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Yeast nitrogen and vitamin nutrition are fundamental levers for managing wine quality, yet the specific mechanisms linking nutrient availability to sulfur aroma formation remain poorly understood. This study explored the impact of methionine, cysteine, and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)-nutrients with direct, pivotal roles in sulfur metabolic pathways-on the S. cerevisiae transcriptome and VSC metabolome during fermentation. Our findings reveal that methionine and cysteine catabolic routes act as isolated compartments; the genes responsible for bridging these two pathways remain transcriptionally silent in the presence of high cysteine or methionine availability. This lack of metabolic crossover leads to highly specific VSC signatures. Methionine exerts only a limited influence on global gene expression and primarily drives the production of methylthio-compounds via the Ehrlich pathway. Cysteine triggers a starvation-like transcriptomic response and promotes a diverse range of thiols and thioesters. Pantothenic acid deficiency compromised yeast growth and fermentation efficiency, triggered extensive transcriptional changes in sulfur assimilation pathways, effectively redirecting flux toward non-Ehrlich catabolic products. Overall, this study provides a robust mechanistic basis for how sulphur amino acid and pantothenic acid levels can be targeted to modulate wine aroma profiles and prevent the development of reductive off-flavors.

Sunflower seed protein is a high-quality plant protein, but chlorogenic acid (CGA) in sunflower meal causes browning and off-flavors, limiting its food applications. This study systematically investigated the interaction mechanisms between CGA and sunflower seed protein and their effects on the protein's structural integrity, functional properties, nutritional attributes, and sensory profile. Twice dephenolization removed >92% CGA. Moderate dephenolization increased β-sheet content and intrinsic fluorescence, enhancing structural compactness. Excessive CGA binding impaired gelling and foaming, while moderate removal improved emulsion stability (∼80%) and maintained oil-holding capacity (2.20 g/g). CGA preferentially bound Arg, Glu, Phe, His, and Lys, causing discoloration; following oxidation, its interactions with proteins generated odor-active aldehydes and ketones, thereby causing off-flavor formation. In contrast, moderately dephenolized sunflower seed protein produced pleasant fruity notes (e.g., ethyl acetate, methyl 2-methylpropanoate). Overall, moderate CGA removal significantly improved structural integrity, functional performance, and sensory profile of sunflower seed protein, providing a theoretical basis for its broader food applications.

1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is widely used to extend peach shelf life, yet its efficacy under elevated-temperature (≥30 °C) storage remains unquantified. Flavor metabolism and membrane lipid remodeling share fatty acid precursors, but their quantitative cross-omics coupling during postharvest senescence is poorly understood. This study integrated flavor metabolomics (138 compounds), lipidomics (253 species), physiological indices, and electronic sensory analyses in yellow-fleshed peach 'Jinhua' stored at 30 °C. Despite no between-group difference in ethylene production, softening, DA index decline, and the volatile compositional shift from C6 aldehydes to lactones were all significantly delayed in the 1-MCP group (e.g., γ-decalactone odor activity value at day 8: control 316.5 vs. 1-MCP 44.3). Between-treatment divergence in the lipidome preceded that in the flavor metabolome (day 4 vs. 6), and variance decomposition revealed a larger treatment effect for the lipidome (21.3%) than for the flavor metabolome (16.5%). The 1-MCP group preferentially retained polyunsaturated glycerophospholipids (77% of enriched lipids), whereas the control accumulated more sterol lipids and galactolipids. Only 26 sterol lipid species predicted 91.3% of flavor variation (R2 = 0.913), highlighting a novel predictive association between microdomain components and flavor. Data-driven consensus clustering indicated that 1-MCP extended the acceptable quality window from approximately 5.8 to 8.9 days, although both groups deteriorated by day 10 via distinct metabolic trajectories. Network analysis showed that 1-MCP attenuated global lipid-flavor coupling (Mantel r from 0.765 to 0.609) and shifted network hubs from sterol lipids to glycerophospholipids. These findings provide a quantitative framework associating membrane lipid remodeling with flavor fate under elevated-temperature logistics.

