Oxidized paramylon self-assembled nanoparticles loaded with fucoxanthin attenuate insulin resistance in HpeG2 cells.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) has garnered significant interest due to its exceptional biological properties. However, its efficacy in enhancing food quality and human health is contingent upon the solubility of the compound in water and its physicochemical stability. Therefore, nanocarriers must be developed to enhance the stability and biocompatibility of Fx. In this study, oxidized paramylon and Fx self-assembled nanoparticles (Fx-OEP) were prepared via the anti-solvent method, with a loading rate of 82.47 % for Fx. The Fx-OEP exhibited robust storage and photostability. In vitro simulated digestion assays demonstrated that Fx-OEP effectively protected Fx from premature gastric release, while achieving a release efficiency of 72.17 % in the intestinal phase. Fx-OEP has the capacity to scavenge a range of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by cellular oxidative stress. Treatment with Fx-OEP resulted in a significant reduction in ROS accumulation in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, which was attributed to the activation of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway. This, in turn, activated insulin receptor substrate 1/glucose transporter type 4 (IRS1/GLUT4), promoting cellular glucose absorption and utilization. These findings indicate the potential of self-assembled nanoparticles based on oxidized paramylon as a new type of nanocarrier for delivering hydrophobic substances.

Biological activity, limitations and steady-state delivery of functional substances for precision nutrition.

Food-related functional substances with biological activity serve as a crucial material foundation for achieving precision nutrition, which has gained increasing attraction in regulating physiological functions, preventing chronic diseases, and maintaining human health. Nutritional substances typically include bioactive proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, polyphenols, functional lipids, carotenoids, probiotics, vitamins, saponins, and terpenes. These functional substances play an essential role in precise nutrition. This chapter introduces and summarizes typical functional substances to demonstrate the challenges in precision nutrition for their stability, solubility, and bioavailability. The current status of delivery systems of functional substances is described to give an insight into the development of desirable characteristics, such as food grade status, high loading capacity, site targeting, and controlled release capacity. Finally, the applications of food-borne delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition are emphasized to meet the requirement for precision nutrition during nutritional intervention for chronic diseases.

Carboxymethylation of paramylon derived from Euglena gracilis and its hypoglycemic mechanism in diabetic mice.

Paramylon is a polysaccharide primarily composed of ß-1,3-glucan, characterized by its high crystallinity and insolubility in water. Enhancing its water solubility through structural modifications presents an effective strategy to unlock its biological activity. In this study, carboxymethylation was employed to produce carboxymethylated paramylon (CEP) with varying carboxyl concentrations. The successful introduction of carboxyl groups led to a notable improvement in water solubility. In vivo experiments demonstrated that CEP reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 24.42 %, improved oral glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice. Additionally, CEP regulated lipid homeostasis and ameliorated liver damage. Through modulation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway and the glucose-6-phosphatase/phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase pathway, CEP effectively regulated hepatic glucose absorption and production. Furthermore, CEP mitigated diabetes-induced lipid metabolism disorders. These findings suggest that CEP holds significant promise in ameliorating glucose metabolism disorder, indicating its potential as a novel hypoglycemic functional food.

Advances in preparation and engineering of plant-derived extracellular vesicles for nutrition intervention.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PLEVs), as a type of naturally occurring lipid bilayer membrane structure, represent an emerging delivery vehicle with immense potential due to their ability to encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, shield them from external environmental stresses, control release, exhibit biocompatibility, and demonstrate biodegradability. This comprehensive review analyzes engineering preparation strategies for natural vesicles, focusing on PLEVs and their purification and surface engineering. Furthermore, it encompasses the latest advancements in utilizing PLEVs to transport active components, serving as a nanotherapeutic system. The prospects and potential development of PLEVs are also discussed. It is anticipated that this work will not only address existing knowledge gaps concerning PLEVs but also provide valuable guidance for researchers in the fields of food science and biomedical studies, stimulating novel breakthroughs in plant-based therapeutic options.

Mechanically robust carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide composite cross-linked by polyetherimide for fruits packaging and preservation system.

