Red cabbage extract immobilized in bacterial cellulose film as an eco-friendly sensor to monitor microbial contamination and gamma irradiation of stored cucumbers.

The aim of the present study is to develop a pH-sensing biopolymer film based on the immobilization of red cabbage extract (RCE) within bacterial cellulose (BC) to detect contamination and gamma radiation exposure in cucumbers. The results obtained show a sensitivity to pH changes for RCE in its aqueous form and that incorporated within BC films (RCE-BC), both showed color change correlated to bacterial growth (R2 = 0.91), this was supported with increase in pH values from 2 to 12 (R2 = 0.98). RCE and RCE-BC exposure to gamma radiation (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 kGy) resulted in gradual decrease in color that was more evident in RCE aqueous samples. To sense bacterial contamination of cucumbers, the total count was followed at 0, 5, 10 and 15 days in cold storage conditions and was found to reach 9.13 and 5.47 log cfu/mL for non-irradiated and 2 kGy irradiated samples, respectively. The main isolates detected throughout this storage period were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Erwinia sp. Pantoea agglomerans using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-ms (MALDI-TOF-MS). Bacterial growth in stored irradiated cucumbers was detected by color change within 5 and 10 days of storage, after which there was no evident change. This is very useful since contamination within the early days of storage cannot be sensed with the naked eye. This study is the first to highlight utilizing RCE and RCE-BC as eco-friendly pH-sensing indicator films for intelligent food packaging to detect both food contamination and gamma preservation for refrigerator stored cucumbers.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Profiles in Diverse Brassica oleracea Crops Provide Insights into the Genetic Regulation of Glucosinolate Profiles.

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are plant secondary metabolites commonly found in the cruciferous vegetables of the Brassicaceae family, offering health benefits to humans and defense against pathogens and pests to plants. In this study, we investigated 23 GSL compounds' relative abundance in four tissues of five different Brassica oleracea morphotypes. Using the five corresponding high-quality B. oleracea genome assemblies, we identified 183 GSL-related genes and analyzed their expression with mRNA-Seq data. GSL abundance and composition varied strongly, among both tissues and morphotypes, accompanied by different gene expression patterns. Interestingly, broccoli exhibited a nonfunctional AOP2 gene due to a conserved 2OG-FeII_Oxy domain loss, explaining the unique accumulation of two health-promoting GSLs. Additionally, transposable element (TE) insertions were found to affect the gene structure of MAM3 genes. Our findings deepen the understanding of GSL variation and genetic regulation in B. oleracea morphotypes, providing valuable insights for breeding with tailored GSL profiles in these crops.

Effects of Melia azedarach extract on demographic and biochemical characteristics of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae.

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Aphididae: Hemiptera) a destructive aphid, is native to Europe and is now found in many other parts of the world. Currently, one of the main problems of Iranian cabbage growers is the significant damage caused by this pest. Also, due to the fresh eating of cabbage, it is necessary to use non-chemical methods to control the pests. Our bioassay tests showed that Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) fruit extract showed high toxicity to cabbage aphid. In this study, sublethal effects of M. azedarach extract was investigated on some demographic and biochemical properties of B. brassicae. The results showed that the sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC20) and LC50 values were 0.68, 1.16, and 3.42 µg/ml, respectively. Compared to the control, sublethal concentrations of insecticide significantly decreased the gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic rate of birth (b), intrinsic rate of death (d), weekly growth rate (rw), reproductive rate and adult longevity of the pest. Meanwhile, the mean generation time (T) and population doubling time (DT) of this aphid increased significantly. Additionally, sublethal doses of insecticide reduced the energy reserves of the pest such as carbohydrate, protein and lipid content compared to the controls. In addition to modify the pH, this extract also changed the distribution and concentration of sodium and potassium ions in haemolymph. Therefore, sublethal concentrations of M. Azedarach fruit extract can be used in the management program of B. brassicae.

Farm to Fork Stability of Phytochemicals and Micronutrients in Brassica oleracea and Allium Vegetables.