Shaoxing Huangjiu, a traditional Chinese rice wine, is renowned for its distinctive aroma. However, the key compounds responsible for its pleasurable sensory experience remain unclear. This study integrates GC-MS data, molecular docking, network pharmacology, and sensory evaluation to identify the aroma compounds and their receptor mechanisms. Among 100 identified volatiles, 34 emotion- or reward-related receptors (e.g., DRD2, HRH3, GPR119, and S1PR1) were targeted. Molecular docking revealed that benzyl benzoate (BB) exhibited the strongest affinity (-9.2 kcal/mol), interacting with multiple receptors via hydrophobic and π-π interactions. Sensory evaluation confirmed that BB and 2-phenylethyl acetate elicited the highest hedonic scores. These findings identify key aroma compounds responsible for Huangjiu's pleasurable aroma and propose a molecular framework linking aroma perception with receptor-level interactions. This study provides new insights for optimizing the flavor and functional properties of traditional fermented beverages.

Natural woods are abundant and renewable biomass resources, the inherent microchannels and micropores make woods the ideal microfluidic device. In this study, a wood-biomimetic microfluidic enzymatic reactor (CALB@BW-C8) was proposed by hydrophobically functionalizing balsa wood column (BW) using octyltrimethoxysilane (C8) and immobilizing lipases for the continuous-flow catalytic synthesis of flavor esters. Results indicate that C8 modification improved the water contact angles of BW from 52.0° to 122.7°, thus providing the hydrophobic microenvironment to enhance enzyme activity and stability. When two CALB@BW-C8 reactors were connected in series, the continuous-flow conversion of hexyl hexanoate reached 91% under solvent-free conditions. Besides, the superior thermal stability, long-term reusability, broad applicability, mechanical strength and porous stability of CALB@BW-C8 also highlighted its industrial potential. Finally, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations revealed that liquid substrates could migrated through intervessel pits to achieve cross-channel mass transfer, while the vessel perforation plates further enhanced local turbulence to promote the sufficient substrate-enzyme contacted. Hence, this paper innovatively combined the natural microfluidic wood with enzymatic catalysis, to achieve the continuous and sustainable production of flavor esters.

Collection of hematopoietic progenitor cells and mononuclear cells by leukocytapheresis is a critical step of procuring cellular starting materials for future therapeutic use. Leukocytapheresis requires use of anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting in the extracorporeal circuit during collection. A commonly used anticoagulant is Acid Citrate Dextrose Solution A (ACD-A). ACD-A primarily prevents blood clotting by reversibly chelating free ionized calcium, which is essential for the clotting cascade. Electrolytes frequently affected by ACD-A include calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. Risks for development of electrolyte derangements include procedure-related parameters as well as patient comorbidities. Symptoms range from mild paresthesias to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Recognition of related signs and symptoms is important for prompt intervention with procedure modification and electrolyte replacement to optimize patient safety. This paper will provide an enhanced understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and assist in timely identification and management of electrolyte abnormalities associated with cellular therapy collections.

This study investigated the effects of dietary poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) on the flesh quality of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) using biochemical, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. Common carp was fed diets including 0% (CK) and 4% PHB (PHB) for 12 weeks. Significant improvements in muscle nutritional value were observed in PHB group, including increased crude protein and collagen content, optimized amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Furthermore, PHB enhanced muscle flavor, texture, and antioxidant capacity. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that PHB likely acts as efficient energy source by downregulating glycolysis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation, thereby redirecting metabolic flux towards amino acid synthesis. Collectively, PHB effectively enhanced flesh quality by modulating nutrient metabolism and antioxidant defense, supporting its implementation as a functional feed additive for high-quality aquaculture.

Texture perception is a critical sensory attribute of extruded foods, such as snacks and breakfast cereals. Texture perception during eating is generated by food oral processing, depending not only on oral physiology but also on food composition and structure and their interactions. Expanded snacks have low nutritional value mainly due to their low protein and fiber content and high lipid content and energetic value, which should be improved to ensure good consumer appreciation. Thus, a rotational central composite design was applied to study the oral processing of cheese-flavored corn snacks. The independent variables were moisture content of corn grits, extrusion temperature, and percentage of oil added (17 assays). The dependent variables included the chemical and physical properties of the products and the formation and properties of the corn snack boluses. The dynamic sensory profile of the products was also evaluated. The increase in the moisture content of corn grits reduced the number of particles in the food boluses. The increase in extrusion temperature reduced the density and force peak of snacks and chewing cycles, whereas the role of sunflower oil addition is more complex. The sensory profile of corn snacks stood out by hardness and crispness in the beginning of mastication, and sticky from the middle to the end, as well as by salty taste; however, the temporality had a low importance to characterize them. In conclusion, the sunflower oil has little impact on the sensory profile of corn snacks, suggesting that a low content of sunflower oil may be sensorially acceptable, contributing to nutritionally improved corn snacks.