Modulating the interactions between biopolymer matrix and nanofillers highly determined the mechanical performances of composite packaging materials. Herein, we innovatively proposed a sort of eco-friendly and mechanically robust carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide/tannic acid/polyetherimide (CMC/GO/TA/PEI, CGTP) composite by employing PEI as cross-linker and TA as proton donor. The amidation reaction between -NH2 and -COOH chemically connected the CMC/GO, CMC/CMC and GO/GO and the physical interaction (e.g. hydrogen bonds and molecular entanglements) was beneficial to form dense structures. The chemical/physical bonds among polymers and nanofillers contributed to dissipate the external energy. The toughness was effectively reinforced from 1.68 MJ/m3 for CGTP0 to 4.63 MJ/m3 for CGTP1.0. Furthermore, the CGTP1.0 composite film also delivered improved gas (moisture and oxygen) barriers, UV protection and antimicrobial features. Originating from these merits, the shelf life of fresh fruits (e.g. strawberries, blueberries and cherry tomatoes) was prolonged at least 5 days under ambient conditions when the packaging box was covered by the fabricated CGTP1.0 film. Our findings not only provided a facial strategy to reinforce the interactions between biopolymer matrix and nanofillers, but also boosted the development of eco-friendly packaging materials with robust structures in the area of food packaging.

Microfluidic Strategies for Encapsulation, Protection, and Controlled Delivery of Probiotics.

Probiotics are indispensable for maintaining the structure of gut microbiota and promoting human health, yet their survivability is frequently compromised by environmental stressors such as temperature fluctuations, pH variations, and mechanical agitation. In response to these challenges, microfluidic technology emerges as a promising avenue. This comprehensive review delves into the utilization of microfluidic technology for the encapsulation and delivery of probiotics within the gastrointestinal tract, with a focus on mitigating obstacles associated with probiotic viability. Initially, it elucidates the design and application of microfluidic devices, providing a precise platform for probiotic encapsulation. Moreover, it scrutinizes the utilization of carriers fabricated through microfluidic devices, including emulsions, microspheres, gels, and nanofibers, with the intent of bolstering probiotic stability. Subsequently, the review assesses the efficacy of encapsulation methodologies through in vitro gastrointestinal simulations and in vivo experimentation, underscoring the potential of microfluidic technology in amplifying probiotic delivery efficiency and health outcomes. In sum, microfluidic technology represents a pioneering approach to probiotic stabilization, offering avenues to cater to consumer preferences for a diverse array of functional food options.

Focusing on New Discoveries in Food Technology and Creating a New Future of Nutrition and Health: An Introduction to the 4th International Symposium of Food Science, Nutrition and Health in Dalian, China.

The 4th International Symposium on Food Science, Nutrition and Health (ISFSNH) was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dalian, China, on May 29-31, 2023. The symposium explored the connotations and needs of "The Great Food Perspective" under the theme "Focusing on new discoveries in food technology and creating a new future of nutrition and health" to better address the global emerging diverse food needs. The ISFSNH covered four areas: (1) food processing theory and technology, (2) food safety and quality control, (3) precision nutrition and health, and (4) creation of nutritious and healthy foods. More than 1000 scholars and entrepreneurs from more than 100 colleges and universities globally attended the conference. This special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry highlights the important topics of the 4th ISFSNH and includes more than 20 papers.

ROS-responsive carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles loaded with astaxanthin for alleviating oxidative damage in intestinal cells.

The controlled release of antioxidant substances at the intestinal oxidative damage site is crucial for alleviating intestine-related diseases. Herein, the novel ROS-responsive carrier was synthesized through simple amidation reaction between carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and methionine (Met), a natural organic compound containing ROS-responsive linkages (thioether). Initially, astaxanthin (AXT) nanoparticles (AXT2@CMT) with excellent stability and drug loading capacity (39.68 ± 0.23 µg/mL) were prepared by optimizing various reaction conditions. In the simulated high-concentration ROS environment of the intestine, CMT achieved a transition from hydrophobic groups (thioether) into hydrophilic groups (sulfone), which was conducive to the controlled release of AXT. In vitro cell experiments revealed that AXT2@CMT could effectively alleviate the oxidative damage in intestinal epithelioid cell line No. 6 (IEC-6 cell) caused by H2O2. This study achieved a straightforward preparation of ROS-responsive nanocarrier through food ingredients, offering a theoretical foundation for the controlled release of AXT at the intestinal oxidative damage site.