Brassica oleracea and Allium vegetables are known for their unique, family specific, water-soluble phytochemicals, glucosinolates, and S-alk(en)yl-l-cysteine sulfoxides, respectively. However, they are also important delivery systems of several other health-related compounds, such as carotenoids (lipid-soluble phytochemicals), vitamin C (water-soluble micronutrient), and vitamin K1 (lipid-soluble micronutrient). When all-year-round availability or transport over long distances is targeted for these often seasonal, locally grown vegetables, processing becomes indispensable. However, the vegetable processing chain, which consists of multiple steps (e.g., pretreatment, preservation, storage, preparation), can impact the nutritional quality of these vegetables corresponding to the nature of the health-related compounds and their susceptibility to (bio)chemical conversions. Since information about the impact of the vegetable processing chain is scattered per compound or processing step, this review targets an integration of the state of the art and discusses needs for future research. Starting with a discussion on substrate-enzyme location within the vegetable matrix, an overview is provided of the impact and potential of processing, encompassing a wide range of (nonenzymatic) conversions.

Longifolene-Derived Primary Amine Carboxylates for Sustainable Weed Management: Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity.

Twelve novel longifolene-derived primary amine carboxylates were synthesized and evaluated for herbicidal activity. The structures of title compounds were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The results showed that all the synthesized compounds exhibited higher herbicidal activity than the corresponding carboxylic acids involved in the reaction and the commercial herbicide glyphosate; some of them even possessed inhibition rates of 100% against Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Brassica campestris at low concentrations (0.039-0.313 mmol/L). Moreover, structural factors, including types of carboxylates and carbon chain length, had a great influence on the herbicidal performance. The herbicidal activity of dicarboxylates was similar to or much higher than that of corresponding monocarboxylates and glyphosate. Furthermore, compound 5l was found to be the most active candidate against the root and shoot growth of L. multiflorum Lam. and B. campestris with half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of around 0.010 and 0.023 mmol/L. The present work indicated that those prepared compounds have great potential to serve as high-performance botanical herbicides used at low doses.

Therapeutic Potential of Brassica oleracea and Raphanus sativus Aqueous Extracts on a Prediabetic Rat Model.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a serious health problem, and its prevalence is expected to increase worldwide in the years ahead. Cruciferous vegetables such as Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (green cabbage) and Raphanus sativus L. (radish) have therapeutic properties that can be used to support the treatment of T2D. This study evaluated the effect of B. oleracea (BAE) and R. sativus (RAE) aqueous extracts on zoometric parameters, glycemic profiles, and pancreas and liver in prediabetic rats induced by a high-sucrose diet (HSD). BAE and RAE were administered to male HSD-induced Wistar rats (n = 35) at 5 and 10 mg/kg doses for 5 weeks. Zoometric and biochemical changes were measured, and then the pancreas and liver histological preparations were analyzed to observe the protective effect. BAE decreased feed intake and weight gain. Both extracts decreased fasting glucose and insulin levels compared with control (not treated), although not significantly (P > .05). The extracts significantly (P < .05) reduced homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function, and glucose intolerance, similar to metformin control. In addition, minor damage occurred in the pancreas and liver. The results indicated that BAE and RAE decreased weight gain, improved glucose regulation, and protected the pancreas and liver in HSD rats. Therefore, they have multiple therapeutical properties and may be helpful in the prevention of T2D.

Unveiling the Nutritional Veil of Sulforaphane: With a Major Focus on Glucose Homeostasis Modulation.

Abnormal glucose homeostasis is associated with metabolic syndromes including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity, highlighting the significance of maintaining a balanced glucose level for optimal biological function. This highlights the importance of maintaining normal glucose levels for proper biological functioning. Sulforaphane (SFN), the primary bioactive compound in broccoli from the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae family, has been shown to enhance glucose homeostasis effectively while exhibiting low cytotoxicity. This paper assesses the impact of SFN on glucose homeostasis in vitro, in vivo, and human trials, as well as the molecular mechanisms that drive its regulatory effects. New strategies have been proposed to enhance the bioavailability and targeted delivery of SFN in order to overcome inherent instability. The manuscript also covers the safety evaluations of SFN that have been documented for its production and utilization. Hence, a deeper understanding of the favorable influence and mechanism of SFN on glucose homeostasis, coupled with the fact that SFN is abundant in the human daily diet, may ultimately offer theoretical evidence to support its potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Iodine enriched kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica L.)-The influence of heat treatments on its iodine content, basic composition and antioxidative properties.

