree species richness and watershed ecological multifunctionality by accounting for factors such as forest structural characteristics and environmental conditions. Furthermore, we find that this biodiversity-multifunctionality link is dependent on spatial scale and climatic context, becoming stronger in larger watersheds but diminishing in arid climatic conditions. These insights enhance our understanding of ecosystem multifunctionality and underscore the importance of considering watershed-scale ecological processes and biodiversity in ecosystem management and conservation strategies.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists such as semaglutide are highly effective treatments for obesity, yet the mechanisms by which they reduce food intake remain incompletely understood. Because taste plays a critical role in guiding food intake, several clinical studies have investigated whether GLP-1R agonists alter taste function, but these reports have yielded conflicting results. Here, we systematically tested the effects of chronic semaglutide treatment on taste responsivity in diet-induced obese mice. Mice were evaluated using brief-access gustometer tests to assess responses to sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and fatty tastants. Chronic semaglutide treatment produced robust weight loss but did not alter lick rates for any tastant, indicating intact taste-driven orosensory evaluation across modalities. Psychophysical analysis using a broad range of sucrose concentrations revealed similar concentration-response functions and comparable EC50 values between vehicle- and semaglutide-treated mice, demonstrating unchanged sweet taste sensitivity. However, semaglutide modestly increased total licking and trial initiation for sucrose, suggesting enhanced behavioral engagement rather than altered taste perception. Consistent with the behavioral findings on taste, semaglutide did not affect the abundance of taste receptor cell subtypes in the circumvallate papilla or the expression of genes involved in taste receptor signaling and neurotransmission. Together, these results indicate that chronic semaglutide does not detectably impair peripheral taste function in mice under our experimental conditions. Instead, GLP-1R agonists likely influence ingestive behavior through mechanisms independent of taste signaling, potentially involving alterations in motivational processes.
Ganoderma lucidum spores are minute particles released from the substrate of Ganoderma lucidum that function as the reproductive cells of the organism. Ganoderma lucidum spores are widely recognized as a functional food. Polysaccharides are the predominant bioactive components found in G. lucidum spores and significantly contribute to their health benefits. However, the structural characteristics of these polysaccharides remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that these spores contain active compounds with significant pharmacological properties, including antitumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, cardiovascular, and hepatoprotective effects. As a result, Ganoderma lucidum spores have become a focal point in research on their development and application, particularly within biomedicine and functional foods. The methods used for extraction, isolation, and purification can significantly influence the content, purity, and structural characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum spore polysaccharides (GLSP), thereby affecting their biological activities to varying degrees. Although GLSP are important in biological research and drug discovery, comprehensive reviews on these substances, especially regarding the application of GLSP in health products, are notably lacking. This paper systematically reviews the latest research on the extraction, isolation, and purification techniques, structural characterization, and bioactivities of GLSP, both domestically and internationally, with the aim of providing a theoretical foundation for further research and product development involving GLSP.
Trichothecium roseum (T. roseum) is a significant postharvest pathogen that infects a wide range of fruits and vegetables. This study investigated the antifungal activity of cuminal (CA), the major active component of cumin essential oil, against T. roseum. The results showed that CA notably inhibited spore germination, germ tube elongation, mycelial growth, and pathogenicity in T. roseum. Mechanistic analyses revealed that CA induced excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in T. roseum, despite antioxidant elicitation, leading to oxidative stress. This stress triggered mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by ultrastructural damage, membrane depolarization, cytochrome c release, and disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis. Further examination showed that CA altered mitochondrial dynamics and activated TrAtg8-mediated mitophagy, as evidenced by upregulated autophagy-related genes and the definite colocalization of GFP-TrAtg8 with mitochondria and vacuoles. Excessive mitophagy impaired mitochondrial function, resulting in a 44.14% decrease in energy charge in CA-treated spores compared to the untreated control. This energy deficit led to the suppression of gene expression of cell wall-degrading enzymes, required for pathogenic attack, and to impaired environmental alkalization capability, which is crucial for successful host colonization. Consequently, this led to a significant reduction in T. roseum's pathogenicity. Taken together, this study establishes that CA disrupts T. roseum's energy metabolism via a cascade initiated by oxidative stress, which dysregulates mitochondria and traps the cell in a futile cycle of excessive mitophagy, ultimately decreasing its pathogenic capacity. This multi-target mechanism highlights CA's potential as a natural postharvest preservative for fruits and vegetables against T. roseum.