Protection effect of lutein-loaded Pickering emulsion prepared via ultrasound-assisted Maillard reaction conjugates on dry age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prominent cause of vision loss among the elderly, and the treatment options for dry AMD (dAMD) are severely limited. Lutein has a favorable effect on the treatment of dAMD. Algae oil, rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is considered an effective intervention for eye diseases. In this study, casein-mannose conjugates were prepared to form algal oil-in-water Pickering emulsions by ultrasound-assisted Maillard reaction. As the ultrasound time increased from 0 to 25 min, the droplet size decreased to 648.2 ± 21.18 nm, which substantially improved the stability of the Pickering emulsions. The retention of lutein in the Pickering emulsions under ultrasonic treatment for 20 min was significantly improved under different conditions. The simulated gastrointestinal digestion revealed that ultrasound-assisted Pickering emulsions are an effective method for improving the bioaccessibility of lutein (19.76%-53.34%). In vivo studies elucidated that the lutein-loaded Pickering emulsions could effectively alleviate retinal thinning induced by sodium iodate (NaIO3) in mice with dAMD. Mechanistically, lutein-loaded Pickering emulsions significantly reduced oxidative stress by decreasing the MDA level, increasing the SOD production, and reducing the retinal ROS production. These findings explored the protective effects of lutein-loaded Pickering emulsions on dAMD and offered promising prospects for the nutritional intervention of dAMD.

Core-shell nanofibers based on microalgae proteins/alginate complexes for enhancing survivability of probiotics.

In this study, a novel one-step coaxial electrospinning process is employed to fabricate shell-core structure fibers choosing Chlorella pyrenoidosa proteins (CP) as the core material. These nanofibers, serving as the wall material for probiotic encapsulation, aimed to enhance the stability and antioxidant activity of probiotics in food processing, storage, and gastrointestinal environments under sensitive conditions. Morphological analysis was used to explore the beads-on-a-string morphology and core-shell structure of the electrospun fibers. Probiotics were successfully encapsulated within the fibers (7.97 log CFU/g), exhibiting a well-oriented structure along the distributed fibers. Compared to free probiotics and uniaxial fibers loaded with probiotics, encapsulation within microalgae proteins/alginate core-shell structure nanofibers significantly enhanced the probiotic cells' tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions (p < 0.05). Thermal analysis indicated that microalgae proteins/alginate core-shell structure nanofibers displayed superior thermal stability compared to uniaxial fibers. The introduction of CP resulted in a 50 % increase in the antioxidant capacity of probiotics-loaded microalgae proteins/alginate nanofibers compared to uniaxial alginate nanofibers, with minimal loss of viability (0.8 log CFU/g) after 28 days of storage at 4 °C. In summary, this dual-layer carrier holds immense potential in probiotic encapsulation and enhancing their resistance to harsh conditions.

Steady-State Delivery and Chemical Modification of Food Nutrients to Improve Cancer Intervention Ability.

Cancer is a crucial global health problem, and prevention is an important strategy to reduce the burden of the disease. Daily diet is the key modifiable risk factor for cancer, and an increasing body of evidence suggests that specific nutrients in foods may have a preventive effect against cancer. This review summarizes the current evidence on the role of nutrients from foods in cancer intervention. It discusses the potential mechanisms of action of various dietary components, including phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The findings of epidemiological and clinical studies on their association with cancer risk are highlighted. The foods are rich in bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and ω-3 fatty acids, which have been proven to have anticancer properties. The effects of steady-state delivery and chemical modification of these food's bioactive components on anticancer and intervention are summarized. Future research should focus on identifying the specific bioactive compounds in foods responsible for their intervention effects and exploring the potential synergistic effects of combining different nutrients in foods. Dietary interventions that incorporate multiple nutrients and whole foods may hold promise for reducing the risk of cancer and improving overall health.

Correction: Pickering emulsions stabilized with a spirulina protein-chitosan complex for astaxanthin delivery.

Correction for 'Pickering emulsions stabilized with a spirulina protein-chitosan complex for astaxanthin delivery' by Ronggang Liu et al., Food Funct., 2023, 14, 4254-4266, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3FO00092C.