Iodine deficiency in the diet globally continues to be a cause of many diseases and disabilities. Kale is a vegetable that has health-promoting potential because of many nutrients and bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, glucosinolates and phenolic compounds). Brassica vegetables, including kale, have been strongly recommended as dietary adjuvants for improving health. The nutrient and health-promoting compounds in kale are significantly affected by thermal treatments. Changes in phytochemicals upon such activities may result from two contrary phenomena: breakdown of nutrients and bioactive compounds and a matrix softening effect, which increases the extractability of phytochemicals, which may be especially significant in the case of iodine-fortified kale. This study investigated changes of basic composition, iodine, vitamin C, total carotenoids and polyphenols contents as well as antioxidant activity caused by steaming, blanching and boiling processes in the levels of two cultivars of kale (green and red) non-biofortified and biofortified via the application to nutrient solutions in hydroponic of two iodoquinolines [8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid (8-OH-7-I-5QSA) and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinoline (5-Cl-7-I-8-Q)] and KIO3. Thermal processes generally significantly reduced the content of the components in question and the antioxidant activity of kale, regardless of cultivar and enrichment. It was observed that the red cultivar of kale had a greater ability to accumulate and reduce iodine losses during the culinary processes. 8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid showed a protective effect against the treatments used, compared to other enrichments, thus contributing to the preservation of high iodine content.

Chemical Characterization, Free Radical Scavenging, and Cellular Antioxidant Properties of the Egadi Island Endemic Brassica macrocarpa Guss Leaf Extract.

The genus Brassica is an important source of food in the Mediterranean diet with documented nutritional and medicinal properties. However, few studies have investigated the phytochemical composition and the biological activity of wild Sicilian taxa. Thus, we aimed to study the chemical profile and the antioxidant potential, in vitro and in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, of a methanolic extract of leaves of wild Brassica macrocarpa Guss (B. macrocarpa) (Egadi Islands; Sicily-Italy). B. macrocarpa methanolic extract showed a large amount of glucosinolates and different phenolic compounds. It exhibited antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay and in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, being able to reduce NO and ROS levels and NOS2 mRNA expression. Our study demonstrated that Sicilian B. macrocarpa methanolic extract, in LPS-stimulated macrophages, efficiently counteracts oxidative stress and displays radical scavenging activity. Future studies are required to identify the contribution of the single phytocomponents, to characterize the action mechanism, and to reveal possible applications in human health.

Fast and sustainable production of smart nanofiber mats by solution blow spinning for food quality monitoring: Potential of polycaprolactone and agri-food residue-derived anthocyanins.

The shelf life of perishable foods is estimated through expensive and imprecise analyses that do not account for improper storage. Smart packaging, obtained by agile manufacturing of nanofibers functionalized with natural pigments from agri-food residues, presents promising potential for real-time food quality monitoring. This study employed the solution blow spinning (SBS) technique for the rapid production of smart nanofiber mats based on polycaprolactone (PCL), incorporating extracts of agricultural residues rich in anthocyanins from eggplant (EE) or purple cabbage (CE) for monitoring food quality. The addition of EE or CE to the PCL matrix increased the viscosity of the solution and the diameter of the nanofibers from 156 nm to 261-370 nm. The addition of extracts also improved the mechanical and water-related properties of the nanofibers, although it reduced the thermal stability. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the incorporation of anthocyanins into PCL nanofibers. Nanofiber mats incorporated with EE or CE exhibited visible color changes (ΔE ≥ 3) in response to buffer solutions (pH between 3 and 10), and ammonia vapor. Smart nanofibers have demonstrated the ability to monitor fish fillet spoilage through visible color changes (ΔE ≥ 3) during storage. Consequently, smart nanofibers produced by the SBS technique, using PCL and anthocyanins from agro-industrial waste, reveal potential as smart packaging materials for food.

Study around the Barroso mine (Portugal): Baseline levels of lithium for assessing future exposure and risks from Li mining activity.

