ABSTRACT This study rigorously assessed the impact of folic acid‐fortified whole wheat products on mitigating mild liver injury caused by prolonged excessive folic acid consumption, improving folic acid bioavailability, and enhancing spatial cognitive functions in mice over a 48‐day intervention period. In the water maze evaluation of the medium‐dose folic acid‐fortified group (M‐B + FA), this group demonstrated the smallest escape latency (5.20 ± 1.49 s) and the longest length in the novel object recognition test (24.37 ± 17.21 s), signifying enhanced spatial memory and recognition capabilities. The whole wheat matrix markedly elevated folic acid concentrations in plasma (75.25 vs. 57.09 μg/mL) and cerebral tissue. The findings on serum antioxidant capacity indicated that folate‐fortified whole wheat products markedly elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA). The liver function indicators indicated that the Folic acid group (FA) reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and aminotransferase (ALT) levels, with minor vacuolation noted in the liver, which was mitigated by the consumption of whole wheat products. Histological evaluation revealed that folate supplementation resulted in a heightened quantity of Nissl bodies in the CA3 area of the hippocampus. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis demonstrated that constituents in whole grains, via synergistic interactions, stimulated pathways associated with vitamin digestion and absorption, cofactor biosynthesis, and neuroactive ligand‐receptor interactions, consequently elevating the levels of neuroprotective metabolites such as tryptophan and bile acids. The whole grain diet actively enhances cognitive performance through synergistic interaction with folic acid by boosting its absorption, elevating systemic antioxidant levels and metabolic health, and regulating essential metabolic pathways associated with cognition.

ABSTRACT Value‐added utilization of resources can be developed from by‐products of agricultural processing. In this study, a neutral polysaccharide (BSLP‐1, 19,799 Da) was obtained from bamboo shoot processing liquid. Structurally, BSLP‐1 has a backbone of →4)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→ and →4,6)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→, with side chains of →5)‐α‐L‐Araf‐(1→ and α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→6)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→) at →4,6)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→ It exhibits a triple‐helical conformation, porous morphology, and semi‐crystalline nature. BSLP‐1 enhanced cell viability and restored viability in LPS‐damaged cells in vitro. It also inhibited phagocytic activity of RAW264.7, and reduced levels of nitric oxide/reactive oxygen species, and pro‐inflammatory factors such as TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β. Furthermore, it suppressed the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway by downregulating the phosphorylation of IκB, IKKα/β and P‐NF‐κB p65. These findings suggest that the polysaccharide derived from bamboo shoot processing liquid can serve as a natural anti‐inflammatory ingredient for further application in functional foods.

ABSTRACT Bitter melon polysaccharides (BMPs), a key bioactive component of bitter melon, exhibit a range of biological activities including gut microbiota regulation, immune modulation, and antioxidant activity. Based on previous evidence of its protective effect on the colonic mucus barrier under high‐fat‐diet condition, this study evaluated the therapeutic potential of BMP in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. BMP treatment alleviated typical UC symptoms, including body weight loss, colon shortening, and elevated disease activity index (DAI) scores, and improved histopathological damage and restored colonic barrier integrity. Furthermore, colonic barrier function was strengthened, with a thicker colonic mucus layer and increased goblet‐cell density. BMP significantly reduced colonic levels of IL‐1β (by 82.63%), TNF‐α (by 52.98%), and MDA (by 47.72%), and lowered serum lipopolysaccharide (by 40.01%). 16S rRNA sequencing showed that BMP remodeled gut microbiota, enriching beneficial genera ( Ligilactobacillus and Dubosiella ), and suppressing pathogenic taxa ( Escherichia‐Shigella ), associated with elevated short‐chain fatty acids, especially propionate and butyrate. BMP significantly upregulated the expression of the mucin MUC‐2 , the goblet‐cell factors trefoil factor 3 ( TFF3 ) and resistin‐like molecule beta ( RELM‐β ), promoting mucin synthesis and secretion. In conclusion, BMP alleviated colitis via a barrier‐centric mechanism involving microbiota modulation, SCFA production, and enhanced mucus secretion.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop a clean‐label 3D‐printable food ink using a formulation based on Khanom Piak Poon , a traditional Thai dessert, enriched with carrot powder (CP) for enhanced nutritional value. Unlike conventional food printing inks that contain additive hydrocolloids, this ink relies on the natural reactions between starch, sugar, and dietary fiber. Response surface methodology (RSM), combined with a Box‐Behnken design, was applied to optimize a formulation consisting of rice flour (RF), coconut sugar (CS), and CP. The results showed that interactions among these components significantly affected rheological properties and printing accuracy. The optimal formulation had an RF:CS:CP ratio of 9.8:5.4:6.3, achieving 93.6% printing accuracy, which was close to the predicted value ( R 2 = 0.99). Rheological analysis revealed that successful printing depends on a specific balance between shear‐thinning behavior and viscoelasticity. The optimal formulation exhibited a viscosity of approximately 1000 Pa·s at a shear rate of 0.1 s −1 and a storage modulus (G’) of 5000 Pa at an angular frequency of 10 rad/s. This defined rheological range allows for optimal flow under pressure while ensuring rapid structural recovery after printing. Textural characterization indicates that the optimized printed gel had a soft texture suitable for easy consumption, comparable to the traditional dessert, but with improved nutritional value. This study provides a rheological framework for the 3D printing of clean‐label, plant‐based food, demonstrating that the matrix of the traditional Thai dessert can be successfully modernized without compromising its original composition.