Design and preparation of NMN nanoparticles based on protein-marine polysaccharide with increased NAD+ level in D-galactose induced aging mice model.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is being investigated for its ability to address the decline in NAD+ level during aging. This study aimed to construct a delivery system based on ovalbumin and fucoidan nanoparticles to ameliorate the bioaccessibility of NMN by increasing NAD+ level in aging mouse model. The NMN-loaded ovalbumin and fucoidan nanoparticles (OFNPs) were about 177 nm formed by the interplay of hydrogen bonds between ovalbumin and fucoidan. Compared with free NMN, NMN-loaded OFNPs intervention could obviously improve the antioxidant enzyme activity of senescent cell induced by D-galactose. The NMN-loaded OFNPs treatment could ameliorate the loss of weight and organ index induced by senescence, and maintain the water content for the aging mice. The Morris maze test indicated that hitting blind side frequency and escape time of NMN-loaded OFNPs group decreased by 13% and 35% compared with that of free NMN group. Furthermore, the NMN-loaded OFNPs significantly alleviated the age-related oxidative stress and increased the generation of NAD+ 1.34 times by improving the bioaccessibility of NMN. Our data in this study supplied a strategy to enhance the bioavailability of NMN in senescence treatment.

"On/off"-switchable crosslinked PTX-nanoformulation with improved precise delivery for NSCLC brain metastases and restrained adverse reaction over nab-PTX.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastases present a significant treatment challenge due to limited drug delivery efficiency and severe adverse reactions. In this study, we address these challenges by designing a "on/off" switchable crosslinked paclitaxel (PTX) nanocarrier, BPM-PD, with novel ultra-pH-sensitive linkages (pH 6.8 to 6.5). BPM-PD demonstrates a distinct "on/off" switchable release of the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) in response to the acidic extratumoral microenvironment. The "off" state of BPM-PD@PTX effectively prevents premature drug release in the blood circulation, blood-brain barrier (BBB)/blood-tumor barrier (BTB), and normal brain tissue, surpassing the clinical PTX-nanoformulation (nab-PTX). Meanwhile, the "on" state facilitates precise delivery to NSCLC brain metastases cells. Compared to nab-PTX, BPM-PD@PTX demonstrates improved therapeutic efficacy with a reduced tumor area (only 14.6%) and extended survival duration, while mitigating adverse reactions (over 83.7%) in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), offering a promising approach for the treatment of NSCLC brain metastases. The precise molecular switch also helped to increase the PTX maximum tolerated dose from 25 mg/kg to 45 mg/kg This research contributes to the field of cancer therapeutics and has significant implications for improving the clinical outcomes of NSCLC patients.

Orally administered dual-targeted astaxanthin nanoparticles as novel dietary supplements for alleviating hepatocyte oxidative stress.

The enhancement of bioavailability of food bioactive compounds as dietary supplements can be achieved through the development of targeted delivery systems. This study aimed to develop a novel dual-targeted delivery system for hepatocytes and mitochondria using phacoemulsification self-assembly. The delivery systems were engineered by modifying whey protein isolate (WPI) with galactose oligosaccharide (GOS) and triphenylphosphonium (TPP) to improve AXT transport to the liver and promote hepatic well-being. The dual-targeted nanoparticles (AXT@TPP-WPI-GOS) significantly reduced reactive oxygen species in in vitro experiments, thereby slowing down apoptosis. The AXT@TPP-WPI-GOS exhibited a prominent mitochondrial targeting capacity with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.76 at 4 h. In vivo pharmacokinetic experiments revealed that AXT@TPP-WPI-GOS could enhance AXT utilization by 28.18 ± 11.69%. Fluorescence imaging in mice demonstrated significantly higher levels of AXT@TPP-WPI-GOS accumulation in the liver compared to that of free AXT. Therefore, these nanoparticles hold promising applications in nutrient fortification, improving the bioavailability of AXT and supporting hepatic well-being.

Recent Progress in Photoelectrochemical Sensing of Pesticides in Food and Environmental Samples: Photoactive Materials and Signaling Mechanisms.