The energetic green transition is increasing the demand for lithium (Li) exploitation. However, the Li supply faces challenges like limited reserves and environmental concerns. This pioneer study aims to characterize the Li concentrations in the region around the Barroso mine, in Portugal, by collecting and analyzing samples of cabbage, potato, drinking and irrigation water and soil from two nearby sites, and performing a preliminary exposure and risk assessment of local populations. Li levels ranged between 20 and 589 µg/kg in cabbages (n = 23), 2.3-21 µg/kg in potatoes (n = 21), 1.1-5.9 µg/L in drinking water (n = 10), 1.1-15 µg/L in irrigation water (n = 23) and 35-121 mg/kg in soils (n = 23). Significant differences in Li content between sampling sites were observed only for cabbage samples. The risk assessment revealed that none of the participants exceeded the provisional reference dose (p-RfD) (2 µg/kg bw/day), with a hazard quotient (HQ) < 1, suggesting no health concerns for the population. It is expected that the studied area will be affected by the future expansion of the mine concession, thus this pioneer study is crucial for future research as it establishes a initial database for evaluating the potential impact of mining activity on the environment and the population's exposure to Li.

Protective effects of sulforaphane against toxic substances and contaminants: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Sulforaphane (SFN) is a dietary isothiocyanate, derived from glucoraphanin, present in cruciferous vegetables belonging to the Brassica genus. It is a biologically active phytochemical that acts as a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inducer. Thus, it has been reported to have multiple protective functions including anticancer responses and protection against a toxic agent's action. PURPOSE: The present work systematically reviewed and synthesised the protective properties of sulforaphane against a toxic agent. This review reveals the mechanism of the action of SFN in each organ or system. METHODS: The PRISMA guideline was followed in this sequence: researched literature, organised retrieved documents, abstracted relevant information, assessed study quality and bias, synthesised data, and prepared a comprehensive report. Searches were conducted on Science Direct and PubMed using the keywords "Sulforaphane" AND ("protective effects" OR "protection against"). RESULTS: Reports showed that liver and the nervous system are the target organs on which attention was focused, and this might be due to the key role of oxidative stress in liver and neurodegenerative diseases. However, protective activities have also been demonstrated in the lungs, heart, immune system, kidneys, and endocrine system. SFN exerts its protective effects by activating the Nrf2 pathway, which enhances antioxidant defenses and reduces oxidative stress. It also suppresses inflammation by decreasing interleukin production. Moreover, SFN inhibits apoptosis by preventing caspase 3 cleavage and increasing Bcl2 levels. Overall, SFN demonstrates multifaceted mechanisms to counteract the adverse effects of toxic agents. CONCLUSION: SFN has potential clinical applications as a chemoprotective agent. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary to set the safe doses of SFN in humans.

Characterization of selenium-containing broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica planch) proteins and evaluation of antioxidant activity by electron spin resonance.

Selenoproteins found in selenium (Se)-enriched vegetables play a vital role in maintaining human health. In this study, four Se-containing broccoli proteins (Se-BP: albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutelin) were continuous extracted by Osborne method. Three ultrafiltered fractions were subsequently obtained from the glutelin hydrolysate, composed of Se-contained broccoli peptides (Se-Bp) with different molecular weights (MW), namely, < 1 kDa, 1-3 kDa, and 3-10 kDa. Glutelin exhibited the highest protein yield (65.60 ± 1.07%), purity (78.39 ± 0.95%), nutritional value, organic Se content (88.05 ± 0.32% of total Se content), and Se speciation distribution (selenocystine, selenomethionine, methylselenocysteine, and selenoethionine). Additionally, the antioxidant activity of different MW of Se-Bp was assessed using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The results revealed that antioxidant activity of the candidate peptide is dependent upon its Se content, amino acid composition, and MW, especially Se-Bp with MW of 1-3 kDa displayed the strongest free radical scavenging ability.

Identification of Tellurium Metabolite in Broccoli Using Complementary Analyses of Inorganic and Organic Mass Spectrometry.