Plant-derived by-products are a valuable source of polyphenols with well-documented antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. However, their limited stability restricts their application in functional food systems. This study investigated alginate-based encapsulation by ionotropic gelation as a strategy to improve polyphenol retention and bioactivity, using pomegranate peel and tomato pomace as contrasting plant matrices. Attention was given to the effects of processing parameters, including nozzle diameter, on encapsulation efficiency and functional properties. Plant matrix and processing conditions both significantly affected polyphenol retention, antioxidant capacity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)), and antidiabetic activity (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and α-amylase inhibition), confirming strong matrix-dependent behavior. Microspheres prepared from pomegranate peel showed greater retention of key phenolic compounds, including gallic acid (29.7 mg kg-1 FW), ellagic acid (5.0 mg kg-1 FW), flavonols (18.0 mg kg-1 FW), and polymeric procyanidins (1337.6 mg kg-1 FW), and enhanced biological activity. In contrast, tomato pomace showed lower stability, with the highest flavonol retention (45.6 mg kg-1 FW) observed under less restrictive encapsulation conditions. Increasing nozzle diameter (750-1000 μm) improved microsphere morphology, surface integrity, and extract distribution, while reducing structural instability. Correlation analysis indicated that flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids, and punicalagin were the principal contributors to antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. Alginate-based encapsulation efficiency was influenced strongly by plant matrix and process parameters, particularly nozzle diameter. Optimization of these factors enables improved retention of bioactive compounds and enhanced biological activity. The developed system shows potential for the design of stable, functional microspheres applicable in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and controlled-release delivery systems. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
The goal of developing interventions to slow ageing is not only lifespan extension but more importantly to increase healthspan, the period of life spent in active good health. Nutritional interventions have emerged as a potential strategy to maintain health with age. Testing these interventions for effects on human ageing would take several years and require large cohort sizes. We therefore employed C. elegans as a rapidly ageing model organism to investigate the effects of two commercially available nutrition-based products on ageing-related decline of mobility as an indication of healthspan. These products are multi-ingredient formulations comprising vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and botanical extracts. They include compounds expected to positively influence ageing such as Dihydronicotinamide mononucleotide, NAD + booster, trans-resveratrol, taurine, pterostilbene and bioflavonoids. V14™ contains 40 + ingredients and AG1® contains 70 + ingredients with 5 additional probiotic strains. Mobility-based readouts over time were obtained using WormGazer™ imaging technology. Worms exposed to V14™ showed increased movement and speed with age compared to those exposed to AG1® and to a solvent control. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, transcriptomic profiling was performed on V14™ exposed worms, revealing modulation of pathways involved in metabolism and stress responses, processes associated with ageing. Collectively, these findings suggest that V14™ delays age-related decline in C. elegans and highlight the potential of targeted nutritional interventions to modulate pathways relevant to human ageing.