Pesticides have become an integral part of modern agricultural practices, but their widespread use poses a significant threat to human health. As such, there is a pressing need to develop effective methods for detecting pesticides in food and environmental samples. Traditional chromatography methods and common rapid detection methods cannot satisfy accuracy, portability, long storage time, and solution stability at the same time. In recent years, photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing technology has gained attention as a promising approach for detecting various pesticides due to its salient advantages, including high sensitivity, low cost, simple operation, fast response, and easy miniaturization, thus becoming a competitive candidate for real-time and on-site monitoring of pesticide levels. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in PEC methods for pesticide detection and their applications in ensuring food and environmental safety, with a focus on the categories of photoactive materials, from single semiconductor to semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunction, and signaling mechanisms of PEC sensing platforms, including oxidation of pesticides, steric hindrance, generation/decrease in sacrificial agents, and introduction/release of photoactive materials. Additionally, this review will offer insights into future prospects and confrontations, thereby contributing novel perspectives to this evolving domain.

Lipid-Lowering and Antioxidant Effects of Self-Assembled Astaxanthin-Anthocyanin Nanoparticles on High-Fat Caenorhabditis elegans.

Obesity has become a serious global public health risk threatening millions of people. In this study, the astaxanthin-anthocyanin nanoparticles (AXT-ACN NPs) were used to investigate their effects on the lipid accumulation and antioxidative capacity of the high-sugar-diet-induced high-fat Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). It can be found that the lifespan, motility, and reproductive capacity of the high-fat C. elegans were significantly decreased compared to the normal nematodes in the control group. However, treatment of high-fat C. elegans with AXT-ACN NPs resulted in a prolonged lifespan of 35 days, improved motility, and a 22.06% increase in total spawn production of the nematodes. Furthermore, AXT-ACN NPs were found to effectively extend the lifespan of high-fat C. elegans under heat and oxidative stress conditions. Oil-red O staining results also demonstrated that AXT-ACN NPs have a remarkable effect on reducing the fat accumulation in nematodes, compared with pure astaxanthin and anthocyanin nanoparticles. Additionally, AXT-ACN NPs can significantly decrease the accumulation of lipofuscin and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The activities of antioxidant-related enzymes in nematodes were further measured, which revealed that the AXT-ACN NPs could increase the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The astaxanthin and anthocyanin in AXT-ACN NPs showed sound synergistic antioxidation and lipid-lowering effects, making them potential components in functional foods.

Cathodic electrochemiluminescence of L012 and its application in antioxidant detection.

Cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of a luminol (or its analogues)-dissolved oxygen (O2) system is an ideal alternative to ECL of the traditional luminol-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) system, which can efficiently avoid the self-decomposition of H2O2 at room temperature. However, the mechanism for the generation of cathodic ECL by the luminol (or its analogues)-O2 system is still ambiguous. Herein, we report the study of cathodic ECL generation by the L012-O2 system at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The types of reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved generated during ECL reactions were verified. A possible reaction mechanism for the system was proposed and the rate constants of related reactions were estimated. Furthermore, several intermediates of L012 involved in the proposed pathways were validated by electrochemistry-coupled mass spectrometry. Finally, the cathodic ECL system was successfully used for measuring the antioxidant capacity of commercial juice with Trolox as a standard.

Orally Deliverable Sequence-Targeted Fucoxanthin-Loaded Biomimetic Extracellular Vesicles for Alleviation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess favorable biocompatibility and immunological characteristics, making them optimal carriers for bioactive substances. In this study, an innovative hepatic-targeted vesicle system encapsulating with fucoxanthin (GA-LpEVs-FX) was successfully designed and used to alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The formulation entails the self-assembly of EVs derived from Lactobacillus paracasei (LpEVs), modification with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) via amide reaction offering the system liver-targeting capacity and loading fucoxanthin (FX) through sonication treatment. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GA-LpEVs-FX effectively mitigated hepatic lipid accumulation and attenuated reactive oxygen species-induced damage resulting lipid accumulation (p < 0.05). In vivo, GA-LpEVs-FX exhibited significant downregulation of lipogenesis-related proteins, namely, fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), subsequently ameliorating lipid metabolism disorders (p < 0.05), and the stability of GA-LpEVs-FX significantly improved compared to free FX. These findings establish a novel formulation for utilizing foodborne components for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease alleviation.