Tellurium (Te) is a chalcogen element like sulfur and selenium. Although it is unclear whether Te is an essential nutrient in organisms, unique Te metabolic pathways have been uncovered. We have previously reported that an unknown Te metabolite (UKTe) was observed in plants exposed to tellurate, a highly toxic Te oxyanion, by liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LC-ICP-MS). In the present study, we detected UKTe in tellurate-exposed broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) by LC-ICP-MS and identified it as gluconic acid-3-tellurate (GA-3Te) using electrospray ionization mass spectrometer with quadrupole-Orbitrap detector and tandem MS analysis, the high-sensitivity and high-resolution mass spectrometry for organic compounds. We also found that GA-3Te was produced from one gluconic acid and one tellurate molecule by direct complexation in an aqueous solution. GA-3Te was significantly less toxic than tellurate on plant growth. This study is the first to identify the Te metabolite GA-3Te in plants and will contribute to the investigation of tellurate detoxification pathways. Moreover, gluconic acid, a natural and biodegradable organic compound, is expected to be applicable to eco-friendly remediation strategies for tellurate contamination.

Sulfur/zinc co-doped biochar for stabilization remediation of mercury-contaminated soil: Performance, mechanism and ecological risk.

In this study, a novel sulfur/zinc co-doped biochar (SZ-BC) stabilizer was successfully developed for the remediation of mercury-contaminated soil. Results from SEM, TEM, FTIR and XRD revealed that biochar (BC) was successfully modified by sulfur and zinc. In the batch adsorption experiments, the sulfur-zinc co-pyrolysis biochar displayed excellent Hg(II) adsorption performance, with the maximum adsorption capacity of SZ-BC (261.074 mg/g) being approximately 16.5 times that of BC (15.855 mg/g). Laboratory-scale static incubation, column leaching, and plant pot experiments were conducted using biochar-based materials. At an additional dosage of 5 % mass ratio, the SZ-BC exhibits the most effective stabilization of mercury in soil, leading to a significant reduction in leaching loss compared to the control group (CK) by 51.30 %. Following 4 weeks of incubation and 2 weeks of leaching with SZ-BC, the residual mercury in the soil increased by 27.84 %. As a result, potential ecological risk index of mercury decreased by 92 % compared to the CK group. In the pot experiment, SZ-BC significantly enhanced the growth of Chinese cabbage, with biomass and root dry weight reaching 3.20 and 2.80 times that of the CK group, respectively. Additionally, the Translocation Factor (TF) and Bioconcentration Factor (BF) were reduced by 44.86 % and 74.43 %, respectively, in the SZ-BC group compared to the CK group. Moreover, SZ-BC can effectively improve enzyme activities and increase microbial communities in mercury-contaminated soils. The mechanisms of adsorption and stabilization were elucidated through electrostatic adsorption, ion exchange, surface complexation, and precipitation. These findings provide a potentially effective material for stabilizing soils contaminated with mercury.

Uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from PAH-contaminated soils to carrots and Chinese cabbages under the greenhouse and field conditions.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with the properties of structural stability, semi-volatility, and hydrophobicity are toxic and persistent in environments; thus, their transport and fate in agroecosystems is essential for reducing PAH accumulation in the edible parts of crops. Here, we cultivated cabbages (Brassica pekinensis L.) and carrots (Daucus carota L.) in PAH-contaminated soils under the greenhouse and field conditions. After harvesting, we observed a 9.5-46% reduction in soil ∑PAH concentrations. There were 37% of bioconcentration factors (BCFbs) > 1 and 93% of translocation factors (TFab) > 1, while low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs had higher BCFbs than high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs. The PAH concentrations showed significant and positive correlations among soils, the belowground parts, and the aboveground parts. The toxicity equivalent concentration (TEQBaP) followed the order of cabbage (greenhouse) > cabbage (field) > carrot (greenhouse) > carrot (field), suggesting potentially higher health risks in cabbage relative to carrot and vegetables under the greenhouse relative to field condition. Our study suggested growing carrots under field conditions as a management strategy for reducing the risks of vegetables grown in PAH-contaminated soils.

Widely-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics identify metabolites associated with flowering regulation of Choy Sum.