Human fertilization requires fusion of spermatozoon and oocyte membranes to form a diploid zygote, beginning with adhesion mediated by spermatozoon IZUMO1 and oocyte JUNO. Current models propose that IZUMO1 dimerizes after interacting with JUNO, possibly triggered by a protein disulfide isomerase. It has been proposed that protein disulfide isomerase ERp57 is the trigger for IZUMO1 dimerization, a mechanism supported by parallels in viral entry, but direct evidence is lacking. In vitro fertilization studies were performed for both mice and humans using ERp57 inhibitors to confirm the importance of ERp57 in mammalian fertilization. Additionally, for this study, we generated a sperm-specific ERp57 conditional knockout mouse model and performed in vivo and in vitro fertilization experiments. Biophysical assays, including dynamic light scattering and a fluorescence-based dissociation assay, were developed and utilized to investigate interactions between ERp57 and IZUMO1. Structural modeling was used to supplement the ERp57 and IZUMO1 interaction findings. Here, we reveal that ERp57 is crucial for mammalian fertilization but does not show evidence of any direct interaction with IZUMO1. ERp57 inhibition significantly reduces fertilization in human and mouse in vitro assays, and ERp57 spermatozoa conditional knockout (scKO) males exhibit severe hypofertility in vivo and in vitro. ERp57 localizes to the equatorial segment of human spermatozoa following the acrosome reaction, consistent with a role in gamete interaction. However, ERp57-deficient spermatozoa fail to accumulate in the perivitelline space, pointing to a role upstream of membrane fusion. Additionally, ERp57 neither promotes IZUMO1 dimerization nor facilitates dissociation of the IZUMO1-JUNO complex. Structural modeling predicted no significant interaction between ERp57 and IZUMO1, supporting experimental findings. These findings establish ERp57 as critical for mammalian fertilization but challenge existing assumptions about its mechanistic involvement in gamete membrane fusion. Our research contributions provide key new mechanistic insights that reexamine and reshape the current paradigms surrounding the fundamental process of sperm-egg fusion. By addressing a long-standing bottleneck in the field, our work opens new avenues of investigation that could finally lead to the identification of the elusive human sperm-egg fusogen.
In Ca²⁺-triggered exocytosis such as synaptic neurotransmitter release, vesicle fusion is tightly regulated by synaptotagmin (Syt) and complexin (Cpx), which together clamp partially assembled SNARE complexes to prevent premature fusion. However, Cpx is evolutionarily more ancient than Syt, suggesting that it may also regulate exocytosis independently of Syt. To test this possibility, we sought to identify an extant exocytic pathway that requires Cpx but naturally lacks Syt. Here, we uncovered such a pathway - hormone-triggered exocytosis of glucose transporters in adipocytes. In this pathway, Cpx acts exclusively as a positive regulator, accelerating the evoked phase of exocytosis without affecting basal fusion. Mechanistically, this Syt-independent activity depends on the central helix of Cpx for SNARE binding and on its C-terminal membrane-binding peptide, which remodels the lipid bilayer to promote exocytosis. Our findings support a model in which Cpx originally evolved to accelerate exocytosis independently of Ca²⁺, enabling rapid mobilization of exocytic cargoes in response to environmental cues. With the later emergence of Syt, Cpx acquired an additional role - acting in concert with Syt to regulate Ca²⁺-triggered exocytosis.
Imperata cylindrica has become a highly regarded herb in traditional medicine due to its outstanding environmental adaptability and rich medicinal value. As a major bioactive component of I. cylindrica, Imperata cylindrica polysaccharides (ICPs) have attracted increasing interest due to their structural heterogeneity and pleiotropic biological activities. Existing evidence indicates that ICPs exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulatory, and renoprotective effects, all of which are closely related to chronic metabolic diseases, especially hyperuricemic nephropathy. Although ICPs offer considerable potential in biomedicine and are considered ideal functional food ingredients, a systematic and comprehensive review is still lacking. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the extraction, purification, and structural characterization of ICPs, with particular emphasis on their structure-activity relationships, biological functions, and application prospects. In addition, the multi-target mechanisms through which ICPs exert beneficial effects in hyperuricemic nephropathy are discussed. Potential avenues for the utilization of ICPs in functional food formulations, biomedicine, and industrial applications are also explored, collectively providing a theoretical basis for future research and downstream product development.