The honey-like aroma is a defining characteristic of Chinese rice-flavor Baijiu, but its molecular basis remains unclear. This study employed a sensomics approach, integrated with perceptual interaction tests, to investigate the formation of this characteristic. Using gas chromatography-olfactometry/mass spectrometry (GC-O/MS), a total of 66 odor-active compounds were characterized and subsequently quantified by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS. Among these, 15 compounds were newly identified in rice-flavor Baijiu. Aroma recombination and omission experiments validated 12 key aroma compounds, with phenylethyl alcohol, phenylacetaldehyde, and sotolon emerging as the essential contributors to the honey-like aroma attribute. Addition tests revealed a synergistic effect between sotolon and phenylethyl alcohol, reducing the theoretical detection threshold by 54.14% and enhancing honey-like perception. Raman spectroscopy showed that these compounds self-assemble via hydrogen bonding to form 2-HB·H₂O structures with higher bond energy, reducing free water in the system. This study reveals the molecular basis of the honey-like aroma and provides new indicators for process optimization and quality control.

Tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP) is a bioactive aroma compound from fermented foods, but its high volatility and short half-life limit application. This study investigated pumpkin seed protein (PSP) as a carrier for TTMP due to its nutritional and functional properties. Multiple characterization techniques and functional assessments were combined to examine the PSP-TTMP system. Results showed that TTMP bound to PSP in a concentration-dependent manner, causing conformational changes. Fluorescence analysis indicated a static quenching process, with spontaneous and exothermic binding mainly driven by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. Structural analyses confirmed that TTMP affected PSP secondary structure, aggregation, surface hydrophobicity, and microstructure, promoting a more ordered and dispersed state at suitable concentrations. Simulations confirmed stable binding between PSP and TTMP through key residues such as ASP, ARG, HIS, and GLN. TTMP also improved PSP antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase inhibition, and emulsion stability, highlighting PSP as a promising volatile flavor carrier.

Heart transplantation remains the definitive therapy for end-stage heart failure; however, its clinical impact is constrained by donor availability and preservation-associated injury. Static cold storage (SCS) with cardioplegic solutions such as Custodiol is the current clinical standard of care, yet extended cold ischemia markedly increases the risk of primary graft dysfunction. There is therefore a critical need for advanced preservation strategies and solutions that maintain graft viability under both cold and normothermic conditions. This study is aimed at comparing the effects of Custodiol and the novel cell-free organ preservation solution Omnisol on contractile function, metabolic activity, and apoptosis in human cardiomyocytes under static cold and normothermic storage conditions. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes were subjected to static cold or normothermic storage in standard culture medium, Custodiol, or Omnisol, followed by functional assessment after return to standard culture medium. Contractile function was quantified using video-based motion analysis (MuscleMotion), metabolic activity was quantified by MTT assay, and cell death-associated DNA fragmentation was assessed by TUNEL staining in combination with cell morphology. Following normothermic preservation in Omnisol, cardiomyocyte contractility was comparable to that observed with standard culture medium, whereas Custodiol-preserved cells showed markedly reduced beating frequency, impaired contraction profiles, and delayed functional recovery. After SCS, contractile function recovered to a similar extent in Omnisol- and Custodiol-treated cells upon return to standard medium. Importantly, Omnisol-treated cardiomyocytes displayed significantly higher metabolic activity than Custodiol-treated cells under both cold and normothermic storage conditions. Apoptosis rates were comparable between groups following cold storage; however, under normothermic conditions, Custodiol treatment was associated with a significant increase in apoptotic cell death. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the preservation potential of the novel cell-free preservation solution Omnisol for human cardiomyocytes under static cold and normothermic conditions. These hypothesis-generating findings support further evaluation of Omnisol as a versatile preservation solution for dynamic organ perfusion strategies.

This study investigated the effects of manipulating tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) histidine decarboxylase (HDC)-lineage neurons, which constitute the major source of central histaminergic neurons, on motion sickness-like behaviors in mice. Using a transgenic mouse line and a cyclic rotational stimulation paradigm, we found that rotational stimulation significantly upregulated Fos expression in the TMN. Silencing of TMN HDC-lineage neurons did not affect conditioned flavor avoidance but significantly reduced retching-like episodes following rotational stimulation. However, mice with TMN HDC-lineage neuron silencing exhibited lower baseline locomotor activity and impaired motor coordination compared to controls, which complicates interpretation of the retching-like behavior. These findings provide preliminary evidence that TMN HDC-lineage neurons may contribute to the expression of motion sickness-induced retching-like behavior, while their role in motion sickness-induced malaise-related responses and motor impairments remains to be further clarified.

