Rapid analysis and authentication of Chinese propolis using nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with machine learning.

In this study, we established a simple, rapid, and high-throughput method for the analysis and classification of propolis samples. We utilized nanoESI-MS to analyze 37 samples of propolis from China for the first time, obtaining characteristic fingerprint spectra in negative ion mode, which were then integrated with multivariate analysis to explore variations between water extract of propolis (WEP) and ethanol extract of propolis (EEP). Furthermore, we categorized propolis samples based on different climate zones and colors, screening 10 differential metabolites among propolis from various climate zones, and 11 differential metabolites among propolis samples of different color. By employing machine learning models, we achieved high-precision discrimination and prediction between samples from different climate zones and colors, achieving predictive accuracies of 95.6% and 85.6%, respectively. These results highlight the significant potential of the nanoESI-MS coupled with machine learning methodology for precise classification within the realm of food products.

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activities of Castanopsis honey.

Castanopsis is diffusely spread in tropical and subtropical regions and is an important nectar source plant in China. The Castanopsis honey (CH) is characterized by its bitter taste. However, its composition and functions remain unclear. In this study, the physicochemical parameters, chemical composition, and antioxidant capacity of CH were comprehensively investigated, with the anti-inflammatory effects of the Castanopsis honey extract (CHE) evaluated based on the RAW 264.7 cell inflammatory model. The results revealed a high level of quality in CH based on the quality standards. Among a total of 84 compounds identified in CH, 5 high response compounds and 29 phenols were further quantified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. The high content of phenylethylamine (117.58 ± 64.81 mg kg-1) was identified as a potential marker of CH. Furthermore, the CH showed evident antioxidant activities, and the anti-inflammatory activities of CHE were observed to inhibit the release of nitric oxide (NO) and reduce the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and improve the content of interleukin-10 (IL-10) by regulating the NF-κB pathway. Our study indicates that CH has sound physicochemical properties and biological activities with a high level of quality, providing strong experimental evidence to support the further economic and agricultural development and application of CH.

Short communication: A novel method using immunomagnetic separation with a fluorescent nanobeads lateral flow assay for the rapid detection of low-concentration Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw milk.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important serotype of enterohemorrhagic E. coli that was first identified as a human pathogen in 1982. This pathogen causes several serious diseases. In this study, immunomagnetic separation was coupled with a fluorescent nanobeads lateral flow assay to establish a sensitive and rapid detection method for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw milk. The pathogen was captured from raw milk by immunomagnetic separation with immunomagnetic nanobeads and then detected using a fluorescent nanobeads lateral flow assay. A fluorescent line was formed in the test line of the test strip and quantitatively detected using a fluorescent reader. Screening times, which included immunomagnetic separation and the fluorescent nanobeads lateral flow assay, were 8, 7, 6, and 5h when 1, 5, 25, and 125 cfu of E. coli O157:H7, respectively, were inoculated into 25mL of raw milk. The established method could be widely applied to the rapid onsite detection of other pathogens to ensure food safety.

Advantages of fluorescent microspheres compared with colloidal gold as a label in immunochromatographic lateral flow assays.

Label selection is of vital importance for immunochromatographic assays. In this study, the fluorescent microsphere test strip and colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip (FM-ICTS and CG-ICTS) were developed for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on the basis of the sandwich format. Two types of labels, namely, colloidal gold particles (CG) and carboxyl-modified fluorescent microspheres (FMs), were compared while coupling with anti-E. coli O157:H7 monoclonal antibody (mAb). The FM-ICTS and CG-ICTS were also compared. Results show that the coupling rate between FMs and mAb was higher than that between CG and mAb. Under optimum conditions, the sensitivity of FM-ICTS was eight times higher than that of CG-ICTS. Approximately 0.1 µg of mAb was used in every FM-ICTS, whereas 0.4 µg of mAb was used in every CG-ICTS. The coefficient of variation of FM-ICTS and CG-ICTS was 4.8% and 16.7%, respectively. The FM-ICTS and CG-ICTS can be stored at room temperature for 12 months and specific to five E. coli O157:H7 strains. Milk sample inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 were tested by the FM-ICTS and CG-ICTS. The FM-ICTS sensitivity was 10(4) CFU/ml while the CG-ICTS sensitivity was 10(5) CFU/ml. The sensitivity, consumption of antibodies, and coefficient of variation of FM-ICTS were better than those of CG-ICTS for the detection of E. coli O157:H7.