ABSTRACT Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic–endocrine disorder characterized by insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and ovarian dysfunction, with growing evidence implicating gut microbiota dysbiosis as a central pathogenic driver. Conventional pharmacological therapies predominantly target symptoms and often fail to restore long‐term metabolic–reproductive homeostasis, highlighting the need for sustainable, multi‐target nutritional interventions. This review critically examines bioengineered isoflavone–probiotic functional foods as an emerging precision nutrition strategy for PCOS management. Isoflavones exert endocrine and metabolic regulation through selective estrogen receptor β signaling, activation of AMPK and PI3K/Akt pathways, and suppression of oxidative–inflammatory cascades, while probiotics restore microbial diversity, reinforce intestinal barrier integrity, and enhance short‐chain fatty acid–mediated insulin sensitization along the gut–ovarian axis. Microbial biotransformation of isoflavones into bioactive metabolites such as equol further amplifies endocrine and antioxidant efficacy, underscoring the functional interdependence between dietary bioactives and the gut microbiome. Advances in food bioengineering including controlled fermentation, encapsulation and targeted delivery systems, green extraction, synthetic biology–guided strain design, and computational optimization address key challenges related to bioavailability, stability, and interindividual variability. Integration of multi‐omics profiling, metabolomic biomarkers, and sustainable bioprocessing frameworks enables phenotype‐matched formulation and scalable production of functional foods with improved efficacy and environmental compatibility. Collectively, the evidence positions bioengineered isoflavone–probiotic systems as next‐generation functional foods capable of modulating interconnected metabolic, microbial, and reproductive pathways, offering a scientifically grounded and sustainable approach for comprehensive PCOS management.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the lipid‐lowering effects and intervention mechanisms of structurally diverse functional oligosaccharides on non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). By integrating computational tools such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), a comprehensive “in silico‐in vitro‐in vivo” tri‐dimensional screening and validation model was established that targeted the key lipid metabolism regulators peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). This model successfully identified xylobiose and raffinose as candidate oligosaccharides with potential lipid‐lowering activity. Molecular docking was employed to elucidate the binding mechanisms between these oligosaccharides and their target proteins, highlighting the high structural stability of the PPARα‐ and PPARγ‐oligosaccharide complexes. Moreover, both the in vitro and in vivo models demonstrated that xylobiose and raffinose ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation by inhibiting liver lipogenesis and modulating fatty acid oxidation to restore lipid homeostasis. The results demonstrated the reliability and robustness of the integrated computational‐experimental screening strategy, providing a transferable research paradigm for the targeted discovery of functional oligosaccharides and elucidating their underlying mechanisms.

ABSTRACT The aspartic protease prochymosin, found in the abomasum of Bubalus arnee bubalis (BAB), is pivotal in κ‐casein cleavage at the Phe105‐Met106 site, facilitating milk coagulation and cheese production. Initially synthesized as pre‐prochymosin, it undergoes post‐translational modifications to form active chymosin. Advanced bioinformatics approaches including BLAST, Gene Ontology (GO), structural modeling were used to characterize the structural and functional properties of prochymosin of BAB. The study identified prochymosin as a hydrophilic, low‐molecular‐weight protein with high sequence homology to bovine prochymosin homologs. Two conserved aspartic peptidase active sites confirm its classification within the aspartic protease family, essential for its enzymatic activity. GO analysis revealed its role in aspartic endopeptidase activity and proteolysis. Secondary structure analysis found a composition of 32.80% alpha helices, 44.18% random coils, and 23.02% beta strands. Post‐translational modification sites, including phosphorylation and glycosylation regions, along with intrinsic disorder zones, suggested regulatory mechanisms and functional flexibility. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) studies indicated significant roles within buffalo stomach proteolytic networks. This study underscores the evolutionary conservation and complexity of BAB prochymosin, providing a robust foundation for further structural and functional research, particularly in its application to dairy science. Future studies should focus on experimental validation of predicted structural features and post‐translational modifications, as well as comparative analyses with other ruminants to explore species‐specific adaptations.