Controlling selectivity within complex reaction networks remains a central challenge in catalysis. Here, we demonstrate that the electron transfer capacity (ETC) of functionalized iron-based nanozymes can serve as a programmable parameter to direct lipid oxidation pathways. By engineering Fe3O4@MOF composites doped with Cu, Pt, SiO2, or TiO2, we obtained a theoretical ETC gradient ranging from 1.83 to 0.27 e-, which dictated divergent product distributions: from aldehydes/ketones (Cu) to esters (Pt) and carboxylic acids (TiO2), or stabilization (SiO2). Integrated multi-omics analyses indicate that electron flux correlates with the selectivity of radical-mediated oxidative pathways. This work introduces a materials-based paradigm for predictable control over reaction selectivity, with implications extending from flavor science to programmable chemical synthesis.

The impact of areca-tea intercropping on flavor formation in Hainan Dayezhong white tea was investigated in comparison with monoculture cultivation. Integrated metabolomic, transcriptomic, and electronic sensory analyses were performed on tea samples collected throughout white tea processing. In total, 3299 metabolites and 64 446 transcripts were identified, with 18 non-volatile metabolites distinguished as key biomarkers. The integrated pathway analysis revealed that the shaded microenvironment created by areca palms fundamentally reshaped the metabolic and transcriptomic profiles of fresh tea shoots. Compared to monoculture, intercropping promoted the accumulation of carbohydrates (e.g., rhamnose, fructose) and amino acids, particularly theanine, while enhancing the biosynthesis of flavonoids (including catechins and flavonol glycosides) and caffeine. These compositional differences persisted during withering and drying, with key reactions such as catechin oxidation and flavonol glycoside degradation further modulating the final flavor profile. Intercropped Hainan Dayezhong white tea developed superior sensory qualities, characterized by pronounced sweetness and a mellower taste due to reduced bitterness and astringency. These findings confirm that intercropping Hainan Dayezhong tea with areca palms is a viable and beneficial agronomic practice, while elucidating the mechanisms that link cultivation systems to final tea quality. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Institutional dining halls increasingly serve plant-based meat products, yet it remains unclear how consumers perceive these products relative to animal-based options in real-world settings. This study compares consumer sensory perceptions of two plant-based meatballs (soy, soy-wheat) and two animal-based meatballs (beef, beef-mushroom) among university dining hall patrons (n=116), complemented by instrumental Texture Profile Analysis. Animal-based meatballs received significantly higher ratings for moistness, meatiness, fattiness, and tastiness (all p<0.001), with the meatiness gap being the largest (&#x394;=1.40 on a 5-point scale). Texture analysis revealed that animal-based samples were significantly harder, more cohesive, and chewier than plant-based samples. In contrast, consumers perceived no differences in chewiness or hardness between categories, revealing a disconnect between instrumental and sensory measures. Just-About-Right penalty analysis identified insufficient savoriness as a universal improvement target across all products, including beef. Flavor and texture emerged as the dominant drivers of dining choice, while sustainability and animal welfare ranked lowest in importance. These findings suggest that sensory parity - particularly in moistness, meatiness, and savoriness - may drive acceptance of plant-based meat more strongly than sustainability messaging. Data and code are available at https://github.com/LivingMatterLab/AI4Food.

D-phase emulsification technology has emerged as an efficient, low-energy emulsification technique. Nonionic emulsifiers are extensively employed in the D-phase emulsification process. Nevertheless, the emulsification mechanism and the relationship between emulsifier structures and their interfacial behavior during D-phase emulsification have been scarcely investigated, which restricts the targeted optimization and application of this technology in the industrial field. In this study, the pseudoternary phase behavior and interfacial adsorption characteristics of sorbitol polyether ester emulsifiers with variations in the numbers of hydrophilic groups (6, 30, and 60) and different types of hydrophobic groups (oleate and isostearate) were studied. Sorbitol polyether-30 tetraoleate (TS 30) exhibited the largest interfacial adsorption capacity (3.27 &#xd7; 10-6 mol/m2) and a tendency to arrange orderly at the oil/glycerol interface, in comparison to those containing 6 or 60 hydrophilic groups. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) collectively verified that TS 30 and TIS 30 were capable of stabilizing the O/D phase and generating nanoemulsions with small and uniform droplet sizes. This study can enrich the basic studies on the interfacial mechanism involved in D-phase emulsification, providing theoretical references for D-phase emulsification and offering practical guidance for the rational selection of emulsifiers.