Choy Sum, a stalk vegetable highly valued in East and Southeast Asia, is characterized by its rich flavor and nutritional profile. Metabolite accumulation is a key factor in Choy Sum stalk development; however, no research has focused on metabolic changes during the development of Choy Sum, especially in shoot tip metabolites, and their effects on growth and flowering. Therefore, in the present study, we used a widely targeted metabolomic approach to analyze metabolites in Choy Sum stalks at the seedling (S1), bolting (S3), and flowering (S5) stages. In total, we identified 493 metabolites in 31 chemical categories across all three developmental stages. We found that the levels of most carbohydrates and amino acids increased during stalk development and peaked at S5. Moreover, the accumulation of amino acids and their metabolites was closely related to G6P, whereas the expression of flowering genes was closely related to the content of T6P, which may promote flowering by upregulating the expressions of BcSOC1, BcAP1, and BcSPL5. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the relationship between the accumulation of stem tip substances during development and flowering and of the regulatory mechanisms of stalk development in Choy Sum and other related species.

Residue and dietary intake risk assessment of lufenuron and chlorfenapyr and its corresponding metabolite in cabbage under field conditions.

A simple, low-cost, and highly sensitive method using a modified QuECHERS procedure based on a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) was established to simultaneously quantify lufenuron and chlorfenapyr and the corresponding metabolite tralopyril in cabbage for the first time. On the basis of this method, terminal residue and dietary risk of lufenuron and chlorfenapyr in cabbage were investigated. The recoveries of lufenuron, chlorfenapyr, and tralopyril ranged from 88 to 110%, with relative standard deviation of less than 12.4%. The field trial results showed that at the pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 21 days, the terminal residues of lufenuron, chlorfenapyr, and tralopyril in the supervised trials were not higher than 0.02 mg/kg, and the highest detected residue levels of lufenuron, chlorfenapyr, and tralopyril were 0.047, 0.055, and <0.02 mg·kg-1 at 14-day pre-harvest respectively, which were lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for cabbage established in China. For the dietary risk assessment, the national estimated daily intakes (NEDIs) as proportion of acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) were 80.4% and 29.9% for chlorfenapyr and lufenuron respectively indicating an acceptable dietary risk to Chinese population.

Effects of purple cabbage anthocyanin extract on the gluten characteristics and the gluten network evolution of high-gluten dough.

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins are polyphenolic pigments that have hypoglycemic, antioxidation, anti-aging, and other effects. Research has shown that polyphenols can optimize the processing of dough and improve the texture and nutritional characteristics of dough products. The formation of gluten networks is decisive for the quality of flour products. The effects of purple cabbage anthocyanin (PCA) extract on the structure, microscopic morphology, and network formation of gluten protein were studied, and the types of cross-linking between PCA and gluten protein are discussed. RESULTS: The results show that PCA extract increased the free sulfhydryl (SH) group content and the free amino group of gluten proteins, stimulated an increase in the ß-sheet ratio and the decrease of α-helix ratio, and increased the gluten index significantly (P < 0.05). The PCA extract also induced gluten protein aggregation, increased the height of protein molecular chains, and stimulated the formation of gluten networks. When PCA extract concentrations were 4 g kg-1 and 8 g kg-1, the gluten network was more homogeneous, continuous, and dense. CONCLUSION: Appropriate anthocyanins have a positive effect on the properties of gluten and promote the formation of gluten networks. Excessive anthocyanins destroy gluten protein interaction and harm gluten cross-linking. This study may provide a useful source of data for the production of functional flour products rich in anthocyanins. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Magnetically treated water for removal of surface contamination by Malathion on Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea L.).

Malathion® is a persistent organophosphate pesticide used against biting and chewing insects on vegetables. It is a difficult-to-remove surface contaminant of vegetables and contaminates surface and ground water and soils. Malathion® is only partially water soluble, but use of detergent carriers makes adhering Malathion® residues difficult to subsequently remove. Magnetically treated water (MTW) successfully removed Malathion® from Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea L.), meeting Maximum Residue Load (MRL) standards. Samples were soaked in MTW for 30 min prior to detection with GC/MS/MS, 98.5±3.02% of Malathion® was removed after washing by MTW. Removal by simple washing was only ≈42±1.2% which was not nearly sufficient to meet MRL criteria.