The continuous application of pesticides leads to persistent environmental residues that adversely affect non-target plants. However, the effect of pesticides on the endophytic microbial communities of plants and the feedback of enriched endophytes in alleviating pesticide-induced stress remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the roles and mechanisms by which endophytic bacteria collectively modulate rice plant resilience to chlorpyrifos (CP) stress. We systematically compared the responses of axenic and holoxenic rice to six different pesticides. Using CP as a model, we analyzed the bacterial communities enriched in rice plants under CP stress and characterized the functional traits. Based on functional profiles, we then constructed synthetic consortia to investigate how interactions among bacterial functions drive the degradation pathway of CP in rice. Application of six different pesticides induced oxidative stress in rice, whereas endophytic bacteria alleviated growth inhibition. In response to CP stress, rice plants enriched endophytic bacteria from the phylum Proteobacteria, particularly Pseudomonas and Hydrogenophaga. We isolated 66 endobacterial strains, including 15 capable of CP degradation and 42 non-degrading strains with growth-promoting properties. Functional combination experiments using Pseudomonas revealed that when degradation activity was present, increasing functional richness in synthetic microbial consortia further enhanced CP degradation in rice. Notably, the combination of CP-degrading strain p4 with non-degrading strain p6 exhibited a metabolic synergistic effect. Strain p4 transformed CP into eight metabolites via hydrolysis, oxidation, and alkylation, which were subsequently converted into less toxic conjugates through plant Phase II metabolism, a process promoted by strain p6. Our work demonstrates that the synergistic interaction between degrading and non-degrading endophytic bacteria enhances rice plant resistance to CP stress. These findings deepen our understanding of microbial mechanisms involved in plant responses to organic pollutants stress and provide insights for designing synthetic microbial consortia.
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This study aimed to develop a novel pH-sensitive core-shell delivery system to improve probiotics' viability during simulated digestion and storage. A 10-strain premix of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium was encapsulated within a pregelatinized starch-based gel core, while alginate/pectin (Al/P) gel was employed as the shell using a 3D food printing (3DFOODP) process. The survival rates indicated that the 3DFOODP process did not compromise probiotic viability. To evaluate efficacy, a long-term storage stability study was conducted over a 33-day period under 4 °C and 23 °C, and at 50 °C for 2 h. Storage at 4 °C was most favorable, maintaining a survival rate of 64.37% after 33 days. In contrast, unencapsulated probiotics exhibited significantly reduced viability, falling below 5% by day 18 at 4 °C (3.55%) and by day 15 at 23 °C (2.75%), and reaching negligible survival by the end of the 33-day storage period. Under simulated digestion, the retention of encapsulated probiotics was 97.22% in the oral phase, 83.33% under gastric conditions, and 82.70% in the intestinal phase. Conversely, unencapsulated probiotics showed 93.62%, 10.92%, and 6.30% retention, respectively. These findings provided strong evidence supporting the protective function of the core-shell gel system, thereby facilitating the targeted functionality and colonization.
Nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) are nutrient-dense foods, rich in unsaturated fatty acids and fibre, micronutrients such as non‑sodium minerals and vitamins, bioactive non-nutritive compounds such as polyphenols and phytosterols, and other bioactive molecules that play an important role in human diets through the promotion of health and well-being. Their consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of several non-communicable diseases, lower all-cause mortality, and contributions to weight management and healthy aging. The health-promoting properties of nuts make their dietary inclusion clinically significant. This review examines the nutritional composition and bioactive profiles of nuts, as well as the effects of processing, with particular emphasis on the bioaccessibility of nut-derived polyphenols, their mutual interactions with the gut microbiota, the positive effects of exposure to nuts on a wide range of health outcomes, and the molecular mechanisms underlying them. A substantial body of evidence, including observational cohort studies and randomized clinical trials, has consistently reported beneficial associations of nut consumption with lower risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, hypertension, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease, and cancer, among others. Furthermore, a review of global dietary guidelines consistently recommends regular nut consumption, a practice further supported by various authorized health claims that officially recognize their cardiometabolic benefits. Overall, nuts are highly nutritious foods that substantially contribute to the nutrient adequacy of the diet while reducing the risk of chronic disease. The critical role of nuts in personalized nutrition strategies is underscored and the emerging potential of nut coproducts as functional ingredients is gaining attention. The optimal composition of nuts justifies their recognition as among the healthiest foods available worldwide.