Taste perception is an essential sensory system that evolved to guide dietary choices and ensure survival. Human taste arises from the interaction of food-derived chemicals with specialized receptors in taste buds located on lingual papillae. The five canonical tastes, sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami, encode distinct biological meanings. In addition to these modalities, oral chemesthesis mediated by the trigeminal nerve contributes sensations such as pungency and cooling, which interact with olfactory inputs to shape overall flavor perception. Molecular studies have revealed that taste perception is regulated by receptor families such as TAS1R and TAS2R, whose evolution reflects dietary adaptations through gene duplication, diversification, and pseudogenization. Cultural and dietary transitions, including cooking and fermentation, further shaped human taste preferences. Emerging concepts such as kokumi highlight additional mechanisms that enhance flavor perception through calcium-sensing receptor signaling. Therefore, understanding the evolutionary, genetic, and dietary determinants of taste perception provides valuable insights into human nutrition, health, and the biological basis of food preference.

Non-enzymatic glucose detection has emerged as an attractive alternative to enzyme-based methods, offering higher stability, lower cost, and simplified operation. However, designing a robust catalyst capable of simultaneously achieving colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode sensing remains challenging. Herein, we prepare histidine-derived carbon dot-decorated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (IONPs@CDs) through a one-step solvothermal synthesis. The histidine precursor forms carbon dots that assemble on Fe3O4 nanoparticles via interfacial interactions, generating a porous nanostructure. This study addresses the challenge of developing a single, enzyme-free nanocatalyst capable of dual-mode glucose detection with high sensitivity and reproducibility. The imidazole moieties of the histidine-derived carbon dots mimic glucose-oxidase-like catalytic sites, potentially triggering efficient deprotonation of glucose and hydride transfer to the IONPs@CD framework. The hydride-enriched nanoparticles subsequently catalyze the reaction of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) with the aldehyde form of glucose to yield strongly fluorescent benzimidazole derivatives, as verified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The dual-mode sensor demonstrates detection limits of 35&#x202f;&#x3bc;M (colorimetric) and 24&#x202f;&#x3bc;M (fluorometric), reflecting excellent analytical sensitivity. Measurements of blood glucose samples closely match results from commercial glucose meters, confirming quantitative reliability. Moreover, the catalytic nanostructure retains signal intensity after repeated cycles, indicating robust stability and reusability under the tested conditions. These results collectively highlight the unique integration of catalytic mimicry and optical response within a single porous IONPs@CD platform for rapid, enzyme-free glucose sensing. The developed IONPs@CD-based sensing device provides a practical, stable, and enzyme-free alternative for glucose monitoring. Its dual colorimetric and fluorescent responses offer reliable detection for clinical and diagnostic applications. By integrating catalytic mimicry and optical signaling into a single nanostructure, this work advances the design of multifunctional sensors and demonstrates strong potential for cost-effective, portable glucose-monitoring technologies.

Rapid and reliable detection of uric acid (UA) in human biological fluids is important for the early screening and monitoring of metabolic-related diseases. In this work, an enzyme-free fluorescence sensing platform based on a discrete metal-organic polyhedron (MOP-15) was developed. MOP-15 exhibited favorable dispersibility and stable fluorescence behavior in solution. Upon the addition of UA, the fluorescence intensity of MOP-15 at 400 nm decreased markedly, mainly due to the inner filter effect (IFE) between UA and MOP-15. Under optimized conditions, a good linear response was observed over the range of 0.5-100 &#xb5;mol L-1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.45 &#xb5;mol L-1. The system also exhibited good selectivity in the presence of common interfering species. When applied to real urine samples, good recoveries ranging from 92.5% to 108% were further obtained, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 6%. The proposed MOP-15-based fluorescent platform avoids reliance on natural enzymes and provides a simple, rapid, and convenient strategy for quantitative UA detection, with satisfactory accuracy, stability, and anti-interference capability. This work further expands the application of MOP-based luminescent materials in enzyme-free fluorescence sensing for preliminary urine analysis.