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for safe, high‐quality, and minimally processed foods has accelerated the development of innovative biosensing technologies tailored for real‐time monitoring in the food industry. Biosensors offer rapid, sensitive, and often non‐destructive tools for detecting contaminants, spoilage markers, nutrient content, and adulterants across diverse food matrices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the design, working principles, and applications of biosensors across major food commodity groups. Emphasis is placed on cereal and grain products for mycotoxin detection, dairy for antibiotic and adulterant monitoring, meat and poultry for pathogen identification, and seafood for spoilage and toxin detection. Applications in fruits, vegetables, beverages, bakery products, and functional foods are also discussed, highlighting the role of biosensors in monitoring pesticide residues, ripeness, fermentation status, and nutrient stability. Furthermore, the integration of biosensors into smart packaging systems and portable on‐site devices is explored as a promising approach for continuous quality surveillance throughout the food supply chain. The review concludes by addressing current challenges—including sensor stability, specificity, cost‐effectiveness, and scalability—and highlights future directions in miniaturization, AI integration, and multifunctional biosensing platforms. Unlike existing reviews that are largely commodity‐specific or technology‐focused, this work uniquely synthesizes recent advances across diverse applications while emphasizing the convergence of biosensors with digital and smart packaging technologies. Overall, this review provides a holistic resource for advancing intelligent food safety systems through biosensor innovation and their integration with emerging digital solutions.

ABSTRACT Donor human milk (DHM) is pasteurized with holder pasteurization (HoP) in human milk banks (HMBs). Being a conventional method, different studies have reported that HoP affects the nutritional and biological properties of human milk (HM), and are looking for novel non‐thermal treatments. The present work evaluated the effect of cold plasma (CP) as a non‐thermal treatment on HM constituents. DHM samples were collected from a HMB and subjected to pin‐to‐plate atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment at voltages of 170, 200, and 230 V for exposure times of 1, 3, and 5 min. These were compared with thermal pasteurization (TP) at 62.5°C for 30 min as low temperature long time (LTLT) and 72°C for 15 s as high temperature short time (HTST). CP treatment at 230 V for 3 min resulted in a significant reduction in total plate count (TPC) by 1.03 log CFU/mL and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) by 0.46 log CFU/mL ( p < 0.05). CP treatment resulted in higher antioxidant activity compared to TP. Bioactive components were differentially affected, with HTST increasing leptin concentration, CP preserving lactoferrin, and both CP and TP maintaining similar levels of lysozyme and IgA. There was a significant decrease ( p < 0.05) in pH, color, and sedimentation index, along with an increase in total soluble solids (TSS), viscosity, and fat globule count post‐CP treatment with increasing voltage and time. Nutritional composition remained similar to the control HM sample under mild CP conditions. Hence, CP could be a promising technology for pasteurizing HM in milk banks with minimal quality change under optimized treatment conditions.

ABSTRACT The detection of glucose concentration is of crucial importance across various fields such as food safety and life sciences. However, conventional glucose detection methods are often limited by their reliance on expensive instrumentation, cumbersome procedures, and time‐consuming protocols. Although electrochemical enzymatic sensors have been widely adopted for glucose determination, they suffer from inherent drawbacks such as low stability, short shelf‐life and susceptibility to environmental interference. These limitations have spurred growing interest in developing nonenzymatic sensors, also known as fourth‐generation glucose sensors, which overcome the constraints associated with enzymes. Thanks to advances in nanotechnology, significant progress has been made in the field of enzyme‐free glucose sensing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of research published between 2020 and 2024 on electrochemical enzyme‐free glucose sensors based on nanomaterials. According to the type of electrode coating materials, these sensors are classified into three categories, including transition metal‐derived nanomaterials, carbon‐based nanocomposites and polymeric materials. The sensor architecture, analytical performance parameters and fabrication technology are summarized and compared. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of different nanomaterials are critically examined, along with current challenges in industrial applications. Finally, the review outlines future research directions and highlights promising innovative prospects in this rapidly evolving field.