In mice and rats, exposure to dioxins has been shown to have adverse effects on ovarian function in first-generation offspring (F1). However, in humans, this effect has not been clearly established. Exposure to food oil contaminated with dioxins, especially 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorinated dibenzofuran (PeCDF) caused the onset of complex toxicity-related symptoms known as Yusho disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the intergenerational effects of PeCDF exposure on ovarian function in F1 offspring. To this end, we investigated the relationship between the standard deviation (z-score) of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and Yusho exposure status. Of 55 F1 offspring born to Yusho patients, 41 were enrolled in this study after applying the exclusion criteria. The median age (range) was 43 (22-50) years. Yusho exposure originated from the mother in 31 (75.6%) cases, the father in 1 (2.4%) case, and both parents in 9 (22.0%) cases. The median blood AMH concentration and z-score of the Yusho group were low, at 0.27 ng/mL and -1.61, respectively; the z-scores were lower than 0, corresponding to the mean of the age-matched healthy women used to derive the reference distribution (one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test, W =  - 633, p < 0.001). In a sensitivity analysis restricted to F1 offspring with maternal exposure only (n = 31), the median z-score was -1.69 (one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test, W = 56, p = 0.0002), confirming the robustness of this finding. This evidence suggests that Yusho exposure adversely affects the ovarian reserve in F1 offspring.
Particulate matter (PM) is a major global health threat, linked to millions of deaths annually. Beyond inhalation, PM components reach the gastrointestinal tract through the mucociliary escalator or contaminated food and water. Among PM's organic fraction, redox-active quinones such as 1,2-naphthoquinone (NQ) and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ) are key drivers of toxicity, but their effects on intestinal epithelial integrity and associated cellular stress pathways require further investigation. Differentiated human Caco-2 cells were used as a model to assess the effects of NQ and PQ (1 μM), alone or in combination. Oxidative potential was evaluated using acellular dithiothreitol and ascorbic acid assays. Cellular endpoints included intracellular ROS generation, transcriptional activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy, junctional protein expression, and functional barrier integrity assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Acellular assays revealed compound-specific redox behaviors and nonadditive interactions depending on the oxidative pathway examined. In Caco-2 cells, quinone exposure induced intracellular ROS production and upregulated ER stress-related genes (GRP78, IRE1, and ATF6), accompanied by increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, and TNFα). Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated ER dilation and alterations in intercellular junctions. Notably, differentiated Caco-2 monolayers exhibited a pronounced reduction in TEER following combined quinone exposure, associated with decreased expression of junctional proteins, including Connexin-43 and E-cadherin. These findings indicate that redox-active quinones representative of air pollution organic components impair intestinal barrier integrity, particularly in differentiated epithelial models, in association with oxidative stress, ER stress activation, and junctional protein alterations. The results highlight the vulnerability of the mature intestinal barrier to specific PM constituents and support a role for ER stress-related pathways in pollutant-induced epithelial dysfunction.
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a refractory chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lacks adequate treatments, necessitating new natural therapeutic candidates. Schisandrin A (Sch A), a bioactive lignan from Schisandra chinensis, was explored for its protective efficacy against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in mice. Sch A markedly repaired colonic barrier function, and remodeled gut microbiota by enriching probiotics and depleting pathogenic bacteria, as verified via 16S rRNA sequencing. Mechanistically, Sch A robustly suppressed ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro. Multiomics analyses pinpointed arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) as a core target. Molecular docking (MD), dynamics simulations, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) experiments confirmed the direct binding between Sch A and ALOX15. In summary, Sch A alleviates UC via regulating gut flora and targeting ALOX15 to block ferroptosis, representing a promising food-derived agent for UC therapy.
Porous carbon-based QuEChERS purification material (CZIFA) was synthesized through a straightforward calcination and acid treatment process using Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67) as the precursor. The abundant adsorption sites and excellent clean-up capability of CZIFA resulting from acid treatment were confirmed through a series of characterization and performance evaluations. Combined with LC-MS/MS, a modified QuEChERS method using CZIFA as the adsorbent was developed for the simultaneous detection of 48 pesticide residues in tobacco. Under optimized conditions, the established method achieved low limits of detection (0.02-9.92 μg/kg), wide linear ranges (2-200 μg/L), and satisfactory precision. The average recoveries of the method were in the range of 80.1-119.7% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of <9.5%. This study provides a novel and efficient functionalized material for analyzing pesticide residues in complex matrices. Especially, it expands the application of ZIF-derived carbon materials in food safety detection.